4Runner or Lexus RX or ...
 

Hi Revscene,

This is premature but I plan on getting a new vehicle in a year.

My girl and I both drive so we need 2 vehicles in the family. I thought hard about getting a 2015: Range Rover / GLE / Cayenne / X5. But I think it'll be better to have a big vehicle that won't break the bank too much and get a small sports car like the Cayman.

I was thinking 2016 4Runner or the 2017 Lexus RX.

The lady prefers the Lexus and I'm totally cool with it too. I like the 4Runner better but I can't have it all. So whatever she likes she gets.

We came from a Porsche Cayenne S and Infiniti FX which is more inline with the RX in term of size so I think she'll be more comfortable driving that. She also wants something reliable so we narrowed it down to Japanese makes that suited our taste.

TL/DR: which car should I get? Any thoughts? Alternative opinions welcome! Thanks in advance everyone.

Worry about it in a year...


You will see new models/technology/promos etc in a year. No point in doing research now. Closer to your buying time i recommend driving all the cars that interest you in one day and then make a decision.

Either one is going to have better reliability and better resale than any other SUV, especially European ones.

I figure this may be a response..

Buying a vehicle is the second largest purchase for most, so I think it's totally valid if I plan < 1 year out especially since we're talking about spending in the ball park of 50k+. That way I'll have a better idea of what to research, what to look out for, consumer feedback, and pretty much how to allocate my time & $$.

Arranging to test drive all the cars in the same day sounds like a solid plan nonetheless. Thanks for the tip!

the newer RX's all have that stupid predator mouth... i would recommend the RX over the 4runner if all you are really doing is city "suv-ing". Get the 4runner if you need to tow/actually off-road. But prepare to pay for the gas... body on frame suvs are thirsty.

or get a lexus GX and have a middle of the road luxury/offroader.

So no point in answering then :pokerface:

Our family owns a 4Runner and I can give a little bit of info.
- They are really reliable, not too many things can go wrong with them.
-Resale Value is quite high, even higher milage ones.
-The Tech on the 4Runner is quite dated. 5 Speed transmission, basic electronics, even the Rav4 has more features than it. ( It can be a good things as well, less things to go wrong)
- Not great on fuel if that matters to you.
-Rear window rolls down which is awesome.
- And personally, I think they are a great looking vehicle.

Anything problems with your Cayenne? Why not the Macan?

I have 16 4runner limited - supra comments are all true. To add my 2 cents, the 4runner is slow and handles like body-on-frame truck does. I considered rx at one point and its a great suv. Way more nimble and easier to park. RX is quite a bit smaller though. All in all I do prefer the 4runner due to the ruggedness and 3rd row capability.

I would agree of those comments. I'd a little crazy about costing 50k SUV without a power trunk door.

The interior materials on the 4Runner are pretty awful and comparable only to compact cars half the price. Unless you need the off road capability I'd go with the RX, especially considering your car history the 4Runner will beat you up.

We were looking for a new daily for my dad last year to replace his 6 year old Venza and needed something that could tow, considered the 4Runner but ended up going with a Touareg TDI. The 4Runner has much better resale value but the Touareg makes up for it in fuel economy (about 40% less when price of diesel is factored in).

With the extended warranty it's basically just regular maintenance on the VW, $3k for an additional 3 years is easily offset by the fuel savings. The NVH/refinement is not comparable though, the Touareg is much more truck like to drive compared to the Venza/RX, but the interior is very quiet and the materials are great whereas with the 4Runner, you really have to ask yourself where your $50k went (when it's just being used as a daily)

what about the GX?