4runner vs Land Cruiser vs GX. I’m changing my mind daily!

[sf jakey]

Ok, here is my story. I have owned 3 gen 5 4 runners. 11, 16 and a second 16. All Trail model. unfortunately I have 2 college age doughters who now each have gen 5 trail 4 runners! Both got full dobinsons springs. Bilstein shocks, sliders,and real off road tires. Same will happen with a 6 gen.

I will use the vehicle off road, not a lot, but enough to know I need the off road capability. Where I take it is borderline jeep only territory. The rest of the time I will drive around town, back and forth to Tahoe for skiing weekly during winter, back and forth to the Central Valley for hunting weekly during duck season. And trips back and forth to Montana,Oregon and Colorado. So basically road trips, around town, snow, and off road! I own an F250 diesel truck, so hauling and towing is not an issue.

GX was originally the choice, but I don’t really like the all touch interior and the fuel economy seems to be terrible. Cost of fuel doesn’t matter, but filling up all the time especially on road trips is a deal breaker. I really like the engine though.

Then I looked at Land Cruiser, better interior, but stupid small fuel tank, and needs a lot of upgrades for the off-road stuff. 20” wheels are dumb, and that is all that’s available in nor cal. Would buy the premium package. I do find it very comfortable though.

4runner. My previous 4Runners were the absolute perfect vehicles for my use. New one? Not super happy with the 4cyl non hybrid drive character but it is more powerful than the old v6. Hybrid is nice but I hate the raised floor. Seating is comfortable, but it seems like you really have to look under the roof line at the windshield. Way more interior storage the gx/lc.

So I’m sure many of you went through the same process. Why did you end up at 4runner vs the other 2? I’m looking at TRD off road premium or maybe ever Trailhunter, but I hate the gimmicky snorkel. Thanks for the help!

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[zgreen]

Hey there. I have the TRDPro and it's one the best vehicles I've had. The hybrid engine is incredible and I'm averaging about 22/23 mpg, which puts me around 360 miles per tank. I had a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude before and with the bigger gas tank, I was able to get close to 500 on a road trip, which I would have liked in the Pro, but I don't see it effecting me.

I test drove the GX and Land Cruiser as well and am very happy with Pro. For the use case you've laid out, I'd go for the 4 Runner with the hybrid. It won't disappoint! Plus, they just look bad ass...

 

[ToYoDaMan]

Hello. I did look at the Lexus SUVs. Obviously the interior is luxurious but the exterior look of the Lexus SUV was not as appealing to me and it was a lot more money for the Lexus brand.

I have a Toyota Prius and it's way over 200k miles and I decided I was going to get another Toyota. I was all in on the Land Cruiser with the new look and the new technology. I was looking for the best deal and was about to commit.

But when my son saw the all blacked out 4Runner ORP, he said that it looked alot better than the LC. He thought the LC looked too much like a box. "boxy" is what he called it.

I took a closer look at the 6th Gen. I agreed with my son. In my opinion, the 6th Gen body's contour lines flowed nicely from bumper to bumper. It had just the right amount of sharp angles and rounded curves, creating a great looking SUV!

My thoughts: Good luck! With those 3 options, you can't go wrong! They're all under the Toyota banner!

No glam shots but here she is!

 

[jcash25]

To be honest totally honest.....The the Land Cruiser had more noticable body roll and sluggish compared to 4runnner TRD OP w/ hybrid. The GX is a super plush land cruiser but with a better engine but not enough to justify paying that much more for it....I'm coming from a GMC YUKON DENALI 6.2l 4wd, Loved it nearly 6-7 trips from Houston to Breckenridge handled 13k+ elevation and blowing snow like a boss but i just don't need that big ass motor or interior anymore. Not hauling 2kids w/equip to softball tournaments every weekend. I just cant see spending more quite abit more for a Lexus with it can be dinged up and scratched doing off-road things. So I got the TRD Off Road Premium, yes rear deck is raised but that was a non factor for me... or go with a non hybrid model....

 

[CO/ZA]

Reposting the definite video on the subject:

4Runner is decent value
Land Cruiser has too many compromises
Lexus GX V6 is worth it over the LC if you have the extra money

 

[4Runner4Fun]

I considered all these as well and ended up with the 4Runner TRD Pro which I'm quite happy with. I really like the beefy pro suspension and other features and for me, the hybrid 4 cylinder has plenty of power. I turned off the synthesized noise with Carista and it's quieter. There is a bit of a diesel-like rattle at times but I actually like that. I test drove the Landcruiser and GX Overtrail. They rode a bit softer than the 4Runner but also wallowed more. Wind noise on the boxy LC and GX was worse above 40mph especially from the big mirrors. I was surprised the Lexus wasn't quieter. I also dislike the poor driver attention monitors that thankfully the 4R doesn't have. All were nice though.

