UNPOPULAR OPINION: Glad I bought the 4Runner. The Lexus GX460 looks like…

[2021nightshade4x4]

A bread truck with those tiny wheels tucked so far inboard. What’s the max tire size you can fit on the GX460’s without mods or changing wheels / backspacing?


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[bigbadpoppa]

lol, i really wanted to give Lexus a chance, but their body styling is quite boring. Hence i keep going back to the 4runner until they update the GX to look a bit more rugged, vs Soccer Mom truck.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I'm glad I didn't overpay for a bunch of black trim, black chrome and some black wheels *shrug*

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

I’m sure there are creature comforts like actual cooled seats and not just “ventilated” seats. I’ll give credit there!


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[DAW89446]

In the past decade, it seems to me that Toyota slaps various models with an ugly stick to create a Lexus. The current Star Wars face trend makes them even more ugly in my opinion.

 

[xtacles]

Appearance preferences aside, the GX460 is a fantastic vehicle. We have one of each so there's no ownership bias here ;-)

 

[Jetboy]

I’m sure there are creature comforts like actual cooled seats and not just “ventilated” seats. I’ll give credit there!


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I don't think the seats are any different. I've never found the ventilated seats in any of the Lexus vehicles I owned to be particularly good. I mean it's better than nothing, but they're all just a fan underneath the seat. The GX shares almost all of the same parts as the 4Runner underneath the dash and throughout the HVAC system.

The biggest thing I'd like to have from the GX is the 6-speed transmission. Even more so than the V8. The extra headroom would be nice too.

I'll take softex over leather though. Softex holds up better over time than leather. Especially for an outdoor vehicle.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

I don't think the seats are any different. I've never found the ventilated seats in any of the Lexus vehicles I owned to be particularly good. I mean it's better than nothing, but they're all just a fan underneath the seat. The GX shares almost all of the same parts as the 4Runner underneath the dash and throughout the HVAC system.

The biggest thing I'd like to have from the GX is the 6-speed transmission. Even more so than the V8. The extra headroom would be nice too.

I'll take softex over leather though. Softex holds up better over time than leather. Especially for an outdoor vehicle.

Is it true the 6 speed isn’t any closer ratio, but simply adds another “overdrive”?

If it’s the one I’m thinking of, A750 vs A760, 1st through 5th has the same ratios (5th is 0.75:1) and adds 6th at 0.67:1.


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[Jetboy]

Is it true the 6 speed isn’t any closer ratio, but simply adds another “overdrive”?

If it’s the one I’m thinking of, A750 vs A760, 1st through 5th has the same ratios (5th is 0.75:1) and adds 6th at 0.67:1.


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The A750 and A760 share the same gear train. They're the same transmission. Same housing same gears. The difference is that the 6 speed shifts into another overdrive. The 5 speed has all 6 gears. It just can't shift into 6th because Toyota uses a different valve body that can't operate the correct combination of clutches in the transmission to use 6th gear. That's the kind of shit that frustrates me about Toyota.

And the 6 speed would make 4.56 diffs perfect for the trail and the highway.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

The A750 and A760 share the same gear train. They're the same transmission. Same housing same gears. The difference is that the 6 speed shifts into another overdrive. The 5 speed has all 6 gears. It just can't shift into 6th because Toyota uses a different valve body that can't operate the correct combination of clutches in the transmission to use 6th gear. That's the kind of shit that frustrates me about Toyota.

And the 6 speed would make 4.56 diffs perfect for the trail and the highway.

Dang you’re right, if I’m following you correctly it would create an extra low gear, and 6th on 4.56’s would be like stock 5th?

Also, this trans is sounding a bit like the Mopar 545RFE. Has all 6 gears but only way to access “between 2nd and 3rd” is via downshift. It’s not part of the upward progression.

Have heard of people swapping in truck TCM’s to their Durangos to get all 6, etc. Wish it was that simple for Toyota.


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[Jetboy]

Dang you’re right, if I’m following you correctly it would create an extra low gear, and 6th on 4.56’s would be like stock 5th?

Also, this trans is sounding a bit like the Mopar 545RFE. Has all 6 gears but only way to access “between 2nd and 3rd” is via downshift. It’s not part of the upward progression.

Have heard of people swapping in truck TCM’s to their Durangos to get all 6, etc. Wish it was that simple for Toyota.


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Yes. 4.56 and 6th gear would be almost identical highway ratio. And you'd have a closer ratio 5-6 so highway would be better all around. And we'd get much nicer city driving experience. It's not like Toyota didn't know. It has to be intentional. It's been a 6at since the early 2000s.

Sadly, we're debating a 5 vs 6 speed. It should be a 10 speed by now.

 

[stiles_s]

Couple thoughts on this - ymmv.

I came close to buying a certified used gx instead of the limited I just bought. For me it came down to a combination of practicality and maybe looks? I really, really want the engine/.tranny out of the Lexus. That v8… just for the noise. Even if it really isn’t much faster.

The radius of the oe wheel/tire setup is smaller. Iirc they run a 265/60-18 where we would use a /65? Whatever it is, it is 5% less from the aspect ratio netting a shorter tire. Contributes to the look.

