JCW

I currently own a 2005 GX 470 with ~150K miles and I think it might be time to move on. Looking to get another GX, willing to pay up to $40K and trying to understand the main differences b/t the 2013 and 2014. From what I can gather from research on the interwebz, for 2014 Lexus changed the grill, lowered the MSRP / which made features like heated seats options. Would love to hear from this community if there are any other significant upgrades or reasons to go with the 2014? Any known issues with either year that I should be made aware of?

Thanks in advance.

Craigyyy

It's mostly a visual preference 2013 to 2014. At first I didn't like the new Lexus corporate grille but it's grown on me and I'd probably go with the 2014 if I was in your shoes. If you want your vehicle to look more current for a longer time, I'd go with the 2014 as well. Mechanically they are the same truck. Like you mentioned, it's going to be a little more arduous to try to find a vehicle with the options you want. In addition to removing standard features like heated seats, they further split the trim levels from base/premium to base/premium/luxury, so if you want to get all the options, you'll have to look for a truck with the lux package.

I want to say that there was a subtle change/upgrade on the bypass valve with the 2014s, which is a common failure on these vehicles (one of the few common issues, or perhaps the only common issue). However this might have occurred in 2013. I also want to say that there have been 2014s with bypass valve failures too. This is a little overblown as a "common problem" but it's the one item that you'll see pop up from time to time on this forum. For what it's worth, my 2011 GX had this problem repaired under warranty before I purchased it.

daxia

I went through the same recently. For me, the external change was not a factor. But I like the updated Lexus Enform and BSM of 2014. Comparing 2013 premium to 2014 luxury, I found the price difference is about 4k-5k with the same mileage. In the end, I decided the updated electronics was not worth the money and brought a low mileage 2013 premium.

Craigyyy

Yeah price difference is really the biggest factor. You could save a lot by choosing the '13. For me, looking at '10s and '11s to '14s was more than a $10k swing, regardless of package.

traubgator

I will say, I was pleasantly surprised by the NAV system on the 2013, I assumed it would be trash like most non phone based nav systems. Its just so much easier to enter in destinations in your phone. Traffic and alternative routes due to traffic or accidents is almost flawless on my iphone using waze or google maps.

I'd prefer to have car play to use iphones and google maps, but the nav system has a nice interface.
Agree to the above comment, I just got a 2013, I love the 2014 look, but big big price difference from what I saw. Usually also lower miles and being a year newer, it was an expensive truck. The 2013 to me was the perfect solution between a 2010 and a 2014. I saw some great prices on 2011s and 12s, with around 60,000 miles, but given we are approaching 2017 I'd preferred to go with a slightly newer truck even if cost a little bit more to get a 2013 vs 2010-2012.

mcomer

Be sure to download Lexus App Suite (free forever) to your phone. Press Apps hard key on
right or speak "Launch Destination Search" after pressing the speech button. You can now
ask in plain language for "Wrigley Field...Chicago IL" and it will use your phone to produce
the destination. "Mark" will save it on screen, "Go to" will create three routes. Use while driving
or stopped. Also allows use of Pandora/IHeartRadio/Slacker controls on screen but not
Spotify/Waze/Angry Birds...

Note: when you first start the App you go to "Sign In", name, e-mail, VIN and make up a
password. When you initially start the App in the car it will instruct you to download the
latest version. Turn off your WiFi and let the 3G connection do it.

traubgator

I think enform apps only work on 2014 or newer gx 460s.

GoHuskers

Interior wise '13 vs. '14 is very much the same. on the '13 you only have 2 grades whereas on the '14+ you have:
- Base (NO Leather, heated seats, foglight, power folds mirrors, woods...and may be couple other small items)
-Premium has leather heated/cool front seats, heated rear outward seats, woods, power fold mirrors
-Luxury - gets all the goodies...

ALL '14+ have LED lowbeam headlights and Foglights (if equipped) and I love this feature.

JCW

Thanks for all the feedback.

For those who purchased recently, care to share what you paid?

ohiois350

iTrader: (13)

If the price is not big difference than get the 14" one, it is look better front end with LEFs headlights and fogs and one biggest safety tech is BSM with cross traffic alert

JCW

I've seen a few 2014's in my price range, but they just lack the options that I'm looking for. Amazing how so few of them have heated seats. 2013's seem to be much easier to shop for, but agree...would also like the upgraded headlights and nav system.

JCW

Oh one more question for all of you...is there a button / switch I can look for when viewing pictures of prospective vehicles that can tell me if it has any of the driving safety pkgs that include features like lane departure warning or dynamic cruise control?

Craigyyy

Looks like there are buttons on the wheel:

JCW

This is perfect, thanks!

bd5400

You can also look for the little camera below the Lexus emblem on the front of the car