4runner or Lexus

[hdshawks]

Hi everyone. I'm just looking for input in regards to trading my 4runner for a GX460. I've got a 16 trail 4runner 134600 miles , im looking at a 17 GX460 less than 40k miles on it. Already has a slight lift. Ironman foam cel as well as a full rack on top. Uses: I use my current vehicle for daily driving and hunting/fishing. So I tend to be on fire roads that can get muddy and rocky. I'm just looking at the pros and cons.
Thanks, any advice/comments are welcome.

 

[Tuco S.]

You should check in with CaptRussia253, on this forum or the other one. He has both models. Perhaps he can answer any questions you might have.

 

[hdshawks]

Thanks, I will contact him.

 

[Ryance39]

I very seriously considered it prior to buying my 5th gen.
Basically what I came up with was unless you get a 2013 GX or earlier, that big front bumper is going to get beat up on any kind of trail, and you'll have trouble trying to go with a larger tire. I also was looking for one without active suspension, which proved tough to find locally.

For about the same money, at the time, I decided something brand new was better than something used. I really like the look of the GX460, and the interior, but after driving both the 4Runner just did the trick better for how I intended to use it.

 

[Johnnyg182]

I have a 19 TRD Pro and my wife has a 20 GX460. I haven’t done any off-roading with the 460 other than playing around in really deep snow which it handled flawlessly. We joke about handing it down to our 6 yr old in 10 years. He’ll add 33s, sliders, roof rack and steel bumpers I’m sure. I did just see one with 33.2” tires on 18s but didn’t get to ask about rubbing.

My pro has 33s, lift and armor and feels so slow compared to the stock 460.

 

[MAST4R]

I second ^

The front bumper really is that bad, even if you are not really on 4x4 trails with any regularity. In addition, I love how easy to clean the 4R interior is. The Lexus? I really like it, I think it is great, but I also know what frequent off-pavement driving does to a more sophisticated cabin.

So if it were me, it would depend on the regularity of that fishing/hunting and on whether we are talking anything more than just basic dirt roads with minor rocks and ruts.

Another factor to consider is suspension. Unless you buy a Pro, you will want to upgrade the 4R's suspension. But it is easy. OTOH, you may not need/want to do so with the GX's. But if you decide to do so, it is not nearly as easy (to do it well, not just swap one set of parts for another).

Also consider KDSS. This is a highly controversial matter on this forum but in my experience with others' KDSS, the system is definitely not your friend on rough roads at speed. It is your friend in low range and on the street. But a good aftermarket suspension eliminates any issues with road handling while beating you up less on harsh but fast dirt.

To sum up:

--suspension
--overall capability
--ease of work/replacements/cleaning

would be the factors for me.

 

[Johnnyg182]

Only bit of flexing it’s done so far...

 

[SlickTRD]

I have both and I prefer driving the GX for the v8 and 6speed. Its just that much better than the 4R.

 

[Sonoran_Desert]

I would imagine TOC, maintenance costs are higher on GX so maybe that is a consideration.

Does anybody know which vehicle has less depreciation (percent depreciation of purchase cost) after 10 years?

Also, 4Runner height just barely fits in my garage. GX would not.

 

[rushrunner]

Difference? No back window down. End of story. Don't waste your time. :bounce:

 

[hdshawks]

I've considered and weighed the options about the lift gate and rear window slide down. My 4runner currently has 5100s all around about a 1.5 in lift approximate. As well as some Toyo Open Country ATIII. Also has KDSS. For me KDSS is a must have.
As far as I know I believe the GX has a slightly smaller cargo area. I know in the 4runner I can fit a whole AZ mule deer in the back with all my hunting gear. Good point on stating that there is a lot more offroad parts for the 4runner.
The GX I'm looking at has the Ironman Foam Cell suspension all around.

 

[hdshawks]

Here's what I'm looking at. I've also ran the VIN on Lexus Drivers for maintenance history and such.

 

[Pedro367]

mmmmmmmmm that silky V8 is special. The Lexus is 1000% a better daily driver, has a 3rd row if you need, nicer/quieter interior, etc. It has KDSS which I have on my 4R and love. I'm hoping to get one for my wife at some point for a family truckster with the two kids that we could take on the beach or something if need be.

4R if you're going to do any wheeling harder than a beach or dirt roads. 4R still has tons of room for a mid-sized SUV for whatever you need to carry. 4R has a better aftermarket and is more easily customized to make your own. I feel my 4R is a great DD and very comfortable road tripper.