The killer for me is the forced power 3rd row eating space. Yes you can rip it out but it looks like ass. That plus the extra cargo space in the 4 runner with the same rough vehicle footprint was a big factor for me.

I put 100k miles on a gx460 that I loved. With that you could just clip the seats out and throw them in the garage.


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[MNT_GOAT]

I wanted to love the GX over the 4Runner but like many others just couldn't get over the looks of the low hanging bumper and grill. If it retained the mini-land cruiser look of the Prado, I would have bought one over a new 4Runner without a second thought.

 

[Cy4Runner]

I was extremely disappointed driving one for a day. The GX seems like a perfect car for me, a 4Runner that’s better for daily but it was a poor attempt at luxury.

The v8 was smooth, power didn’t feel like a v8 but gas mileage did. Interior looked very out of date (before the new nav).

There’s a reason my local dealer always has GXs sitting around on the lot. It’s just not a 60-70k car.

 

[Humble Leader]

I think lexus tried to solve a problem that didn't exist by bringing in the GX. it was supposed to fill the void between the LX (which no one really buys because it's ridiculously expensive) and the RX (one of the best crossovers you can buy)

the RX was already getting up there in price and for a further increase into the GX territory you are not getting that much more vehicle. the swingout tailgate can make loading large items annoying and most people shopping for a GX don't really care about the crawl control or L4 option or even for that matter adjustable ride heights on the higher end trim models. yes you have a v8 but I have never once seen a GX tow anything

styling and looks are subjective. there are more practical 3 row SUVs available and anyone that doesn't need the third row is probably buying an RX if it has to be lexus

now with that said, I do think the GX can make a reasonable substitute to the 4runner if prices begin to converge. 4runner demand is ridiculously high right now (in general used cars are too) so there will be a point where it might not cost someone a bunch more to go to a GX from a 4runner, especially if off-roading is not a concern and luxury is. in fact locally for me I think they are around the same price on the used market.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

Yes a 70k RX is just ridiculous at this point. Talk about getting bent over.

Is the GX more stable on the highway (akin to having more positive caster than the 4Runner?)


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[TRDHULK]

I like the idea of the GX but cannot bring myself to like the actual vehicle. I've seen some done very well and I like those, but not enough to own one. I'll stick to my 4Rnr and LC

 

[Johnnyg182]

I have a 2019 pro and my wife has a 2020 GX. With mine being lifted and running 285s plus crap on my roof rack, her GX is much better for highway trips. I like driving the V8 over my sluggish pro. We got the Lexus for long term reliability and low maintenance. I don’t love the grill and we definitely didn’t get it for the tech inside given that 2020 was pretty dated. We also keep our cars 10+ years and plan to give it to our 6 year old who loves going on offroad trips. I’m secretly planning out the build and looking forward to cutting up the bumpers/rockers

They look killer when fully modded!

 

[Jetboy]

The GX was never intended to be a long term model. Initially it was supposed to only fill a couple year gap before a 3 row crossover replaced it. But it sold pretty well and has kept on selling 30k/yr or whatever it does. So I think it's been a success from the Toyota perspective.

I suspect the GX is going to face a tough road ahead to compete with the Sequoia. This is heavily dependent on Sequoia pricing though. I think the sequoia will be about $20k more than the GX for similar trims. So maybe the GX will still offer a lower budget alternative. (FWIW my guess is sequoia will range from $55-95k MSRP). If they do end up roughly in the same price range, I'm not sure how buyers would choose a GX over the Sequoia. Sequoia is sort of an LC300's big brother. Better power, better mpg, better luxury, better off road (where it fits). Other than size, and that's not usually a big issue in the USA, the GX becomes a pretty tough sell for now.

I think used GX seem like a great value. If I were buying in today's market, I'd look pretty hard at a used GX. I did the same when I bought my 4Runner. Drove them back to back a couple times and the LC200. 13mpg was really the killer for the LC for me. At that time used LC200's were roughly similar to new 4R. 4R was just better as an all around adventure platform for me at the time with more cargo space, more utilitarian interior that fit my needs better for hauling stuff and not people. I also have an RX350, so highway trips weren't as much of a concern. Now that I have kids, more towing, and less difficult trails, buying today - the GX would probably be my choice. I still like the 4R interior layout better and would rather just get a v8 4Runner.

Side thought: Now that Ford has announced that the American Ranger will get the 3.0 TTv6 with 400hp/430tq - is Toyota still going to be able to just offer the T24A-FTS in the taco and maybe next gen 4Runner? I'm not sure 275hp is going to cut it as a top engine. And... if Toyota has to put a TTv6 in the tacoma to stay competitive with the Tacoma, will there also be a TTv6 4Runner? Probably not. Not unless sales decline enough to force it.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

My 2022 GX arrived yesterday. I haven’t had time to make it in to the dealer. I am selling my ‘19 pro for a few reasons. The Fox shocks have been terrible, replaced twice already, I really miss CarPlay, and the GX is far more comfortable for long trips. Also, I didn’t use my Pro as intended nearly as much as I’d hoped.
I was able to get the Nori Green GX and will make few minor mods to make it my own. Price was really close to the same as a new Pro. It just fits my family’s needs better right now.


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