4Runner vs. GX

[olliebear]

It's all about the money.

If one can afford a $70,000 LC ($62,000 plus tax and dealer prep), one can afford the LX470. $5,000 ain't nuthin' at that level. For us po' folks, $5,000 is a big difference when the cost is $32,000 out the doe' or $37,000 out the doe'.

Rich is relative and cost is relative.

Cost/benefit=value. 4Runner probably wins hands down. SR5 is arguable the best value.

Cost no object, then I'd go LC right off the bat. The LX470 is more cushy, but I like the historical heritage of the LC. I also dislike excessive gadgets and bling bling.

 

[Gromulus]

4Runenr Limited vs. GX470

I just price out a 4runner limited with the GX about 3 months ago, the GX was about 5000 dollars more. I think with all the extras you get in a GX, plus the longer warrenty, road side assistance and the Lexus dealer experience, it is well worth the extra $5000.

I assume that the GX you proced out did not have KDSS. Adding the Sport Package brings the difference closer to $10K (and obviously the GX comes with a few more goodies at that point) I drove all versions and would probably not buy a GX w/o the KDSS. Of course I don't think I would have purchased a 4Runner w/o X-REAS either (which might make the Sport model the best 4Runner value!)

I concur with Koz. While I like the quieter ride and greater headroom of the GX, I like the exterior styling of the Runner as well as the center console. After driving all variations of each vehicle, I think the 4Runner handles better with tless body roll and lean-in and is quicker too boot (less weight). I also don't think I could live with the GX's rear barn door and non-opening window.

Opinions vary.

 

[TexGX]

First off, both the GX and the 4Runner are great trucks!

I think that one thing people are forgetting is the GX is really the LC Prado. If you think about it in that way, I think a few people would change thier minds.

The Prado is known for it's balance of on road comfort and off-road capabilty. A stock GX/Prado will out preform a stock 4R. Now if you took the $10,000 difference and added aftermarket goodies to the 4R, then it would equal or most likely beat a stock GX.

I am one of the few crazy people that actually take the GX off-road. It handles great. I do need to take off the running boards and put on some BFG ATs.

I priced the LC, LX, GX and 4R when I was looking. The LC (62,000) and the LX(70,000) did not handle as good as the 4R or the GX on road. The LC and LX have a cleaner underbody and a little more ground clearance, but not enough to make a difference in the places I go off-road. I had the same coments on the GX over the LX/LC has I had about the GX over the 4R. With the savings in price, I could modify the GX to equal or better the LC/LX off-road.

I truely feel that the GX is the best all-around SUV on the Market. You have the luxury of the RR and the capabilies of the LR3 and the reliablity of the LC.

The barn door is growing on me. I hated it at first, but the more I use it, I like it. My Exploder has the lift gate, and I find myself wishing for the barn door.

I kind of rambled, but I tried to get to most topics.

Also, This is only if the GX has KDSS. If it does not, go with the 4R!

TexGX

 

[Bill42]

Thai: Yes, I can see where the FJ fits into the adventuring model but only if it is just for two. It is hardly designed for family oriented adventuring.

More and more, folks are looking to take extended trips. But, they want to do so so in comfort. To me that makes the 4Runner a far better fit than the FJ.

In fact, just looking back at the history of the Land Cruiser tells us the same story. It started out small but ultimately became the larger size it is today due to comfort issues.

Your comparisons of the FJ with the Rubcon, H3 and Xterras are right on. I think the 4Runner is clearly not intended out of the box to be a hard core rock crawler but again ground clearance and approach and departure angles are missing elements here.

This goes back to a previous discussion http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11894 .

It just seems to me that TRD can offer an off-road package straight from the dealer. That seems to be wishful thinking...

 

[SWUtah]

First off, both the GX and the 4Runner are great trucks!

I think that one thing people are forgetting is the GX is really the LC Prado. If you think about it in that way, I think a few people would change thier minds.

The Prado is known for it's balance of on road comfort and off-road capabilty. A stock GX/Prado will out preform a stock 4R. Now if you took the $10,000 difference and added aftermarket goodies to the 4R, then it would equal or most likely beat a stock GX.

I am one of the few crazy people that actually take the GX off-road. It handles great. I do need to take off the running boards and put on some BFG ATs.

