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Perhaps, but one can argue that the GX550 is not really any better. In fact, the 2010-2013 models have way better approach/departure angles than any trims of the GX550 and all of the GX460 have KDSS. But even if you want to argue that the base GX550 is as easy to get as offroad worthy as the GX460, that isn't where the new model is leaps and bounds better. The main structural improvements in the GX550, that you can't easily mod the GX460 if at all, is in the towing capacity. There is just no way you can get a GX460 to tow 8,000lbs. With the greater power and wheel base (and built in trailer brake option) the new GX will be a much more capable, stable tow vehicle. Just think about it - GX470's and 460 are out on the trails now, what is the share of all trails that the new stock GX550 base/Lux trims can go on that the GX460 or even 470 can not with out simple mods (32' tires), then consider the Overland. Maybe 5% if any. But it is easy at a glance to see how the new GX is way more capable towing.
Edit: In other words, if off road capability out of dealership was really the main thing they didn't have to redesign the truck. They could have just kept the truck exaclty the same, but just slap on new plastic bumpers with angles similar the what they first used in the '10-13' (or even better something like the prado) and offered an offroad option with 32' off road tires and running board delete (or stick on rock rails). And if they really wanted to, they could prob pretty easily add and offer rear locker since they already have that for the UK LC version and prado.
But of course the tech would still be bad, and it would still not be a great tow vehicle. I mean of course, from Toyotas perspective they wouldn't want to do that, since internally they need to take advantage of scale and harmonize their platforms, and I totally get that, but that doesn't mean to the end consumer it makes it a better off roader. I am not saying that the GX460 is way better and that no one should want the GX550. I just honestly don't see how it is fundamentally a way better platform to use day tripping in the trials.
With a trailer hitch, the departure angle of the 460 is horrible so if towing is a factor at all then expect to mark up the hitch. I have whacked mine many times on pretty mild forest service trails even running 285/70's. Now with a 2" lift and 285/70 I went to Moab and was hitting it constantly. Bone stock it would be 3" lower I think.
The running boards? I smoked those after my 3rd outing on a forest service road when a rock upended as I was driving over it and caught the board. An option to delete those would be great so that it doesnt look like crap. Pull in the boards off now exposes some unsightly stuff.
I guess my point is, even a 2010-2013 wasn't all that amazing plastics wise. The chassis is far more capable than the bodywork and so they all require a bit of effort to not get damaged on even a mild trail.
The 3" longer wheelbase is pretty meaningless imho. Wrangler Rubicons and Bronco's are ~120" and obviously are extremely capable on the trail. Any current mid sized truck is >130". 112" is still very short as most body on frame SUV's and Trucks go.
With a trailer hitch, the departure angle of the 460 is horrible so if towing is a factor at all then expect to mark up the hitch. I have whacked mine many times on pretty mild forest service trails even running 285/70's. Now with a 2" lift and 285/70 I went to Moab and was hitting it constantly. Bone stock it would be 3" lower I think.
The running boards? I smoked those after my 3rd outing on a forest service road when a rock upended as I was driving over it and caught the board. An option to delete those would be great so that it doesnt look like crap. Pull in the boards off now exposes some unsightly stuff.
I guess my point is, even a 2010-2013 wasn't all that amazing plastics wise. The chassis is far more capable than the bodywork and so they all require a bit of effort to not get damaged on even a mild trail.
The 3" longer wheelbase is pretty meaningless imho. Wrangler Rubicons and Bronco's are ~120" and obviously are extremely capable on the trail. Any current mid sized truck is >130". 112" is still very short as most body on frame SUV's and Trucks go.
Exactly - where the new GX is way better is in: 1) towing capacity; 2) Tech, and 3) some more cargo room. Which are all great, esp if that is what you need and you found the GX460 to be lacking. But where I think it is the least amount better is 1) as an off-roader and 2) Fuel economy. And so I find it kinda surprising that a bunch of marketing and internet chat is around it being a more dedicated off-roader - I guess maybe it 'Looks' more boxy and like the Bronco/Defender so maybe that is what the market wants - the image of driving an off roader? I am NOT saying it is really worse off road than the GX460 -I have no idea, but I really doubt it will turn out that 550's are going on traits that 460s or 470's are not with out equal mods put on across them.
What I really think is that Lexus never had a real 3 row SUV. So the GX was model rebadge to plug that hole. And at least based on my observations here in TX, GX's are primarily driven by women, not men. Even our GX is my wife's daily not mine (I just drive her old daily - '07 IS250 and keep both of them clean and serviced). Now that Lexus has the TX, my guess is that will be the 3 row SUV that women will gravitate to driving, and that lets Lexus/Toyota rethink the marketing of the GX to men. So they make a big deal about it being an off-roader (do I think there are women who want an off roader, sure. Will there be men who want the TX, sure, but on this board I bet for sure a vast majority of posters, esp those who discuss off road worthiness are men). SO the new GX has the look of being a real off roader, even if it really isn't that much better than the 460/470 it replaces. But for sure if you like the looks, I am sure it won't really be worse off road, and you will get a lot of extra tow/tech/cargo.
For me the deal breaker isn't the off road crap (turns out we don't use any of that capability even though I convinced myself that we might when we bought the thing ) but the gas milage. That is just a total deal breaker to me if/when we look for a replacement.
Im excited about this Xrunner concept because it likely means that the Tundra/Sequoia suspension, brake and axle components can swap onto any TNGA-F.
Its running Tundra control arms, brakes, and likely rear axle. That means cheap, oem, mid-travel suspension setups for the Tacoma/US Land Cruiser/GX550
10-25-23, 12:12 PM
) but the gas milage. That is just a total deal breaker to me if/when we look for a replacement.
