If considering the Armada then why not the Infiniti QX80? I really do not see many Armadas around but quite a few QX80s. Not sure of price and feature differences between the 2 along with reliability.

 

i totally get that, and honestly, I am exactly the same way. For that reason, back in 2015, I bought a brand new 4Runner limited 4wd pearl white. Reliability was everything to me. However, after 15k miles, I dumped it and bought a Yukon Denali. The 4Runner had a stiff suspension, hard seats, a 6 cyl motor that got gas mileage similar to my V8s but without the guts. So, I’m hesitant to go back into this class of vehicle but still drawn by reliability and believe the GX could solve for all the things I didn’t like about the 4Runner.

the armada is a big and plush, luxurious riding vehicle with pretty darn good reliability stats as far as I can tell, based on the international patrol and also a derivative of the qx80. I think it is a good choice but certainly large and not in the same class as the gx relative to reliability.

 

I needed a SUV with more cargo space than my Lexus RX350; I wanted 4 WD, luxury, reliability and as I keep vehicles it seems forever, something that might hold its value a little longer as the vehicle ages. I strongly considered the Kia Telluride. I have owned 3 Lexus so I know they are well made, and you can't beat Lexus customer service compared to other brands. The big question in my mind when considering the GX was the gas mileage. Since I am retired, I don't drive much so gas mileage was a negative but with the thinking you have a V8 with NA it was not all that bad. The cargo space on the earlier GX models was around 90 Cu ft but when the 3'rd row seats were designed to be flush with the cargo area lost about 23 cu ft. Every fall my BIL and I travel west to hunt elk in Colorado. Two 150-quart ice chest and a couple of 40 quart and our gear in a RX is cramped. The GX will give us a little more breathing room and as we split fuel cost gas mileage becomes a low factor on the totem pole. I love my GX and as I pulled up behind a Telluride the other day, I knew I had made the right decision. By the way, the Telluride in my area sells for close to $2k over MSRP.....ouch.

 

I would sure be a lot happier if we had a choice between 3rd row and no 3rd row like offered on the LX. I hate losing that extra space. That’s a real negative for people like me that need cargo space not kid space.

 

Toyota Sequoia ?

 

I seriously looked at the '21 GX but wanted updated safety & phone connectivity. By the time the 22's came out, prices had skyrocketed (read MSRP or above) and since I have a low mileage RX decided to wait it out. If supply eases up by the end of this year may go for a 22/23, or just wait for the redesign. As stated above, my ideal GX would be with the 3rd row delete option as I would never use it. Need the space for if we decide to travel by vehicle & take our 2 dogs with us. In my RX it is a bit tight if a long trip is involved with the doggies.

 

I didn't really consider anything else, I was generally happy with my FJ. But I had a hankering for a V8 and 6-speed transmission with the same family reliability... the bells and whistles were just gravy really. It didn't hurt that the longer cabin would be more comfortable for sleeping inside on overlanding trips.

 

I considered the 2021 Landcruiser Heritage. Looked like a really special LC. This was right before the car shortage mess. Other car I liked a lot which wasn’t a comparison to the GX was the Porsche Cayenne GTS or S Coupe. Looks like a really fun vehicle to drive. The options can go really crazy along the price tag.

 

I researched lots of vehicles, wanted something the size of my previous 4Runner so it would fit in our garage without moving compressor, toolbox, etc, was reliable, had a V8, and a tow capacity over 6000 lbs. There was really only one option, the GX 460

 

Wife & I drove a new MDX but hated the touchpad interface.
Glad the updated GX came along, she loves her GX!

 

Nothing else, although I should have. Thinking back I should have considered the Armada or whatever the Infiniti version of it is. I mean it is based off the Patrol that was designed for the Australian outbacks so it couldnt be that far behind in terms of reliability.

 

I was originally shopping for a used 4Runner. Can't remember where I came across the GX but they were cheaper than a similarly aged 4Runner by quite a bit. This was in 2019. After doing a bunch of research and realizing this thing was just a Prado I started shopping for a GX instead and glad I did. My favorite vehicle I've ever owned. In the end I got a Toyota SUV, just a much nicer one that I had planned.

 

I was only looking at used cars. I was interested in a '15 4runner Limited but saw that '13 CPO GX was about the same price if not a little less (this was 3 years ago or so).
For OP - get the Armada/QX80, the GX is way smaller. Or wait until new '13 Sequoia.

 

funny you say get the armada. I was just coming back to this thread to say I just left the dealership. I really like the gx and they seem willing to deal at some amount below msrp, but I’m worried it is too small vs what I’m used to and what I like. Tough call bc I like Lexus, but…

interestingly, on the armada, I did a 500 mile search and located 9 4wd vehicles. Same search for the gx delivers about 97 units. Nissans problem seems worse so getting one, if that’s the direction I go, will be a problem.

 

At first, I was thinking about the new 300 Land Cruiser - and then Toyota decided to not import it to the US.

Then I thought I would wait for the new 4Runner or GX550.

but...

seeing how dealers are marking up most (all?) new model vehicles and the long waitlists (which I anticipated might be the case for these new vehicles) - I thought best to focus my attention on the current GX460. I really didn't see much competition in that space (all things considered).

The new LX is too costly for my budget and there are the long waitlists (and current markups).

I love the look and style of the new Defender 110 and did look at the Ford Bronco - but I'd never trust those vehicles from a quality and reliability standpoint (possibly in a few more years - after the kinks are worked out by the manufacturers. On second thought, that's a "nope" for Land Rover).

I very much like my GX460 and it's perfect for me.