Prado GX or GXL?

[Hornet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hornet]

Guys,

My lease will be up in September and I am at the crossroads of which model to get next, GX or GXL.

I am aware of the specs for both and carefully consider the differences and pricing to decide which one to go with.

My current car is 2012 GXL but I have never used its 7 seats, roof rails, and only used fog lights three times. To me those features represent a very little value or little use.

However I'd like the new car to have 5 seats (bigger boot?), side steps (GX doesn't have them), rear parking sensors (a must for my wife) if I consider a GX.

I am aware that the GXL would be better when the time to sell the car will come. However, it is more expensive to start with.

On a positive note, the GXL would cost me only a $110 extra per month on a 4 year Novated Lease comparing to GX meaning it is not a bad buy after all.

What's everyone's opinion on getting a GX instead of GXL? I'll be getting a diesel with the auto transmission.

Thanks

[Ghandi Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ghandi]

Gday Hornet,
I had a similar decision process when buying my car. In the end I went with the GX. The 5 seat option reduces weight by quite a bit apparently, and you get an extra 4ish inches floor boot room (making the fridge just that bit easier for the missus to reach!)

The facelift and above base GX has most mods I need/want, I'm guessing you can purchase reverse parking sensors for about $300 (guess!) but the reverse camera beats the sensors for me anyway!

Side steps would be nice, but I intend on buying proper steel ones to protect offroad for again a few hundred dollars.

Just my 2 cents worth

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

Guys,

My lease will be up in September and I am at the crossroads of which model to get next, GX or GXL.

I am aware of the specs for both and carefully consider the differences and pricing to decide which one to go with.

My current car is 2012 GXL but I have never used its 7 seats, roof rails, and only used fog lights three times. To me those features represent a very little value or little use.

However I'd like the new car to have 5 seats (bigger boot?), side steps (GX doesn't have them), rear parking sensors (a must for my wife) if I consider a GX.

I am aware that the GXL would be better when the time to sell the car will come. However, it is more expensive to start with.

On a positive note, the GXL would cost me only a $110 extra per month on a 4 year Novated Lease comparing to GX meaning it is not a bad buy after all.

What's everyone's opinion on getting a GX instead of GXL? I'll be getting a diesel with the auto transmission.

Thanks

I was in exactly the same situation, a nd I went with a new GX after having a 2010 GXL...so I was well aware of the features and the differences.
It all boils down to what you want to do, wher you want to go, and what accessories you need/want.
I will be doing lots of touring, off-roading and camping etc with my wife ...
I didn't want factory roof rails...as I have put on a pioneer roof platform on legs which sits lower to the roof.
I didn't want/need factory fog lights as I have installed a bull bar and winch with spots
I didn't want factory side steps, as I wanted better, stronger more resiliant sliders/steps
I didn't want rear seats as I wanted a lower and wider cargo area to install a fridge slide drawer set up..and we don't now need/use rear seats.
I didn't want factory sat nav as I have an portable sat nav and also a navigator.

I got an 2016 Auto GX 2.8 GD prado...for just under $54,000 with factory rear park sensors.
..and I have basically spent the difference between a GX and GXL on accessories...TJM T15 bull bar and winch, TNN underbody guards, pioneer roof platform, wynnum tow bar and TJM side steps etc.

There are a few other differences between GXL and GX..some quite subtle (like no extension on the end of the sunvisor, and black door handles and external mirrors, black underdoor sill,=..all of which I dont mind at all.. and some differences are not as subtle, like no climate control air con, no split front rear aircon, no inbuilt sat nav, few less audio speakers, etc...but these things are not an issue for me. I am very happy with my decision to get a GX,

I recon the resale % may be lower due to no rear seats, (the rear seats are a good selling point) but I have a removable custom built fridge slide/fridge box, with second battery and drawer system that will probably stay in the back of my GX permanently...I love it

By the way, PM me if anyone is interested in a custom fridge box/drawers for a GX Prado. I have a young fellow who is a professional industrial designer who has now designed and produced to "flat pack stage"... a fridge box/drawer system, engineered, CAD designed in great detail, laser cut to precision, strong as they come, looks as good as they get...which we then assembled over a weekend...and it is fantastic, perfect in fact, and very very cost effective...I'll post images and a thread when I get round to it...too busy using it at the moment.

