T4R in a suit (Lexus 460)

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DC Dude

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T4R in a suit (Lexus GX460)

Well, I got my C&D today in the mail and there was a comparison between the top luxe SUV's. They were the Lex GX460, the Land Rover LR4, the MDX, the X5, and the Q7.

The Lex GX460, of course, is based on the T4R.

After the dust settled, the Lex GX460 came in dead last. Notable was the fact that they said the vehicle was boring for anyone "who enjoys driving" and that it was "fun proof," and that specifically, there was "performance letdown" with the V8-4.6L.

For what it's worth, they said it was just a vehicle that didn't make sense. Why would a T4R with all these expensive bells and whistles be taken off road?

Lex GX460 score wasn't even close to 4th place LR4. Winner was the Q7.
 
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The rest are glorified station wagons. Just take a Chevy Caprice Classic and lift it a couple inches.
 
Well, C&D has good points.

Why would anyone take a luxe SUV offroad? It doesn't make sense.

Also, they mentioned that the GX460 has a rolling issue . This may be similar to what the Gen 3 had.

For the 4th gen SE, that's addressed by the XREAS. C&D said "a soft suspension that made for ponderous responses despite auto-adjusting anti-roll bars." Is this a hybrid of the XREAS?
 
DC Dude said:
Well, C&D has good points.

Why would anyone take a luxe SUV offroad? It doesn't make sense.

Also, they mentioned that the GX460 has a rolling issue . This may be similar to what the Gen 3 had.

For the 4th gen SE, that's addressed by the XREAS. C&D said "a soft suspension that made for ponderous responses despite auto-adjusting anti-roll bars." Is this a hybrid of the XREAS?
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There's a couple modded GX'es around. Though far and few.

The auto adjusting anti-roll bar is KDSS, which is also found on the 5th gen Trail Edition.
 
All reviews are basing their opinion strictly on on-road characteristics, that's why most all have gone crossover. The most important factor for me is reliability and long life. This is not even considered anymore!

Koz
 
Nevermind the suspension system or off road capability, what's more "shocking" is that they were unimpressed with the infamous V8 engine.
 
I drove one when they first came out, I didn't like it.

-It's a pig, I don't blame the motor, I think it's maybe just too heavy. My 4WD 4R V8 (non vvti) felt much quicker.

-The 3rd row seat is stupid and raises the floor of the cargo compartment way too high.

-The barn door (like or dislike) opens the wrong fricken direction.

-The rear window doesn't roll down.
 
JG1911 said:
I drove one when they first came out, I didn't like it.

-It's a pig, I don't blame the motor, I think it's maybe just too heavy. My 4WD 4R V8 (non vvti) felt much quicker.

-The 3rd row seat is stupid and raises the floor of the cargo compartment way too high.

-The barn door (like or dislike) opens the wrong fricken direction.

-The rear window doesn't roll down.
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I had a VVTi V8 4WD 4Runner and the GX feels just as fast and more agile with its 800 lbs. of more pork (and it gets better mileage). The GX's V8 also feels more responsive. I think the six speed and the gear ratios really compliment the engine.

The 3rd row seat is perfect, when/if you need it, you just push a button. Yes it raises the floor a little but it's worth having a hideaway 3rd row seats.

The Wife loves the barn door because it is easier to use, but I do miss the power rear window.

Sounds like you would be better suited in a crossover like the X5!

Koz
 
Koz said:
I had a VVTi V8 4WD 4Runner and the GX feels just as fast and more agile with its 800 lbs. of more pork (and it gets better mileage). The GX's V8 also feels more responsive. I think the six speed and the gear ratios really compliment the engine.

The 3rd row seat is perfect, when/if you need it, you just push a button. Yes it raises the floor a little but it's worth having a hideaway 3rd row seats.

The Wife loves the barn door because it is easier to use, but I do miss the power rear window.

Sounds like you would be better suited in a crossover like the X5!

Koz
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Nope, I'm better off with my 2003 V8 4Runner :D

FWIW: I do like the barn door, it just opens in the wrong direction. I was actually in the process of buying the GX, but the Lexus dealer was being such a p#@ck that I said "screw it", I'm keeping my 4R and I'll buy a sports car.

The GX did feel slower to me, but I agree the engine was more responsive. I liked it a lot, but nothing is perfect. If, god forbid, anything happens to my 4R, I'm thinking about a Sequoia w/ a TRD Supercharger.

The X5 is nice, but not what I wanted.

Edited: And FWIW the X5 is no slouch off-road... How long it would last if you did it every weekend, that would be a more important question. We drove them at the Performance Center over some interesting things.
 
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touring said:
Car and driver just isn't a fan of Toyota... never have never will
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I think they were just evaluating the vehicles for how the drive on the road. For most people, who never take their SUVs offroad, a cross-over is a better choice. Those of us who do take our SUVs offroad are very much in the minority.
 
M1911 said:
I think they were just evaluating the vehicles for how the drive on the road. For most people, who never take their SUVs offroad, a cross-over is a better choice. Those of us who do take our SUVs offroad are very much in the minority.
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Most people wouldn't take a luxury SUV offroad, so the benefit of the GX460's offroad capability is really null.
 
DC Dude said:
Most people wouldn't take a luxury SUV offroad, so the benefit of the GX460's offroad capability is really null.
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I would. Not extreme stuff but I would definattely be playing in the desert and mountains. What would be the purpose of buying a vehicle with a 2 speed transfer case if it is not going to be used. I would use it like I use my 4runner now although it would need a small lift to clear rocks and ruts on the trail. I would not do mud or deep water though. I also would not do roads with salt applied to melt the snow. I like my Arizona cars to be rust free.
 
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M1911 said:
So, you'd own a 4x4, but not drive it when you really need 4WD?

I live in Boston. We drive our 4x4 in the winter. That's why we bought them.
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I live in Arizona now but I grew up in Ohio and watched most of my cars rust away back in the 70s. If I lived there again I would have to drive an older 4x4 for winter use. My 03 4runner and my 91 Jeep Wrangler have zero surface rust on the frame or anywhere.
 
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