Finally, A Test Drive and Decision Time: Which Style?

[aniemyer]

For several months now, I have been looking for my "Twenty-Year Ride," the vehicle my sons will ask for when it's no longer a good idea to let me careen around town alone. I've looked at/driven the Mercedes GLS450, Ineos Grenadier, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Grand Highlander and Land Cruiser, and Land Rover 110. (I ruled out BMW, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, and the USA Big 3 during my research phase). I narrowed my focus on the Land Cruiser/GX550 based mainly on long-term reliability and ease of basic maintenance availability.

The nearest Lexus dealer to me up here on the Great Plains is about 3.5 hours away, so a casual "drop-in" test drive has been challenging to arrange. However, a recent road trip down to Chatanooga, TN, led me to Lexus of Chatanooga, where, on a whim, I found they had a Premium+ to test drive. Bear in mind I've already driven an LC Premium package, so I've had a chance to get a feel for how the underlying platform handles on freeways, city streets, county roads, and the all-important Costco parking lot!

The drive was mainly on a freeway and curving residential streets, with hills and inclines, and in both the regular and Sports modes. At first, I had several of the safety modes engaged, but after parking and exploring some of the settings, I disengaged them for the drive back to the dealership.

I am very impressed. The road handling was good, and the road feel was there. (This is especially true given that I am a serial Wrangler Unlimited/F150 owner.) Yes, I noted the "floating" hood. I didn't find it particularly alarming. As expected with Lexus, the fit and finish are above that of the Premium Package-equipped LC; no big surprise there. I will say that purely subjectively, the GX Premium suspension settings felt a tiny bit "sift" to me, but it wasn't particularly bad in any sense of the word.

So, this begs the question now presented: What model to put a deposit on? The two I would consider are the Overtrail/OT+ or the Premium/+. On the one hand, this will be my daily driver/hauler of doggies & "stuff," plus, when I can't take my plane, my cross-country driver. My days of rock crawling are in the rear-view mirror, but I still occasionally hunt the section land of SW North Dakota, so twin ruts along fence lines masquerading as county roads are not out of the question. On the other hand, the biggest consideration for where I live, south of the border with Canada, is winter snow. Once the snows come and stay, our mainly flat roads are snow/ice packed and occasionally, I have to face some snow drifts that require 4WD Low. Finally, as I now find myself on my own as, ahem, a more "mature" person (I will NOT grow up, only older), I don't see the markup for the third row as applicable on other than an infrequent occasion.

The argument for the Premium is the alleged smoother ride, no matter what driving mode is selected, and maybe a few added comfort features. On the other hand, the OT offers a bit stiffer ride, which is not necessarily a bad thing, IMHO. The other question is whether or not the markup for the features on the "+" package is worth the squeeze. I am leaning towards the Overtrail, with the wider tires (And a bit noisier to some, but as a Wrangler driver, everything else is really quiet!) but don't know about the added features.

I hope to fly down late this week to visit the nearest dealership, who've I've been talking to throughout this process, and really sort things out.

So, what say you all? Especially when it comes to dealer-added things, like running boards-versus-rails, various roof rack/crossbar options, tire/wheel combos, etc.

I appreciate this forum, I've learned a ton about the GX here and appreciate the willingness to share.

Warm regards,

 

[Redbird99]

I would argue for the OT+, or the Lux. I have an OT and I love the ride, although I haven't tried out all the drive modes yet. But it's my understanding that only the OT and the Lux have the AVS, which can give you a more tailored ride. The reason I suggested OT+ is for the Lexus memory seats function. When my wife gets hers (early next year) she will probably get the OT+. If the memory seats and the other bells/whistles that come with the OT+ don't do it for you, then the OT.

 

[deadlikeme]

I would go with whatever you like the looks of, works with your time line or comes in the color you want.

With that said, for your use case which is similar to mine it does not sound like the ekds and extra differential will be used. I opted for the quieter prem+ with the synthetic leather which I am hoping will be easier to clean. And less things to break suspension size. But am hoping to swap wheels and add rock sliders in time.