So for me, saving somewhere between $6,000-$8,000 on the purchase price of a GXL and then spending that difference on accessories that I wanted, has worked out perfectly for me.

Oh and also, if you do a suspension lift (which is basically the last modification I have yet to do), you will need side steps on the GX in my opinion...some people struggle getting in the GX as it is with just standard height suspension and no side steps.

A GXL Auto 2.8 GD Prado is selling for somewhere between $60,000-$63,000
(realistically its closer to $63,000 at most dealerships, with a recent report of a 2016 GXL auto for just a smidge under $60,000 drive away).

...and you could get a GX auto (same engine and same main features) with factory rear park sensors for just a smidge under $54,000 drive away.

If the difference in price is important to you and you don't need the rear seats, then the GX is definitely worth a very close look. You might save $110 per month (but that's @ $5,000 over the lease term), and if you get a GXL you might still have some more $ to spend if you want/need any accessories..so a GXL could end up costing you closer to $70,000 after modifications.

The GXL is very popular, for a good reason, and that's why I got one 6 years ago, but a GX is still excellent, and for us now...its perfect...

[Hornet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hornet]

Thanks gents, I am on the same page as you are. Good to know!

BRogers, which side steps did you end up getting? I was quoted by the Toyo dealer the ABR ones as they told me that Toyota does not have them as optional equipment for GX.

I'll def be getting a Toyota genuine parking sensors. Swapping tyres before the delivery as well.

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

Hello Hornet, I got the TJM side steps.... and I put them on myself. Pretty easy with good instructions,a nd the advie was to be sure to have the fixing brackets orientated as shown in the instructions, which I was careful to do.

I do a lot of outback, beach and whatever driving ( but I do try and avoid mud... which in drought conditions in Qld at the moment is not too hard)...so for both my 2010 Prado and now my 2016 GD Prado I have kept the original AT tyres for about the first year or so...and sure, they aren't perfect, but I went all sorts of places with them...having the right tyre pressures is the key...but that's me...I just like to use the original tyres a bit before changing them out...(I don't think you get much for them even if relatively unused).

I had a fantastic run with BFG AT LT tyres (265/65/17) on my last Prado, and now that there are BFG AT KO2 LT tyres I'm interested in those, but someone has just told me about the price and popularity of Hankook Dynapro AT LT 265/65/17 tyres....$120 cheaper than the BFG AT LT KO2 ...and they look good, so I could be tempted to give the Hankook Dynapro AT LT tyres a go this time...perhaps...but not until I've knocked some tread off the original Dunlop Grandtreks..

(I'll keep the original dunlop grandtrek unused spare as a second spare on a steel rim for remote outback trips).

Anyway...You've got some time to do some homework and planning before your existing lease expires. Look out for specials. I got the side steps, bull bar and winch on special a couple of months before I got the car, and saved myself a few hundred dollars.

[Nik83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nik83]

I have a gxl.

Go a gx. Add steps from the dealer's 4wd supplier/buddy, sensors and get a better head unit like a satnav / front rear camera unit from JB hi-fi. Wish I'd done that.

I think the only other benefit of a gxl is climate control and wheels? Not entirely sure.

I use my reversing camera and have the sensors switched off.

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

I think the new GX and GXL have the same alloy wheels, they certainly look the same anyway.

[JohnLynn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JohnLynn]

If navigation is important to you remember that the factory navigation in the GXL will be at least two years out of date with "new" map cards which are still out of date costing $300 when available for the Australian market not free as they are in Europe. How do Toyota Australia get away with this?

