After years, FINALLY back in SUV!

[Thai]

Lift um

No lift. I don’t plan on taking this anywhere beyond mild trails. My GX has both KDSS and adaptive suspension...so, lifting requires some heavy ripping out of stuff. I am perfectly happy with my creamy ride.

 

[hikenbike]

Looks "bulky" and kind of cumbersome. How does it ride? If its anything like my 07 V8 4Runner then it must be nicely torquey with some get-up-and-go.......yet like a tank.

 

[JayceeP]

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.

Ah ok gotcha. Yeah I have mixed feelings on the system in the snow. I don’t really like how power gets redirected to different axles/wheels. I generally just lock the center-diff when driving in the snow as I prefer the 50-50 split... which I guess is what I would get by having a part-time 4wd system that I would have to manually engage. I would also ditch the full-time 4wd for slightly better fuel economy.

 

[Thai]

Looks "bulky" and kind of cumbersome. How does it ride? If its anything like my 07 V8 4Runner then it must be nicely torquey with some get-up-and-go.......yet like a tank.

Yeah, GX is not a beauty queen.

As for ride...see my post below:

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!

 

[Thai]

Unfortunately, the GX chapter of my life closed today. For past several months, I have been suffering from neck pain and headaches. Unexplained at first. I even went to see a doctor and had MRI. MRI was ok thankfully. What i noticed was that after a long drive in the GX, I would get bad upper back and neck pain along with aching headache. But when i drove my Sienna, no issue.

It turns out that the GX seats were the problem. Narrow and side bolster screw around with my posture while driving. And i think that because the GX is so narrow, the side to side motion made me more tense too.

So...i traded my mint GX in for a Land Cruiser. Hit on the wallet for sure but i got a half decent deal...took the hit on the GX but got invoice on the LC.

 

[thennen]

Is that a new Cruiser?

 

[Thai]

Is that a new Cruiser?

Yes, new 2019 Land Cruiser.

 

[thennen]

Yes, new 2019 Land Cruiser.

Very nice. Congratulations on the new ride, sorry about how you had to arrive at the decision. Guessing that the LC seats are more substantial and supportive?

 

[Thai]

Very nice. Congratulations on the new ride, sorry about how you had to arrive at the decision. Guessing that the LC seats are more substantial and supportive?

Maybe i am old, but the LC seats are flat...not much side bolstering. Love that. My Sienna is the same way.

The GX seats are like a BMW M3 seat! Heavy side bolstering. I am not fat...my BMI is well below 25. Somehow my body/neck/shoulder just does not agree with it. But it must be just me because i see GX on the road a lot with all types of drivers.

 

[thennen]

Maybe i am old, but the LC seats are flat...not much side bolstering. Love that. My Sienna is the same way.

The GX seats are like a BMW M3 seat! Heavy side bolstering. I am not fat...my BMI is well below 25. Somehow my body/neck/shoulder just does not agree with it. But it must be just me because i see GX on the road a lot with all types of drivers.

Well, glad to hear it. Yeah, everyone is different regarding comfort. Enjoy it!