I just traded in my 4Runner for an X5 50e so I totally get wanting something fun to drive.

Surfboards are easy to stick out of that rear window!

I remember reading that the LC250 First Edition was likely going to end up somewhere right around $60K. Toyota and Lexus have had pricing overlap on similar vehicles before, so a loaded LC coming in around maybe $64K wouldn't be out of the question.

I think the real thing to consider is going to be if you want the Hybrid Max powertrain with the better fuel economy or the burlier I6 turbo in the GX550. I look at the 8000 vs. 6000 tow rating and that makes the Lexus really tempting despite the fuel economy hit.

I remember you mentioning earlier in this thread that you were thinking about one. Enjoying it so far?

I drove the 40i X5 and really liked it while looking around. If you could still get a third row as a special order in an X5 I'd really be willing to splurge on one, but I actually think the X3 M40i is the better driver's car overall for about $10K less similarly equipped. X5 has air suspension and about 30% more cargo room, but interior passenger volume is really close to the X3 (which just feels a lot smaller and lighter to me).

After getting creamed on depreciation for my 3 European cars previously (my Rover, a VW Golf R and an Audi TT-S), I'm really tempted to go a different way this time though. Especially considering the X5 is consistently in top 10 worst depreciation lists... If you plan on buying something to hold it even with expensive up keep later in life though, it's not a huge concern.

Here is a feature comparison for the GX550 on the Lexus website.

https://www.lexus.com/content/dam/le...xus-GX-POG.pdf

I think the GX is larger by volume. It's quite a bit taller. And the RX gives up a lot of its interior space to the stylized rear. I notice on mine how much less interior volume it has behind the seats vs my 4Runner because of the slope of the rear glass. It's a great vehicle for what it is - a car with big tires. It's entire point is to be invisible and I think it does that perfectly. It's incredibly boring to own. Nothing ever goes wrong. It never squeaks, never rattles, never feels sport or too slow, never has bad tire wear, never has a light bulb go out. It has a center diff lock, but you never need to use it because it figures it out for you. It's just there to shuttle you wherever you want in any weather without any mental effort required. It's the non-enthusiast's car. The other big plus of the RX is that it comes pre-programmed to self drive to the nearest retirement community.

I've said this a million times - but Toyota really needs to build an RX size SUV on the GA-L platform that's under the RWD or rear biased awd sedans. I've also had an IS and the RWD longitudinal engine platform would be much more engaging to drive under an RX sized SUV than the front wheel drive layout. Making an RX a sporty vehicle ruins the reason it exists IMO. It's not supposed to be a fast sport SUV. And the recent suspension updates - especially the F sport versions - don't do it any favors. It's still not fast. You just made it less comfortable.

I thought that it was at least a possibility that we'd see the TX go that route. IMO that would have been the way to bump up to mid range towing capacity. If they built the same body as the TX but on the GA-L platform with a TTV6 engine and something like the gen2 Sequoia or LS500 rear suspension it should be capable of more like 7500lb towing. Then it would be much closer to a direct competitor with similar size luxury 3 row models like the Mercedes GLS.

I have to say, the Overtrail+ at $75K absolutely demolishes the Land Rover Defender 110 and 130 on pricing versus equipment. You'd easily be in $85K to $90K vehicles to have them similarly equipped with how much equipment is not standard on JLR products. Plus it's BoF and should be arguably more capable than the Defender offroad I'd say.

I think Lexus is going to see their sales go up with this new iteration of the GX to be honest.

I was honestly worried they were going to end up pricing the Overtrail trims starting in the $70K range with the + north of $80K.

Looks like the OT+ has crept above $80K

Gx pricing leaked | Page 2 | IH8MUD Forum

Certainly...when I meant the RX was bigger, I did not mean cargo capacity. The GX460 is, I guess I should say was, boxy and tall. I am sure the RX is a fine ride if I spent some quality time in one. I told my wife she could get one if she wanted since there are quite a few very low mileage 2022s around here. She test drove it along with a 2023 and was not happy. The RX that I like the best is the 3rd gen. That's a fairly cool vehicle.

