LandCruiser
New member
All this is true, but I've always been one to mercilessly hack up every 4x4 I've owned.
Will say the Prado redesign has none of the aero shit on the GX, at least on the trim I drove. Can't speak for the spare tire.
4runner ORP vs GX460
- Thread starter hsun85
- Start date
All this is true, but I've always been one to mercilessly hack up every 4x4 I've owned.
Will say the Prado redesign has none of the aero shit on the GX, at least on the trim I drove. Can't speak for the spare tire.
We aren't saying it's bad offroad, but with no rear locker, less ground clearance, and lots of aero plastic you can't really say its as good as the 4Runner. In a sea of watered down, MPG hungry, rounded, and boring unibody SUVs across a land of regulation, having something like the GX still coming off the production line is a win. A luxery SUV with some real offroad ability is great to see. I mean, even Jeep is a bunch of watered down nonense now outside the wrangler and Gladiator. You can "maybe" throw in a Trailhawk GC, but otherwise its crap designed to convince the masses that they are cooler than they actually are.
Snowtrooper
New member
Where I’m from, it’s starting to get popular...seeing heavily lifted GXs.
At first, I thought people were getting onboard for the reasonable used prices in comparison to the more popular 4x4-purposed counterparts.
I am starting to realize it’s more of a trend as I witness a used car dealership near me go from carrying luxury Europeans to mostly carrying GX and LX variants.
Though I do appreciate seeing an older modified GX, I’m a little shocked when a brand new one is hacked up for the trail. Unless that person is keeping it forever, it seems like they’ve really narrowed their resale market if the trend takes a downturn.
At first, I thought people were getting onboard for the reasonable used prices in comparison to the more popular 4x4-purposed counterparts.
I am starting to realize it’s more of a trend as I witness a used car dealership near me go from carrying luxury Europeans to mostly carrying GX and LX variants.
Though I do appreciate seeing an older modified GX, I’m a little shocked when a brand new one is hacked up for the trail. Unless that person is keeping it forever, it seems like they’ve really narrowed their resale market if the trend takes a downturn.
Jetboy
New member
I've only seen one gx460 on the trail ever. That was in Moab. And I've seen one GX 470 as well. I seen a lot of LC200. So, while I see quite a few lifted GXs driving around town, I never see them out on the trails. I'm sure they're perfectly capable. But I think very few at the dressed up GXs ever see more than a dirt road. The same is probably true for 4Runners. But I do see quite a few of them out in the field, and by far the most common is a Tacoma around here. Second is probably a Jeep Wrangler.
I think we're seeing the GX prices getting really close to 4Runners. In the used market the GX is often cheaper. I think this is the main reason we're starting to see more of them become off-road vehicles. When the difference was $20,000 it was pretty hard to justify the extra cost for the engine upgrade. When the price difference is 0 or $5,000, then it starts to look like a more compelling choice.
I think we're seeing the GX prices getting really close to 4Runners. In the used market the GX is often cheaper. I think this is the main reason we're starting to see more of them become off-road vehicles. When the difference was $20,000 it was pretty hard to justify the extra cost for the engine upgrade. When the price difference is 0 or $5,000, then it starts to look like a more compelling choice.
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LandCruiser
New member
True.
I'd also point out that a minority of 4Runners are factory locked with many either being SR5s and some not even having 4WD... so the fact that the GX lacks proper lockers could be easily addressed by a corporate decision to include an "off road" model if the Prado was to ever be seriously marketed in the US.
Most of its shortcomings are based on marketing and packaging decisions someone on another planet makes--probably the same person who doesn't want to drop the V8 and 6AT into the 4Runner, despite the parts being essentially plug and play with some minor mapping differences for vehicle weight and use.
Muzzle of Bees
New member
I would have a GX with the off road package if it didn’t require 93 octane. I am not going to run a lower octane either just to have one.
LandCruiser
New member
But wait, there's more, the ORP is only available on the highest trim, can't get it on the cheapest GX.
