Americas Savagegees Grenadier vs Lexus GX comparison

[cyson]

These guys tend to get pretty indepth so sometimes it's a bit much for me on their car reviews but it was interesting that they even reviewed the Grenadier.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7m60xsBP_k

 

[Mister_BevilAcqua]

We own both; we've had a 2025 GX550 Overtrail in the garage since last fall. They aren't far off in their comparison. The Lexus is far and away better at all of the luxury and on-road things. And while it's a very nice SUV, it lacks the soul and character of the Grenadier. That might matter to enthusiasts like myself, but sadly, that's not where the majority of society lies. They want their tech and comfort; they don't care if the vehicle is different or stands out beyond caring about the status represented by the badge on the grille.

As someone who has owned multiple 200 Series, GX460's, 5th Gen 4Runners, FJC's, and many older LC's, I can honestly say that I am not in love with the direction Toyota is heading with their flagship off-roaders. I feel myself slowly pulling away from the brand as time goes on. @Rupert has owned many of these same vehicles as well and now owns both a Grenadier and GX550 too. Curious to hear his thoughts on the subject.

 

[quattroa4m]

As someone who's selection process was down to a GX550 or a Grenadier, there's been no regrets having gone with the Grenadier.

Two superficially similar vehicles with different core personalities.

The fact that Toyota still hasn't rolled out a fix for the main bearing barfing 3.4 engine in the GX550 (far worse in the Tundra), would seem to further distance the the GX550 as even a semi-serious off roader.

It would appear that Toyota has lost the plot.

 

[Mister_BevilAcqua]

As someone who's selection process was down to a GX550 or a Grenadier, there's been no regrets having gone with the Grenadier.

Two superficially similar vehicles with different core personalities.

The fact that Toyota still hasn't rolled out a fix for the main bearing barfing 3.4 engine in the GX550 (far worse in the Tundra), would seem to further distance the the GX550 as even a semi-serious off roader.

It would appear that Toyota has lost the plot.

I'd argue that the GX being caught up in that recall was merely a formality for the platform as a whole. There have been very few engine failures in the GX, nothing beyond the norm for any engine. It's going into its fourth year model here in a few months; if major issues were present, they would have shown their face by now. That said, it's a shame that Toyota as a whole has turned into a GM of sorts in terms of reliability on some of their late model platforms. They existed on the image of reliability for decades, and now that's quickly eroding, which means they're losing their main edge in the market.

Nothing is perfect. The fact that we are dealing with front drive shaft failures at an alarming rate on a full-time 4WD coined as an "around the world" platform with no fix, plan, or support from the manufacturer is beyond pathetic. Toyota still has demand and resale on its side, two things I fear Ineos will never attain. I worry about how long the brand will survive, possibly leaving all of us with a defunct, modern DeLorean.

 

[cyson]

As someone who's selection process was down to a GX550 or a Grenadier, there's been no regrets having gone with the Grenadier.

Two superficially similar vehicles with different core personalities.

The fact that Toyota still hasn't rolled out a fix for the main bearing barfing 3.4 engine in the GX550 (far worse in the Tundra), would seem to further distance the the GX550 as even a semi-serious off roader.

It would appear that Toyota has lost the plot.

Yet, these Toyotas maintain such high resale values...

I still have a GX 460 and I've been pretty happy with it overall but if I had to keep one, it would be an interesting decision I'd be making.

 

[quattroa4m]

I'd argue that the GX being caught up in that recall was merely a formality for the platform as a whole. There have been very few engine failures in the GX, nothing beyond the norm for any engine. It's going into its fourth year model here in a few months; if major issues were present, they would have shown their face by now. That said, it's a shame that Toyota as a whole has turned into a GM of sorts in terms of reliability on some of their late model platforms. They existed on the image of reliability for decades, and now that's quickly eroding, which means they're losing their main edge in the market.

Nothing is perfect. The fact that we are dealing with front drive shaft failures at an alarming rate on a full-time 4WD coined as an "around the world" platform with no fix, plan, or support from the manufacturer is beyond pathetic. Toyota still has demand and resale on its side, two things I fear Ineos will never attain. I worry about how long the brand will survive, possibly leaving all of us with a defunct, modern DeLorean.

