2027 Lexus GX vs Toyota 4Runner: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the 4Runner — it leads our weighted scorecard 6–2 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($43,490 vs $67,535) and better 5-year value retention (61.2% vs 51.4%). Choose the GX if you want the most power (349 hp vs 326 hp).
Scorecard: GX 2 pts · 4Runner 6 pts across 7 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 GX | 2027 4Runner | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $67,535 | $43,490 | 4Runner |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 51.4% | 61.2% | 4Runner |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 4Runner |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 349 hp | 326 hp | GX |
| Max towing (1) | 9,096 lb | 6,000 lb | GX |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 10.3 cu ft | 48.4 cu ft | 4Runner |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 4.9% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | — | 3 | No data |
| Weighted points | 2 | 6 | 4Runner |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the 4Runner — 23 mpg vs 17 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the 4Runner — 48.4 cu ft vs 10.3 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the 4Runner — $43,490 vs $67,535 (starting MSRP).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the 4Runner — 61.2% vs 51.4% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the GX — 9,096 lb vs 6,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The GX starts at $67,535 and tops out at $84,050; the 4Runner runs $43,490 to $68,870 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified 4Runner buyers paid a median 4.9% off MSRP across 59 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 6.7% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- GX: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- 4Runner: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 GX | 2027 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $67,535 | $43,490 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $84,050 | $68,870 |
| Horsepower | 349 hp | 278–326 hp |
| Max torque | 479 lb-ft | 465 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 17 mpg | 21–23 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 9,096 lb | 6,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 7 | 5 / 7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 10.3 cu ft | 48.4 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| GX | 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 197.05 in | 194.9 in |
| Width | — | 78 in |
| Height | 75.59 in | 72.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in | 112.2 in |
| Ground clearance | — | 8.1 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) GX lists for a median $41,995 — 51.4% of today's median new price of $81,705. A 5-year-old (2021) 4Runner lists for a median $37,050 — 61.2% of today's median new price of $60,580.
Shop both
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More on the Lexus GX
More on the Toyota 4Runner
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the GX better than the 4Runner?
On our data, no — the 4Runner comes out ahead. Our pick: the 4Runner — it leads our weighted scorecard 6–2 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($43,490 vs $67,535) and better 5-year value retention (61.2% vs 51.4%). Choose the GX if you want the most power (349 hp vs 326 hp).
Which is more reliable, the GX or the 4Runner?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the GX or the 4Runner?
The 4Runner: a 5-year-old example lists for 61.2% of the new price, versus 51.4% for the GX, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the GX or the 4Runner?
The 4Runner starts lower: $43,490 vs $67,535 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the GX or the 4Runner?
The 4Runner: up to 23 mpg combined vs 17 mpg for the GX (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Lexus GX vs Toyota 4Runner: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/lexus-gx-vs-toyota-4runner, updated November 8, 2026.