Which sucks.
bzizzi
Member
I drove both
My local Lexus and Toyota dealers are side by side, I brought home a GX, wanted to be away from the dealership so I could make a non biased decision. I really liked the GX, it was $10K more, I hated the swing out rear hatch, didn't like the dash layout, no Apple Car Play. The V8 in the Lexus was awesome but ultimately I ended up with a 4R TRD ORP, W/KDSS I like the rear window roll down feature, also used GX's seem to be everywhere and do not sell that great, the Used 4R's bring premium price and every time I saw a new 4R I liked someone bought it, I had to wait a little until dealer had one on order to show up. Gave them $500 deposit to make sure It was mine, the day I went to pick up the 4R there where two couples looking over and wanted to buy it. The GX just seemed a little too glitzy for my taste, I would have been afraid to get it dirty. Also I have no use for the third row sets.
My local Lexus and Toyota dealers are side by side, I brought home a GX, wanted to be away from the dealership so I could make a non biased decision. I really liked the GX, it was $10K more, I hated the swing out rear hatch, didn't like the dash layout, no Apple Car Play. The V8 in the Lexus was awesome but ultimately I ended up with a 4R TRD ORP, W/KDSS I like the rear window roll down feature, also used GX's seem to be everywhere and do not sell that great, the Used 4R's bring premium price and every time I saw a new 4R I liked someone bought it, I had to wait a little until dealer had one on order to show up. Gave them $500 deposit to make sure It was mine, the day I went to pick up the 4R there where two couples looking over and wanted to buy it. The GX just seemed a little too glitzy for my taste, I would have been afraid to get it dirty. Also I have no use for the third row sets.
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Jetboy
New member
Totally agree. It's ridiculous that we can't get a V8 4Runner or an off road version of the gx. They're built on the same chassis, on the same factory production line. It's just a simple plug-and-play. The mileage is probably the same. I think the only reason there's no V8 4Runner is because it would have killed the LC 200 that was on is death bed anyway. I bet half of the sales of LC200s over the last decade would have ended up in V8 4Runners if it were still available.
It would be nice if Lexus would offer an off-road model. It would basically just be the kakadu prado. Adding locking differential is just a matter of grabbing the different parts out of the parts bin.
Where I'm from in Montana, there are no Lexus dealers - so the only choice is 4Runner or LC200. And that's pretty common throughout rural America. Lexus is very limiting in allowing dealerships to open. There's no Lexus dealer in a number of states. For all of those people, the GX isn't really a viable option. Warranty, service etc. You can do them all at a Toyota dealer, but it's pretty hard to convince those people to drive 800 mi or something just to test drive one. I wouldn't.
I don't think Toyota can get away with the same situation in the next generation forever. The new bronco offered with the twin turbo v6 is going to eat its lunch. And the same is true with the Wrangler now offered with a V8 and a diesel option. Toyota has to do better. I think the competition will force Toyota to offer better drive train options in the 4Runner. I don't know where that leaves the GX though. If we could buy a trd 4r with a v8 locker and kdss - the gx isn't so compelling.
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2020+ 4Runners at least got slight infotainment upgrade. Lexus still has the same one from 2010. The infotainment and rear barn door are the two things that kept me from purchasing the Lexus over the 4Runner.
Drivetrain of the Lexus is a lot nicer, and if you are using the car for what you say you are the Lexus is the better (in terms of creature comforts and ride quality) choice.
Drivetrain of the Lexus is a lot nicer, and if you are using the car for what you say you are the Lexus is the better (in terms of creature comforts and ride quality) choice.
LandCruiser
New member
The barn door is there because some of the international models have an option for a door mounted spare (like the FJC)--which you can't do with a hatch, unless you use a swingaway carrier.
Jetboy
New member
For camping use - the door IMO is a lot nicer than a hatch. Would be cool if they made a version that opened the proper way for RHD countries though. It's also a lot easier to load with a forklift if you use it as a utility vehicle. My first choice would be ambulance doors. Second would be a regular door like a Prado/GX. I'm not a fan of the hatch.