I priced the LC, LX, GX and 4R when I was looking. The LC (62,000) and the LX(70,000) did not handle as good as the 4R or the GX on road. The LC and LX have a cleaner underbody and a little more ground clearance, but not enough to make a difference in the places I go off-road. I had the same coments on the GX over the LX/LC has I had about the GX over the 4R. With the savings in price, I could modify the GX to equal or better the LC/LX off-road.

I truely feel that the GX is the best all-around SUV on the Market. You have the luxury of the RR and the capabilies of the LR3 and the reliablity of the LC.

The barn door is growing on me. I hated it at first, but the more I use it, I like it. My Exploder has the lift gate, and I find myself wishing for the barn door.

I kind of rambled, but I tried to get to most topics.

Also, This is only if the GX has KDSS. If it does not, go with the 4R!

TexGX

Tex I hate to tell you this but the 4runner and the GX are the same vehicle with just different sheet metal. They are both based on the Prado platform. The 4runner is not as top heavy since the GX is taller, but the GX provides you better head room. The LC will go further off road then your GX, but as long as your GX goes as far as you want to go that is all that counts. The GX is a beautiful SUV and it sounds like it is perfect for you and your needs, what could be better then that?

 

[Bill42]

"...what could be better then that?" Adventuring with Angelina Jolie riding shotgun...

 

[Thai]

I truely feel that the GX is the best all-around SUV on the Market. You have the luxury of the RR and the capabilies of the LR3 and the reliablity of the LC.

Pretty good summary statement, TexGX.

SWUtah, i think that TEXGX is talking about GX470 KDSS vs. 4runner with or without XREAS. Without KDSS, it's a toss-up between 4runner and GX470. With KDSS, it does make GX into a more capable off-road performer (and on-road too).

I would love to see GX KDSS vs. TLC. In off-roading, the LX470 has a slight advantage over TLC due to 4-wheel adaptive suspension...it's like having a suspension lift at the twist of a knob!

 

[TexGX]

Thai,

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I did mean that a stock 4R with Xtrea or without vs GX with KDSS. KDSS makes all the difference. I would rather have a limited 4R without Xtrea,lifted,OME,sliders and BFG than a GX without KDSS. To be perfectly honest, I only got the GX because my wife did not like the inside of the 4R. Now with that said, I could not go back.

Thai,

Did you ever post the pictures of us showing the flex of the GX and the G wagon?

SWUtah,

I am aware that the GX and the 4R share the same platform, just as the LC and LX do. I would say that the LX would have the advantage off-road because of the ability to raise the LX. I see the diffeneces in the GX and the 4R the same way. KDSS makes the GX. Now I would love to see a stock LC that does not have the optional (06) electronic lift go head to head with a GX with KDSS. I think that it would be a close match. Lets all write in to Truck Trend and have them to a test with the LC,LX,GX and 4R to see how they rate them.

TexGX

 

[Thai]

Thai,

Did you ever post the pictures of us showing the flex of the GX and the G wagon?

You mean this one:

I think that you could have gone a bit further up...and still have 3 wheels planted on the ground.

You NEED more aggressive tires...BFG AT KO or Goodyear Wrangler with SilentArmor.

 

[TexGX]

No,

I mean the one at the new subdivision.

TexGX

 

[SWUtah]

.

Lets all write in to Truck Trend and have them to a test with the LC,LX,GX and 4R to see how they rate them.

TexGX

You would trust "Truck Trend" to compare these vehicles and believe what they reported

In the real world, anyone who plans on really off roading (like Moab) would modify their vehicle for the intended purpose. Stock out of the box and off roading the 4runner and the GX even with KDSS they would have a problem that the LC/LX would not have and that is that the 4runner and GX470 have too many valuable parts not tucked up out of harms way, end of contest and the beginning of a long walk. Now with though parts protected I think the GX with KDSS would do a good job, but then if you started moding the LC/LX, I think you would then be better off with the LC/LX. Also since we are talking about new vehicles why would you exclude the 2006 LC with the adjustable suspension? Why not have the competition between a 2003 LC and a 2003 GX, oh I guess that would not be fair since the GX didn't have KDSS in 2003

 

[Mark86]

I don't think the 2006 LX has much of an advantage over a 2006 Land Cruiser when it comes to offroading. They both have the exact same adjustable suspension.

 

[Bill42]

It seems to me that we are due for a change to the Land Cruiser anyways. How about this for a new but old look...