[Puddock Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Puddock]

Strong case here for saving the $$$$ and going GX. Especially if you plan to keep it for donkeys years. I bought the GXL but with hindsight the GX could have done with money to spend on goodies like of a decent head unit with an Andriod OS rather than the "tits on bull"" Toyota Link and outdated GPS maps. JohnLynn is right about the maps fiasco. At my first, 6 month service yesterday I complained but basically got the brush off. Not good enough Toyota.

[Redsand Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Redsand]

I went with GX and very happy I did.

If you don't what the 7 seats it's a no brainer IMO
Spend $500 and get side steps and roof rails, you can live without climate control A/ C

[Nik83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nik83]

Oh and the black grill with black bullbar looks pretty damn good IMO...

[Nik83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nik83]

Have a seat in both and see what you think in my opinion, but I think there's a lot of aftermarket goodies better spent with the price difference

A better head unit will make the world of difference, you can even get a front camera.

And long term, you have less electronics that can go wrong, even if it is a Toyota.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

As above. I ordered a GX auto in early March and it is due to arrive in mid June, the only downside of a GX, as there is usually zero stock so they have to be made to order. BUT you save $7000+ from the get go. My budget for bull bar, snorkel, decent BFG ATs, side steps, second battery etc is well below this figure .I got mine for $56400 on the road in NSW with tow bar [about$1000] and reverse sensors [about $400]. I picked up a set of second hand side steps off a GXL for $200 which will hopefully fit. if they don't I will onsell them and get some Ironman steps for about $500.I am moving from a 120 VX petrol. The 150 GX has the same features as my 2005 VX other than climate control.
GX a no brainer if you don't need the 7 seats and the extra weight , especially if keeping the car 5-6 years + as I will. 2016 GX s are much better specced than 3 or 4 years ago. Hurry up, mid June!

[Steerpike Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Steerpike]

Bought a Dec 2015 GX diesel auto in February. Came from a 90 series 1998 RV6 auto that I have owned since new (and have kept). It was a real no-brainer for me. Got it for $53700 driveaway, no options. My rationale:
5 seats (didn't need 7)
less weight
bigger load space
middle seat fold is really easy and fast
no roof rails- installed lower profile Rhino bars and existing mesh platform- can get into a 2.0m carpark, even after an ARB suspension lift
no foglights (I live in Brisbane)
no sidesteps (flimsy factory ones- would rather have strong aftermarket ones, or none)- but it is a big step up after the ARB suspension lift- my teenagers sometimes complain.
no built-in nav (I have a Hema HN7)
new ones have reversing camera, bluetooth and same wheels and tyres as the GXL
no climate control AC- would be nice
plastic steering wheel and transmission lever (not leather) I'm OK with that

What did I do with the money saved ?
- ARB colour coded deluxe bull bar
- Intensity driving lights (Show special)
- Hayman Reese tow bar, Anderson plug and Redarc TowPro brake controller
- CouplerTec electronic rustproofing
- Rhino roof bars
- ARB OME Nitrocharger shocks and uprated suspension (Show special)
- 12 volt outlet in the cargo area for my fridge- there was only a 240 volt outlet there.

I don't think that they sell many GX's. Salesman said that he had never seen one in the flesh, but car rental company had just bought 20 of them, and they still had one in stock, so I haggled a price and got immediate delivery.

For the driveaway price of a GXL, I got a fully loaded GX. The 2.8 6 speed is very smooth and quiet. Hoping that Toyota got the longevity right. If so, this one is a keeper.

[Hornet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hornet]

Thanks guys,
Ordered a Black GX Auto T/D yesterday. I don't like black handles and side mirrors on the white body. On black, you can't see it. Wife loves the colour.

Got a genuine tow bar, rear parking sensors, the ARB side steps and a swap of the Grand tracks to Bridgestones ATs. Looking forward to it.

Cheers