4Runner vs GX460

The air bags raises the body not the suspension. It's still 8.1 inch of clearance.

 

8.1 inches? Come on dude, Rav4 Adventure has 8.6.

 

Mine has more.

 

I didn't build the thing. Blame Toyota

 

The problem with Lexus IS their bumpers and sidesteps sitting so damn low.

 

Let's face it, GX is a luxury SUV with solid 4WD if needed. But stock 4Runner will always be better than the GX on trails.

 

Stock vs stock yes for sure. But anything you can throw on the 4runner can be added to the GX. So I guess it depends on how deep your pockets are haha.

 

Quite honestly, they're kissing cousins. Might as well piss on the 4Runner if you're going to do so on the GX. To me, they're both equally fine vehicles. Can't say I've ever heard someone say a Prado (GX) isn't a capable vehicle. Except on a 4Runner forum.

 

I tried to buy a new 4Runner and got tired of the games at dealerships so I picked up a GX. Having never owned a 4Runner I can’t speak to the long term of comfort but in just the few test drives I did the GX has more comfortable cabin. The V8 and six speed auto are better as well. I’ll probably add at least rear locker but I’ll start with Crawl control MTS. First time installing a lift to KDSS vehicle it was a bit of painful learning curve.

 

That blitz bumper is fucking awesome!

 

I have both in the driveway right now. The GX is our second one. Currently a 16, previously we had a 2010. They are fantastic and will do about anything you would ever need with the right tires. Sure 15mpg isn’t great, but the V8 is so smooth. I love my 4R Prem. about equally. You really can’t go wrong with either.

 

Any more 460 owners care to chime in? Considering pairing our Pro 4R with a 15-18 460.

 

Hope you have noted Highlander like ground clearance, no standard gas tank skid, low hanging bumpers & rocker panels, same 4runner gas tank for a v8, limitations with KDSS, etc..

 

I love my GX. It does have a few shortcomings, but I don’t believe KDSS is one of them. With 285’s I get about 15-16 while commuting, 17-18 on long trips down the highway. I came from a Taco on 35’s with 4.56 gears and was only getting 14-15 on long trips and 11-12 the rest of the time.

 

Fify.

 

What do you plan to use the GX for? Aside from off-roading, the GX will be much better at pretty much everything (and even that will be similar, to a degree). It will be more comfortable, it will be better at towing, and from what I see, they get similar fuel economy to the 4Runner. However, they do require premium fuel, so get ready for that.

 

New GX looks way better than the 4Runner full-stop.

I'm not saying the Runner is ugly, just saying the GX looks way better. If money were no object, I would have 110% bought a GX.

If you think the GX is less capable, B**** you better ask somebody. The Land Cruiser Prado is the same truck. And Both Australians and Filipinos can tell you they drive those things through some pretty serious terrain. I dont get all this shade being thrown at the GX. Everybody got their preferences, but no need to piss on a great truck.

 

For the time being the GX won't see much more than fire roads, maybe some trails in Colorado. I've got the stock 4R gas tank skid in the attic, so at the very least I could throw that on the GX if they truly are the same tanks, and has the mount holes for a skid. I've seen the KDSS debate enough on the 4R forums to not be concerned about that. The most I plan on towing is a ~2,000lb tear drop. I already have a V8 that takes premium and gets 13mpg, so not too concerned there.

Thanks for the feedback. Now I need to test drive one.

 

Aren't you required to use premium gas in the GX?

 

I don’t. Just a few hp loss is the only real effect. Not even noticeable.

 

Both the GX and the 4Runner are variants of the Land Cruiser Prado as everyone knows. But the similarities are striking when you actually look at the part numbers. While the GX is a luxury version of the Prado getting a bigger engine, leather heated seats and so on, the 4Runner is a stripped down version of the Prado. If you were to take off the body panels of the 4Runner and the Prado, you'd be looking at the same identical thing: The frame, the axle housing, the front and rear brake rotors, the hubs, the control arms, the shocks, the 1GR-FE engine (in the Middle East, not Australia where it gets a diesel) and the Aisin A750 transmission are all identical on the two vehicles. The Toyota part numbers are the same. You could detach a 4Runner body and drop it on a Prado frame and it would work perfectly. Why? Because they are built on the same assembly line at the Tahara Plant and they use the same J150 platform.

In other words, the 4Runner is a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado that is badged as a "4Runner" in North America. If you want a luxury 4Runner, buy the GX. But you won't have the legendary 1GR-FE engine which has been installed in the Toyota Land Cruiser (100 series, 200 series and now the 300 series) for nearly 20 years in the Middle East.

Enjoy your Land Cruisers everyone. And yes, the GX can run just fine on regular pump gas. The ECU adjusts the timing as necessary. I've never put anything more than 87 octane in my 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser. Never knocked, not once.

 

I have owned both. Had a 2014 4Runner initially and got a 2022 GX last year. Now back in a 2023 4Runner. The GX is nicer and has more features and also has a V8. The 4Runner in my opinion looks better and is slightly more capable offroad. I don't like that the 3rd row seating is standard on the GX and you cant get one without it, but honestly you cant go wrong with either. They are both great vehicles. I suggest driving both and picking the pone you like better.

 

Why did you swap back to the 4R? I've actually thought about seeing any of the Lexus dealers near me would straight swap me for a GX Premium.

 

The gx is just perfect for the country club and whole foods parking lots

 

The blue-dyed hair people at whole foods give me dirty looks when I park the 4R next to their Nissan Leaf (which is plugged in even though they live 5 miles away). I dont think they'll greet the GX any better...

 

I have no need for and don't like the 3rd row seating in the GX. Prefer the looks of the 4R. V8 sounds good but doesnt really make any difference in performance due to the additional weight of the GX. The Lexus has a few more features and a nicer interior. No Lexus dealer will do a straight swap for a 4R, particularly a premium. I guarantee they want at least $10k on top of the trade.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. Price is pretty close. About 4k difference on a GX premium at the current state of haggling.

 

One thing I despise about my SR5P is highway driving in the wind. Aerodynamics of a brick, I get it, but it just gets pushed around all over the road. Not a pleasant experience at all. I'm thinking of picking up a new GX. For those out there with experience in both, how does the GX do on the open road with nasty winds? Would it be easier on the bank account to upgrade the stock SR5P suspension? Not gonna lie, the V8 would be nice. I've owned a couple of Tahoe's in the past and they are awesome on the highway. I'm happy with the 4R otherwise but I'm at a place where I could move up all else considered.

 

I just got the *new* version of the Mich Defender LTX M/S in stock size. It’s now an “XL” tire. Stiffer sidewalls. First thing I noticed was how much nicer it is driving on the interstate in the wind. Much more stable feeling. It was a pleasant surprise I wasn’t expecting. Didn’t realize a tire could make that much difference in stability. And such a small change. It’s still just a P rated tire.

 

I wasn't aware of this. Thank you! I put LTX's on it when I got her new (21'). Were you running older Michelin's prior? I lived in NM for a long time. Interstate wind is no joke in those parts. If different tires are all it takes to fix this that is a quick fix. I'll do that in a heartbeat.