 

[TexGX]

You would trust "Truck Trend" to compare these vehicles and believe what they reported

In the real world, anyone who plans on really off roading (like Moab) would modify their vehicle for the intended purpose. Stock out of the box and off roading the 4runner and the GX even with KDSS they would have a problem that the LC/LX would not have and that is that the 4runner and GX470 have too many valuable parts not tucked up out of harms way, end of contest and the beginning of a long walk. Now with though parts protected I think the GX with KDSS would do a good job, but then if you started moding the LC/LX, I think you would then be better off with the LC/LX. Also since we are talking about new vehicles why would you exclude the 2006 LC with the adjustable suspension? Why not have the competition between a 2003 LC and a 2003 GX, oh I guess that would not be fair since the GX didn't have KDSS in 2003

Ok, maybe Four Wheeler would be better for you. I agree with your coments. The LC is a better off-roader than the 4R and GX even with KDSS. I just said it would be a good fight. Yes, it would not be fair, KDSS is what makes the GX a better off-roader. The Trailex is a perfect example of a modified GX handling some extreme off-roading with modification.

 

[Thai]

Stock out of the box and off roading the 4runner and the GX even with KDSS they would have a problem that the LC/LX would not have and that is that the 4runner and GX470 have too many valuable parts not tucked up out of harms way, end of contest and the beginning of a long walk.

A few things...

- The adaptive suspension in 2006 TLC is optional. From what i hear, it is hard to get one (if at all possible) in the USA with this option. Correct me if i am wrong.

- If we were to compare stock vehicles, then both can make Moab with an issue as long as you know your vehicle's limitations. My brother did fine in his Discovery Series II (stock). So, unless TLC or GX is inferior to Disco, then both should make it just fine.

- The breakover angle may be slightly worst in the GX (due to lower hanging fuel tank), BUT the GX does have a better balance of approach and departure angles.

- Besides the cleaner underbody and more front clearance, there is not much else a TLC is better than GX KDSS. For a novice off-roader, GX KDSS may be better because it has the electronics to help out...like Hill Descent, esp. on places like Lion's back.

- GX is smaller...so, it can off-road in tight spots.

So, in conclusion, i think that TLC is better than GX in off-roading. Is it better than GX with KDSS?? Yes, but not by much. There is always the argument that you can use the money saved on the GX (over LX) to get bigger tires and sliders (should be no more than $5K for these two things)...thereby, eliminating the "weaknesses" of GX.

 

[SWUtah]

Good discussion, I wish we could get more technical information on all these vehicles. Like frame stiffness, structural integrity, etc. There was a post recently on IH8MUD http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?p=853115#post853115 (I think its the 7th post down) that was from 1998 where the product manager for the 100 series Landcruiser discussed some of these technical issues in comparison with the FZJ80 series. It was eye opening regarding the beefing up of the 100 series compared to the 80 series, way stronger and more advanced for the long term toughness of the 100 series. I would love to see the same information comparing the 4th generation 4runner with the 3rd generation, his way you get insights into the build quality of our new 4th generation from the people that build them. It's just great to know why they changed X to give you better Y performance and durablity. Anyone know where any of this information might be found? Thai you seem to be good at finding stuff like this, any ideas?

 

[Mark86]

- The adaptive suspension in 2006 TLC is optional. From what i hear, it is hard to get one (if at all possible) in the USA with this option. Correct me if i am wrong.

Most of the Land Cruisers in New Jersey are equipped with this option. The dealer that I bought my 4Runner from had 3 LC's on the lot and they all had the adjustable suspension.

 

[TexGX]

I forgot to mention that the GX has a manual transfer case. The leaver in not electronic. You can feel and see the vibration on the lever when touch it. I prefer the manual transfer over the electronic. One less thing to go wrong. It seems to have the same setup that the LC has not the 4R.

TexGX

 

[Koz]

Thai,

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I did mean that a stock 4R with Xtrea or without vs GX with KDSS. KDSS makes all the difference. I would rather have a limited 4R without Xtrea,lifted,OME,sliders and BFG than a GX without KDSS. To be perfectly honest, I only got the GX because my wife did not like the inside of the 4R. Now with that said, I could not go back.

I think what most are completely forgetting is the Rear air that is available on the 4Runner. It makes a major difference. When the rear is set at high it is equaled to a 4" lift and when it is set on low it helps improve the approach angle, a little. Also the rear air bag suspension might even give better articulation and a smoother ride off and definitely on road.

Koz

 

[Thai]

No,

I mean the one at the new subdivision.

TexGX

Oh...link:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1234328&posts=6