I’m so fussy about engine break-in (ring seating) that I will only buy a new car. Maybe that’s why no vehicle I own ever use any oil?

I check the oil level with each 10,000 mile oil change, then again right before changing the oil. Never has the oil level changed.

A GX460 is an expensive alternative, for a vehicle where the back window doesn’t open.

Maybe a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4-door. I hear they are very loud inside on the highway.

If you like the v8 at worst you will regret the v6 - ever think of the tundra route? Cab can be decent but gas sucks. My pops bought one after an f250 sd diesel. It is better in my eyes

I have a wheeling ride I tow and the 4runner has never left me confident towing - I fell like I'm beating on it with what I think of as casual use. Lighter loads are cake but close to 5k and you will want your old torque back.

Dont be surprised if the next generation 4runner does not ruin the line up. This happened with the jeep wrangler. They had one of the best engines ever, straight six, and epa garbage dictated that they moth ball the engine. The new wranglers are awful.

No way would I ever own a pickup because if I need a utility trailer I will hook up top the right sized one. No need to give up half of the useful interior to bolt on a permanent utility trailer. Pickup = Farm Truck

Even the Land Cruiser is too big for me.

BTW: Have you compared the Land Cruiser next to a Tundra to see the build difference? Same size/start but amazing how Toyota uses much higher quality components for the Land Cruiser.

GX...back window pops up separately from the "barn" door.

Newer Wrangler JL.....bad frame welds, among other issues.

A benefit of the Lexus GX rear door is that Home Depot can load an entire palet into the back of the car because the forklift can pull right up to the bumper.

Just looked:

Lexus has 19 gallon gas tank.

3rd row seats take up a lot of storage capacity.

It would be more challenging to remove the giant running board and have it look right.

Wranglers are terrible as a daily driver. All around. Everything is like driving a economy car with worse ride and road noise. They're fun. But seriously, rent one for a week before you buy if you're considering it. If you don't dread getting back behind the wheel after a week, maybe you'll love it. I would love it as a 4th or 5th vehicle. Not a chance I'd daily drive one.

The GX rear door is great imo other than swinging the wrong way for a left hand drive country. I'd still take it over the hatch.

Both the 5th gen and gx460 will have less power per lb than your 4th gen. They're both a lot heavier. The only real option for a new 4runner that's more powerful is to supercharge a 5th gen. Or wait for the 6th gen and hope for a turbo 4cyl.

I'm optimistic that Toyota can increase fuel economy and power output without ruining the 4Runner.

Making the needed repairs, with the intent to purchase the 2020 4Runner with the safety features.

Someone is going to get a great V8 4Runner when I sell.

Why wait for the 2020?

8" screen with Car Play.
Safety monitors, despite ugly box in front. Hope I can turn them off while off-road.

2020 sounds better for resale than 2019.

The 2020s are just a few months away.

Now, the real question for me to figure out: Why is the TRD Pro $6,500 more than the Trail Premium?

For $6,500 I can get a supercharger and Icon 3" lift suspension installed on the Trail Premium.

The giant roof rack would come off the 1st day anyway. Everything I want fits inside.

TRD Pro is a big debate...

In favor: Now has Fox multi stage internal bypass shocks. Special color and appearance package. Auto headlights.

Trail Premium (now TRD OR Premium) Has KDSS option. For me KDSS was a "must have" so the Pro was a non-starter. I would have bought a Limited if it had KDSS and added lockers aftermarket. Some people don't like KDSS. I do. Test drive them both.

The TRD Pro has changed a lot over the years. In 2015 when I bought my 4Runner the TRD Pro was a base model Trail plus a $500ish set of bilstein shocks and appearance package. The current TRD Pro now is more like a Premium package plus some very good fox suspension, so it justifies a bit more price increase in my opinion.

Something to consider is that the KDSS will limit your suspension travel with longer travel shocks. Stock it has the most travel of any of the setups. But aftermarket suspension it becomes a limiting factor. The TRD Pro fox shocks are also problematic for lifting - they are position sensitive so if you lift them you're not going to be in the right bypass zones. So... if you want to build something more than mild lift and up to ~ 34" tires - I'd go for either a TRD w/o KDSS or a base SR5 and build from there. If you want the best street manners - KDSS TRD OR. If you want the best ride on fire roads - TRD Pro. Nicest interior - Limited.

According to Lexus, the GX460 has a 23.0 gallon gas tank:

2019 Lexus GX - Luxury SUV - Specifications | Lexus.com

Ditto on the Wrangler. There are some true Jeep people. Many get a wrangler thinking they are a jeep person and quickly find out they are not. I had a TJ, at 6'3" 240 lbs, I found out it just was not big/comfortable enough for me. First few weeks I was in love and ready to sell my truck, thank fully I kept the truck because I sold the jeep.

The newer model 4 doors are really roomy but just dont look good stock. You will have a fortune in one if you make it look good.

Don't recall where I saw 19. You are right, as it should be identical.

I have to say, like I do over and over, I love my 4Runner as much today as the day it was new, 15 1/2 years ago.

So, purchasing anything else would be a letdown.

I see the 4Runner as the perfect compromise between daily driver, vacation auto and adventure explorer vehicle. It is quiet on the road, hauls my motorcycles on the hitch, carries our luggage easily, but gets moderate gas mileage.

In reality, of the vehicles on the "Can't tear-up" list, the 4Runner must be at the top.

My hope is that the 2020 4Runner will offer the same, or better, experience as my 2004.

When in Las Vegas last week I was stunned at just how many 4Runners there were in every parking lot. Popular and long lasting.

Some may say the new Bronco, or the new Blazer, or a Wrangler. I always default to long term reliability and can I trust the vehicle to get me home when exploring the middle-of-nowhere all by myself.