New GX vs GXL: Pros and Cons

[petereuroa Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close petereuroa]

I have been researching the purchase of a new Prado after driving Land Cruisers since 1977 (55 Series for 7 years and 60 Series for 27 years). I hear a few of you saying 'its about time this guy updated'. The Australia's Best Cars review in the Royalauto gave the Prado GXL second in the All Terrain 4X4 section behind the $20,000 more expensive Discovery 4. So I began looking into the Prado but do not particularly like the way the 3rd row of seats do not easily go in and out as my wife and I will not require these seats. I have read the various discussions about this issue. The GX model solves this problem being a five seater but raises the question, what important features do you miss by not going for the GXL? I noted some 'L' or luxury features are missing on the GX and the wheels and tires are narrower. Its seems however that most of the important safety and driving features are included in the GX and that Toyota have made a grill and rear vision mirrors black on the GX so we can distinguish the two models a little more easily. Also only a diesel option in the GX and there are few GX models for sale new and second hand. So It would be great to get a few comments from the experts on the matter of GX vs GXL Pros and Cons and why the GXL seems to be around in much greater numbers.

cheers
petereuroa

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Re: New GX vs GXL: Pros and Cons

You can remove the 3rd row seats from the GXL. there is a topic on this already. viewtopic.php?f=53&t=7281

The GXL is made for the masses, therefore more luxury features. The GX is made for fleets and therefore is the poverty pack. The tendency these days is that people choose the level of equipment based on all the safety features they need. Then comes the luxury items. Most choose the GXL as it ticks a lot of boxes. If you try and option up the GX to some of the GXL features, you might as well get the GXL.

[petereuroa Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close petereuroa]

Re: New GX vs GXL: Pros and Cons

Thanks Andrew. Appreciate your comments.
Peter

[dhula Member Find all posts View Profile Close dhula]

Re: New GX vs GXL: Pros and Cons

I'm currently considering an upgrade from a 90 series diesel and have looked at the 150 series in both GX and GXL, but only on paper at this point in time
When you compare the specs of the GX to the GXL I don't think there is that much in it and am really struggling to see the extra cost of the GXL for what you get over the GX. I should point out I'm only going by the price on the website at the moment but at about $6500 difference (drive away) for the same engine/trans combo I don't see it.

I kinda sum it up like this
*The tyres end up being pretty close in diameter but the widies look nicer. Guna change to A/T's anyway so why not get rims of my choice at the same time, possibly doing a deal at buying time so I end up with what I want.
* I don't need the rear seat and would just take them out so maybe it's better not to get them in the first place.
* Rear parking sensors and rear camera would be handy but do I need them. Some will say yes, other will say no but I will say they can be usefull. If I want them maybe get them at time of buying as an option or fit an aftermarket kit later.
* Side steps would be nice but can always get aftermarket
The rest of the extras you can get in the GXL compared to the GX is no biggy for me so can take it or leave it.

One of the bigger things is that the GX doesn't come in petrol and at the moment I'm torn between diesel and petrol for what we do with the car.