Back when was looking to buy my 4r, was thinking about a used GX (price reasons), but did not like the barn door, thought the GX was more comfortable, but it was marginal to other things I liked about the 4r. Plus the GX would be used wheras the 4r would be new and exactly what I really wanted, so went with the 4r, and in hindsight, the GX was not all that competitive compared to the 4r.
I am looking at getting a used GX as a second car though, for my wife basically, but I am not up to date on them. I like the TSS stuff the new 4runners have, but do not know if a couple year old GX has this stuff.
Heck, never been much on owning two of the same kind of cars, but the 4runner so far ticks every box of something I want in a second car, lol.
I am looking at getting a used GX as a second car though, for my wife basically, but I am not up to date on them. I like the TSS stuff the new 4runners have, but do not know if a couple year old GX has this stuff.
Heck, never been much on owning two of the same kind of cars, but the 4runner so far ticks every box of something I want in a second car, lol.
Jetboy
New member
I don't think Lexus added the safety system until the 2020 model year. But they did have radar cruise control starting in 2010, maybe even in the GX 470? As an option. And I think they also have had the automatic headlight bright and dim switch since 2010 as well. So what you don't have prior to 2020 is the automatic braking. None of Toyota's body on frame vehicles have any sort of steering input.
RichinRidgewood
New member
When it’s raining the 4Runner rear door makes a very nice umbrella and the same goes for when it’S sunny outside and you want to have lunch in the shade.
The other designs are shit compared to what the current 4Runner has.
The other designs are shit compared to what the current 4Runner has.
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I'm aware why it exists, that doesn't mean I like it any more because of that fact.
Snowtrooper
New member
Not to mention the party speakers, overhead dome lights, and access or ability to tailgate in a tight parallel or tandem parking situation.
With that said, I wouldn’t have to worry about worn struts when adding weight (Molle panels, wheel, ladder) to a GX swing out door.
That is a good thing.
Some people may need or want those features, but IMO they lead to inattention and complacency. And if you need those features, you probably should not be driving in the first place.
I had a rental car once that almost caused me to have an accident by steering the wheel in the opposite direction I was trying to go to avoid someone....the system was upset at a sudden lane change without a signal.
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I think it's such a missed opportunity that Toyota thinks they need to disguise an off road capable body on frame SUV as a sporty highway oriented soccer mom SUV by slapping on atrocious bumpers and side skirts that hang a foot lower than they should be. The GX proportions are truly awkwardly tall because of this, and the end result isn't helped by the huge wheel gap and smaller tire diameter. They're clearly misunderstanding the market. They're trying to compete with car-based luxury SUVs like the X5/GLE/Q7, instead of embracing the niche they have with the Prado/GX.
I think they'd sell more if it was just the World market Prado with a Lexus badge and a bit more leather inside. The fact that the infotainment is literally from 2010 and that they just added TSS last year is an embarrassment considering the price and the market they're trying to compete in. And it starts at $76k plus tax here in Canada (plus $6k if you want Crawl Control), vs $52k for the TRDORP w/KDSS and moonroof. It's a no brainer for us. The 4R looks better, has better tech/infotainment, has a rear locker, more cargo space, larger tires from the factory and costs $24k less (plus tax!!).
I think they'd sell more if it was just the World market Prado with a Lexus badge and a bit more leather inside. The fact that the infotainment is literally from 2010 and that they just added TSS last year is an embarrassment considering the price and the market they're trying to compete in. And it starts at $76k plus tax here in Canada (plus $6k if you want Crawl Control), vs $52k for the TRDORP w/KDSS and moonroof. It's a no brainer for us. The 4R looks better, has better tech/infotainment, has a rear locker, more cargo space, larger tires from the factory and costs $24k less (plus tax!!).
Xtremluck
New member
For that price point and what you are looking to do just about any other modern SUV outside the 4runner and GX will be a better option.
