Hey everyone. I was just wondering if anyone has any input on this. Yes, the title is correct. V8 runner vs gx460. I really have a soft spot for the v8 4runners, and while the 470 is the close comparison, they are not as appealing to me as with the 460. The timing belt is not a deciding factor to me nor is air suspension on the 460 since i will be changing out all the suspension components. My question is more along the lines of what one has vs the other and why would you choose one over the other. This rig will be mostly used for light trails and trips up to the snow Thanks!

 

Hello,

That's a very hard question to answer, you will be the only one to know an actual answer to it.. Lexus in general and GX in particular will always have more luster to it than any Toyota, with a corresponding bump in maintenance cost, there is really nothing that sets 4Runner aside for the exception of personal appeal and maybe lower price. They are both designed to be rugged vehicles, so chances are it will take you a while to even find a descent option at all, so if you are on the fence, I would say a deciding factor would be which car you will find in better shape or for a better price, but again, only as long as both of them will work for you.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

V8 4Runner will be significantly older and more worn out than a GX460 given how much longer they have been around. Both are mechanically excellent platforms for your suggested uses, but expect the GX460 to cost 3X or more than the older 4Runner...so your budget is really the only way to answer this question.

 

I have owned a 06GX470. I currently own a 11 GX460 and I also own a 19 4Runner. Although the 4 runner is not a v8. It is the Limited with all the options.. I think the previous comment of just age is correct. It doesn’t matter how many miles is on it. Technology and age vs cost. 470s are going for what early 460s are. And the 460 is a solid rig. I like my 460 but I also like the 4Runner.

 

FWIW, we had our '04 GX470 and a '15 4Runner Ltd for a couple years, the 4Runner always felt cheap in comparison to the older Lexus, despite roughly 2X the mileage on the older truck and being the highest trim 4Runner for features. Replaced the 4Runner with a '15 GX460, much nicer built vehicle overall. The hood on the 4Runner would flap in the wind on the hwy, just one example of cheaper materials being used.

 

V8 4-Runner hauls *** in comparison to the GX470 ... same engine ... but the 4-Runner is 500 pounds lighter ... power-to-weight advantage.

 

You can't compare a 5th gen to a 4th Gen 4R as some have done. The 4th gen is much more solid. As an example open and close both doors and feel the difference. The 5th gen is nowhere as solid, reliable etc as the 4th. In comparing the GX to the 4R is a whole different ball game. Besides the standard options being more modern, luxurious and plentiful Lexus used more insulation in the body, softer body mounts, closer body tolerances, better paint applications. Mechanically, besides the manual 4wd controls it is the same. Same rear end, transmission, brakes, suspension etc.
I personally own a 08 4R V8 LTD in Natural White. I currently have 302K miles and runs, looks and feels like it has 100K on it. I own a auto shop in Atlanta with 75% of my business being Lexus and Toyota. I have seen and experienced just about it all. I honestly feel that a new GX is the best bang for the buck these days. Mostly just for the fact it's the last V8 offered between Lexus and Toyota.

 

I test-drove a V8 4Runner back when I bought my GX. It wasn't a good comparison since the 4R I looked at was a rust bucket (I have *no idea* why a dealer would try and sell a rusty Wisconsin vehicle in Texas)

It was peppier than the GX due to it being lighter (and perhaps gearing and perhaps missing metal having been turned into rust).
The cabin was narrower and you sat closer to the floor (so more like a Tacoma seating position). Definitely more truck-like than a luxury vehicle.
I do like the cargo door power window feature though. We should have gotten that

Chip H.