3rd gen Sequoia or GX 550

I've just seen a few videos on the new Lexus GX 550, and I am drawn to it because of how box-y it is...like my 4Runner.

I actually ordered a 2023 Sequoia but eventually bought a tundra instead for added space.

At some point, I might still trade in the 4Runner for either a 3rd gen Sequoia or a GX 550.

Given that some Sequoias go for $80K+, which would you get, and why?

 

Get the Lexus. Dealer service is unmatched!

 

I've seen the 3rd gen Sequoia and I liked it, but it's just out of reach.. I would go with the GX personally, being kinda of a more rugged vehicle. My youngest is getting taller, so it may be a harder decision for me....

 

Go for the Land Cruiser !

 

I’m on the list for a 24 gx. Love the looks

 

Don’t like the gx looks, looks like a jeep product.gross… but… I sure do love my 23 sequoia sr5 trd off-road. Steep price at 81k OTD but it’s been great! I bet the GX will push starting at 75k OTD.

 

Just leave the comment be ❌

Edit comment to add pic to reinforce opinion ❌

Delete post, repost with picture to reinforce opinion ✅

 

What I haven't seen is how the 3rd row in the GX would be setup. If it folds to the side like the LC/LX570, I think there would be more usable space. For the non-hybrid version, fold-down seats may not take up too much space either. I want to be able to sleep in the cabin.

 

You'll be ok, I promise. Just for you I’ll edit this. You’re welcome. I’ll leave out the picture this time. Just cause you had to point it out for whatever reason.

 

This is very true. The sequoia lacks a lot on this topic.

 

Neither. There are much better vehicles out there for the price and both of these don’t look good at all. But IMO all of the Japanese companies design language leaves a lot to be desired.

 

If you need a mid-sized SUV that can tow and offroad, there isnt much else besides the GX. The Durango is the only other suv of similar size(although a bit longer) that can tow, but its not great offroad. I guess the Jeep Grand Cherokee can and is half way decent offroad.

The GX's 8000 lb tow rating puts it in a very different class with respect to towing than something like an Explorer or Highlander or anything that size.

I will agree that the Sequoia is bottom of the class unless you NEED a solid axle FS SUV. I think at this point I would get an Expedition if I went full size. Icon makes a nice coilover setup for them and they can fit 35's without much effort.

 

Both are great options IMO. I think you are leaning more towards the GX though. Is it confirmed the GX 550 has a 3rd row option?

 

In some trims. The Overtrail trim does not.

 

I think the 2nd row on the Trail model tumble forward. I actually don't like this. I prefer how the 4Runner's 2nd row seats fold to create a longer flat-ish surface.

But anyway, I haven't seen a 3rd row on the GX but the 2nd row tumble feature seems to account for 3rd row passenger entry.

 

Thanks for these pics.

For comparison, here’s my 4Runner.

 

I see LandRover in the new GX…

 

I'm glad the GX's rear door opens upwards now.

 

I want to see if we get the cheaper prado, that’s the one I’ll go for.

 

Right...plus the LC badge actually holds its value better than the LX...might be the same with LC Prado vs GX 550.

 

I was and still am sorely disappointed in some of the '23 Sequoia features.

Why discontinue the torsen center diff?
Why discontinue the roll-down rear window?
Why the abomination of a cargo hold?
Why are there no non-hybrid models?

It looks cool and can tow 9k. Other than that, it seems like a half-hearted attempt at appeasing the meager 2nd gen Sequoia and 200 series market and maybe enticing the 5th gen 4Runner crowd who might want a bit more power and space. Joke's on them though: the '23 Sequoia has less cargo volume than a 2010-2023 4Runner. Crazy. On top of all that, it's not trying to win market share from the Expedition and Suburban crowds. Still, a solid choice for a relatively small number of people.

My initial impressions of the GX550 are very favorable. 4" wider than before, 8k tow rating, fulltime 4wd with center AND rear locker. Assuming the rear locker is only on the Overtrail? Still, seems extremely well-thought-out with great numbers on paper at least. As someone who car camps like a backpacker, this would be very tempting if that extra 4" of width means that it gets closer to the interior space of a 200 series than the previous GX.

So is the 2024 4Runner going to be the Toyota twin to this GX like it has been? Where does that leave the '24 LC that we're supposed to get? I thought I read that it would not be the standard LC300 that the rest of the world gets.

 

@Terndrerrr - I think you’re right about the LC coming to North America. I believe it will be built similar to a Prado and probably feature the new Tacoma engine. I’ve heard no third row option…

 

I would go for the GX. As someone else said, Lexus dealer service is top notch. Also, the new GX will still be made in Japan so expect excellent build quality. I have a 2022 GX and came from a 2011 Sequoia.

 

Maybe so. The 4Runner has always been the North American LC Prado, the twin of the GX series. Will the LC simply be the badge that the '24 "Overtrail" 4Runner wears?

 

Could be...just hope Toyota puts the 3.4TT in either the Prado or the 4Runner.

 

Personally, I'm going to expect them to not put that motor in either platform. Then I won't be disappointed.

Looking at previous gen powertrains:
the Tundra, Sequoia, and 200 series got the 3UR-FE.
the GX got the v8 one step below the 3UR-FE (the 4.7 then 4.6)
the 4Runner and Taco shared the 4.0/5speed until Taco got a new gen in 2016. Then it got the 3.5L that many refer to affectionately as the "Camry engine" lol.

Look at the new GX: it looks like it gets the same slightly detuned V35A-FTS that is in the SR trim Tundra. This is in line with the previous gen GX getting the smaller v8 but not the 5.7L. All the while, the 4Runner shares the Taco drivetrain (4Runner just hasn't had an update since the Taco moved to the new v6).

So, my guess is TT4cyl for the 4Runner, as it will match the Taco while the GX gets the detuned version of the big boy engine, the TTv6.

The LC is still a question mark. How will it differ from the 4Runner if it's in fact NOT the LC300? My guess is that the overland trim of the 4Runner will wear the Land Cruiser badge, and it will get the detuned V35A-FTS like the GX.

How else will the LC Prado and the 4Runner (which has always been our LC Prado) coexist? Just my speculation.

 

I thought the new Sequoia looked amazing, until I saw the GX550 last night. That thing is beautiful! Can't wait to get my hands on one, even if it takes a decade until they're in my price range.

 

Nice writeup

 

Ugh - still the stupid mouse thing, huh?

 

This GX550 IS the 300 series Land Cruiser. Literally it is. The wheelbase and track width are identical to the LX and overseas 300 and uses the eKDSS system from the 300.

It will no longer be a 4Runner twin as I think the 4Runner will probably be the typical 109" wheelbase and 4" narrower. Id be really surprised if the 4Runner and LC Prado they are allegedly bringing were the same width and length. That would mean Toyota and Lexus would have 4 models on the same exact platform.