Sat in a 2014 GX today, disappointed in the interior material quality
11-11-13, 12:42 PM
#31
Lexus Fanatic
I'm not comparing the GS and GX for reliability reasons, I'm saying the GX is not reliable only because its based on the Prado. All Lexus vehicles for the most part are very reliable.
The GX is not "tougher" because it shares low end plastic interior materials with the ES. Thats like the argument in the 3IS forum that they removed all the electronic luxury features to make it "a purer drivers car". Its cost cutting. I'm not talking about chassis or suspension components, I'm talking about seat materials and design, and the dash and door panel material.
I totally don't see that, I've owned a lot of Toyota/Lexus vehicles and outside of the LS, the GS is certainly the most "solid" Lexus Toyota product I've ever had. All the interior materials are solid and high quality, the leather is thick and the seat bolsters are sturdy. Nothing sensitive to scuffing or abrading. Mine has 15k miles on it now and exhibits no seat leather wear or other interior wear, which was not the case with other Toyota/Lexus products I've had.
LOL, I've been posting on Lexus forums for over 10 years, and I administrate a different Lexus forum. I'm not a troll.
I'm not trying to stir trouble up here guys, I had an observation and a question...thats all.
The GX is not "tougher" because it shares low end plastic interior materials with the ES. Thats like the argument in the 3IS forum that they removed all the electronic luxury features to make it "a purer drivers car". Its cost cutting. I'm not talking about chassis or suspension components, I'm talking about seat materials and design, and the dash and door panel material.
I totally don't see that, I've owned a lot of Toyota/Lexus vehicles and outside of the LS, the GS is certainly the most "solid" Lexus Toyota product I've ever had. All the interior materials are solid and high quality, the leather is thick and the seat bolsters are sturdy. Nothing sensitive to scuffing or abrading. Mine has 15k miles on it now and exhibits no seat leather wear or other interior wear, which was not the case with other Toyota/Lexus products I've had.
LOL, I've been posting on Lexus forums for over 10 years, and I administrate a different Lexus forum. I'm not a troll.
I'm not trying to stir trouble up here guys, I had an observation and a question...thats all.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 11-11-13 at 01:08 PM.
11-11-13, 12:47 PM
#32
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I've sat in multiple LXs and have never felt any hard plastic...
Out of curiosity, what materials in the GS felt "hollow" to you?
Out of curiosity, what materials in the GS felt "hollow" to you?
11-11-13, 01:07 PM
#33
Lexus Fanatic
11-11-13, 01:37 PM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
The latest LX I've sat in both the base package and the Luxury package. Its been some years since I've driven one...
The LX has far, far better materials and attention to detail inside than the GX, which you would expect for the cost difference.
The LX has far, far better materials and attention to detail inside than the GX, which you would expect for the cost difference.
Last edited by SW17LS; 11-11-13 at 01:44 PM.
11-11-13, 01:50 PM
#35
Lexus Fanatic
GX is a fine truck, I would rather have the harder plastics for durability reasons than the soft stuff that feels hollow on the GS.
11-11-13, 01:59 PM
#36
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
GX is a fine truck, I would rather have the harder plastics for durability reasons than the soft stuff that feels hollow on the GS.
I don't know what you're talking about when it comes to the soft touch vinyl feeling hollow on the GS. I just drove home from work and i tapped on everything and nothing feels "hollow" to me. If you want hard plastic, perhaps a non-luxury vehicle is the better fit? If I'm going to pay $60,000 for something I want nice materials around me such as when I buy nice furniture.
11-11-13, 02:53 PM
#37
Lead Lap
While I love my GX, I think I have to agree to a certain extent with SW13GS about the interior being more plastic. Not that I care all that much but I feel there is definitely some cost cutting involved. There is less wood and the seats aren't as heavy and durable as the prior gen. One thing I also noticed is that when the windows are rolled down half way when I close the doors there is a clanking sound from the loose window versus a nice solid thud that the prior gen had.
