Is the Lexus GX 460 worth buying

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 and 2022 Toyota 4Runner share many attributes. While not mechanically identical, they are both off-road SUVs that are comfortable, stylish, and versatile. Yet their price tags are wildly different; while the 2022 Toyota 4Runner price starts at $38,520, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 is priced well above that at $56,500. So is it worth spending nearly $20,000 more to get the Lexus? Let’s take a look at both SUVs.

How much does the 2022 Toyota 4Runner cost?

RELATED: How Much Does the 2022 Toyota 4Runner Cost?

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner costs $38,520 for the base trim, the SR5. It comes with a 4.0-liter V6 engine that puts out 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. The 2022 Toyota 4Runner gets 17 mpg combined in fuel economy. Edmunds calls it “one of the few traditional truck-based SUVs left these days.” That’s thanks to its high ground clearance, available four-wheel drive, and the option to upgrade to even more rugged 4Runners.

On the other hand, the base model 2022 Lexus GX 460 costs $56,500. It has a 4.6-liter V8 with 4WD matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. It can make 301 hp and 329 lb-ft of torque. When compared to the 4Runner, the Lexus GX certainly has a more powerful engine.

Is the 4Runner or GX 460 more reliable?

RELATED: Consumer Reports Names the 2022 Lexus GX the Most Reliable Vehicle

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 is undoubtedly the more reliable of the two SUVs. In fact, Consumer Reports names it the most reliable vehicle of the year. The 2022 Lexus GX 460 has a predicted reliability rating of 5/5. To come up with this prediction, Consumer Reports used data from the 2019, 2020, and 2021 models. Each of those model years has a perfect reliability rating, which speaks volumes about how well the Lexus GX tends to hold up.

On the other hand, the predicted reliability of the 2022 Toyota 4Runner is a 4/5. Consumer Reports based this rating on the 2019, 2020, and 2021 Toyota 4Runners. The 2019 and 2020 Toyota 4Runners each have a 4/5 for reliability, while the 2021 4Runner scores a perfect 5/5. Problem areas include the fuel system in the 2019 and 2020 and brakes and body integrity in the 2020.

Are owners happier with the Toyota or the Lexus?

RELATED: The 3 Best 2022 SUVs That Can Last 200,000 Miles

The predicted owner satisfaction score for the 2022 Toyota 4Runner is higher than the 2022 Lexus 460 yet the Toyota 4Runner has lower owner satisfaction ratings for past models. The predicted overall owner satisfaction score for the 2022 Toyota 4Runner is a 4/5. Current owners of 4Runners really love its styling, with an 87, and are pretty happy with its driving experience at a 67 and comfort at 63. Value isn’t rated as highly, at a 46 but that doesn’t keep 4Runner owners from being mostly happy with their SUVs.

The owner satisfaction prediction for the 2022 Lexus GX 460 isn’t as good, at just a 3/5. Consumer Reports determines this by reviewing survey data and determining how happy current owners of the GX are with their SUVs. While comfort has an excellent rating of 96, the driving experience gets just a 79 and styling is only a 73. Even worse, value is only 58. Just 67% of GX owners would buy their SUV again.

It’s also worth noting that while the 2022 Lexus GX 460 hasn’t been crash-tested yet, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner has, and its results are mixed. While it has many good ratings, there are a few glaring poor results, like the front small overlap, with a marginal rating, and the NHTSA front-crash passenger rating, at just 3/5 stars. For this reason, plus the Lexus GX’s high predicted reliability, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 is the better SUV, if you can afford it.

RELATED: Consumer Reports Releases Its Most Reliable Cars and SUVs