After years, FINALLY back in SUV!

[Thai]

Hey all,

After years away from 4runner family, i am back! Well, not a 4runner, but a 2019 Lexus GX with Luxury package and Driver Support package. Nice to be back in a high riding SUV. Still have my Sienna for family duties. I can finally feel better surfing this forum....

 

[thennen]

Seeing you on here so much, I always assumed you had a T4R or equivalent. Never checked. But welcome 'back'! Do you like the Sienna?

 

[thennen]

BTW, nice looking ride!

 

[Thai]

Seeing you on here so much, I always assumed you had a T4R or equivalent. Never checked. But welcome 'back'! Do you like the Sienna?

We like Sienna. Only negative is that there are some rattles.

 

[thennen]

High miles on the Sienna?

 

[Thai]

High miles on the Sienna?

Rattles started around 40k miles. I am at 76k now.

 

[Dillusion]

So you drove a soccer dad van all this time?

 

[Thai]

So you drove a soccer dad van all this time?

My last 4runner was 2002...and i created this forum at that time.

My last 4x4 was 2004 Mercedes G500...which i sold in 2010.

No 4x4 since 2010 until now.

 

[swampdodo]

Ahhh...new car (truck) smell...

 

[Thai]

So far in the honeymoon, i really like this car! For me, the size of the 4runner/GX is just perfect...not too big and not too small where i cannot fit my 3 kids in the back. I still have my minivan for daddy duties or long trips.

But so far, i am extremely impress by how quiet this tall SUV is on the highway! No road noise and minimal wind noise even at 75 mph. And the ride is very well controlled with zero impact harshness. Very smooth. Well controlled.

The Mark Levinson audio system is spectacular. Clean airy sound. Bass is good and controlled. It is 7.1 surround...so, the 2nd row also gets excellent sound too! I have not tested 3rd row. It gets loud too.

The LED headlights are powerful...range is controlled but what it shows is super bright! LED fogs do a good job too.

Seats are just amazing! Great support and very comfy. Leather is just so soft.

Engine power is just fine. Transmission is invisible in function. Very good combo b/w engine and tranny. Easy to pass folks on the highway. It roars to life nicely too.

Downsides? The navigation...i have not even touched it. I have my iPhone mounted high up with vent mount. Obviously, no Apple CarPlay.

Rear view camera (along with passenger side and front) quality are kinda lame. Not very good quality...usable, but I have seen better.

The fuel economy is not great...getting around 15 in mixed driving...hopefully gets better with breaking in. (Yes, i am using PREMIUM gas.)

And lastly, the stock tires are not very good. I got Bridgestones. Treadwear is rated 300. But that is a good thing...quicker to get new tires!

 

[BrianSD_42]

I really like the new 2019 ES.
.

 

[-JD-]

I seriously considered the GX before going with the 4Runner. I like almost everything about it except the looks. I just couldn't justify spending that much more, despite all the perks over the 4Runner, on something I didn't like the looks of. Still lots to be jealous of though!

 

[Thai]

I seriously considered the GX before going with the 4Runner. I like almost everything about it except the looks. I just couldn't justify spending that much more, despite all the perks over the 4Runner, on something I didn't like the looks of. Still lots to be jealous of though!

For me, the GX looks fine......except the rear and the clear taillight treatment. Having said that, i bought it over a 4runner Limited because of two reasons:

1. KDSS.
2. FULL-time 4wd.
2.5. Blind spot, Radar cruise, etc.......but now avail in 2020.

Mark Levinson and quietness are just icing on cake...but i could have done without it had 4runner had above features.

 

[JayceeP]

For me, the GX looks fine......except the rear and the clear taillight treatment. Having said that, i bought it over a 4runner Limited because of two reasons:

1. KDSS.
2. FULL-time 4wd.
2.5. Blind spot, Radar cruise, etc.......but now avail in 2020.

Mark Levinson and quietness are just icing on cake...but i could have done without it had 4runner had above features.

They don’t offer a full-time 4wd Limited in the US? That is the only option for the Canadian market. I would prefer non full-time personally. Congrats on the GX though- beautiful ride.

 

[Thai]

They don’t offer a full-time 4wd Limited in the US? That is the only option for the Canadian market. I would prefer non full-time personally. Congrats on the GX though- beautiful ride.

Sorry, bad post on my part...i mean no full-time 4wd AND KDSS. You cannot have both...it’s one or the other. The GX offers both.

For me, i prefer FULL-time because it offers an extra layer of traction for both front and rear axles.....in addition to the electronic nannies. I drive a lot in bad weather.

 

[4RunnerRound]

Beautiful ride!

 

[Thai]

Here is the back end.

 

[J.A.]

Congrats on the new ride...same color as the old 3rd Gen IIRC? I have considered getting this vehicle as well over the 4R Limited for exactly the same reasons as you plus its the only way to get a V8 now as it would be hard to downsize from having a V8 4th Gen. What do you think about the barn door and no roll down rear window though? Best of Luck.

 

[Dillusion]

Lift um

 

[Thai]

Congrats on the new ride...same color as the old 3rd Gen IIRC? I have considered getting this vehicle as well over the 4R Limited for exactly the same reasons as you plus its the only way to get a V8 now as it would be hard to downsize from having a V8 4th Gen. What do you think about the barn door and no roll down rear window though? Best of Luck.

Not ideal with the barn door that opens the “wrong” way...and does not provide rain protection from a lift gate. But it does have the flip-up rear glass (instead of roll down window), which is very useful and a rarity these days.