 

[FWTBT]

For several months now, I have been looking for my "Twenty-Year Ride," the vehicle my sons will ask for when it's no longer a good idea to let me careen around town alone. I've looked at/driven the Mercedes GLS450, Ineos Grenadier, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Grand Highlander and Land Cruiser, and Land Rover 110. (I ruled out BMW, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, and the USA Big 3 during my research phase). I narrowed my focus on the Land Cruiser/GX550 based mainly on long-term reliability and ease of basic maintenance availability.

The nearest Lexus dealer to me up here on the Great Plains is about 3.5 hours away, so a casual "drop-in" test drive has been challenging to arrange. However, a recent road trip down to Chatanooga, TN, led me to Lexus of Chatanooga, where, on a whim, I found they had a Premium+ to test drive. Bear in mind I've already driven an LC Premium package, so I've had a chance to get a feel for how the underlying platform handles on freeways, city streets, county roads, and the all-important Costco parking lot!

The drive was mainly on a freeway and curving residential streets, with hills and inclines, and in both the regular and Sports modes. At first, I had several of the safety modes engaged, but after parking and exploring some of the settings, I disengaged them for the drive back to the dealership.

I am very impressed. The road handling was good, and the road feel was there. (This is especially true given that I am a serial Wrangler Unlimited/F150 owner.) Yes, I noted the "floating" hood. I didn't find it particularly alarming. As expected with Lexus, the fit and finish are above that of the Premium Package-equipped LC; no big surprise there. I will say that purely subjectively, the GX Premium suspension settings felt a tiny bit "sift" to me, but it wasn't particularly bad in any sense of the word.

So, this begs the question now presented: What model to put a deposit on? The two I would consider are the Overtrail/OT+ or the Premium/+. On the one hand, this will be my daily driver/hauler of doggies & "stuff," plus, when I can't take my plane, my cross-country driver. My days of rock crawling are in the rear-view mirror, but I still occasionally hunt the section land of SW North Dakota, so twin ruts along fence lines masquerading as county roads are not out of the question. On the other hand, the biggest consideration for where I live, south of the border with Canada, is winter snow. Once the snows come and stay, our mainly flat roads are snow/ice packed and occasionally, I have to face some snow drifts that require 4WD Low. Finally, as I now find myself on my own as, ahem, a more "mature" person (I will NOT grow up, only older), I don't see the markup for the third row as applicable on other than an infrequent occasion.

The argument for the Premium is the alleged smoother ride, no matter what driving mode is selected, and maybe a few added comfort features. On the other hand, the OT offers a bit stiffer ride, which is not necessarily a bad thing, IMHO. The other question is whether or not the markup for the features on the "+" package is worth the squeeze. I am leaning towards the Overtrail, with the wider tires (And a bit noisier to some, but as a Wrangler driver, everything else is really quiet!) but don't know about the added features.

I hope to fly down late this week to visit the nearest dealership, who've I've been talking to throughout this process, and really sort things out.

So, what say you all? Especially when it comes to dealer-added things, like running boards-versus-rails, various roof rack/crossbar options, tire/wheel combos, etc.

I appreciate this forum, I've learned a ton about the GX here and appreciate the willingness to share.

Warm regards,

I may be confused about the decision you’re trying to make but think one of the biggest differences between the LC and the GX is one you didn’t seem to mention: the drivetrain. While I’ve ruled out the LC because I’ll occasionally need 3 rows, I’d go with the GX anyway for the turbo V6 over the turbo 4 with hybrid electric. One reason is the better power. Another is the kind of ridiculous giant battery hump in the hatch. Another is complexity and long term reliability. I get that Toyota does hybrids well and there’s no proof the V6 will last longer or be less of a headache. But in the absence of proof I look at the inherent complexity of the hybrid setup and just feel safer avoiding it.

If your decision is instead between two trims of the GX, I’d similarly argue for the less complicated one (ie Premium over the OT). But as another member said, maybe just get whichever one looks the nicest to you. Which one makes you smile the most? Whether it’s the color or something else. That may be the truest gauge of what will make you happiest.

Best of luck. I’ve driven the LC and hope to drive the GX soon before deciding. I do know though that I’ll be going for the cheapest version I can get. As a 4Runner owner I really appreciate simplicity and either actively dislike or simply don’t desire many of today’s tech “features.” Especially the ones that yell at you or take control of core functions like steering and braking.