People will probably buy the crap out of the TX but, to me, it is a mistake, especially with that 4 cylinder turbo engine. A TTV6 would have been the perfect power plant for the TX.

My big complaint with Lexus is the a-la-carte way they are now building their vehicles. To be called a luxury brand, you shouldn't have items like heated seats as an optional feature. It makes the base price look reasonable but it's a shell game. Clearly, Toyota sees a way of making profit by removing basic luxury features and then listing them as $400-$800 factory options, knowing people will want them and spend the extra...without understanding that it they are getting duped. The GX550 is going to be crazy expensive for people who want what is featured in the teaser videos and marketing promos.

That's how all the luxury brands do it.
That said, I wouldn't call Lexus/Acura a luxury brand. Premium is a better word.

Hrm, so was the first pricing info leaked actually invoice (dealer pricing) versus MSRP? That's the one thing I'm trying to understand.

Even at just a smidge over $80K, Overtrail+ isn't a bad deal. More in line with likely hitting at least a $10K premium over a loaded LC250 First Edition though..

Was going to chime in with this and then saw your response. This is one of the things that even turned me off of Mercedes in that you really need to be ready to put $10K to $15K into any of their vehicles to add equipment that you can get standard on a much cheaper car.

BMW isn't quite as bad with this, but the lack of standard adaptive cruise control is a big annoyance for them. For instance on the X5 I think you need to add the $1700 driver's assistance package which just happens to also put the $2300 parking assistance package as mandatory...

Lexus generally just has more trims I'd say with a bit of customization available between them...

If you had never seen a car before and were blind to marketing - I don't think someone would sit in a BMW 5 series or a Mercedes E class and think they were any more "luxurious" than many mainstream vehicles. Both the 5 series and E class would be a step down in ride comfort and NVH from a Ram 1500 Limited. Yes - they are a bit less expensive than the truck. But in the same ball park. The lines have gotten pretty blurry to the point that I'm not sure there is much real world difference anymore. Mostly marketing. At least as far as the common models go. A Lexus LC500 is a stand out vehicle. As is Mercedes AMG GT. Maybach. Probably the LM probably would stand out as ultra-luxury. But not the normal stuff.

I do think Lexus should include all the typical features available on a top trim Toyota as a base model Lexus. That's the general idea - Lexus steps in at the top of the Toyota range and carries on up the trim levels from there.

The biggest deal breaker for me is the 17mpg. I believe the numbers released are 15/21/17 mpg. Not great for a midsize SUV.

Here's a pretty weak puff piece that came out today and features an awful rendering of an ugly "potential new" 4Runner that I do not especially find attractive.

2025 Toyota 4Runner: Everything We Know

Hah, if it looks like that I'll for sure be getting a LC or GX .

I do somewhat agree with you. I think if you compare the top trim of many mainstream vehicles versus the base trim of a luxury vehicle, often the top trim mainstream vbehicle is going to seem just as luxurious or more so than the base trim of a luxury vehicle.

When you start to move up to higher trims and options offered in some of the luxury makes though, I do think you can get a much nicer overall package often, but you're going to pay A LOT for it potentially.

For example, part of me is seriously just settling for something like a Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy to replace my Rover. I'll end up with more features probably in it for $53K than any luxury vehicle south of about $80K.

If you look at some of the upgraded optional interiors in mid-tier and up vehicles from Mercedes Benz or Land Rover though, they often are blowing the mainstream vehicles out of the water. I don't know if you've seen a current 2024 X5 post refresh; especially with the leather interior it's nicer than anything in Toyota's lineup by far in my opinion. Lexus, probably not...

On the G550, I do agree the 17 mpg combined is pretty bad. But if you compare it to some similar vehicles (larger SUV, 8000 pound tow rating), the Defender is rated 18 mpg combined, the Tahoe at 17 mpg and the Seqouia at 20 mpg. The real outlier is going to be the LC250 with that Hybrid powertrain assuming it ends up rated somewhere around 25 to 26 mpg.

I'm lucky if I get 16 with my 4Runner in real world usage here, so I guess it just doesn't bother me that much, especially if I end up with something more efficient as the other vehicle in our garage.