Plenty to chew on here. I agree there is nothing available from Toyo/Lex here and now to get excited about. I really just wish they would allow more configurations and options within their line up. Let me remove the 3rd row from the Sequoia or let me add an off road package with high clearance body panels on a LX. I am interested in seeing what the new Tacoma has to offer next week. Also would love to see more about the rumored North American LC and GX redesigns but am admittedly not interested in waiting amidst all the speculation. I’ve come to the realization that the vehicle I want just doesn’t exist lol. (A well built, reliable, 2 row SUV that has some on road refinement but also can handle some light off road duties when needed, I wouldn’t mind some decent fuel efficiency either.)I just think in general to be somewhat objective about these things. While toyota still produces one of most reliable vehicles on the market, Toyotas are not as bomb proof as the once were, with Problems per 100 cards jumping 30 percent for Lexus, and 70 percent for Toyota over the past 4 years. The Toyota Brand is now on par with GM and even Nissan in terms of reliability per 100 cars. This completely undercuts the main value proposition with Toyota.
While Lexus reliability has not fallen off quite as much as with the Toyota badge, the reality is that sequoia,tundra, LX and LC are all platform builds with 95 percent of the components pulled from the same parts bin and the customer is left having to compromise on things that really should not be an issue in 2023.
For example,
I really like the Sequoia in TRD trim, with 2nd row captains chairs and the Panoramic roof, BUT the design of the cargo area is terrible and a deal killer
I really like the LX, its cargo area is far better designed than the sequoia, but at a minimum of a 20k premium, why does it have 100 less lbs of torque, and not available with a panoramic roof? (I know these answers by the way) . the 22 inch rims are terrible and I would have to drop another 4k on new rims and tires.
When i look at the LX's web page I see, phrases like ultimate indulgence... With no panoramic roof. I see Designed for off road use with 22 inch highway tires. I am seeing no packages available on their 90k model. I can add normal wheels and upgrade the sound system on the 100k premium model but it doesn't have AHC.
I Could get the 107k Luxury and get AHC and regular wheels...BUT its comes with the same stupid bench seats in the second row that is in the base model Sequoia... Seriously...
For 110k, the vehicle really needs to be the complete package, it really has be pushing best in class and most areas and it just feels like the LX is too much of a compromise.
Because nothing makes sense, Stuff like the GMC Denali Ultimate or the Ford Raptor are far more interesting that what toyota is offering at this point.
My 4R lacks the refinement. It’s a bit sloppy and rough at times and the cabin is pretty noisy on the highway.
200 Series HE 2 Row’s are near unobtanium now unless you want to pay over sticker for a used truck.
GX has the same packaging problems as the LX and Sequoia.
Defender checks all the boxes except the most important one, reliability.
I feel like most manufacturers of many products (not just automobiles) have had dips in quality control in recent years due to the shut downs, supply chain woes, and then trying to catch up on back orders plus meet current demand and future scheduling.