The Secret Toyota Doesn't Want You To Know: Toyota 4Runnner vs Lexus GX Slip Test & Off-Road

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We've NEVER had a traction issue in the GX460. Its will take you anywhere. KDSS is a genius hydraulic sway bar disconnect that significantly increases offroad articulation. Wheel slip is DESIRABLE in many conditions, snow, mud, soft sand. GX defaults to TRAC in 4H and ATRAC in 4L. TRAC is like an LSD. ATRAC is like a locker. The system is phenomenal. These are Landcruiser Prados.

I would like to see some sort of a leaderboard for the slip test, like rank the vehicles and put it into a list of sorts

For folks who are interested: We did film this right before Lexus teased the new GX...it's only been 14 years 😆. Find out more about that here: tflcar.com/2023/05/2024-lexus-gx-teaser-may-news/

People talk about the gas mileage for the GX because of it's V8 and full time 4wd. My '18 TRD Pro 4Runner got 15 MPG and my '23 GX gets 16 mpg.

What I like about a center differential is that if youre offroading and need to make a sharp turn but still need better traction than 2wd you can just unlock the center diff and make a full lock turn with no binding and pushing. With a chain drive even off pavement there is going to be binding of the drivetrain and the turning radius is reduced becasue of the binding up of the drivetrain.

You guys REALLY need to get your hands on a 4Runner Limited for these tests. The Limited uses a Torsen Center Differential (the only 4Runner Model to use one) for its full time 4-Wheel Drive System. The beauty of the torsen is that not only is it a fully mechanical gear system (and incredibly reliable) but the Torsen is designed to automatically lock itself in the case of one axle getting more power due to slippage. This is great for bad weather as you can leave the center differential unlocked 99% and let it lock itself as conditions dictate. I own a 2020 Limited and I have locked the system into 4-Wheel Locked maybe a dozen times, and this is living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where our winters are brutal and can dump 24" of snow on you without warning.

You guys do more tests than any other website that I know. That is why I watch you guys 4X/day. When I was a kid in the 1980's & 1990's, I would have to drive 15 miles to the University to read all of the car magazines. Now, I can read it all from home. No gas. No time..

Thank you. I never get tired of watching 4Runner videos.

My 2011 4Runner Trail has everything the Lexus does at that time.....the KDSS, the whole ball of wax. Thing is pretty much unstoppable off road AND incredible reliability.

My wife has a 2015 GX. It’s a tank. So solid. By far the best vehicle we have ever owned.

Always love the slip test, but even better showing it functionally afterwards. Keep these up Tommy.

I'll never understand why so many 4wd vehicles have so much front-end trim so close to the ground. If you're heading out in snow, you risk damaging it. Love my 4R TRD Pro, nothing low to the ground.

The KDSS on that GX460 helps wayyyy more than you think. Just having the additional articulation keeping tires on the ground keeps you out of a lot of sticky situations. My ‘15 Land Cruiser had it and the articulation was a massive advantage.

For winter driving, give me the full time 4wd of the GX or 4Runner Limited anytime. Much easier to live with with no binding on the road and if you get stuck at low speed, you just lock the center diff.

Morale of the story is Toyota/Lexus make great traction control systems and it makes light off-roading easy. The A-Trac system is an EZ button that makes even the most inexperienced driver extremely capable in most light off road situations with just the stock set up. It's why it hasn't changed and is still relevant.

The full time torsen 4wd is the best I’ve ever had. Even when I go off-road I rarely find myself needing to lock the center diff. And not needing to think about 4wd is also nice when the weather can change quick.

Great video! I have a 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Lexus GX470 in N.A.) that only has ABS, but no traction control. It does, however, have full-time 4WD with low range and a locking Torsen transfer case and I have never been stuck on the trails that I frequent. Love the Toyota/Lexus products. Just as an aside, the past tense of "spin" is "spun" not "span."

The KDSS is so good on the GX too. Look at the articulation in the Trenches.

Tommy, I love your slip tests on the 4wd awd systems!! Keep them up! They're so much fun to watch!!