Help Me Decide - 2018 Lexus GX or 2018 4Runner Limited

[Thai]

Seriously Thai? You're gonna call .5 sec to 60 "significant"? Seriously?

That's at least $3000 per .1 sec for the neck-snapping experience. Bah!

Actually, in car talk 0.5 sec is an eternity. I am not kidding.

 

[leftyguns21]

Is that really what you took from that? This is a perfect example of why I was hesitant to respond to this thread.

the OP wants opinions based on the vehicles, not your generalization. you gave a good review but lost it by lumping GX owners into a group

 

[philsey]

Actually, in car talk 0.5 sec is an eternity. I am not kidding.

You read too many magazines. That's only half a one-Mississippi .... try it: one-Miss .....

Zoom zoom. :driving: :lookout:

 

[Threev8s]

the OP wants opinions based on the vehicles, not your generalization. you gave a good review but lost it by lumping GX owners into a group

I didn't do that at all. I mentioned a stereotypical response to drivers of premium branded vehicles, not my viewpoint. Hell, I owned one, so you have utterly no reason to be offended. Move on.

 

[Threev8s]

You read too many magazines. That's only half a one-Mississippi .... try it: one-Miss .....

Zoom zoom. :driving: :lookout:

Exactly. Real world driving has little to do with printed performance figures. If someone in the lane next to you wants to stomp on it to prove a point, chances are they are driving something way faster than a 4Runner or GX. Regardless, I've been around long enough to know to not get involved. Can you merge onto a highway with either one very safely and comfortably and pass on a two lane with ease? Yes.

 

[LandCruiser]

I test drove a GX Premium recently.

Interior: much better
Engine: feels more responsive than my 2013 Trail at 6000-8000 feet
Exterior: hood doesn't wobble and flex at highway speed
Roominess: no real difference except the third row seats in my test drive vehicle waste cargo space. They would have to go.
Appearance: lifted 4Runner looks better than a stock GX, but the few lifted ones in town look pretty nice
Handling: ehh, both aren't very good
Braking: same

If I had to live with one on a daily basis, there's a lot to be said for the nice interior of the GX, and it can be modded pretty extensively if you have deep pockets.

 

[philsey]

Can you merge onto a highway with either one very safely and comfortably and pass on a two lane with ease? Yes.

+1 I'm amused by all the carping about performance. Would I have opted for a V8 in my '18? Oh hell yes. OTOH this thing will get from 55 to 85 pretty damned fast. Now, do I have to floor it and keep it there? Oh hell yes. And does the wife have her foot on her brake when I pass? Yup.

 

[alico268]

Handling/Braking:
The GX with KDSS does not compare in on-road handling to the limited with X-REAS. And no, a GX will definitely not do better in a crosswind. I’ve been in them with both. The GX is under-sprung at best. Also, the brakes in the gx feel non-existent compared to the 4r. Weight is a big part of this, but the Lexus pedal feel does not help.

Thanks for commenting on the crosswind. I was confused by the GX owner stating it's better on a vehicle that has taller body displacement, but shares the same chassis and footprint as the 4Runner.

If Toyota would just bring the Prado over here or put a V8 back in the Runner, all would be right in the world again.

 

[MrGainzz]

I am leaning towards the 4Runner as well. So that is the next question, Limited or TRD Pro?

Do you plan to leave the pavement very often ? Do you care about resale value and status? If yes, get a TRD Pro.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MinecraftGriefer]

Do you plan to leave the pavement very often ? Do you care about resale value and status? If yes, get a TRD Pro.

I disagree about status. The unique color TRD Pros certainly attract attention but other than that they are just Toyotas to people who care about badges on cars. The Limited is the highest trim level 4Runner and is best equipped, plus Limited has full time 4WD.

 

[steveni70]

I didn't read the whole thread but will throw in my two cents.

If you are going to build it then don't get the PRO appearance package. Get the Trail/Off Road, which is the same truck as the PRO minus all the appearance stuff, and save thousands.

