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Toyota 4Runner vs Lexus GX : Know The Differences

Toyota 4Runner vs Lexus GX : Know The Differences

The Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX 460 are more similar than they are different, even if you do not know it. It is due to their advantageous approach and departure angles, sturdy rear axles, and a slew of driver-selectable off-road capabilities both vehicles are capable of off-roaders. Though the Lexus GX is a fancier counterpart of the Toyota 4Runner, it is not. There are a lot of areas we will examine here to give you a sense of how the GX and 4Runner stack up.

Toyota 4Runner vs. Lexus GX

Feature 4Runner Lexus GX
Entry The 4Runner’s entry method is tough to use. The standard easy entry mechanism on the GX lifts the steering wheel and slides the driver’s seatback to make getting in and out of the car simpler.
Switches At night, the 4Runner’s power mirror switches are tricky to locate and use correctly since they do not come with lights. A backlit switch makes it simpler to operate the power windows, locks, and mirrors at night while driving in the GX.
Fuel door There is no lockable fuel door on the 4Runner. In the GX, there is a standard lockable fuel door with a driver-friendly remote release. Fuel theft and vandalism, such as putting sugar in the tank, may be prevented with a lockable fuel door.
Wipers Regularly tinker with the 4Runner’s manually adjustable intermittent wipers. Based on the quantity of rain on the windshield, the GX Luxury/standard Premium wipers automatically alter their speed and switch on and off, respectively.
Headlight washers Headlight washers are not available on the 4Runner. Headlights may become less efficient in bad weather because of the buildup of grit on their lenses. Without the driver’s knowledge, this may impair visibility. Headlight washers are available for the GX to maintain a high output from the headlights.
Automatic headlamp Only the Limited/TRD Pro models of the 4Runner come standard with an automatic headlamp on/off. A standard feature on the GX is an automated headlamp on/off. For the headlights to turn on and off at night and morning, you must turn on the ignition. The headlights switch off after a delay, which allows you to safely reach out to your front door when the ignition turns off.

 

Security

Some pretensioners tighten the seatbelt and remove harmful slack in a collision and force limiters that prevent the belts from exerting too much pressure on passengers in a crash. Pretensioners for the middle seatbelts are not available in the Toyota 4Runner. During a collision, the GX’s pre-crash front seatbelts will automatically tighten, enhancing protection dramatically. Pre-crash pretensioners are not available on the 4Runner.

Suitable for an extensive range of drivers and passengers, you can adjust the Lexus GX’s front and center seat shoulder belts. Improved fit reduces the risk of injury, and passengers are more likely to buckle up. In the Toyota 4Runner, the middle seat belts are not height-adjustable.

All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GX to provide optimum grip and stability on any road surface. On the 4Runner, though, it requires an additional fee.

Through the sensors, the GX’s blind-spot warning system may notify the driver of an item in the vehicle’s blind zones that the side view mirrors cannot see. The 4Runner’s blind-spot detection feature is an optional accessory.

The GX comes with a standard rear cross-path warning system, which employs sensors in the rear bumper to notify the driver of cars coming from the side, making backing out of a parking place safer. On the 4Runner, a rear cross-path warning is an added expense.

It is standard for the GX and the 4Runner to have driver and front passenger airbags, side-impact airbags, knee airbags, adjustable front seatbelts, plastic fuel tanks, and four-wheel anti-lock brakes, and traction control.

Both also include electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and crash mitigating brakes. Daytime running lights and lane departure warning systems are also available.

In terms of mortality rates, the Lexus GX is superior. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, fatal accidents by GX are 15.5% lower per registered car than the 4Runner.

Warranty

The GX’s components are covered by a 4-year/50,000-mile standard warranty, including 24-hour roadside support. You will have a year or 14,000 miles to go before the standard warranty on the 4Runner expires. Lexus’ GX warranty is one-year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota’s powertrain warranty.

During the first six years or 70,000 miles of ownership, the whole vehicle’s engine and gearbox components are covered by a comprehensive warranty.

The 4Runner’s warranty expires after five years and 60,000 miles of use. There is a 1-year difference between the GX’s corrosion warranty and the 4Runner’s (6 vs. five years).

Exterior

With their sturdy exteriors, these cars exude a sense of ruggedness and tradition. The front and rear ends are squared off on both models. However, the GX 460’s body cladding is substantially higher than the 4Runner’s, reducing its off-road geometry.

Low-hanging front and rear aero parts appear out of place on a vehicle whose primary selling point is off-road prowess. The running boards are built into the rocker panels, so you cannot remove them. In contrast, the 4Runner’s bodywork is tucked up high. Compared to the GX 460, the 4Runner is less vulnerable to off-road damage.

The 4Runner’s power retractable rear window is one of its best features. Roll-down windows on the 4Runner’s hatch and sides make it easy to get into the cargo compartment without opening the hatch.

They are also helpful for ventilating the interior on hot days. The GX’s side-hinged rear door is a standout feature. In addition to being cumbersome to operate, the door is hinged on the passenger side, making it difficult to unload objects while parallel parked.

