I have owned 8 Lexus cars from 1995 thru 2004. I have owned only the top of the line of Lexus (3-LS400's, 3 LS-430's, 1 -SC430 and 1 - LX470). I was concerned about stepping down to buy the GX470. I did this a couple of weeks ago and got one with the navigation-ML stereo. I have ridden my GX in the mountains and on flat ground. I frankly can not find much of a difference in this vehicle to that of the LX. It isn't worth the added expense to have the LX and I did not do this because of a limited budget, just common sense. I spent the last three days with a Lexus LX-470 owner driving the GX together. He has owned 2 - LX 470 and 2 Toyota Land Cruisers. His and my comments and counsel is to forego the LX470 and opt for the GX-470. It simply isn't worth the great difference in price.
Now I hope you appreciate the fact that the GX is far superior to the 4Runner. The ride control alone is worth the extra money to keep your teeth in your head and not becoming cross eyed by the rough ride of the 4Runner.
Lexus is the absolute best car company I have experience and I have driven most of the best (we are a Lincoln, Mercury, Subaru dealer family). We drive Lexus and could drive any other car if we wanted.
I bought the GX for my wife after selling her '02 Denali. This car is alot more fun to drive and we are averaging 16.8 MPG mainly on the highway driving 80-90 MPH. The car is under 1000 miles at this point. Hey, the LX's gas mileage was never betterthan 12-13 so the choice from effieceny is academic.
I looked at every SUV out there from the Cayenne to the Volvo. The
GX isn't as glitsy as some of the others. but I have too much good experience with my Lexus cars to try for any other.
I wish you the best in your choice and hope that your expierence with Lexus is as good as mine and most other end users.
My only disappointment is the fact that the salesman I used told me that the car has the Bluetooth option which my LS430 has. Maybe next year.
One more thing. I ordered my car from a Texas dealer, had it shipped to NC and had never driven or sat in one before I bought it. that should show you my absolute trust for Lexus and their products. I have always bought my Lexus cars that way and I have always been pleased. Try that with any other car companies!