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FWTBT

New member
Oct 20, 2024
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Southern NJ
Leaning heavily toward a GX550 to replace my 2020 4Runner Limited 3-row. I've had a couple dozen cars over the years and the 4Runner has been one of my very favorites. You really can't beat the combination of utility, reliability and durability. But while charming in their own way, the 4Runners' rough edges have been wearing on me. So I started considering what's out there with a similar amount of utility (hauling people or cargo, bad weather, off road ability) and similar reliability and durability, but with a lot more power and refinement.

What I think I've concluded is that no such vehicle exists, regardless of price. You just can't get something new these days that's as likely as the 5th-Generation 4Runner to pass 300k miles with few or no major repairs. Engines and transmissions like that were never common, and seem nonexistent now due to the pressures of emission requirements combined with consumer expectations for MPG, power and weight-adding features.

But the GX550 looks to tick a lot of my other boxes quite well, and better than anything else on the market. It's got pretty similar interior and exterior dimensions to the 4Runner, with 3 rows. I find it a shame that it's larger than the 4Runner on the outside while being smaller on the inside. But it's close enough for me. It's got the tough BOF construction I want with similar 4WD ability, but unlike the 4Runner they are combined with nice power, a good highway demeanor and an upscale cabin. Plus it looks damn good. And these days I think I'm willing to prioritize that combination at the expense of reliability and durability after, say, 200K miles.

What has given me more pause is the amount of tech, particularly the intrusive active safety features. I really prefer an analog experience, old fashioned gauges and buttons, a nice mechanical feel, and not having to worry that a computer is going to make basic driving decisions for you, against your wishes. I want to operate a machine, not a computer that is operating a machine. To me that's a sad trend, robbing human agency. And the problem is greatly aggravated by how poorly these systems often work.

But from what I've read here on the forum, in the owners manual and in professional reviews, it appears that the most troublesome of these features can be turned off in in the infotainment system and will remain off after shut down and restart of the car. IF that's the case I can get over the annoyance of them existing at all, and having paid for things I won't use. I'm talking chiefly here about the driver monitor, lane keep assist and the traffic jam assist (which though not standard seems to be a common feature on the GXs I see in inventories).

I am curious though about the performance of the automatic emergency braking in every day use. My 4Runner has it and it's never slammed on the brakes for no good reason, just given a handful of false alerts. But I've driven other cars where the system is absolutely paranoid, panicking at nothing and sending you and your belongings flying toward the dashboard when there was no actual danger at all. Honestly, I can't believe people put up with that.

Anyway, that's where my head is at on the GX. I'd appreciate any thoughts in reply, and thank you all again for the information you've posted on the forum so far. It's been a big help.
 
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I think you can turn all of those off. Mine has braked for the a couple times, both in the driveway when I got too close to the bushes lining my fence. It wasn't wrong as I was already hitting the soft branches. I've had 4Runners, Tacoma, Tundra and my wife currently has a 460. You will love this GX......
 
The emergency braking has been a non issue for us. Only stopped the truck when reversing in a very tight space. It can be overridden with a button left of the steering wheel on the dash, but would need to be disabled each time in my experience.

As for the rest of the tech, I didn't want it either but have enjoyed using it and how most of it works. The HUD is nice. I wouldn't have specified it but it was in the OT+ we found. I would likely willingly opt for it now that I have used it.

Agree on not many others new platforms comparing and being a step up from the 4Runner utility. The GX will deliver about the same mpg but with power to spare and full time 4wd albeit on premium fuel.
 
Thanks @rangertrace and @AtomicEric. I’d expect automatic emergency braking to default to the On position when restarting. While I kinda object to automated braking on principle, I do feel a responsibility to accept the actual safety advantage it brings — IF it actually works as intended instead of yelling at you, or worse activating, for no good reason. I haven’t had an accident in ages but there was one time where my 4Runner’s system slammed on the brakes for good reason. I’ll never know for sure if I wouldn’t have stopped soon enough myself, but I do know that it was a reasonable intervention under the circumstances. And as mentioned it’s never hit the brakes on its own for nothing, and very rarely has warned me for nothing. So it seems neither dangerous nor a nuisance and thus I feel I have an obligation to leave it on.

