Americas Savagegees Grenadier vs Lexus GX comparison

[WJG-GMT II]

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.

For the Love of L. Ron, how could a vehicle with such potential have AC issues and driveline issues? This is basic stuff. Love the look, but for us would be owners—it’s just a huge concern considering the need for daily use.

 

[HeavyFoot]

For the Love of L. Ron, how could a vehicle with such potential have AC issues and driveline issues? This is basic stuff. Love the look, but for us would be owners—it’s just a huge concern considering the need for daily use.

Come on man, you know you want to….
The AC thing is what it is. It’s fine. Great? Nope. Annoying at times? Yup. Can you live with it? Yup. Can your significant other? That may be the real question.
I’m confident the aftermarket will (or has now) sorted the front driveshaft issue. In the long run, it’s likely to be the last of a particular type of vehicle. I’m so glad I have one. Test drive one a lot. When you know, you know.

 

[cyson]

This generations 1993 NAS Defender 110. With perhaps these early ones, warts and all, being most sought after because they have the least nanny crap. The 2026 already have some creep to them…

What surprises me in the Denver area anyways is that I see so many of them on the road! With these sales numbers, not sure they'll become NAS Defender status, ever.

 

[HeavyFoot]

What surprises me in the Denver area anyways is that I see so many of them on the road! With these sales numbers, not sure they'll become NAS Defender status, ever.

They will. Look at a map of the dealers in NA. They’ll be present near dealerships and very sparse elsewhere for now. The cars will take time to sort out and end up with people that want and appreciate them. Ones that went to the “wrong” type of person will bounce around a bit and settle finally with the correct owners. They have road presence and that alone will help make them desirable. Their ability and general ethos will keep them desirable. NA has enough tacticool men that won’t be satisfied when they pull into the parking lot and park next to the other dozen twinning buddies’ Tundra TRDpro with a shovel strapped on the bed rack and fresh tire shine (let me pause here to say I do keep mine clean and with tire shine). How many of you have had someone talk to you and say it’s exactly what they really want, but you know, Toyota gets better gas mileage?

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MYyT1_e0WR4&ra=m

 

[theox]

For the Love of L. Ron, how could a vehicle with such potential have AC issues and driveline issues? This is basic stuff. Love the look, but for us would be owners—it’s just a huge concern considering the need for daily use.

My HVAC works perfectly fine and so does many others. Its definitely a thing, but its not universal by any means. And as HeavyFoot said, the front driveshaft is gonna get (or is already according to a couple threads here) sorted. If you like the truck, buy it, don't let these items hold you up.

 

[Tom109]

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.

The legendary Land Cruiser is no more. The GX is a luxe barge targeting the look…

 

[Rupert]

I am blessed that my HVAC in the Gren is great. If I put on full with recirc, I could hang meat in there in about 15 mins.

 

[cyson]

They will. Look at a map of the dealers in NA. They’ll be present near dealerships and very sparse elsewhere for now. The cars will take time to sort out and end up with people that want and appreciate them. Ones that went to the “wrong” type of person will bounce around a bit and settle finally with the correct owners. They have road presence and that alone will help make them desirable. Their ability and general ethos will keep them desirable. NA has enough tacticool men that won’t be satisfied when they pull into the parking lot and park next to the other dozen twinning buddies’ Tundra TRDpro with a shovel strapped on the bed rack and fresh tire shine (let me pause here to say I do keep mine clean and with tire shine). How many of you have had someone talk to you and say it’s exactly what they really want, but you know, Toyota gets better gas mileage?

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MYyT1_e0WR4&ra=m

There are a few people within my own circle who want an SUV to use for occasional trails in Colorado and Utah. They see my Grenadier and think it's really cool. They like the looks, the drivetrain, the 4x4 capabilities, etc...

But, they end up going to a Prado, Bronco or Jeep. Similar price range, but they just have too much fear of trying a new brand. That's just how it goes...

 

[Tenac]

There are a few people within my own circle who want an SUV to use for occasional trails in Colorado and Utah. They see my Grenadier and think it's really cool. They like the looks, the drivetrain, the 4x4 capabilities, etc...

