Ancient

Nice car, with the KDSS option, it is like having a mini Land Cruiser or LX, without the extra size and one thousand pounds more in weight. Really rare find.

sunflower

Not trying to ruffle any feathers, as a owner of a Land Cruiser for the last 12 years and currently a 04 GX owner, there is no comparison, the two vehicles are as different as night and day. I love the GX's amenities, however, the Land Cruiser is the superior vehicle with the exception of gas mileage.

Muti007

Isnt the drivetrain in later LCs (starting early 2000s) and the GX, engine, trans and 4wd system identical though?

CruiserGX

If I'm not mistaken they switched from the A343 to the A750 tranny from 2003 to 2009 on the 100 series. Basically the GX is considered the LandCruiser Prado 120 series overseas, so yes.

Muti007

That sounds right. Last year I was in Denmark on vacation and saw a few later ones badged as Land Cruisers as well. But even the markets that still had the older, bigger, ancient body style eventually adopted our drivetrains. I looked at a few LX470s also but found theme unappealing as they just look too much like the LC, weigh a ton more and frankly, look and feel older and heavier. In the end I decided the GX was the right vehicle for me. The right size, a lot lighter, much more modern, and at least in the States there's no identical Toyota equivalent either.

sunflower

My Land Cruiser is a 1999, it does not share the same drivetrain as my GX. It drives totally different. I have limited knowledge regarding the Prado, so I can't compare the GX or LC to the Prado.
On occasion my job requires driving Texas hill country caliche back roads. The LC plowed through whatever. The other day I was about to go down a very steep road, I couldn't see the bottom. I pulled over and pulled out the GX owners manual to figure out how to raise the suspension. I couldn't understand the instructions and just winged it. The GX was perfect,
I was impressed.

CruiserGX

Your 99 cruiser has a A343 tranny with 2UZFE motor, maybe a rear locker? Your GX has the same motor and the A750 tranny that 100 series switched to between 03-09, unfortunately no locker on the GX's (should have been factory standard option or even an option).

ROK

Yup, LC is king. It is a completely different suspension/chassis setup. Another level. GX is for North America soccer moms with enough off-road capabilities to differentiate it from the Mercs, Bimmers and Audis. LC is borne out of jungles, wars, and overland trips.

You upgrade to an LC/LX. People rarely go from LC/LX to the GX.