What I need reassurance about is that the other active safety systems can be turned off and stay off unless you purposefully turn them back on. I will never want the driver monitor or traffic jam assist, especially given their reportedly poor implementation (eg monitor yells at you if a hand is at 12 oclock on steering wheel; traffic jam assist works under such limited circumstances that it’s often not useful and deactivates when you might actually want it, plus it seems an excuse to suck subscription money and personal data from owners). And I’m likely to never want lane keep assist.

So, can you confirm that these systems can be turned off persistently in your own GXs? Thanks!
 
I haven't tried to turn them off. I frequently drive with my left hand at 12 o'clock and it does put some words up, but doesn't beep at me. I'm at 2500 miles and I'm very happy with 99% of the vehicle, since I removed the roof rack. If I can just make my mind up about tires/leveling kit........
 
Yes you can toggle the assist off on the menu which is easy to do. It does stay off until toggled again even after on off. You may not be able to turn off the facial recognition monitor. This is the one that asks for keeping eyes forward. It is a bit more sensitive than I and others may like. I've gotten mostly used to it and generally do not drive distracted but if you often have distractions it may trigger and be annoying.
 
Yes you can toggle the assist off on the menu which is easy to do. It does stay off until toggled again even after on off. You may not be able to turn off the facial recognition monitor. This is the one that asks for keeping eyes forward. It is a bit more sensitive than I and others may like. I've gotten mostly used to it and generally do not drive distracted but if you often have distractions it may trigger and be annoying.
Thanks, if you or anyone gets the chance to turn off the driver monitor and see if it stays off, I'd really appreciate knowing.

I'm clearly in the minority among today's consumers, but these kinds of systems can be deal killers for me.
 
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Leaning heavily toward a GX550 to replace my 2020 4Runner Limited 3-row. I've had a couple dozen cars over the years and the 4Runner has been one of my very favorites. You really can't beat the combination of utility, reliability and durability. But while charming in their own way, the 4Runners' rough edges have been wearing on me. So I started considering what's out there with a similar amount of utility (hauling people or cargo, bad weather, off road ability) and similar reliability and durability, but with a lot more power and refinement.

What I think I've concluded is that no such vehicle exists, regardless of price. You just can't get something new these days that's as likely as the 5th-Generation 4Runner to pass 300k miles with few or no major repairs. Engines and transmissions like that were never common, and seem nonexistent now due to the pressures of emission requirements combined with consumer expectations for MPG, power and weight-adding features.

But the GX550 looks to tick a lot of my other boxes quite well, and better than anything else on the market. It's got pretty similar interior and exterior dimensions to the 4Runner, with 3 rows. I find it a shame that it's larger than the 4Runner on the outside while being smaller on the inside. But it's close enough for me. It's got the tough BOF construction I want with similar 4WD ability, but unlike the 4Runner they are combined with nice power, a good highway demeanor and an upscale cabin. Plus it looks damn good. And these days I think I'm willing to prioritize that combination at the expense of reliability and durability after, say, 200K miles.

What has given me more pause is the amount of tech, particularly the intrusive active safety features. I really prefer an analog experience, old fashioned gauges and buttons, a nice mechanical feel, and not having to worry that a computer is going to make basic driving decisions for you, against your wishes. I want to operate a machine, not a computer that is operating a machine. To me that's a sad trend, robbing human agency. And the problem is greatly aggravated by how poorly these systems often work.

But from what I've read here on the forum, in the owners manual and in professional reviews, it appears that the most troublesome of these features can be turned off in in the infotainment system and will remain off after shut down and restart of the car. IF that's the case I can get over the annoyance of them existing at all, and having paid for things I won't use. I'm talking chiefly here about the driver monitor, lane keep assist and the traffic jam assist (which though not standard seems to be a common feature on the GXs I see in inventories).

I am curious though about the performance of the automatic emergency braking in every day use. My 4Runner has it and it's never slammed on the brakes for no good reason, just given a handful of false alerts. But I've driven other cars where the system is absolutely paranoid, panicking at nothing and sending you and your belongings flying toward the dashboard when there was no actual danger at all. Honestly, I can't believe people put up with that.

