Lexus RX vs Toyota 4Runner: Which Used Buy Wins?

As used buys (August 2026), the Lexus RX typically lists for $55,850 against $48,033 for the Toyota 4Runner (same model years — 2024–2026 — national medians from live listings). The Lexus RX takes fuel economy (19 MPG combined vs 18 MPG); the Lexus RX leads on NCAP safety (4.9★ vs 4.0★ average). Overall medians mix very different trims — at the cheapest common trims it's the 350 at $49,915 vs the TRD OFFROAD at $40,998; see the trim-by-trim tables for a fair match. Every figure below is live market data, not book values.

Head to head

Trim-by-trim prices (last 4 model years)

A fair comparison matches equivalent trims, not overall medians. Like for like: at the cheapest common trims, the Lexus RX 350 ($49,915) faces the Toyota 4Runner TRD OFFROAD ($40,998); the most common trims on the market are the 350 (80.7% of Lexus RX listings) and the SR5 (41.0% of Toyota 4Runner listings); at the top of the market, the 500H ($58,042) faces the TRD OFF-ROAD PREMIUM ($62,831). Share = portion of the model's trim-labeled used listings (a supply-side popularity signal: what the market actually stocks and sells most). “Cheapest”/“Priciest” mark the ends of the quotable trim range — trim ladders don't map one-to-one across brands, so this is not a factory base-model claim.

Rows are aligned by price position (both sides sorted cheapest-first), not by equivalent equipment — trim names never map one-to-one across brands. Full per-trim detail (price ranges, mileage) is on each model's price page: Lexus RX prices · Toyota 4Runner prices.

Used price by model year

Typical price = national median asking price of live listings for that model year (August 2026); MPG = EPA combined range across rated versions.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to buy used — Lexus RX or Toyota 4Runner?

Comparing the same model years (2024–2026), the Toyota 4Runner is cheaper: it typically lists for $48,033 versus $55,850 for the Lexus RX (national medians, August 2026).

Which gets better fuel economy — Lexus RX or Toyota 4Runner?

The Lexus RX: its typical rated version returns 19 MPG combined versus 18 MPG for the Toyota 4Runner (median across EPA-rated versions of the compared years).

Which is safer — Lexus RX or Toyota 4Runner?

By NCAP overall crash-test rating the Lexus RX averages 4.9 of 5 stars across rated years versus 4.0 for the Toyota 4Runner. Always check the specific model year's rating in the table above.

Which is more reliable — Lexus RX or Toyota 4Runner?

NHTSA lists an average of 0.7 recalls per model year for the Lexus RX and 4.4 for the Toyota 4Runner — an edge for the Lexus RX. Recall and complaint counts scale with sales volume, so treat them as context and check any specific car's VIN history.

Which trims should I actually compare?

Like for like: at the cheapest common trims, a Lexus RX 350 typically lists for $49,915 vs $40,998 for a Toyota 4Runner TRD OFFROAD; the most common trims on the market are the 350 ($49,915, 80.7% of Lexus RX listings) and the SR5 ($48,211, 41.0% of Toyota 4Runner listings); at the top of the market, the 500H ($58,042) faces the TRD OFF-ROAD PREMIUM ($62,831). Overall medians hide this trim mix — use the trim tables above for a fair match. Trim names never map one-to-one across brands, so "cheapest" means the least expensive trim with a real market share, not the factory base.

Dig deeper

Lexus RX — live listings & specs Toyota 4Runner — live listings & specs Lexus RX prices by year Toyota 4Runner prices by year Lexus RX MPG by year Toyota 4Runner MPG by year

See also: All model comparisons · Best used cars by budget · Used car prices by model.