The Limited is just nice and if you are stuck between the limited or the PRO only, get the Limited.

Pro has a lift plus upgraded shocks and the Off Road has KDSS.

 

[Lolrax]

Hey Everyone-

I have two solid quotes in front of me for two solid rides. 2018 Lexus GX and 2018 Limited 4Runner. I love both trucks and the rides are damn comparable. Pricing aside, what would you lean to? Of course this is 4Runner forum but I want to get you thoughts.

I am leaning towards the GX but love the functionality of the 4Runner.

What are your thoughts?

TR

Get the GX you will be so glad you did. The 4Runner is not more functional, just slower and louder on the highway

 

[philsey]

Hey Everyone-

I have two solid quotes in front of me for two solid rides. 2018 Lexus GX and 2018 Limited 4Runner. I love both trucks and the rides are damn comparable. Pricing aside, what would you lean to? Of course this is 4Runner forum but I want to get you thoughts.

I am leaning towards the GX but love the functionality of the 4Runner.

What are your thoughts?

TR

So, OP, where have you gone?

 

[Bosshoff]

Toyota

I am a little weirded out by all of the electronics on the Lexus. I know the 4Runners have something like 20 plus microprocessors in the car, but the Lexus probably has over 30. My friend has the big Lexus 5-something SUV, and it has its share of electrical gremlins. Radio stops working. AC shuts off, etc.

 

[leftyguns21]

it has its share of electrical gremlins. Radio stops working. AC shuts off, etc.

funny you mention this. my rear climate does seem to have a mind of its own. it randomly turns on.
my Audi electronics were 1000x worse though. it was in the shop many many times to fix electrical issues.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

Get the GX you will be so glad you did. The 4Runner is not more functional, just slower and louder on the highway

And probably will be easier to maintain. Minor details though.

 

[djhuff7]

funny you mention this. my rear climate does seem to have a mind of its own. it randomly turns on.
my Audi electronics were 1000x worse though. it was in the shop many many times to fix electrical issues.

No joke, my wife's A4 would just lose the radio for no reason. If you were driving at night with the lights on, use the blinkers at your own risk, that usually ended the radio for the trip. Of course, sometimes opening the sunroof would fix it. No lie on any of this, these were the troubleshooting steps we would go through.

 

[Lujess]

They are both great vehicles, but the 4runner, in my opinion, is much more suited to people who are in tune with their vehicles and like driving, using power tools, etc. Also, I do not do any of what the off-road crowd considers off-roading, so this is purely from the perspective of daily use. I hope this helps.

I appreciate your post...in some ways the passage I quoted above was one of the most relevant comments (to me) I've seen on here in my short time here

I drive a small, manual transmission car for my DD and am not a fan of complicated electronics or too much nanny-minding.

We are shopping for a 5th Gen for my wife, who is a part time ice & rock climbing/mountaineering guide. As capable as the Lexus is, she wouldn't even include it on the initial SUV shopping list given the negative backlash she'd encounter among her friend/peer group.

 

[Thai]

I appreciate your post...in some ways the passage I quoted above was one of the most relevant comments (to me) I've seen on here in my short time here

I drive a small, manual transmission car for my DD and am not a fan of complicated electronics or too much nanny-minding.

We are shopping for a 5th Gen for my wife, who is a part time ice & rock climbing/mountaineering guide. As capable as the Lexus is, she wouldn't even include it on the initial SUV shopping list given the negative backlash she'd encounter among her friend/peer group.

Tell her to find new friends/peer. I buy things that i like or find pleasure in owning...don't give a rats ass about what others think. I would bet that IF she drove the Lexus, then she would not even consider the 4runner. You may prefer the 4runner...but your wife?

 

[Lujess]

Tell her to find new friends/peer. I buy things that i like or find pleasure in owning...don't give a rats ass about what others think. I would bet that IF she drove the Lexus, then she would not even consider the 4runner. You may prefer the 4runner...but your wife?

Find new friends - sure. She's kind of hard core. The 4Runner was her idea.