Anyway, that's where my head is at on the GX. I'd appreciate any thoughts in reply, and thank you all again for the information you've posted on the forum so far. It's been a big help.
Seriously if your looking for a people hauler with power you should at least look at a 2024 Armada before they are all gone because they too are losing that wonderful V8 5.6 naturally aspirated engine in 2025. True its old tech but this platform has been around since 2010 so it’s been well proven to be reliable. I was in line for a new GX but with all the issues Toyota is having with engines, transmissions and just plain quality issues (at this time) I backed out and I did purchase a 2024 Armada. Everyone says old tech but actually it’s just low on tech which equals more reliability, but that’s what (I) was looking for. On the highway I have reached as high as 23MPG averaging about 19MPG so really it’s not that much different from the V6 turbo engines except for reliability. Just my opinion! Good luck on whatever you purchase. Make sure to read a ton of reviews especially on forums where your actually taking to real owners not just a reviewer.
 
Leaning heavily toward a GX550 to replace my 2020 4Runner Limited 3-row. I've had a couple dozen cars over the years and the 4Runner has been one of my very favorites. You really can't beat the combination of utility, reliability and durability. But while charming in their own way, the 4Runners' rough edges have been wearing on me. So I started considering what's out there with a similar amount of utility (hauling people or cargo, bad weather, off road ability) and similar reliability and durability, but with a lot more power and refinement.

What I think I've concluded is that no such vehicle exists, regardless of price. You just can't get something new these days that's as likely as the 5th-Generation 4Runner to pass 300k miles with few or no major repairs. Engines and transmissions like that were never common, and seem nonexistent now due to the pressures of emission requirements combined with consumer expectations for MPG, power and weight-adding features.

But the GX550 looks to tick a lot of my other boxes quite well, and better than anything else on the market. It's got pretty similar interior and exterior dimensions to the 4Runner, with 3 rows. I find it a shame that it's larger than the 4Runner on the outside while being smaller on the inside. But it's close enough for me. It's got the tough BOF construction I want with similar 4WD ability, but unlike the 4Runner they are combined with nice power, a good highway demeanor and an upscale cabin. Plus it looks damn good. And these days I think I'm willing to prioritize that combination at the expense of reliability and durability after, say, 200K miles.

What has given me more pause is the amount of tech, particularly the intrusive active safety features. I really prefer an analog experience, old fashioned gauges and buttons, a nice mechanical feel, and not having to worry that a computer is going to make basic driving decisions for you, against your wishes. I want to operate a machine, not a computer that is operating a machine. To me that's a sad trend, robbing human agency. And the problem is greatly aggravated by how poorly these systems often work.

But from what I've read here on the forum, in the owners manual and in professional reviews, it appears that the most troublesome of these features can be turned off in in the infotainment system and will remain off after shut down and restart of the car. IF that's the case I can get over the annoyance of them existing at all, and having paid for things I won't use. I'm talking chiefly here about the driver monitor, lane keep assist and the traffic jam assist (which though not standard seems to be a common feature on the GXs I see in inventories).

I am curious though about the performance of the automatic emergency braking in every day use. My 4Runner has it and it's never slammed on the brakes for no good reason, just given a handful of false alerts. But I've driven other cars where the system is absolutely paranoid, panicking at nothing and sending you and your belongings flying toward the dashboard when there was no actual danger at all. Honestly, I can't believe people put up with that.

Anyway, that's where my head is at on the GX. I'd appreciate any thoughts in reply, and thank you all again for the information you've posted on the forum so far. It's been a big help.
Hi all, just a quick note to close the loop on this. I've decided to hit the pause button on purchase of a GX. Lots to love about the car, just need to go another direction at this time.

I really appreciate all the great contributions on this forum and wish you all the best of luck with your sweet rides!

-- F
 
Hi all, just a quick note to close the loop on this. I've decided to hit the pause button on purchase of a GX. Lots to love about the car, just need to go another direction at this time.

I really appreciate all the great contributions on this forum and wish you all the best of luck with your sweet rides!

-- F
Sounds like you should at least check out the Nissan Patrol/Armada. Has the power , real buttons and not loaded with tech. (2024) that is. Before you jump into the GX do a lot of reviews, there have been some minor issues with the first year new model. Not to mention the huge engine issue Toyota is currently having with the same engine they put in the GX. I also wanted one, but couldn’t wait for the next year model after some kinks were worked out so I did go with the 2024 Armada, great prices right on the 2024’s but the 2025 Armada is another V6 twin turbo with everything being new, even the frame. I do love the drive of the Armada. Unless your a total Toyota fan, so good luck on your next future purchase.
 

GX550 Poll

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    Votes: 6 20.0%
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    Votes: 2 6.7%
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