Thoughts on Getting a 5th Gen 4R vs. a GX460

[Quentin]

I grew up too poor to drive a Lexus. :tongue1:

But seriously, I'm ok driving a bright orange 4Runner but pulling up in a Lexus just isn't appealing to me. 4Runner seems much more approachable -- despite the bright color. I can't really explain it.

 

[hoppyjr]

I like both of them, but the 4Runner gives me more of the old Land Cruiser vibe I was after. If I could swing it I’d have both.

 

[xtacles]

We own both. If I had to pick one, it would be the GX. Not a big fan of the barn door and would definitely miss the rear roll down window though. Otherwise, they are both extremely capable and reliable vehicles. GX just edges the 4runner in almost all departments for me.

 

[MattB1982]

Going from a 3rd Gen to a GX460

When it comes down to price, I shopped for a 5th Gen TRD Pro - Nice amount of do a little bit of everything off road and have some niceties such as leather, heated seat and the like. Looking around for used 2021 up 4Runners, they were all close to new retail price of 50-55K, local to me dealerships are still trying to mark up the new ones 6K, thus making a 4Runner a 61K vehicle. Not saying worth or not, but that's some big dollars. So I started shopping the GXs, to a point I think most buyers of them tend to be more in search of a name "Lexus" than actually doing the off-road portion, so I see them pretty frequently and doubt they have ever left pavement. Picking up mine, a 2019 with similar miles to these 50K 4Runners, I spend almost 10K less. Now I'm giving up the roll down rear window, probably one of the things I like the most, but I got some nice highway comfort, oh and I can tow a ton (actually) almost a ton more, which is nice if I actually need to haul the car and don't want to pull out the big truck. Referring to MPG, I would say that's a toss up, I haven't driven a 5th Gen, but if people are getting around 20 HWY and 18 or so city wise, I would say it's about the same. Also, looking at that 1" loss of ground clearance, springs and the like, just like the 4Runner are cheap, I would say the sky's the limit, but in all reality it's just a really nice Toyota, that can do about what I would do off-road in the 4Runner, and it was cheaper.

 

[thatoneguy]

When it comes down to price, I shopped for a 5th Gen TRD Pro - Nice amount of do a little bit of everything off road and have some niceties such as leather, heated seat and the like. Looking around for used 2021 up 4Runners, they were all close to new retail price of 50-55K, local to me dealerships are still trying to mark up the new ones 6K, thus making a 4Runner a 61K vehicle. Not saying worth or not, but that's some big dollars. So I started shopping the GXs, to a point I think most buyers of them tend to be more in search of a name "Lexus" than actually doing the off-road portion, so I see them pretty frequently and doubt they have ever left pavement. Picking up mine, a 2019 with similar miles to these 50K 4Runners, I spend almost 10K less. Now I'm giving up the roll down rear window, probably one of the things I like the most, but I got some nice highway comfort, oh and I can tow a ton (actually) almost a ton more, which is nice if I actually need to haul the car and don't want to pull out the big truck. Referring to MPG, I would say that's a toss up, I haven't driven a 5th Gen, but if people are getting around 20 HWY and 18 or so city wise, I would say it's about the same. Also, looking at that 1" loss of ground clearance, springs and the like, just like the 4Runner are cheap, I would say the sky's the limit, but in all reality it's just a really nice Toyota, that can do about what I would do off-road in the 4Runner, and it was cheaper.

Right on, enjoy your ride!

The TRD PRO 4Runner is never a value proposition. Even the MSRP is absurd. For nearly identical capability and luxury to the PRO without paying $$$ for standard crap like the TRD exhaust and roof rack, the TRD Offroad Premium is the sweet spot in the lineup. Far cheaper, and markups are way less common on the non-PROs. Got my 2023 ORP for $47,000 before tax... before the prices went up in May.

 

[gomiami]

I test drove a 2021 GX, which was the last MY before Lexus did a refresh of the interior cabin. It was nice and comfy but the dash was simple. Then the dealer showed me the 2022 refresh. It transformed the interior, made it look very modern, very tech. I liked the cockpit a lot...but hated the addition of an absurd remote touch pad on the center console that controls parts of the infotainment screen.

I went with the 4Runner and placed an order for a Limited. While I was waiting, I revisited the GX. The info screen upgraded to be a touchscreen, effectively bypassing the touchpad. So, I went back to a Lexus dealership and sat in a GX for about 45 minutes. My dreams are to see the remoter areas of great national parks and get there without worrying about getting stuck/breaking down. My reality is that I'll probably use my new ride 96% of the time on road and the off-road 4% will be on less aggressive terrain.

Cancelled my 4Runner and ordered a GX right before the production run ended.