One of my big issues was around fuel. The LC and GX require premium. Here in the Midwest that's an extra dollar per gallon. For what? Slight tuning that isn't noticeable? The 4R and Tundra have the same engines and run on regular and have the same HP and Torque specs. It just annoyed me that I'd have to pay 1/3 more for fuel and have no real benefit. Plus the GX gets ~16MPG vs ~20MPG for the others. I could afford it but I still hate throwing money away. Plus the GX cost quite a bit more for insurance. In the future, fixing the active dampers, eKDSS and other Lexus items would be expensive if needed and it's also harder to modify if desired.

Lots of reviewers praise the turbo V6 and say the Pro is a dumb purchase when you can get the GX for a few thousand more. But the operating costs (fuel mainly) of the GX is almost 40% higher every year. So every 4 years, the GX is $10,000 more expensive. And if you do off-road at all, that long front end of the GX is going to scrape a lot. To me, it wasn't worth the premium. I think all your options are really good vehicles though and you can't really go wrong. But I made the right choice for me. Hope this gives some useful perspective.

 

[4Runner]

Ok, here is my story. I have owned 3 gen 5 4 runners. 11, 16 and a second 16. All Trail model. unfortunately I have 2 college age doughters who now each have gen 5 trail 4 runners! Both got full dobinsons springs. Bilstein shocks, sliders,and real off road tires. Same will happen with a 6 gen.

I will use the vehicle off road, not a lot, but enough to know I need the off road capability. Where I take it is borderline jeep only territory. The rest of the time I will drive around town, back and forth to Tahoe for skiing weekly during winter, back and forth to the Central Valley for hunting weekly during duck season. And trips back and forth to Montana,Oregon and Colorado. So basically road trips, around town, snow, and off road! I own an F250 diesel truck, so hauling and towing is not an issue.

GX was originally the choice, but I don’t really like the all touch interior and the fuel economy seems to be terrible. Cost of fuel doesn’t matter, but filling up all the time especially on road trips is a deal breaker. I really like the engine though.

Then I looked at Land Cruiser, better interior, but stupid small fuel tank, and needs a lot of upgrades for the off-road stuff. 20” wheels are dumb, and that is all that’s available in nor cal. Would buy the premium package. I do find it very comfortable though.

4runner. My previous 4Runners were the absolute perfect vehicles for my use. New one? Not super happy with the 4cyl non hybrid drive character but it is more powerful than the old v6. Hybrid is nice but I hate the raised floor. Seating is comfortable, but it seems like you really have to look under the roof line at the windshield. Way more interior storage the gx/lc.

So I’m sure many of you went through the same process. Why did you end up at 4runner vs the other 2? I’m looking at TRD off road premium or maybe ever Trailhunter, but I hate the gimmicky snorkel. Thanks for the help!

I got the 2025 4Runner Black in Black Off-Road Premium non hybrid and I loved it. Added sunroof and digital camera for hook up from behind. I only have 500 miles on it. Only thing is on a 19 gallon full tank it barely hit over 300 miles range. Maybe, it will over 300 miles once I hit more mileage on it. Let's hope you make a good choice.

 

[Dead Horse]

The LC has the exact engine that the 4Runner hybrid has, so if you're unhappy with it in the 4Runner, you'll be even unhappier in the LC because for some reason, it calls for premium fuel there. Oh, and the 4Runner's gas tank is 2.3 thimbles larger than the LandCruiser's tank. *I'd love for it to be bigger*. My biggest complaint in my Tundra is by far, the gas tank size. I hate the range.

My main reason for bumping the LC down a peg or two despite actually liking it a bit more than the 4Runner, is the lack of interior storage options. No pockets, slots, nooks or crannies. Doesn't even have a sunglasses holder. The 4Runner has quite a bit more in that department.

I'm down to basically the same decision as you. I've weeded out the other vehicles (almost bought a Tacoma, but that rear seat is just garbage for any human with legs), and pretty much landed on the 4Runner. Hybrid ORP or Trailhunter, despite the snorkel. I'm only waiting on the press release to tell me what, if any, changes are coming for 2026 (colors/options/etc)...Then I'll pull the trigger before the end of the year.

