200-series Pinnacle of "Land Cruiser" in the States?

[daneo]

In markets where the 200 wasn't sold or was discontinued, the 150 was just called "Land Cruiser" with no "Prado" distinction.

Though, it seems to me that Toyota/Lexus are just changing the styling to appeal to American buyers, and that the GX and anticipated Toyota variant are still built to the same durability mission as the J300/J310. Won't know until some parts are compared, but the comparisons in size/towing/engine/transmission/seats/wheelbase/cargo capacity point me to having a heavily shared architecture among GX/J300/J310 and future Toyota USA product. I'll leave it to the reader to form their opinion on the J300 styling, but it does have a very international flavor, especially inside, where some tweaks could be made to make the product more successful for the USA, without deviating much on the mechanicals.

 

[Heritage 2020]

I often think about self driving cars and off roading and how this will look. Will we go to no steering wheel in the future? Will this be the time we become part of the matrix and never leave our pod and just wear VR goggles and have some surrogate running around while we live in 15 minute cities eating bugs or whatever?

@Artie

The future of the Land Cruiser and society as a whole looks bright!

Codgers have been saying “pinnacle and this as good as it gets” since the dawn of man.

Life will continue just fine, until it does not.

 

[Polecat]

Land Cruiser, is that you?

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Looks like a Chinese knock-off.

 

[Sandroad]

Land Cruiser, is that you?

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One more slot in the grill and Jeep would be after them for trademark infringement.

 

[jefo13]

The confusing thing would be if the GX550 version from Toyota is a "Land Cruiser" then what is the fate of the 4Runner?

 

[TexasFunRunner]

Good point. Put together some key dimensions and the GX550 has grown a lot, tracking much closer to the 200-series size.

EDIT: adding LX570 specs, adding towing

	GX460	GX550	LC200 / LX570	LX600
Overall Length	4,880mm (192.1")	4,950mm (194.9")	4,950mm (194.9") / 5,080mm (200")	5,095mm (200.6")
Overall Width (w/o mirrors)	1,885mm (74.2")	1,980mm (77.9")	1,970mm (77.9") / 1,981mm (78")	1,991mm (78.4")
Overall Height	1,875mm (73.8")	1,920mm (75.6") 1,935mm (76.2") Overtrail	1,905mm (75") / 1,910mm (75.2")	1,885mm (74.2")
Approach / Breakover / Departure	21°/21°/23°	26°/23°/23° 26°/24°/22° Overtrail	30°/20°/21° LC 32°/24°/21° Heritage / 25°/20°/23° LX AHC N 27°/23°/27° LX AHC H	25°/20°/23° 27.4°/28°/26.3° (AHC H)
Wheelbase	2,789 (109.8")	2,850mm (112.2")	2,850mm (112.2")	2,850mm (112.2")
Track Width Front	1,585mm (62.4")	1,667mm (65.6") 1,687mm (66.4") Overtrail	1,648mm (64.9")	1,646mm (64.8")
Track Width Rear	1,585mm (62.4")	1,668mm (65.7") 1,688mm (66.5") Overtrail	1,643mm (64.7")	1,641mm (64.6")
Tires	265/60R18 (30.5")	265/55R20 (31.5") 265/70R18 Overtrail (32.6")	285/60R18 (31.5") 285/50R20 (31.2")	265/55R20 (31.5") 265/65R18 (31.5")
Curb Weight	5,130 lbs	??	5,953 lbs / 6,208 lbs	5,665 lbs
Towing	6,500 lbs	8,000 lbs	8,100 lbs / 7,000 lbs	8,000 lbs
GVWR	6,600 lbs	??	7,385 lbs / 7,385 lbs	7,230 lbs

Do you have a link for the source of these specs please?

 

[Specialeyes]

The confusing thing would be if the GX550 version from Toyota is a "Land Cruiser" then what is the fate of the 4Runner?

4Runner will most likely be the same as it ever was. Lots of different trim levels from the bare bottom basic SR 2WD up to a TRD Pro with the usual Fox bits. It won't be luxurious so I don't see how the GX matters one way or the other? Assuming new LC ends up being this purpose built off road vehicle I think the 4Runner fits in just fine doing what it has always done which is provide a good mix of capability, usability, and practicality across all trims.

 

[TeCKis300]

Do you have a link for the source of these specs please?

There's no singular source and it took a bit of researching and collating. Honestly there was a lot of cross-checking to verify some of the information as even more definitive sources were off or didn't have some things. And I invite that I could still be wrong so please let me know if that's the case.

That said, I prefer directly from the source via press releases where possible.

2025 Lexus GX - Luxury SUV

Experience the 2025 GX 550 luxury SUV, where capability and refinement intersect to take you beyond everything you once thought possible.

www.lexus.com

There's a link in that page for more detailed info - https://www.lexus.com/content/dam/lexus/documents/fcv/2024_Lexus_GX_Press_Release.pdf

 

[Brown98LC]

I have a 300 and spent so much time driving 200s ( I also own an LX570 FYI and have owned a few other 200s in the past), the interior bits and just overall exterior panels, don't seem to be as tight or as solidly put together in the 300 as they are in the 200.
I can't put my finger on if its the weight loss giving me this feeling or what but some things are honestly already giving me trouble in my 300 and its still pretty much brand new. I have the rear fender flare already coming off on one side, some rubber bits that I am not happy with and panel gaps that I would never accept if it had been done by a body shop let alone the great yoshiwara plant...Also my glove box when empty shakes a little and is not tight enough, with a huge gap on the side. The hood also flutters in a unacceptable way ( though I am hearing a fix is available but as of very late production 300s I can assure you it hasn't been fixed at the factory)


Don't get me wrong, the 300 drives beautifully and much better than the 200 honestly, and its more capable off road but it seems with the current TNGA-F roll out they are taking more time to fix some stupid issues.