The real problem with the Toyota 3.4 is that the failures seem to be proportional to the output that is being asked of it (349 HP vs 389 HP) in the GX550 and the Tundra respectively. Bigger turbos, different programming, on the Tundra and both vehicles are roughly the same weight depending on configuration.

And yes, the problem appears to have not yet been rectified. The 2026 Tundras seem to have the same failure mode as prior years.

The thing about the Grenadier driveshaft failure, is that a spare can be carried if need be. Aggravating? Sure.

A blown engine in the middle of nowhere? Catastrophic. A multi-month wait for a replacement? Insult to injury.

Even if Ineos were to not make it, there will be no regrets.

A chance opportunity to not be a lemming is rare in this lifetime.

 

[theox]

I also cross shopped the GX against the Grenadier and am 100% happy having chosen Ineos. The GX felt overpriced and generic. Glad to see the Geese take a look at this thing, it is truly special in the market today.

 

[Mister_BevilAcqua]

The real problem with the Toyota 3.4 is that the failures seem to be proportional to the output that is being asked of them (349 HP vs 389 HP) in the GX550 and the Tundra respectively. Bigger turbos, different programming, and yet both are roughly the same weight depending on configuration. Unfortunately the problem appears to have not yet been rectified as 2026 Tundras seem to have the same failure mode as prior years.

The thing about the Grenadier driveshaft failure, is that a spare can be carried if need be. Aggravating? Sure.

A blown engine in the middle of nowhere? Catastrophic. A multi-month wait for a replacement? Insult to injury.

Catastrophic failure of a drive shaft will end in the same result. As I said, the failures aren't happening with the GX, so until they do, it's a nothing burger for that model. In contrast, the Ineos drive shaft issue is real, and it impacts stock vehicles as well. The biggest difference is that Toyota/Lexus stands behind their product and will make it right, whereas it appears that Ineos does the opposite and/or ignores it altogether.

I love both of these vehicles for different reasons, but Toyota/Lexus is still a known quantity, and they are selling like hotcakes even with the known issues. We can't say the same for the Grenadier.

 

[quattroa4m]

Catastrophic failure of a drive shaft will end in the same result. As I said, the failures aren't happening with the GX, so until they do, it's a nothing burger for that model. In contrast, the Ineos drive shaft issue is real, and it impacts stock vehicles as well. The biggest difference is that Toyota/Lexus stands behind their product and will make it right, whereas it appears that Ineos does the opposite and/or ignores it altogether.

I love both of these vehicles for different reasons, but Toyota/Lexus is still a known quantity, and they are selling like hotcakes even with the known issues. We can't say the same for the Grenadier.

The failures are happening to the GX...

As they say, "to each his own"

 

[Mister_BevilAcqua]

The failures are happening to the GX...

As they say, "to each his own"

Less than 1% failure rate on the GX in three years, that's a rounding error for any manufacturer. Now do Jeep and GM lol.

 

[quattroa4m]

Less than 1% failure rate on the GX in three years, that's a rounding error for any manufacturer. Now do Jeep and GM lol.

Bless your heart...

 

[Mister_BevilAcqua]

Bless your heart...

Ahh, an insult, classy fella.

I find it hilarious that you think an Ineos is possibly more reliable than a Lexus product. That tells me all I need to know about you. Have a nice day!

 

[MileHigh]

Back to the review, that is one of the better reviews about relevant alternative vehicles. I had already the IG on order, but the LExus seems the closest.

Do we have a percentage failure rate on the IG driveshaft?

Lexus’ problem is that they want to be the luxury brand and it seems like they can’t sell LandCrusiers through Toyota. My local dealer didn’t even carry them, in Colorado…. It probably isn’t worth setting a third brand here with the real offroads. They can sell 4Runners through Toyota, but they can’t seem to go higher than that.

The GX is pretty good, but I still think that people see LExus and don’t think Offroad. Most LExus that I see off road are older ones that have been heavily modified, often with a Zaa-saw on the body panels for clearance.

I still think the major whiff on opportunities was Jeep with either the GJC or the Wagoneer. The Wagoneer should have been an IG alternative. I don’t know what it is. The GJC has turned into a Rav6.

 

[JHIG1]

Ahh, an insult, classy fella.

