Very true. I have a 2012 LUX and a 2014 GL 450. I like the looks of the LR4 better, but the GL is a superior vehicle. Ride, comfort, engine, etc... it all goes to the GL. Off road, the LR4 would likely be better unless you get the off road package for the GL. Then you'd be pretty close again. The standard GL will raise vehicle height, but maybe not as much as the LR4.
The GL is MUCH quicker and faster. I like driving both and so does my wife. We agree that they are both some of the nicest vehicles we've had.
I agree mostly, but I thought I would make a few comments.
The ride of the LR4 is good but it doesn't match that of the GL. I think of the GL almost as a lifted S-classe. Both have good engines,I have not driven an LR4 or a GL 450 with a V-6 though, neither the LR4-SCV6 or the GL450-TV6, I can only speak to the V-8s that they both previously had. Off-road the LR4 wins hands down. No competition there. As far as quickness goes, on paper the GL 450 is slightly quicker but when driving the two I don't feel it's noticeable. Both are plenty quick for what they are.
I think the GL is a great vehicle and we've considered getting one multiple times, but I think it's a completely different vehicle than the LR4. I don't really think there is a vehicle that directly competes with the LR4.
With the direction that Land Rover is moving, as of late, I think I am going to keep our LR4 for a long time. We(especially I) really like it, I think its a near perfect blend of off-road capability, utility and luxury and ours has been very reliable, far more so than the Lexus GX it replaced. The wife will probably get a GL or an LX to replace the LR4 as the "family transport vehicle". The LR4 will be used as my weekend vehicle and I will probably drive it to the office, on occasion. I just can't trade it in because I like it so much and I am afraid it's going to be the last of an iconic breed.