Thought I would share some experiences so far between the two vehicles.

2006 4Runner Sport Edition V8 (42K) vs. 2005 Lexus GX470 (19K)

Drivetrain: First they are the same drivetrain of course, but that so far seems to be where it ends. The Lexus shifts smoother, the engine sounds more beefy when you put your foot in it. The 4Runner is faster, butt dyno tells me.

Ride: The Lexus is FAR smoother. Considerably. I'm sure a percentage lends itself to the tires but I wasn't running anything aggressive on the 4Runner. This may have to do with the weight. 400lbs is the difference? Different spring rates? Not sure but the Lexus hands down has this in the bag.

Handling: 4Runner wins. Lower center of gravity. In the Lexus defense, I didn't have the rear air suspension lowered or the sport setting on. Not sure how much this would help though.

Interior: Subjective of course. The Lexus is posh. The 4Runner is spartan. The Lexus has more room for the occupants. Leg room seems to be less in the Lexus and the headroom is far greater. Much better storage in the 4Runner. Fit and finish in the Lexus has got the 4Runner beat.

Sound System: For the Lexus in a word, AMAZING. 4Runner is pathetic. Not much else to say.

4WD system: Why didn't the 4Runner get the stick shift like the Lexus. I prefer the stick as opposed to electronics. Have not taken the Lexus off road.



The tough part of all of this is I KNOW the Lexus is more than capable off road but I don't know when that will happen compared to the 4Runner. That may be the one drawback. I don't miss the roll down window in the back, thought maybe I would. The swing out door has advantages and disadvantages. This is only personal preference. Those running boards on the Lexus are um, low.

All and all, for myself, I made the right choice. The 4Runner was great, but being 6'2 and 230lbs, it was small in the front seat. Now I feel like the Lexus fits me. It's more luxury than I'm used to, but it's going to be an easy transition. I'd love to see more peeps move into the GX and see more build ups. I've seen a few and when they are lifted with aggressive tires, boards removed, they look pretty sweet.

If anyone is looking to make the switch and have other questions, let me know.

LOL!

Maybe next we'll see something slightly more ridiculous like comparing a MB G55 AMG vs. a Kia Sportage. Just slightly though.

2009 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG | Gear Patrol

Kia Sportage Review Price Specifications Mileage Interior Color

I kid b/c I care. Really!

I'm gonna kick you in the ovaries!

Just wrote it up because it's slightly more common for some to transition to the GX from the 4Runner just like they do from the Kia to the MB. Same same.

LOL!

You're the one with the ovaries with your GX.

Really, I only see women drive RX and GX's.

Lexus GX 460 Commercial: Action Hero | The Lexus Enthusiast

LexusGX_GirlPower.jpg (image)

You stink! Now I am going to have to trade up. Your description was so spot-on to my experience and now that you've confirmed it... This is going to cost me

My ovaries can't wait!

Yup, I like to roll nice and comfortable when on the pavement but I like to really DRIVE when off road. Forearms tore up, legs aching, sweaty, dusty. It's the only way to off road.

Let me show you my wheeler and how my ovaries roll off road cause I'm a proud monkey...

This is a 1969 Kaiser CJ5 Jeep with 67,504 original miles. She is locked front and rear. She's got a Warn overdrive giving me six forward gears and two reverse. (yeah my ovaries SHIFT when I'm off road) She does NOT have power steering, nor does she have disk brakes (drum all around). She's running Dana 44s front and rear stuffed with 4:88 gears, a Buick V6 and 33 inch tires. 8K old school (reliable) Warn winch gracing the front. She has taken me over the Rubicon numerous times, the Sierra Trek a few. (testament to how my ovaries drive off road, see dents or scratches?)

Yeah no VSC switch, no Torsen center diff, no RSCA switch and you know what's even better? It's one of a kind. I built it.

thx for the review. the 4r is def more masculine than the soccer mom style of the gx. your points really have little room for debate.

thx!

I agree with you...when the 4R is lifted and/or modded. When I pick up my daughter from school there is a milf with fake bazoobies driving a 4R. I laugh every time she gets in with her short ahem, attire. (and it's a Catholic school)



For the record, I plan on doing the same lift height, spacers, and tires on the GX that I did on the 4Runner. I want to remove the side steps as well. I'm sourcing Tundra rims right now to replace the stockers. It's going to be some time though, I have to get over the extra money dropped to get the GX.

Honestly, it's a rebadged LandCruiser. 120 platform. Just wrapped in a lot of Charmin! hahaha

let's not go so far as the LC that is the legend! plus that's a toyota badge that's $70K strong. insanity! if not for my love of the G55 amg 2008+, i'd hit up a newer LC.

i'd love to see a GX properly lifted. if i was motivated enough (am not), i'd get a black gx, lift it with the toytec ultimate kit, add some BFG TA KOs and black out all the non black body parts. yes, black glossy powdercoated rims.

would make it truly one of a kind since i have seen ONE modified GX in Seattle. looking forward to the results, bud.

FourEyedWilly was referring to Landcruiser 120, otherwise known as Prado.

FourEyedWilly, try driving your GX in "Sport" mode - makes world of a difference. It gives you a more direct feel of the road. I only use "Comfort" setting when my little one falls asleep. I do NOT like the "disconnected" feel of the Comfort setting.

Lowering the rear air suspension does not do anything to improve the ride quality - it goes back to normal once your speed exceeds 12 mph IIRC.

I'm not getting the function of this thread...maybe it's an inside joke? Would anyone really expect the much, much less expensive T4R would compete in things like on road ride quality or the sound system of a Lexus?? Of course the much higher price allows Toyota to put in much higher level components. To each his own, but comparing the Lexus and T4R, as if they're on equal footing, is about as valid as pointing out a $5,000. aftermarket sound system sounds better than the one that costs $2,500.

Agreed.

Repped too.

4EyedWilly, good assessment...similar to what i have found. The good thing is that you do see where your money went going from 4runner to GX, unlike the other more well-known Toyota-Lexus combo (aka Camry-ES350).

I would like to see a comparison b/w the 2010-up 4runner JBL sound system vs. your first gen Mark Levinson system. (And if you want to really wow yourself, then check out the ML REFERENCE system in the LS460 or LX570!) I think that the newer JBL system has come close to the 1st gen ML system...the newer JBL plays louder and comes very close in clarity.

Maybe I should have named the thread different. Honestly my intent is not to show that the GX is better than the 4Runner. My intrigue comes from the fact that the 120 platform is shared across many vehicles. From what I have researched a move from the 4Runner to the GX is a common change. If I bought a Prado, or an FJ I would have compared those two.

Where the GX excels is not going to be for everyone. The 4Runner has advantages the GX can't match and vise versa. I didn't trade in my 4Runner because I hated it or even didn't like it. The GX was a nice upgrade that was in my cards and I jumped on it. I'm on road 99% of the time.

My intent was to share with those that are tossing around making this transition. I figured it might give them an idea of what my experiences so far have been. For me, I won't buy an SUV from another automaker, so that leaves a few choices. (Sequoia, FJ, 4R, GX, LX, LC) I can't afford two of those. The FJ sadly is not an option as I have a 2yr old. That leaves me two choices. I figure there are others out there with similar cards.

Oh and BTW, I have heard less expensive sound systems sound better than more expensive ones. Just like the 4Runner is better in many ways than it's snobby GX cousin.

Cheers!

I know my wife had an IS before she traded it in and even that ML system blew my 05 version away. I can't imagine what the new LS or LX has! I wanted the LX so bad when I was at the dealer, but $89K in clams is NOT in my range. My bad for not clarifying I had the non-jbl system. Oversight.