If you’re into hunting for 4Runners, like a lot of us in the car world are, you probably already know. A 2025 model starts at $41,270. Buyers can spend more than $60k on one, depending on trim and options. Go for any lightly used model, and the price tag totally stuns. Heck, a six-year-old 4Runner isn’t much cheaper than a brand-new base model; you can expect to shell out upwards of $35k for one with decent mileage.

Here’s the thing: if you love the idea of road-tripping and camping in a 4Runner, I get it. But you might be mistakenly ignoring its luxury sibling. Today, the 2018 Lexus GX 460 is about the same price, and depending on what you really want or need, it might offer more than the 4Runner.

The GX is still a body-on-frame SUV with full-time four-wheel drive, so it can handle dirt roads, gravel campsites, and even light off-pavement trails

It’s more comfortable for long drives to the campsite, has more cargo and passenger amenities, and can even tow bigger trailers or boats.

The trade-off is the GX is wider, heavier, and has a firmer fuel bill, but for most “car camping” setups, it’s more than capable.

The 4Runner’s nice, sure, but the 2018 Lexus GX 460 delivers a more luxurious experience

It comes with a smooth, reliable 4.6-liter V8 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and standard full-time four-wheel drive.

The cabin is finished with higher-quality materials and offers more advanced comfort features, including optional captain’s chairs and a power-folding third row.

On the road, the GX feels more refined, with a softer ride and more technology available to ease long drives.

It also offers higher towing capacity thanks to its stronger engine, making it the more powerful and comfortable choice for drivers who want a touch of luxury without giving up ruggedness.

By the way, iSeeCars just named the GX as one of the few 2025 models expected to easily pass 250,000 miles. Its predecessors aren’t any different, in my mind.

The 2018 Toyota 4Runner takes a different approach

It uses a 4.0-liter V6, paired with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and keeps its focus on raw capability and durability.

The narrower body makes it easier to maneuver in tight spots, whether threading through a trailhead or squeezing into a garage.

But the ride is stiffer, and the interior is more basic, with cloth seats and fewer premium touches.

When shopping used in 2025, price isn’t the separator you might expect 

New, it costs a little less than the GX, and that lower entry price helps make it appealing to buyers who value off-road credibility and toughness above comfort.

But switch to the used market, and as time passes, they all but equal out on price.

On TrueCar right now, 2018 model years of both the 4Runner and GX run between $27,000 and $35,000.

That means buyers who thought a 4Runner was their only option might find themselves able to consider a GX without stretching their budget.

Despite their differences, both models share the same fundamental DNA

Each uses a traditional body-on-frame design, which is part of what makes them stand out in a world filled with softer crossovers. Both can tackle real off-road challenges, though the GX layers luxury and smoothness on top of its capability, while the 4Runner emphasizes value and durability first.

Safety technology is similar across both models, with systems like pre-collision braking and lane departure alert available.

If your adventures rarely extend beyond paved roads and your “off-roading” consists of gravel driveways or snow-covered parking lots, the Lexus GX 460 is the smarter buy

It gives you a smoother ride, more features, and a higher sense of comfort for the same money. 

The 4Runner still makes sense for those who prize its rugged simplicity and narrower, more agile footprint, but for everyone else, the GX offers more SUV for the dollar.