But, they end up going to a Prado, Bronco or Jeep. Similar price range, but they just have too much fear of trying a new brand. That's just how it goes...

Same here many of the peeps I talk to just end up buying something that is way more road worthy and well easier to drive for anyone..... Sounds silly but just like the Video I bought it for off-road only really.

 

[Tom109]

But, they end up going to a Prado, Bronco or Jeep. Similar price range, but they just have too much fear of trying a new brand. That's just how it goes...

Same here many of the peeps I talk to just end up buying something that is way more road worthy and well easier to drive for anyone..... Sounds silly but just like the Video I bought it for off-road only really.

Sad. Go enjoy that grand Cherokee.

 

[Rupert]

Sad. Go enjoy that grand Cherokee.

Or the dinette table from the Harley commercial! LOL!!

 

[MileHigh]

What surprises me in the Denver area anyways is that I see so many of them on the road! With these sales numbers, not sure they'll become NAS Defender status, ever.

What do you mean, that there are too many off them so that they won’t be unicorns? I wasn’t thinking as much quantity, but that the fact that if they stopped making them now, those with out one Shall think themselves accursed they don’t have one , And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any Grenadier drives by.

I am blessed that my HVAC in the Gren is great. If I put on full with recirc, I could hang meat in there in about 15 mins.

The weather got warm this weekend and it was the first time that I thought the HVAC wasn’t keeping up. I’ve found that if it isn’t ’working’ I just put it full hot or cold for less than a minute and then dial it back. It seems to then understand “Oh, you weren’t kidding”.

There are a few people within my own circle who want an SUV to use for occasional trails in Colorado and Utah. They see my Grenadier and think it's really cool. They like the looks, the drivetrain, the 4x4 capabilities, etc...

But, they end up going to a Prado, Bronco or Jeep. Similar price range, but they just have too much fear of trying a new brand. That's just how it goes...

There was a great youtube video that said that cars used to be cheap enough that a ‘fun’ or spare car wasn’t that much of a luxury. Now cars are so expensive, garage space at a premium, that people are more likely to own just one vehicle- no 4x4 or convertible for the weekends. If you only get one car, these specialist vehicles get to be more and more difficult to justify. That’s why the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a joke. Frankly, we should be happy the GX is as capable as it is, and that Sir Jim is a mad-man. No rationale car company would (or does) make a Grenadier. Jeep had the perfect opportunity with the Grand Cherokee and Subrurban’d it, hard.

 

[Tazzieman]

The legendary Land Cruiser is no more. The GX is a luxe barge targeting the look…

One is a status symbol.
The other is a tool. Use it as such and forget all that posh fancy nonsense.
Is what I say.

 

[cyson]

What do you mean, that there are too many off them so that they won’t be unicorns? I wasn’t thinking as much quantity, but that the fact that if they stopped making them now, those with out one Shall think themselves accursed they don’t have one , And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any Grenadier drives by.

The weather got warm this weekend and it was the first time that I thought the HVAC wasn’t keeping up. I’ve found that if it isn’t ’working’ I just put it full hot or cold for less than a minute and then dial it back. It seems to then understand “Oh, you weren’t kidding”.

There was a great youtube video that said that cars used to be cheap enough that a ‘fun’ or spare car wasn’t that much of a luxury. Now cars are so expensive, garage space at a premium, that people are more likely to own just one vehicle- no 4x4 or convertible for the weekends. If you only get one car, these specialist vehicles get to be more and more difficult to justify. That’s why the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a joke. Frankly, we should be happy the GX is as capable as it is, and that Sir Jim is a mad-man. No rationale car company would (or does) make a Grenadier. Jeep had the perfect opportunity with the Grand Cherokee and Subrurban’d it, hard.

Just a little joke about the unicorn thing, but mostly wanted to point out how many I see.

Yeah, even with the real Defenders, it was really cool looking but there were not many takers. Like you said, it's tough to justify something that is not so daily friendly, especially given today's costs. I personally enjoy using the Grenadier as a normal road vehicle, but then again, I am lucky enough to jump into different vehicles if I get bored or worn out. Maybe it's age, but I generally don't quibble about slight differences in things like steering feel, 0-60, MPG, lateral grip, etc...