Also, do you want the look of driving a Lexus or a 4R? I know for me I feel a lot cooler driving my 4R than I would a GX that just blends into the traffic. And thats important

 

[Humble Leader]

I seriously considered both before buying my 4runner. basically both vehicles are very capable and comfortable. much of the purchase decision comes down to personal preference over mechanical superiority but here's some considerations I've put together when I was searching

- ride comfort: lexus, you really can't beat lexus here. road manners of the gx are better than 4runner
- offroad ability: 4runner. stock to stock, 4runner wins here + there's offroad trim oriented levels
- mods: 4runner. there's just simply more reading material, products, etc. to support modifications. GX can be modded but here in Canada I have never seen a modded GX
- creature comforts and tech + fit and finish inside: lexus hands down
- maintenance costs: lexus will be more expensive without a doubt. if you rely on dealers to perform maintenance it's going to cost a lot more than at toyota

towing capacity, power, storage, 0-60 etc. differences between the two will not be important factors for 95% of people out there considering these two vehicles. they are similar enough to accommodate most people's needs and not really deal breakers IMO

 

[hdshawks]

Here is my current rig.

 

[schwein]

We have both also, the 14 Limited 5th gen and a 19 GX460 Premium, I echo most others on here, both are great and are very similar in many ways, even the rear armrest is identical in both!

This being said pro/s cons of each (at a glance)

GXros
- vV8 is obviously much more fun to drive
- Visibility is much better than the 4runner
- Has multi zone climate control great for kids in the back who are cold / warm.

GX: Cons
- Stock (non Luxury) suspension is a little spongy, smoother ride but I prefer the 4Runner
- Non ML stereo is really biased to the front passengers, not much sound in the back (i hear this is also the case with the ML system but i digress)
- Ours has the real leather, and its really soft, we'll see how it holds up in the long term.
- No rear USB outlets... really lame since our 14 4Runner has them...

4Runner: Pros
- Stock stereo is pretty damn good (on Limiteds at least) all around.
- Interior is more usable, cup holders / center console etc are better laid out.
- Auto climate button changes the whole cabin's temp at once, i like this feature.
- Exterior design is really good, like how it looks.
- Leather appears to wear better than that of the GX.

4Runner: Cons
- Visibility is not bad, but not even close to as good as the GX
- 6 Cyl has plenty of power but you have to really get on it to move all that metal around, pedal commander helps a lot.
- Our 14 has the tiny nav screen (new ones don't have this issue)

There are probably more but these are the things i noticed, if I had to pick one, i would probably get the GX solely because of the V8 but we really like both regardless...

 

[Mr_Bingley]

As far as I know I believe the GX has a slightly smaller cargo area.

I was thinking about a gx before getting the 4r, and it was the cargo space that did it. My subaru forester had 76 cubic with all the seats down, the gx only has 65 i believe and the 4r has 89 and feels so much bigger than the forester did, i personally couldn't imagine getting less space than I had

but YMMV

 

[hdshawks]

Ok, so I went to the dealer who is selling the GX. I took a little test drive, confirmed the Ironman Suspension as well as a Front Runner roof rack. I checked the CV joints for leaks and cracks in the boots as well as to see if the fins on the cv's were at an acceptable angle. Cycled the 4Hi and 4low both with and without the center diff lock. Everything looks good and works as it should. Oh it does have some molle panels in the rear as well as a sliding rack frame that the original owner installed. Price wise the dealer us asking 42500. Currently has close to 39000 miles. I did some research on pricing. And averaged what I found. Average was around 40500 to 41000. What would you recommend for price? I've attached a rear side by side shot of the GX and my 4runner.

 

[Mark Linkous]

Ok, so I went to the dealer who is selling the GX. I took a little test drive, confirmed the Ironman Suspension as well as a Front Runner roof rack. I checked the CV joints for leaks and cracks in the boots as well as to see if the fins on the cv's were at an acceptable angle. Cycled the 4Hi and 4low both with and without the center diff lock. Everything looks good and works as it should. Oh it does have some molle panels in the rear as well as a sliding rack frame that the original owner installed. Price wise the dealer us asking 42500. Currently has close to 39000 miles. I did some research on pricing. And averaged what I found. Average was around 40500 to 41000. What would you recommend for price? I've attached a rear side by side shot of the GX and my 4runner.

I purchased a 2021 GX Premium in April which I traded in last Thursday for a new ORP.
More than anything, at least in April, GX prices new were such that if spending anywhere near $42,000, getting a new one is where it’s at.
That said, if a 2020 update, the miles are certainly not too much of a issue.

While for sure the V8 is much smoother, the biggest change for me after driving the 460 5 hours to Oakland and the 4Runner back home was how much more comfortable the steering wheel is on the 2020+ GX which is shared with the LX. The handling was fairly similar with my ORP having KDSS as well and neither vehicle is gonna win any speed races. The weight gain really offsets the power gains when compared to the 4Runner.

While I have read the noise levels were similar in the two, the insulated glass on the 2020+ GX and 2010-2019 when equipped seems to be where I notice added noise.

More than anything, things like lack of CarPlay and all but the Luxury Package equipped rocking vinyl very creatively called NuLuxe is pretty something…

So as not to spend all Saturday morning writing this, I would reckon if planning on getting a Limited, the GX makes for a mighty tempting alternative provided you can live with the GX’s polarizing “spindle grill”.

 

[hdshawks]

Thanks for the advice. Appreciate it.