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Originally Posted by Carmaker1
Thanks, I appreciate it and thank you for spreading the good word.
Have any of you heard about the 2024 Lexus GX?
I knew I wasn't doubting myself, when it became clear that the USA folks were keeping mum extremely.
The 2024 GX, is going very niche. This is not going to be your mama's Lexus, as has been the case since December 2002.
This vehicle loses all sense of its curves and harkens back to the 1990 Prado, aka none other than a modern take on the 70-Series, but in a luxurious and high tech laden package.
This vehicle is being designed to compete with G550 and Defender 110 on the lower end of price range. The ultimate Lexus offroader. It is like Lexus hit reset and brought the 70-Series into the 21st century. The bad news? No V8 and no SFA like the J76. This migrates the GX to GA-F, but takes Lexus in a whole new direction.
Launch is December 2023, named GX 550. Allegedly a mild hybrid married to the V35A-FTS. Does this affect the 4Runner? Well considering how there is no 4.6L in the 4Runner, don't count on the TTV6.
One question I do have is, why wouldn't Toyota put the TX 500h and RX 500h V6 powertrain (8GR-FXS) in the 2024 4Runner? Surely it has been tuned for more torque in these crossover applications. I4T mated to hybrid is coming.
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I don't doubt that this may happen. But I find it very disappointing. And I think it'll be a long term mistake. Just like how Toyota overpriced the LC200 so badly that it killed the product line. I think they'll lose a lot of current GX buyers going that route and not pick up many new ones.
A lot of people like me would have bought an LC200 if it were offered in a mid-range trim that didn't weigh 6k lbs. I want the hardware. The v8, the 8AT, the larger axles and longer travel suspension. I not only don't need the luxury - I actively do not want the 500+lbs of bloat to haul around. And it's a PITA to strip the weight back out.
The biggest disappointment is that Toyota is withholding the functional components and products to make it tied in with the luxury side. But basically only for the USA market. And only in some segments. Tundra will offer the V35A hybrid in a base model work truck for around $45k. But if I want the same parts in an SUV it has to be $100k?? There's a disconnect going on between the marketing teams for the two product lines.
Anyway - love the idea of a boxy SUV that's closer in form to the LC70. I hate the fact that it'll likely only come in Lexus trim for $100k and rarely be seen on anything more than a dirt road for the next 20 years like the GX.
Maybe the next 4R will be great. I hope so. But it's just so so late to the game and if it's like the new Tundra it'll be pretty underwhelming too because it's taken so long and the world has moved on.
OTOH - I do expect the next Rav4 to be pretty great. Toyota seems to actually care about the Rav.