Keep GX, new 4Runner or LX (12 Viewers)

[gowyn]

Presently driving a 2017 GX460, love it! I actually traded a 2021 4Runner for it, didn't care for PT 4WD, engine/transmission.

Just came back from a 3000 mile trip with spousal unit and daughter. Excellent except with fridge, daughter and "stuff" in there it was a little too small, plus rear door really shows it's weaknesses on such a trip.

Got me thinking what about an LX. Rare as hens teeth and might take a while to find one. Probably a 2013-2017 based on price. Would fix the space issue and I really like the tailgate. However, means selling my GX and will cost me more to "upgrade!"

Out of curiosity went to look at the new 4Runner Offroad. Really was impressed. More rear cargo room, new vehicle, new tech (good or bad,) warranty and rear tail gate, not as nice as the LX but better than the GX. The bad, cost. I actually put a deposit down and ordered one but that's four months away.,

So question is:

1. keep GX, live with its "limitations," update head unit for CarPlay (Hamilton) and cost me hardly anything. It's a known, reliability and I LOVE it?
2. Continue the search for an LX, hope it's as reliable and predictable as my GX but will cost me some moola?
3. Get the 4Runner. New car but four banger and cost me money?

 

[MeefZah]

Having gotten rid of a few vehicles I "loved" over the years, and then been filled with regret to the point of buying them back, I would advocate keeping the GX if you really do love it. That adage about loving something and letting it go is boosheet!!

What's the issue with the rear door? I've really started to like the barn door actually.... Table, wind break, bathroom wall, with the window opened and the door locked open it makes a shooting rest....

 

[PoindAxster]

I was on the hunt for an LX, and then the right GX came along. No regrets after realizing how much more nimble and how many more places the GX can get into. If I weren't in the land of tight trees (East Coast) or weren't offroading as much, the LX would be more desirable. My family of 5 is making the GX work

 

[WTITW]

Hyundai palisade. More room. FT AWD. All the ladies in the drop off line turn to check you out… Because they think it’s their car.

 

[xychromosome]

The new 4runner has more rear cargo room than the GX? Have you considered removing the 3rd row of your GX to free up more space?

 

[Seavs]

I used to have a Q7 which our family absolutely loved (totaled in a stupid move by me). We'd stuff my wife and I and our 3 young ones in with two dogs. A Yakima roof box helped SO much. All our bags went up there (each person got a soft-sided bug-out style bag) and we still had room for a small cooler and snack bag. of course the kids all had a pillow, blankets, stuffies, etc with them. We now have a Yukon XL which leads us into finding problems to solve...with space. However thinking of how we'd travel as a family in the GX I'm pretty heavily drawn to a hitch mounted carrier for a large sealed box or two. Try to keep things off the roof as much as we can (though we still can use the Yakima roof box if needed). When my wife was looking at Yukons I was trying to get her to lean towards the non-XL version, as you carry that vehicle everywhere, and can't make it smaller but we can add more storage room. She got what she wanted in the end, but just something to think about.

 

[r2m]

If you're looking at the new 4R, then you might as well shimmy over to Lexus and look at the new GX550 as well. It too is larger.
Also, regarding interior room on the GX460, I feel your pain. We just came back from seven days camping with family in the Sierra's, and agree space is tight.
My daughter and family (husband and two little girls) were in their big 'ol Nissan van while my wife and I packed it all in our GX. Albeit, we like comfortable tailgate camping, hence so much gear. Being the parents, we brought most of the food and other ancillary distractions for the girls, but it really helps having a roof top tent and a Trash-a-Roo for carrying the double size sleeping bag.
So on that note, have you considered a top rack carrier or one of those receiver hitch carriers? Even the Trash-a-Roo can hang out over the rear door and carry soft items like duffle bags, sleeping bags, etc. Don't be duped that it's only for "trash". In seven years, I've never used it for trash.