*that's what she said

 

[sf jakey]

So a follow up. Had a chance to spend time with LC, 4runner non hybrid and 4runner hybrid. Ruled out the LC. At that price I will go Trailhunter or GX for a bit more. Honestly, I could not really tell a difference between the hybrid and non 4 runners, beside the hybrid feeling more planted I assume because of the weight. At this point, I am having a hard time justifying the hybrid at all. I won’t be towing with it. Simplicity, or the more simple one, is appealing. Add on to that, the dealer offered me an incoming TRD off road premium in the green color with all the options except the trailer brake control At INVOICE. That is 4 k off msrp. I put a deposit down and we will revisit when it comes in, but that seems like an almost unbeatable deal. Or, perhaps he knows something I don’t and these will soon be undersireable due to model year 26 updates.

 

[glocke12]

Hey there. I have the TRDPro and it's one the best vehicles I've had. The hybrid engine is incredible and I'm averaging about 22/23 mpg, which puts me around 360 miles per tank. I had a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude before and with the bigger gas tank, I was able to get close to 500 on a road trip, which I would have liked in the Pro, but I don't see it effecting me.

I test drove the GX and Land Cruiser as well and am very happy with Pro. For the use case you've laid out, I'd go for the 4 Runner with the hybrid. It won't disappoint! Plus, they just look bad ass...

I really wanted a landcruiser in HB with a white roof initially.

Lack of availability and price were a deterrent. Reading various things on the internet about the 4runner being a more capable off-road vehicle sealed the deal. I have no idea if that last comment is really true or not, but I did get to check out a black LC at the dealership ( no clue what trim ) and wasn't really impressed.

THe 6th gen 4runner just impressed me more in terms of looks and comfort, but man this HB/white roofed LC's just look sooper dooper nifty

 

[odins_beer'd]

Personally, I went with the SR5 and will use the extra dough to upgrade it exactly how I’d like to.

As of current, I have trailhunter skid set, OTT Tune, 33’ M/T’s, spot and flood ditch lights, sliders and roof rack in the mail.

Once I’m out of warranty I’ll replace the suspension, haven’t had any issues with clearance. The OEM wheels have also grown on me a ton. Will also eventually grab katzkin heated and ventilated seats.

Does everything I need it to and more, 16 MPG city and 22 highway

 

[AdamDeveaney]

My two cents. I did this comparison too and even added the Sequoia as a question mark. Ruled out the LC over the 4runner, just want as impressed. I have two very young children and decided the Lexus was not beat option for the mess. The Sequoia didn't add anything I needed. I have a TRD Pro and could not be happier. No regrets. I put 35" tires on it and still get 17mpg. Couldn't do that with the Lexus.

 

[glocke12]

Personally, I went with the SR5 and will use the extra dough to upgrade it exactly how I’d like to.

As of current, I have trailhunter skid set, OTT Tune, 33’ M/T’s, spot and flood ditch lights, sliders and roof rack in the mail.

Once I’m out of warranty I’ll replace the suspension, haven’t had any issues with clearance. The OEM wheels have also grown on me a ton. Will also eventually grab katzkin heated and ventilated seats.

Does everything I need it to and more, 16 MPG city and 22 highway

just curious...will you clean the mud from underneath and the mud thats get in the undercarriage ?

 

[odins_beer'd]

just curious...will you clean the mud from underneath and the mud thats get in the undercarriage ?

Yes, I have a power washer attachment for underbelly and for the frame. I have no intention of ever selling the car.

 

[WoodyWood]

I owned a GX 550 Lux + for a month, bought my wife a LC w premium package in November, and bought myself a 4R TRD ORP two months ago. The best of these vehicles would be the LC w the 20s swapped out for 18s and a more aggressive tire. MY GX rode like crap for an $87k vehicle, got only 13.5 MPG in the rolling hills of western PA, had a stupid touch screen for climate controls, and had the dumbest 22 inch wheels imaginable. The hybrid power plant in the Toyotas isn’t a world beater, but I have zero complaints. I bought my 4R to downsize from my 2024 Sequoia, and really did it spur of the moment bc the dealer had the color and wheels I liked the best sitting on the lot. The amount of hard cheap plastic in my ORP is shocking. The single zone climate control was unexpected. I didn’t notice it until after my purchase. The second row has much worse leg room and head room than the LC and GX. But if we need to take the family or more passengers, we just take the LC. I’ve decided that if you don’t do legitimate off roading, there’s really no reason to buy the 4R and that’s okay. Highway driving is choppier and much noisier than the LC and GX. If it could do it over, I’d probably buy a limited or platinum 4R, swap out all the shiny parts and grilles, throw the TRD upgraded 18s on it and call it a day. The noise from the trail hunter snorkel would be an absolute deal breaker for me. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

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