See this thread at ClubLexus forum:

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289774

I wonder if LED taillights will finally make it's appearance on the GX.

Yes I believe that's on the list. I'm hoping they'll be an easy swap to the current GX just as it is for the 4Runner's '06 LED's to the earlier 4th gens. Some folks have already been adding the Prado's LED lights to their GX.

The GX was definitely due for an exterior refreshing. Hopefully they will also offer a few new colors. Now where are the pics?

Hate to say it, but that Clublexus thread is about as useless as guessing which cars Gatorgreg will keep beyond one year!

whoa i havent been gone for that long, and now we're talking about LED tail lights?!?!? grrr... lol... I'm here in the Philippines and all I see are the Prados! lol.. Trying to get some nice cheap leather seat covers for my 4Runner, only about like $64...

Speaking of LEDs, cars over here are mostly LEDs now! The Corollas, Camry's (no hybrid), and some other cars here that arent available in the USA. Not to mention, cars over here are PROJECTOR... Imagine a RAV4 with projectors, the new CRV has projectors, the Civic has projectors, sheez... It's hella crazy over here, i guess i should take some pix to show it to you guys cuz its really cool and interesting to see them with projectors as many of you probably can't imagine those cars with projectors! lol..

Maybe this logic doesn't make any sense....
But if the GX is just getting a refreshing for '08, then I doubt the 4Runner will be re-engineered for '09. Toyota will probably wait until at least the 2010 model year to re-engineer the 4Runner (with a Fall '09 release).

I doubt if the GX crowd would like the 4Runner to have a year or more head-start concerning re-engineering.

Yes there are two new colors for the '08 GX, Desert Sage Metallic and our old T4R favorite - Salsa Red Pearl. See the "official" announcement below from the Toyota/Lexus Pressroom, unfortunately I don't see anything in it about LED's or 18's


Lexus Announces Prices on 2008 RX 400h, SC 430, GX 470, IS 250/350, ES 350 and LS 460

07/27/2007 Torrance, CA

July 27, 2007 - Torrance, CA - Lexus announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2008 RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle, SC 430 luxury hardtop convertible, GX 470 premium luxury utility vehicle, IS 250/350 luxury sport sedans, ES 350 luxury sedan, and LS 460 premium luxury sedan. Each model will go on sale in September.

The 2008 GX 470 also receives additional styling upgrades including a new dark metallic finish on the front grille, chrome roof rack side rails, liquid graphite on the standard 17-inch alloy wheels, a clear rear combination lamp turn signal lens cover, and two new colors - -Salsa Red Pearl and Desert Sage metallic. Inside, the GX 470 receives a new Brown Walnut wood trim and a chrome finish on the front door speaker grilles. Additional changes were also made on the optional Sport Package where the carpeting, third-seat latch and cargo hook will now be black.

The 2008 GX 470 will carry a base MSRP of $46,815, an increase of $180, or 0.4 percent. Additionally, the price of the popular Third Row Seat with Rear Air Conditioner option significantly reduced by $1,545 and will now be offered at $485.

# # #
Contact:
Lexus Public Relations

No it does make a little sense, I thought the same thing through myself. However, after reading the official press release it seems to me that the changes on the GX are so trivial that I'm not even sure I would call it a "refreshening" now and I don't think it means they wouldn't do a total new design for '09. From the press release it sounds like all they're really doing is changing the color on a few trim pieces and adding some different tail light lenses. What they did to the 4th gen 4Runner for its' '06 refreshening was much more involved IMO with redesigned shapes of bumpers, etc.

Good points.

I still think the next generation will be 2010 (maybe with an early release).

Toyoto seems to be on a 7 year cycle with most of it's SUV's.
The previous generation 4Runner ran 7 years. The 1st generation Highlander ran 7 years. The Sequoia ran 7 years. It follows that the 4Runner will run 2003-2009.

I'll be surprised if the 4Runner only runs 6 years, especially since Toyota seems to be slowing down new introductions a little to make sure quality is up. The next gen 4Runner might be made here in the U.S., which could also extend the introduction.

We'll have to wait and see...

In a way, the price of a GX470 actually went down significantly because almost 99% of them are shipped with 3rd row seats and rear air conditioning. Overall, I am kind of disappointed with the changes.

Yeah I mentioned the same thing on CL, they're effectively reducing the MSRP by $1,365. It's a sneaky way to cut the price and help demand without actually cutting the price officially