In a stroke of good fortune, I had a rare opportunity yesterday to test drive BOTH the GX 550 OT+ and the new 4Runner ORP -- within a few hours of each other. Still digesting all of my impressions on the 4Runner. But what I can say is this:
- They are not really comparable. The Lexus is a far more refined vehicle (as you would expect I suppose, for ~50% more money!). The Lexus is superior, no question about it.
- The 4Runner rides much more smoothly than my current 2011 4Runner. Feels more composed on the highway and has more "get up and go" than my current 4Runner.
- That said, the 4 cylinder engine leaves me uneasy. It will sound like I'm contradicting myself, but -- despite the fact that it is quicker than my current 4Runner, that engine reminds you its a 4 cylinder when the stoplight goes green. Its not a lack of power, its just the way it delivers the power that just **feels** different.
- The 4Runner has added a lot of very nice comforts. I was surprised to see heated and ventilated front seats. I was surprised by the power tilt/telescope steering wheel. But it does so in a plastic-y kind of a way. I guess this is part of the 4Runner's charm, but when I'm thinking about a new vehicle in my advancing years, maybe its just not me anymore.
- Visibility in the OT+ was superior to the 4Runner. In particular, the 4Runner, with its muscular looking hood (which I personally like) and swept back windshield seems to have a pretty narrow (top to bottom) windshield that left me wondering if it would affect my enjoyment of getting out and going adventuring with it. Really cuts down on what you can see out the front.
- Dealers told me 3-6 months for an OT+ and 6+ months for a 4Runner (which didn't quite calculate, as the 4Runner I drove was readily available).
Let's put it this way. I've owned my 4Runner for 14 years. Still love it. When I got out of the 2025 4Runner ORP and into mine, it felt about the same to me, other than the far more modernized electronics in the 2025 compared to the 2011 (which is really circa 2006). But the weird thing for me was --- despite my current 4Runner being slower "off the line" and a little more lethargic than the 2025 --- I prefer the way my current V6 engine feels and sounds vs the brand new 4Runner.
So in summary, I would say my overall assessment/opinion is:
(1) the GX550 OT+ and the 4Runner ORP are targeted at different buyers and different usage patterns / user types -- and it shows.
(2) the GX 550 OT+ has smooth and abundant power delivery; the 4Runner delivers some punch, but does not feel "powerful" in doing so and you can hear the 4 cyl complain a bit from time to time.
(3) I left the GX 550 OT+ feeling confident that it was a step up (ok, maybe 2 or 3) from my current 4Runner. I left the new 4Runner not as convinced that it is a significant step up from what I have today.
(4) If my current 4Runner was worn out and I just needed to replace it --- I'm sure I would very seriously consider the 4Runner. In fact, maybe I'd go for it. But that's not my situation. I have a lot of life left in my 2011 (about 126,000 miles and maintained impeccably). It did leave me wondering "why am I getting a new vehicle," and it would be a tougher question to answer with the new 4Runner.
(5) All things considered, and despite some drawbacks, I actually prefer my current engine to the new 4 cyl. That is a really tough one to get my head around. I hope the 4 cyl works out, but as a "buy and hold" person, it scares me.
Interested in whether anyone else has had a similar opportunity to do a "virtual" side by side, or just views on my impressions on the 4Runner 6th Gen compared to 5th Gen. I'm pretty sure I will be moving in the direction of the Lexus, but again, my overall view is these 2 are not really direct compares. They are going after different buyers. And the OT+ is almost 50% more expensive. The TRD Pro starts to get you in the zip code in terms of price at $70K, but even then the OT+ is still 20-25% more. Kind of felt like comparing a $500K house to an $800K house.
- They are not really comparable. The Lexus is a far more refined vehicle (as you would expect I suppose, for ~50% more money!). The Lexus is superior, no question about it.
- The 4Runner rides much more smoothly than my current 2011 4Runner. Feels more composed on the highway and has more "get up and go" than my current 4Runner.
- That said, the 4 cylinder engine leaves me uneasy. It will sound like I'm contradicting myself, but -- despite the fact that it is quicker than my current 4Runner, that engine reminds you its a 4 cylinder when the stoplight goes green. Its not a lack of power, its just the way it delivers the power that just **feels** different.
- The 4Runner has added a lot of very nice comforts. I was surprised to see heated and ventilated front seats. I was surprised by the power tilt/telescope steering wheel. But it does so in a plastic-y kind of a way. I guess this is part of the 4Runner's charm, but when I'm thinking about a new vehicle in my advancing years, maybe its just not me anymore.
- Visibility in the OT+ was superior to the 4Runner. In particular, the 4Runner, with its muscular looking hood (which I personally like) and swept back windshield seems to have a pretty narrow (top to bottom) windshield that left me wondering if it would affect my enjoyment of getting out and going adventuring with it. Really cuts down on what you can see out the front.
- Dealers told me 3-6 months for an OT+ and 6+ months for a 4Runner (which didn't quite calculate, as the 4Runner I drove was readily available).
Let's put it this way. I've owned my 4Runner for 14 years. Still love it. When I got out of the 2025 4Runner ORP and into mine, it felt about the same to me, other than the far more modernized electronics in the 2025 compared to the 2011 (which is really circa 2006). But the weird thing for me was --- despite my current 4Runner being slower "off the line" and a little more lethargic than the 2025 --- I prefer the way my current V6 engine feels and sounds vs the brand new 4Runner.
So in summary, I would say my overall assessment/opinion is:
(1) the GX550 OT+ and the 4Runner ORP are targeted at different buyers and different usage patterns / user types -- and it shows.
(2) the GX 550 OT+ has smooth and abundant power delivery; the 4Runner delivers some punch, but does not feel "powerful" in doing so and you can hear the 4 cyl complain a bit from time to time.
(3) I left the GX 550 OT+ feeling confident that it was a step up (ok, maybe 2 or 3) from my current 4Runner. I left the new 4Runner not as convinced that it is a significant step up from what I have today.
(4) If my current 4Runner was worn out and I just needed to replace it --- I'm sure I would very seriously consider the 4Runner. In fact, maybe I'd go for it. But that's not my situation. I have a lot of life left in my 2011 (about 126,000 miles and maintained impeccably). It did leave me wondering "why am I getting a new vehicle," and it would be a tougher question to answer with the new 4Runner.
(5) All things considered, and despite some drawbacks, I actually prefer my current engine to the new 4 cyl. That is a really tough one to get my head around. I hope the 4 cyl works out, but as a "buy and hold" person, it scares me.
Interested in whether anyone else has had a similar opportunity to do a "virtual" side by side, or just views on my impressions on the 4Runner 6th Gen compared to 5th Gen. I'm pretty sure I will be moving in the direction of the Lexus, but again, my overall view is these 2 are not really direct compares. They are going after different buyers. And the OT+ is almost 50% more expensive. The TRD Pro starts to get you in the zip code in terms of price at $70K, but even then the OT+ is still 20-25% more. Kind of felt like comparing a $500K house to an $800K house.
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