Mechanically when it comes to frame/suspension; I don't doubt its better than the 300 or as good at least.
So mechanical bits aside, overall solid feeling of how well interior body bits are put together? I would say 200 series is still the best in that department.

I personally don't think ill purchase another 200 again as I already have one and even if I end up selling it, I wouldn't want to get another 200, I just don't like how they drive honestly. So I'll still take the 300 with its niggles but don't doubt they will all be ironed out in the upcoming model years...it has a very long life cycle ahead of it.

 

[Justdoit]

Looks like a Chinese knock-off.

Now, this is a Chinese knock-off

 

[jefo13]

4Runner will most likely be the same as it ever was. Lots of different trim levels from the bare bottom basic SR 2WD up to a TRD Pro with the usual Fox bits. It won't be luxurious so I don't see how the GX matters one way or the other? Assuming new LC ends up being this purpose built off road vehicle I think the 4Runner fits in just fine doing what it has always done which is provide a good mix of capability, usability, and practicality across all trims.

It matters if they use the same platform.

 

[OGBeno]

Many of them will buy the GX without complaint, because it’ll probably be a great vehicle. Meanwhile the majority of people that can’t afford a true J series have something great to buy too. Sounds like a win-win from Toyota’s perspective, in a market where the vast majority of buyers have no clue of or reason to care about the history of the “halo” Landcruiser.

The GX and Prado are J designated vehicles. As was the FJC.

4Runner and the rest of the BOF vehicles globally are not J designation platforms.

 

[Specialeyes]

It matters if they use the same platform.

It’s my understanding that a platform is just a set of shared components, a template or foundation if you will. Each vehicle built on a shared platform can have a unique chassis, frame, drivetrain, suspension, etc.

@Brown98LC did a good job showing what I’m trying to explain in his GX550 vs 300 Series LC comparisons.

 

[jl199986]

I have a 300 and spent so much time driving 200s ( I also own an LX570 FYI and have owned a few other 200s in the past), the interior bits and just overall exterior panels, don't seem to be as tight or as solidly put together in the 300 as they are in the 200.
I can't put my finger on if its the weight loss giving me this feeling or what but some things are honestly already giving me trouble in my 300 and its still pretty much brand new.

They’re using much more aluminum on the 600 in the doors and such, correct? Likely in the new GX now as well? I wonder if they’re hoping/relying on its damping qualities too much. I think it changes the feel noticeably. Surely the design and engineering matters as much or more than the material - the Germans are using aluminum and achieving quiet & solid feels. Still, I think it might be a difference I would notice.

I was thinking of trading in our ‘12 Highlander on a new CX-90. I test drove one- I thought the Mazda felt so lightweighted it actually felt a little cheap- nice surface treatments, but hollow with a styrofoamy timbre under things and loud road noise…. as I got back in our 120k mile Highlander I thought “why would I ever make that trade?” I then drove a new GX470 an hour later and with the 4WD, ample steel, and interior build just felt so solid, quiet & “reassuring”. (I decided we still have some need for one old car to abuse in the fleet for now…but the current supply of GX’470’s remains tempting. Whatever it is will be my daughters car when she graduates college next spring.)

I believe I also saw that the LX600 actually posted just slightly worse interior noise scores than the 200. (Car confections).

I may just be spoiled by my “pinnacle” 2020 HE. Just need it back from the body shop…..

 

[Brown98LC]

They’re using much more aluminum on the 600 in the doors and such, correct? Likely in the new GX now as well? I wonder if they’re hoping/relying on its damping qualities too much. I think it changes the feel noticeably. Surely the design and engineering matters as much or more than the material - the Germans are using aluminum and achieving quiet & solid feels. Still, I think it might be a difference I would notice.

I was thinking of trading in our ‘12 Highlander on a new CX-90. I test drove one- I thought the Mazda felt so lightweighted it actually felt a little cheap- nice surface treatments, but hollow with a styrofoamy timbre under things and loud road noise…. as I got back in our 120k mile Highlander I thought “why would I ever make that trade?” I then drove a new GX470 an hour later and with the 4WD, ample steel, and interior build just felt so solid, quiet & “reassuring”. (I decided we still have some need for one old car to abuse in the fleet for now…but the current supply of GX’470’s remains tempting. Whatever it is will be my daughters car when she graduates college next spring.)

I believe I also saw that the LX600 actually posted just slightly worse interior noise scores than the 200. (Car confections).

I may just be spoiled by my “pinnacle” 2020 HE. Just need it back from the body shop…..

the only aluminum used in the new GX is in the hood

2024 GX

LX 600/LC300 more use of aluminum

 

[chriscosta416]

Toyota USA is teasing the return of the Land Cruiser

 

[nor_cal_cyclist]

Land Cruiser, is that you?

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Hope not...I'm potentially searching for a replacement to my 200, and this look like a Wagoneer IMHO

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Toyota USA is teasing the return of the Land Cruiser

Can't wait

 

[Leelanau]

Can't wait

Don’t hold out on us! Out with it @cruiseroutfit!

 

[linuxgod]

Hope not...I'm potentially searching for a replacement to my 200, and this look like a Wagoneer IMHO

Ditto. If that’s the LC I kinda prefer the GX