I find it hilarious that you think an Ineos is possibly more reliable than a Lexus product. That tells me all I need to know about you. Have a nice day!

In reality It quite possibly could be or is, but I don’t think we have enough time to quantify that yet.

 

[C-Mack]

Is it the past nostalgia for older rough and tumble Land Cruiser’s which makes this comparison relevant? Realizing of course the Grenadier’s entire existence was brought about by passionate nostalgia for old Defender’s. Not taking anything away from the Lexus and it’s capabilities but it’s hard to see it dodging trees and boulders off-road it seems a bit too glam and luxury for that. Hate to see them make the same mistake as Land Rover has with their vehicles.

 

[quattroa4m]

Ahh, an insult, classy fella.

I find it hilarious that you think an Ineos is possibly more reliable than a Lexus product. That tells me all I need to know about you. Have a nice day!

That's not how this works, at least around here.

It typically is used to signify "We can agree to disagree", but sometimes it's used when words fail, like after a catastrophic "hold my beer moment".

 

[HereinDaRockies]

The gx interior felt nothing special.. not luxurious enough to be considered a luxury play. It felt like a modern update to a 5th gen 4 runner. Zero Wow factor

 

[Rupert]

Honestly, between the two (as owner of 2024 IG and 2026 550) I am not yet in a position to compare them in an off-road perspective.

Until the GX has at least 25,000 clicks on the ODO, I doubt I will off-road it as it will be my DD. I plan additional upgrades on it including skids as soon as BudBuilt completes the manufacturing process on them. The GX is still under 2500 miles, I have lifted it and installed some other off road gadgetry, White Knuckle Sliders, lights, roof rack, etc.

The IG I have NOT lifted, but have added full underbody metal cloak skids, White Knuckle Sliders and some scene lights. So, as a basically stock vehicle, I have taken it off-road and was quite impressed with its off-the-shelf capabilities. Does it need more clearance? Yes, absolutely! But with the underbody protection in place, it slid over all the rocks and had no issues as the diff-locks make it pretty unstoppable as it comes off the show room floor. I am a little too worried about lifting it as I would like to get some value from the warranty if I ever have an issue with the drive shaft.

I full well expect to utilize the IG as my off-road trail vehicle, and will install my HAM radio in it and possibly add a drawer/fridge system in the cargo area in the future.

Overall, I am not concerned with either vehicle. If I had to lean towards a concern, and I would only call it that, a concern, it would be the longevity of the IG brand continuing into the future for 5-10 years. I also strongly believe that the IG will be the most sought after off-road vehicle in the future once the used car market and aftermarket solutions become more robust for all issues.

 

[HeavyFoot]

Honestly, between the two (as owner of 2024 IG and 2026 550) I am not yet in a position to compare them in an off-road perspective.

Until the GX has at least 25,000 clicks on the ODO, I doubt I will off-road it as it will be my DD. I plan additional upgrades on it including skids as soon as BudBuilt completes the manufacturing process on them. The GX is still under 2500 miles, I have lifted it and installed some other off road gadgetry, White Knuckle Sliders, lights, roof rack, etc.

The IG I have NOT lifted, but have added full underbody metal cloak skids, White Knuckle Sliders and some scene lights. So, as a basically stock vehicle, I have taken it off-road and was quite impressed with its off-the-shelf capabilities. Does it need more clearance? Yes, absolutely! But with the underbody protection in place, it slid over all the rocks and had no issues as the diff-locks make it pretty unstoppable as it comes off the show room floor. I am a little too worried about lifting it as I would like to get some value from the warranty if I ever have an issue with the drive shaft.

I full well expect to utilize the IG as my off-road trail vehicle, and will install my HAM radio in it and possibly add a drawer/fridge system in the cargo area in the future.

Overall, I am not concerned with either vehicle. If I had to lean towards a concern, and I would only call it that, a concern, it would be the longevity of the IG brand continuing into the future for 5-10 years. I also strongly believe that the IG will be the most sought after off-road vehicle in the future once the used car market and aftermarket solutions become more robust for all issues.

I’ll echo that sentiment about the future of the Grenadier. Fast forward 20 years and I think it’ll have the cult status the Defender enjoys. Whether they remain in business or not, I think they’ll be desired.