2013 GX460 Showed up in my driveway

[M1911]

I drove both at length. Hated the GX so much I couldn't wait to return it, loved the 4R so much I bought one. One year old now and still love it.

What did you hate about it?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Lexus are not just flashy Toyotas, they are more refined Toyotas. The GX feels nothing like the 4Runner and the RX feels nothing like the Highlander. I test drove them all. Before I thought why spend 10k more on an RX instead of a Highlander... what a huge difference once you spend some time in them. Mom went with the RX.



I would love a GX but couldn't stand that swinging rear door. Where's the tailgate!!? That and the weird grills Lexus is slapping on all their cars...

Depends on what you mean by "refined" I haven't really been won over by many Lexus vehicles (though the IS300 was a spunky little toy) mainly because Lexus's idea of "refinement" usually means soggy handling and sluggish performance. I was sorely dissapointed by the LS400 and the potential that vehicle had. Most every Lexus Sedan I have driven still has the soggy handling and slothful engine/transmission mapping that Lexus is known for. I played with a 2011 IS250 and while it was a step in the right direction, I was dissapointed in the longer shift times in the IS250 with flappy paddle transmission than most other vehicles I have driven (it did feel smooth when it shifted... even though it made it cut performance.)

Don't get me wrong, Lexus is nice and cushy and they're good cars for people who don't care about pushing a vehicle. My biggest complaint with Lexus has always been that they make a good luxury product, but a poor performance product (even the ISF's 8spd transmission was lamented at being poorly mapped by many drivers.) Something the Germans have always been very good at, now granted many of the newer Lexus products are now showing that Lexus has finally woken up and realized the old timey Cadillac and Oldsmobile mentality of making a "luxury" product is just not a good way to sell a vehicle unless it comes with a full-time driver.

I eagerly look forward to the RC-F and some of their future plans in hopes they remain serious about making Lexus a Luxury/Performance brand like they've tried for many years.

That being said, the GX is for the most part a much nicer and refined Limited 4Runner squashy air suspension and all. But I will give Lexus some credit; they manage to not entirely ruin their real SUVs. The LX models and GX models stay pretty damn close to their respective Toyota Platforms (hell the LX is like 80% Land Cruiser with some sprinkles and Lexus Badges!) and they feel a lot more capable than most other luxury SUVs I've had the displeasure of driving.

 

[drsus]

If I want to spend $20k too much for a badge, I'll go get a nice Rolex.

well...lets get more realistic our trucks and a GX.

the GX is Toyotas' biggest selling 4x4 suv around the world, by a long shot. the thing is sold everywhere and considered THE suv to buy in just about every country but here ( i blame that on lame marketing lexus thing they do). The 4runner in the other hand doesnt even calculate into their numbers, its really an American market vehicle that also sell a little in south america and such. So what that means is that Toyota puts a hell of a lot more of effort into these things than into the 4runner. I'm not saying they don't put effort into it! the 4runner is an important truck for the here, they sell enough of them to be an important product.

so, how much $ over a 4runner is the difference worth?
the Prado/GX is a v8 ..
the Prado has more interior room in every direction.. and then to add insult to injury the GX its still 2" shorter wheelbase! and its narrower! wtf?
the Prado always has Toyotas latest greatest 4x4 system while the 4unner has a detuned or previous version of it
the Prado interior, especially in Lexus trim, is light years apart from the 4runner as far as amenities and quality of materials...they use leather, not syntex for example
GX tows 6500lb 4runner 4700lb
GX has adaptive variable suspension
etc etc


my point is, you're not paying $20k more "for a badge"... you're paying extra for a lot more extra. the question becomes is $20k worth all the extra truck you get with the GX over the 4runner? personally i wouldn't make that choice when looking at new trucks. Now, used market becomes a much closer battle and one that i would probably choose to spend the extra to get the GX over the 4runner.

consider this:

kelly blue book 2010 GX w/ premium package excellent condition $35k
2010 4runner limited excellent condition $28k

sorry...there's no way in hell you can say the 4runner is a better buy there considering what you get from each truck.


and then there this

 

[M1911]

the Prado has more interior room in every direction.. and then to add insult to injury the GX its still 2" shorter wheelbase! and its narrower! wtf?

I don't know where you got your dimensions, but they are not correct. The wheelbase is the same:

GX470 wheelbase: 109.8 in
4Runner wheelbase: 109.8 in

The GX is wider with mirrors extended.

GX470 width: 76.4 with mirrors extended, 74.2 in with mirrors folded.
4Runner width: 75.8 in

See Toyota.com and Lexus.com

I test drove the 5th Gen 4Runner and GX460 in December. I wanted to like them. I really did. But I didn't much care for either. YMMV.

