snow001

Folks,
I need help in getting another perspective in a decision that I need to make. If price, fuel mileage, and after sales service were not a factor in making your decision, and considering all the Pros and Cons of each vehicle in terms of performance and quality, would you still choose to buy a GX or would you choose the 4Runner Limited? I live in the Northeast and so snow performance is a big factor for me. Also, I tend to use our cars until they die off so I have no intention of selling the car.
Thanks in advance.
Michael

Revnitup

Most oof us here considered both vehicles. Reason I went was the lexus was its a premium vehicle standard third row, side steps, V8 engine and Hid Headlights. A fully loaded 4 runner with third row and side steps. Equals to about $47,900 and a base lexus starts at $49,900. You can't go wrong with either vehicle and both have amazing resale even after you drive them to the ground.

NoDak

on the 4runner LE, you wont be able to get the KDSS or crawl mode

that is regulated to only the TE, whereas the GX you can get all the features of the LE plus the TE in one vehicle.

towing will be better in the GX vs the LE due to the v8.

3rd row is standard in the GX, optional in the LE (I prefer not having 3rd row, never have used it in all my Toyota's I've ever had)

cosmetics are better in the GX (led/hid, audio, gizmo's), LE is just a K.I.S.S. version of the GX.

the LE is more USA bodystyle, the GX follows the prado bodystyle more so than the LE (barn door on the GX, liftgate on the LE)

mpg is slightly worse on the GX than the LE. attached is my stats for my 2014 LE.

GX rumors is that its going to be replace by a unibody TX series and move away from the BoF the GX is currently. LE is still BoF but the next gen will be out sometime in late 2016 or 2017.

it will come down to test drives really. for me it was the distance to a authorized lexus dealer being 550 miles away, Toyota dealer was 3 miles away. warranty work was the biggest deal breaker for me.

I did call lexus financial (lexus plat ext warranty), they said in the end it would have to be serviced by a lexus dealer, with discretion at lexus financial to authorize a Toyota dealer to do any minor work. any major work will have to be done at a lexus dealer period.

edit: forgot to add, yes a MSRP 4Runner will run about 48k, but a fully loaded LE out the door will be 44-45k, my bare bones LE was roughly just under 42k. I didn't want the automatic running boards ($1500 oem price) or the 3rd row ($365 oem price)

also Toyota has a 30th anniversary discount of $1000 until end of year which I didn't get since I bought mine dec-2013. the discount didn't start until jan-2014, so my price would have been even less.

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snow001

Thanks Guys, your feedback is quite helpful. Keep it coming. I am leaning more towards the GX as well. Just want to make sure I did not miss anything being the stickler for details that I am.

mistabuyer

I own both vehicles 4Runner SR5 4x4 (I know, not limited but close enough for the discussion) and GX460 Premium.
If you are planning to keep the vehicle stock and don't mind having the third row seats, I'd easily pick the GX (most especially since you've thrown out purchase price, fuel, and service). I agree with what others have stated above; the quality in materials and ride and amenities of the GX are better.

GoHuskers

We have had 4 4Runners in the family, great vehicles but Lexus is a step above. You will get more discounts with the 4Runner than the Lexus. 4Runner makes your wallet feel little easier (not much). I actually LOVE the 3rd row...just in case kind of thing.

The standard LED headlight, KDSS, V8, running board, LED fog (premium and luxury).....and dealer treatments sold me....I DO like the white color on the 4Runner better than on the Lexus though.

KVA

I own both.

2010 fully loaded 4Runner LE 4x4 and 2014 GX Luxury.

Huge difference in cost between the two...$28K - not sure that qualifies for the V8 upgrade

Like others have mentioned, V8 is great vs. V6 but the V6 isn't bad.

KDSS means very little unless you keep the trucks stock. Most offroad guys who get KDSS rip it out once they start modifying the suspension. Most folk will never use crawl control, DAC, or any of those features...not to mention read the manual regarding what you've got...lol

Really this comes down to what do you want out of the truck...everyday mall crawler or more? Most folks won't do what I have done to my T4R if it was a Lexus so if you're thinking of any modifications at all, the T4R is the choice. Though I will absolutely be converting the GX at some point into an overland vehicle...or buy a base model to do so.

Stock, I wouldn't hesitate to go GX if the deal is right...you won't regret it. If you get buyer's remorse, you may want to just get the GX...lol...or every time you see one you be thinking "what if..."

You can also look at the T4R TEP model and add leather seating and you get everything but the V8 and LED headlights.

Regardless - you can't go wrong - both vehicles are capable.

kvsm5

Just a few weeks ago, I test drove a 2015 4runner Limited and a 2015 GX460 base model. The 4 runner was loaded and a pleasure to drive. The GX460 was fine as well. The price of the 4runner was $44000 and the GX460 was $46000. This is before taxes. Though a base model, I ended up with the GX460. Liking it so far.

11GX460

Not much else has the cachet of saying you have a Lexus suv, let alone a silver one.

NoDak

cachet of a lexus suv? if your going that route I would say the next step up would be the MB Unimog imo

snow001

Thank you everyone for your valuable input. We made a decision over the weekend and decided to go with a Black on black 2015 GX 460 with the premium option. I really appreciate all of your help as it was a big decision and your feedback allowed us to cover all aspects The dealer made a very aggressive offer since it was month end. ETA for the car will be around the 2nd week of November.
Thanks again folks!

mike444

How aggressive was the deal? What did you pay?

frank69m

You forgot to mention the Lexus warranty is 4/50 vs. the Toyota at 3/36

snow001

Hi Mike,
They initiated the deal by offering the car at invoice which is what I was aiming for. Then they threw in the remote start. The Toyota dealer on the other hand employed "pressure selling tactics" on me which never works. Considering everything else, this was my "most pleasant" car shopping experience. This is our second car from the same dealer. And we will definitely go back there again.

snow001

Well I have been driving the car for several weeks now and have been quite happy with it. Thanks again everyone for all of your input. I was able to "sync up" the emotional and financial decision in deciding which vehicle to get.