This should be nothing new, many people have noticed the same thing with the ES even though it is a much better car than the previous gen ES'. While I understand everyone's annoyance with people that come on here and criticize the GX or Lexus in general, sometimes you have to be objective and see that some things he is saying may be true and are noticed by others. The GX is a great truck but it is not perfect (although it is pretty close IMO), no car, truck or brand is.
This should be nothing new, many people have noticed the same thing with the ES even though it is a much better car than the previous gen ES'. While I understand everyone's annoyance with people that come on here and criticize the GX or Lexus in general, sometimes you have to be objective and see that some things he is saying may be true and are noticed by others. The GX is a great truck but it is not perfect (although it is pretty close IMO), no car, truck or brand is.
11-11-13, 03:07 PM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
While I understand everyone's annoyance with people that come on here and criticize the GX or Lexus in general, sometimes you have to be objective and see that some things he is saying may be true and are noticed by others. The GX is a great truck but it is not perfect (although it is pretty close IMO), no car, truck or brand is.
What I really was wondering was if material quality was reduced along with the price reduction for 2014.
11-11-13, 03:30 PM
#39
Lead Lap
The material quality seems to be the same with the exception of the non-semi aniline leather. I have seen it in person and it looks different from the 2010-2013 model years. You can see the pics in one of the other threads. It is kind of spotty/bumpier than previous years.
11-11-13, 03:33 PM
#40
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
The material quality seems to be the same with the exception of the non-semi aniline leather. I have seen it in person and it looks different from the 2010-2013 model years. You can see the pics in one of the other threads. It is kind of spotty/bumpier than previous years.
11-11-13, 04:35 PM
#41
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But does it matter if a Jeep has an Alcantara headliner and Nappa leather seats if the whole thing is screwed together by dudes who get drunk, high and krunkified on their factory breaks? Not to mention all the wonderful electrical gremlins they caught/inherited from the Germans and Italians?
No thanks. Lexus quality isn't the ultimate shining star it once was, but it's still there and still quite good....better than most.
And if someone told me I had to take a cross-country trip tomorrow and had to choose from a GX, Grand Cherokee, LR4, RR Sport, ML, GL, or X5, I'd choose the GX above all. Perhaps Yukon or Tahoe would be a second choice.
Last edited by SecPole14; 11-11-13 at 04:39 PM.
11-11-13, 05:07 PM
#42
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
But does it matter if a Jeep has an Alcantara headliner and Nappa leather seats if the whole thing is screwed together by dudes who get drunk, high and krunkified on their factory breaks? Not to mention all the wonderful electrical gremlins they caught/inherited from the Germans and Italians?
No thanks. Lexus quality isn't the ultimate shining star it once was, but it's still there and still quite good....better than most.
If you'd choose a GX over a new RR Sport for a cross country trip you haven't seen a new RR sport lol.
11-11-13, 05:14 PM
#43
I'm a monitor at another automotive forum and that's one of the biggest issues, people arguing on a forum and getting mad about it, ignore feature needs to be utilized much more. It sure would make my job easier. 
11-12-13, 06:18 AM
#44
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The issue is it's not just that other makes have caught up, Lexus has rolled back quality in these areas. THATS what I have a problem with. Lexus is reducing material and product quality with every generation while other carmakers are improving.
The issues are electrical. The vehicle is very well built.
Better than most isn't good enough. Whatever happened to the relentless pursuit of perfection? Nowadays it's more like the haphazard maintaining of mediocrity.
If you'd choose a GX over a new RR Sport for a cross country trip you haven't seen a new RR sport lol.
The issues are electrical. The vehicle is very well built.
Better than most isn't good enough. Whatever happened to the relentless pursuit of perfection? Nowadays it's more like the haphazard maintaining of mediocrity.
If you'd choose a GX over a new RR Sport for a cross country trip you haven't seen a new RR sport lol.
11-12-13, 10:07 AM
#45
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Reliability is another one of those things that these other companies are improving too. Look at Audi, they're now #4? Who would have thought that 10 years ago? Its not enough just to be "reliable" in the luxury market.
Look at the sales performance, Lexus has slipped from #1, to #2 and now #3.