 

[Jhalko]

well...lets get more realistic our trucks and a GX.

so, how much $ over a 4runner is the difference worth?
the Prado/GX is a v8 ..
the Prado has more interior room in every direction.. and then to add insult to injury the GX its still 2" shorter wheelbase! and its narrower! wtf?
the Prado always has Toyotas latest greatest 4x4 system while the 4unner has a detuned or previous version of it
the Prado interior, especially in Lexus trim, is light years apart from the 4runner as far as amenities and quality of materials...they use leather, not syntex for example
GX tows 6500lb 4runner 4700lb
GX has adaptive variable suspension
etc etc


my point is, you're not paying $20k more "for a badge"... you're paying extra for a lot more extra.

A 50% increase in price for not necessarily a 50% increase in the performance in each of those categories you list. For some 20k isn't a big deal for some 2k is a huge deal, but in terms of the percentage increase in cost I just don't see the value. We are really splitting hairs though as both are awesome vehicles and I think we'd all be proud to drive either.

And my truck has real leather...:eyebrows:

 

[Intruder]

the GX is Toyotas' biggest selling 4x4 suv around the world, by a long shot. the thing is sold everywhere and considered THE suv to buy in just about every country but here ( i blame that on lame marketing lexus thing they do).

Wonder what percentage of the GX sales outside of NA is diesel. There are all sorts of reasons that diesel BoF SUVs sell better around the world than here (city population vs rural, interstates vs unpaved, etc.). Anyhow, different strokes for different folks and I'm glad that there's variety out there for people - at least until 2016 when the GX is being discontinued in NA. Overall this GX vs 4Runner argument is just as lame as some of the SR5 vs TE vs Ltd vs TRDP arguments that go on around here.

 

[drsus]

Wonder what percentage of the GX sales outside of NA is diesel. There are all sorts of reasons that diesel BoF SUVs sell better around the world than here (city population vs rural, interstates vs unpaved, etc.). Anyhow, different strokes for different folks and I'm glad that there's variety out there for people - at least until 2016 when the GX is being discontinued in NA. Overall this GX vs 4Runner argument is just as lame as some of the SR5 vs TE vs Ltd vs TRDP arguments that go on around here.

well yes, to clarify i wasn't arguing for one or the other as much as making sure we understood that the price difference wasn't as simply as a badge and fancy interior. i own a 4runner so that should tell you where i sit in the vs argument.

 

[drsus]

I don't know where you got your dimensions, but they are not correct. The wheelbase is the same:

GX470 wheelbase: 109.8 in
4Runner wheelbase: 109.8 in

The GX is wider with mirrors extended.

GX470 width: 76.4 with mirrors extended, 74.2 in with mirrors folded.
4Runner width: 75.8 in

See Toyota.com and Lexus.com

I test drove the 5th Gen 4Runner and GX460 in December. I wanted to like them. I really did. But I didn't much care for either. YMMV.

well, thats the beauty of the internet, no two site have the same info,

i was going by this one

Price LeBlanc Lexus

 

[drsus]

A 50% increase in price for not necessarily a 50% increase in the performance in each of those categories you list. For some 20k isn't a big deal for some 2k is a huge deal, but in terms of the percentage increase in cost I just don't see the value. We are really splitting hairs though as both are awesome vehicles and I think we'd all be proud to drive either.



And my truck has real leather...:eyebrows:

Ah yes... Mine has softex and I failed to realize that some, like the limited, come with leather.

My point was more to the statement that the GX is just a badge and wood trim for 20k. Whether or not one feels it's worth it it's from person to person, but the truck hd significant differences between them to at least admit there's some justification for the price differences.

Like I said on my post, I don't think it's worth it when buying them new. Used, however, it becomes less obvious when we're only talking 5-6k, for some, as you said.

 

[Ammomac]

I looked at GXs while shopping for my 4runner - no way was I going to be able or willing to go new on one, but thats the real beauty of that truck - they can be found in the certified pre-owned program for pretty dang cheap as compared to new.

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

I totally get that the GX has more going for it than just a Lexus badge and wood trim over the 'Runner. It's all that "other stuff," the tech, that I like. What they did to "bring it up to Lexus standards," however, ruins it for me. If I had a GX, I'd seriously consider what it would take to make it look like a world market Prado (no idea what this would cost or if it's even feasible).

With regard to leather versus SofTex, I might be in the minority here, but I actually prefer the SofTex. It looks and feels great, but mainly maintenance is a breeze, and it wears so much better than leather. My BMW has "leatherette" (i.e., vinyl) seats that look exactly as they did when the car was delivered new 5 years ago, with no need for periodic conditioning, etc. Especially in a vehicle built to last and designed to get dirty, I think the Softex is the way to go.

 

[M1911]

I looked at GXs while shopping for my 4runner - no way was I going to be able or willing to go new on one, but thats the real beauty of that truck - they can be found in the certified pre-owned program for pretty dang cheap as compared to new.

