Why the side-swinging rear door?
#136
Ha, I have been amused when I have the truck washed and see them run their hand around the door. Sometimes they find the release and sometimes they give up and I will step in to show them where the release is.
#137
#138
This is why the swinging rear door
I think the swing door is inconvenient when there is very little space between the rear and whatever is behind it. Think about it: if some guy at a shopping mall parks too close to the rear of your GX, how on Earth are you going to open the door to put in your newly-bought bookshelf? My example might be a bit exaggerated, but you get the idea. Unless you have long arms and can reach down to the trunk by opening the rear flip-up window, the rear door must be open to put in even the lightest and small bag of groceries you do at the supermarket.
Lexus explained to me that the reason for the swing out rear door is that they do not have enough room above the third row seat to place the motor for the door to be lifted vertically as it would interfere with the head of anyone sitting in the third row. So, instead of lengthening the vehicle. eliminating the third row seating, or eliminating the motor, they went with the swing out door. This is a deal breaker for me. I live where it rains and snows. I need the shelter of a door that lifts up. I do not have enough space in my garage to swing the door out and I do not want to be trying to access the rear with someone parked behind me or trying to load from the curb and have to go around the door. To me, it was a dumb decision. I will buy from a different manufacturer although I like everything else. I could cope with no motor. I also do not like it when you have to accept the third row seat. To me, and many others, it is a waste of money and takes up space. There should be an option to eliminate it. To add third row seating in a 16 foot vehicle is stupid. Make the vehicle with a vertical door. Either lengthen the vehicle, eliminate the motor, or take out the seat!
Pintohorse 3.20.2018
#139
Lexus explained to me that the reason for the swing out rear door is that they do not have enough room above the third row seat to place the motor for the door to be lifted vertically as it would interfere with the head of anyone sitting in the third row. So, instead of lengthening the vehicle. eliminating the third row seating, or eliminating the motor, they went with the swing out door. This is a deal breaker for me. I live where it rains and snows. I need the shelter of a door that lifts up. I do not have enough space in my garage to swing the door out and I do not want to be trying to access the rear with someone parked behind me or trying to load from the curb and have to go around the door. To me, it was a dumb decision. I will buy from a different manufacturer although I like everything else. I could cope with no motor. I also do not like it when you have to accept the third row seat. To me, and many others, it is a waste of money and takes up space. There should be an option to eliminate it. To add third row seating in a 16 foot vehicle is stupid. Make the vehicle with a vertical door. Either lengthen the vehicle, eliminate the motor, or take out the seat!
Pintohorse 3.20.2018
Pintohorse 3.20.2018
#141
The GX was not designed with the rear door in mind. The Prado was. The GX was designed to extract maximum profitability from a vehicle that Toyota already made. (I'll also go on record again saying that I love the rear door and find it much easier to access than a lift gate in tight areas, especially when there is no clearance behind the car. Being able to open the rear door slightly and reach in is much more effective than having to park far enough forward to allow the lift gate to fully open.)
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John00 (04-20-19)
#142
Then again, why swing door can not have a motor too? I am not particularly hate swing door, in fact, like it from time to time, but if could have a powered open/close function would be even better.
#143
I'm surprised it doesn't at least have the soft close function that the 4Runner has (or had) for its lift gate. All you had to do was lightly place it against the latch and it closed the rest of the way itself.
#144
I totally agree with you and hzhao, they should motorize that barn door. I dont understand why skip that out while offering powered 3rd row seat! Soft close on all doors is another thing I would like Lexus to offer on the GX. Its a luxury SUV that costs $50K -$70K, definitely not cheap
#145
Hi all! I'm new here and had a question.
First off, let me say I really love the new gx, as well as the old one, and hope to purchase one soon, and the side-swinging door does NOT bother me. I just noticed that a lot of people are bothered by it.
So why would toyota make the rear door side-swinging, especially with all the complaints and considering they already use a lift-gate on all their other SUVs(except the prado).
Also, why does everyone hate it so much, i can't see how it would be THAT much less convenient, enough to be a deal breaker on an otherwise awesome truck.
First off, let me say I really love the new gx, as well as the old one, and hope to purchase one soon, and the side-swinging door does NOT bother me. I just noticed that a lot of people are bothered by it.
So why would toyota make the rear door side-swinging, especially with all the complaints and considering they already use a lift-gate on all their other SUVs(except the prado).
Also, why does everyone hate it so much, i can't see how it would be THAT much less convenient, enough to be a deal breaker on an otherwise awesome truck.
pop up door, more folks will buy it. Or if it had power (motorized) swing..,.
#147
Reason for side opening door
At the Auto Show in Minneapolis 2018, I was told by Lexus that the reason for the side opening rear door was because there was not enough head room for the rear passengers if an overhead motor to open the rear door was installed there. I guess Lexus just doesn't want to make the vehicle any longer or eliminate the third row seats. I do not need third row seats and feel that they are not safe without their own side door (or at least having an added risk in needing to exit the vehicle). I will not buy a vehicle with a side opening rear door and I am still in the market for a new SUV; leaning towards the 2020 Grand Cherokee Overland. I was hoping Lexus would change the door.
#148
I guess I am the only one who love the swing rear door. It is unique and remind me of old school SUVs with spare tire on its back. Love everything about my GX. body on frame, rear swing door and gas thirsty V8 (I hate eco friendly cars). If not because I am single and live alone, I would get its bigger brother LX or LC.
#149
I guess I am the only one who love the swing rear door. It is unique and remind me of old school SUVs with spare tire on its back. Love everything about my GX. body on frame, rear swing door and gas thirsty V8 (I hate eco friendly cars). If not because I am single and live alone, I would get its bigger brother LX or LC.
#150
DeMuro just seems to hate the GX. He has made comments about it in other videos and articles.
https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/...81474979921221
https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/...81474979921221
Last edited by Acrad; 04-18-19 at 02:03 PM.