The GX’s rear door configuration has significantly more disadvantages than advantages. It is much easier to load and unload small goods into and out of the GX’s back door than the 4Runner’s, which has a retractable rear window.

Engine

The 4.0-liter V6 engine in the 2020 Toyota 4Runner makes 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. It is connected to a dated 5-speed automatic gearbox in every model.

Towing capacity for the 4Runner is 5,000 pounds. The Lexus GX 460 has a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produces 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. Although it is a step toward the 4Runner’s 5-speed automatic, this gearbox is still years behind the competitors’ eight or more-gear setups.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 is at only 15 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg on the combined cycle, which is even lower than the 4Runner’s rating.

This vehicle can haul 6,500 pounds. The 4.6-liter V8 in the GX is neither powerful nor efficient, but it should survive for many hundred thousand miles before requiring substantial mechanical repair. You can likewise argue the 4Runner’s V6  to be the same.

Tires and rims

The GX sports tires have bigger tires than the 4Runner (265/60R18 vs. 245/60R20) to improve grip. As a result of the lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) and the resulting stronger sidewall, the GX’s standard tires provide superior handling than the 4Runner’s 70 series tires. For the GX, the available tires have a lower profile (55 vs. 60 series) than the tires on the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport.

The GX comes standard with 18-inch wheels for a smoother ride, better handling, and improved brake cooling. 4Runners come with 17-inch wheels as standard.

Suspension and Steering

The GX has a driver-adjustable suspension system. The driver has the option to select between a soft ride to help with extended travels or a sport mode to provide them more control on winding roads or off-road terrain.

You cannot adjust the shock absorbers on the 4Runner’s suspension. The GX 460 Luxury includes a standard automated rear load-leveling suspension to maintain a level ride height while towing or carrying a big load.

Load leveling suspension is not available on the 4Runner. There is a disparity in front-to-rear weight distribution between the GX and the 4Runner (52 percent to 48 percent) (53.6 percent to 46.4 percent ). It improves the GX’s handling and braking capabilities.

Specifications & Innovations

Neither of these automobiles is overstuffed with options and conveniences. The new 2020 4Runner’s infotainment system is way ahead of GX’s old technology, which is still in use today.

It is like the Blackberry Storm against the iPhone 9. The 4Runner includes a large 8-inch touchscreen running Toyota’s latest software, but it also has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. The GX has an 8-inch touchscreen with a poor resolution and is slower to react to inputs than the updated touchscreen found in the 4Runner.

It does not support Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. We are not kidding when we say that this is an unusual case when the premium car provides a less technologically advanced experience than its mainstream counterparts.

The vehicles can take you as far away from society as possible, thanks to cutting-edge technology and other features. A locking rear differential, Toyota’s Active Traction Control system, and Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control systems are present in the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro off-road versions of the 4Runner.

Toyota’s ingenious Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), also known as KDSS, automatically changes sway bar stiffness based on whether you are driving on or off the road.

The omission of KDSS on the 4Runner TRD Pro is baffling. But it is somewhat offset by the inclusion of Fox internal-bypass shock absorbers, an aluminum front skid plate, moderate all-terrain tires, black wheels, a sport exhaust, and a distinctive roof rack.

In Toyota’s opinion, the Lexus GX displays its off-road characteristics in sophisticated packaging. But in fact, its bodywork wipes out the advantages of specific components, making the vehicle ungainly.

For the GX, 4-wheel drive is standard. The part-time systems on the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro 4Runners are different here. The GX has a locking center differential, Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, KDSS, and hill assist.

For the rear wheels, there is an optional air suspension. Increasing break over and departure angles implies raising the rear and coming at a steeper approach angle.

While towing, the car will automatically level itself out due to the rear air suspension. There is an optional trail camera for the GX, but the low-resolution cameras mean it will not be as helpful as a full-resolution camera.

Toyota 4Runner vs Lexus GX:  which one do we recommend?

For the time, these two automobiles are considered antiques. They have weak engines mated with antique gearboxes, which results in poor gas mileage. The 4Runner, on the other hand, remains a fun and thrilling off-roader, owing to some well-placed upgrades over the years.

The GX seems pricey and overdue for a facelift. The GX remains one of the most unusual cars currently on the market and delivers a real luxury automobile experience with high-quality inside materials and a polished, pleasant ride.

Just because it has an outdated infotainment system and poor fuel efficiency, it does not mean it is worth the money compared with other luxury vehicles.

Despite its shortcomings, the 4Runner remains fun and competent SUV. It is important to note that these automobiles will provide world-class dependability, which is a significant element of their worth.

The Lexus GX, on the other hand, comes highly recommended by us for its dependability, safety, and performance. The Toyota 4Runner is not a good choice.

Bottom Line

The GX offers a standard remote car starting technology, allowing the driver to begin the vehicle inside their home. To get into the car and start it comfortably, the driver does this.

You can also control the inside temperature by the climate system. Remote starting is not available on the 4Runner. After a single key twist, the GX engine computer activates the starter and disables it while the engine is running.

Using the starter while the engine is running may make a grinding noise and damage the starting and ring gear. So these are the differences between the two cars. Check them out before buying any one of them.