When I looked at GX CPOs they didn't seem to be much of a bargain.

 

[Engineer]

Overall this GX vs 4Runner argument is just as lame as some of the SR5 vs TE vs Ltd vs TRDP arguments that go on around here.

This, Close Thread

 

[Intruder]

well yes, to clarify i wasn't arguing for one or the other as much as making sure we understood that the price difference wasn't as simply as a badge and fancy interior. i own a 4runner so that should tell you where i sit in the vs argument.

Yeah sorry I didn't mean you, more just in general. So many insecure people around lately who justify their purchase by bashing everything else.

 

[drsus]

With regard to leather versus SofTex, I might be in the minority here, but I actually prefer the SofTex. It looks and feels great, but mainly maintenance is a breeze, and it wears so much better than leather. My BMW has "leatherette" (i.e., vinyl) seats that look exactly as they did when the car was delivered new 5 years ago, with no need for periodic conditioning, etc. Especially in a vehicle built to last and designed to get dirty, I think the Softex is the way to go.

I'm actually with you on that. I was happy mine came with softex. leather always wears too much. I know tat if you use the right conditioners ext they wear better... But I rather not have to to all that.

 

[wfo9]

Man, the threads around here have gone so soft it is crazy. Now we are into comparing grades of seat surfaces? Whats next, quality of the stock sound system. :faint:

I would never even consider a new GX. However, there is some serious potential lurking behind those fancy badges and ugly running boards of the first gens.

The great thing about a used GX is just how lightly used many of them are. I saw a 2007 for sale the other day with 30k on the OD. It looked brand new for 20k that is a heck of a truck. And I have seen similar ones with higher miles for 10k. The fact that they suck the gas and are full time 4wd make them have poor resale here in the south.

A similar 4runner (a 4th gen) is near impossible to find in good shape. 4x4 4runners seem to be beaten on here, while GXs mainly sit in the garage.

If I got one, I would immediately lift it (eliminating the air bag suspension out back).. I need to do more research on them before picking one up. I want to understand what version of ATRAC they have. Some also have KDSS, but I would want to make sure it would still work properly without the air bag setup. The downside of the GX as an overland rig is even more electronic gizmos to go bad, with limited direct aftermarket support (however it is basically a 4th gen 120 under all that luxury)

 

[drsus]

Man, the threads around here have gone so soft it is crazy. Now we are into comparing grades of seat surfaces? Whats next, quality of the stock sound system. :faint:

Funny you should mention the sound system....
Lol

yeah, a used GX is hard to argue against

 

[1engineer]

Man, the threads around here have gone so soft it is crazy. Now we are into comparing grades of seat surfaces? Whats next, quality of the stock sound system. :faint:

I would never even consider a new GX. However, there is some serious potential lurking behind those fancy badges and ugly running boards of the first gens.

The great thing about a used GX is just how lightly used many of them are. I saw a 2007 for sale the other day with 30k on the OD. It looked brand new for 20k that is a heck of a truck. And I have seen similar ones with higher miles for 10k. The fact that they suck the gas and are full time 4wd make them have poor resale here in the south.

A similar 4runner (a 4th gen) is near impossible to find in good shape. 4x4 4runners seem to be beaten on here, while GXs mainly sit in the garage.

If I got one, I would immediately lift it (eliminating the air bag suspension out back).. I need to do more research on them before picking one up. I want to understand what version of ATRAC they have. Some also have KDSS, but I would want to make sure it would still work properly without the air bag setup. The downside of the GX as an overland rig is even more electronic gizmos to go bad, with limited direct aftermarket support (however it is basically a 4th gen 120 under all that luxury)

I know. I now walk around here on tip toes with kid gloves so I don't hurt the new guy's feelings. I guess they think I posted 5K worth of flaming insults for the past four years lol instead of actually answering questions.
What kills me is they think a thread should stay on topic forever. Anyone who has been around a bit knows that threads stay on topic exactly as long as pertinent information and comments are submitted. Once the original topic is exhausted then all threads just slowly slip off the main page - or they are given new life as something totally different!

on topic:
If a GX showed up in my driveway I would drive the hell out of it. They are nice machines. I wouldn't buy one though because if I were going to spend that kind of money on a vehicle I would just pass the GX up and go get a Land Cruiser.

 

[chmura]

The GX470 looks little dated to me. I would get a GX460 instead prior to the ugly hideous F Sport bumper facelift.

If something happened to my 4runner I would strong condiser a used 2011 GX460. I have not seen a modded GX460 yet, only the 470's.

 

[JohnJerk]

Love everything about my GX from price to warranty to V8 to six speed to third row to size to towing capability to LED front and rear. Best value out there IMO. Foot of snow yesterday and she's unstoppable with fresh 32" Duratracs.