200 Vs. 250 FE - Owners Perspective

[Zill]

I really think we are getting way too hung up on the term 'Land Cruiser' and forgetting it has, throughout the past, been used to identify many different vehicles / types / etc.

So Toyota called it the Land Cruiser. OK. I get it. Likely 60% marketing and 40% because it's the light duty Land Cruiser Prado with pretty decent off road chops for those eager to use it off road. So why would anyone even think its trying to serve as a direct descendent to the 200 Series, especially because there already IS a direct descendent. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be called a Land Cruiser.

So can we just move on?

I have a 2024 GX550 OT+. I have a 2015 200 Series. They aren't the same. I don't expect them to be the same. Just enjoy each of them on their own merits, for Pete sake.

You nailed it on the head.

Owning both a 200 and a 250, they both excel in their own right.

If people keep trashing on the LC 250 (like Doug DeMuro is doing) without looking at any of the positives of the rig, then you can say good riddance to the Station Wagon LC ever coming back to the States. If the 250 doesn’t sell well, the Land Cruiser is completely dead here in the States.

Also, I can’t get behind a video where the same reviewer trashed on his 200 because he would leave it sitting and rotting next to an ocean for months at a time, and be surprised that he had electrical problems.

 

[hoot504]

If people keep trashing on the LC 250 (like Doug DeMuro is doing) without looking at any of the positives of the rig, then you can say good riddance to the Station Wagon LC ever coming back to the States. If the 250 doesn’t sell well, the Land Cruiser is completely dead here in the States.

Maybe, maybe not. Doug trashes the 250 for the power train more than anything. That’s an immutable characteristic that has nothing to do with the model badge slapped on the back. If the product sucks, trash it. Maybe Toyota will think twice about watering down a capstone product in the future.

 

[Zill]

Maybe, maybe not. Doug trashes the 250 for the power train more than anything. That’s an immutable characteristic that has nothing to do with the model badge slapped on the back. If the product sucks, trash it. Maybe Toyota will think twice about watering down a capstone product in the future.

But it doesn’t suck.

I’m way more happy to have the hybrid 4 popper compared to the TTV6 in this new generation powertrain. One is actually not having problems while the other will cost Toyota in the billions.

Conveniently enough, he didn’t once mention the problems with the TTV6 in his Sequoia? Maybe it’s because he owns one and doesn’t want to admit the issues they are having?

Who has to foot the 30k repair bill when the design flaw hits people out of warranty? And that alone will hit the resale value of any rig with the TTV6.

By the way, new NHTSA reports show the 2025 Tundra TTV6 motors are already failing, after they “fixed” the bearing issue…

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I found it odd that he never brought up the 300 even though he actually reviewed one 3 years ago. Instead he takes the approach of comparing the 250 to the wagons of the past that we got here in the states.

He mostly compares it to the current Sequoia, 4Runner and GX and feels all three of these are more "compelling" to buy than the new Land Cruiser.

Doug doesn't like the turbo 4 power but he didn't seem very impressed with the V8 dependability in his 200 series either. After spending $13K on repairing all likely failure points in the engine, plus brakes, etc. he sold it after failures from TPMS and 2nd alternator in 6 months.
Bad move, Doug!

 

[hoot504]

But it doesn’t suck.

I’m way more happy to have the hybrid 4 popper compared to the TTV6 in this new generation powertrain. One is actually not having problems while the other will cost Toyota in the billions.

Did you buy a 250? I know there’s a cliche about people owning the previous model s***ting on the new one but I think reality is the other way around. If I’d just bought a 250 I’d be justifying it too. From the outside (200 owner) it does not look like an upgrade in any way. If the new product is worse than the old then I think it’s fair to say it sucks. Yeah it’s cheaper but who cares?

 

[Zill]

He mostly compares it to the current Sequoia, 4Runner and GX and feels all three of these are more "compelling" to buy than the new Land Cruiser.

Doug doesn't like the turbo 4 power but he didn't seem very impressed with the V8 dependability in his 200 series either. After spending $13K on repairing all likely failure points in the engine, plus brakes, etc. he sold it after failures from TPMS and 2nd alternator in 6 months.
Bad move, Doug!

He’s wrong on the aesthetic argument. The 250 is better than the new 4Runner due to not having the underbite double chin front grill treatment, and the rear quarter glass is a miss because it messes up the natural body lines.

The 250 looks very close to the 60 series, which is one of the best looking SUV’s of all time.

Also, he is wrong about the 3rd row in the 4Runner. It’s only available in non-hybrid models, which if he thinks the 4 cylinder hybrid is a dog, then not having the instant torque from the hybrid will really leave him disappointed.

 

[Rednexus]

He mostly compares it to the current Sequoia, 4Runner and GX and feels all three of these are more "compelling" to buy than the new Land Cruiser.

Doug doesn't like the turbo 4 power but he didn't seem very impressed with the V8 dependability in his 200 series either. After spending $13K on repairing all likely failure points in the engine, plus brakes, etc. he sold it after failures from TPMS and 2nd alternator in 6 months.
Bad move, Doug!

I subscribed to and watched Doug's videos for maybe 2 years or so. Like many YouTubers/Influencers, what starts as interesting content (and some really cool cars) kind of degrades into a self-absorbed host that gets annoying to watch. I actually think one of the last videos of his I watched was his initial review of his personal LC200 on the beach in MA.

At this point I'm down to two vehicle-related channels I watch with any regularity and two non-vehicle channels. YT is circling the drain of brain rot and clickbait....finding good content is like wading through commodities of Amazon....all the same product with a slightly different name.....

 

[Zill]

Did you buy a 250? I know there’s a cliche about people owning the previous model s***ting on the new one but I think reality is the other way around. If I’d just bought a 250 I’d be justifying it too. From the outside (200 owner) it does not look like an upgrade in any way. If the new product is worse than the old then I think it’s fair to say it sucks. Yeah it’s cheaper but who cares?

I own both a 2016 200 and a 250 FE. I can directly compare both of them in my driveway, and each have their pros and cons.

The 250 is an upgrade for a daily driver over the 200. It’s way easier to drive around town and sportier than the 200, plus it has more comfortable seats. I would hands down choose the 250 over the 200 if it were my daily rig. Easier on gas and easier to drive.

The 200 feels like a brick house and a tank on the road. That has its appeal and something that is very special about, thus I won’t ever want to get rid of my 200 because you can’t buy this type of car anymore. The 110k LX 600 doesn’t have the tank feeling either.

 

[MRego]

The 110k LX 600 doesn’t have the tank feeling either.

I beg to differ. Just test drove one this past weekend and felt the same tank feeling as I feel with my 200, but much nimbler and planted when making sharp turns. Of course, I did not buy one (yet), otherwise I would be defending it much more, like 99% of people do when buying a new car to justify their purchase. It is just human nature.

 

[Zill]

I beg to differ. Just test drove one this past weekend and felt the same tank feeling as I feel with my 200, but much nimbler and planted when making sharp turns. Of course, I did not buy one (yet), otherwise I would be defending it much more, like 99% of people do when buying a new car to justify their purchase. It is just human nature.

Did you drive one with AHC? Have they finally fixed the suspension flutter when going over bumps?

The LX 600 got the weight reduction treatment as well and has thinner interior plastic and sheet metal when compared to the 200/570. I test drove the LX 600 two times and felt the same way about it. It was not worth the 40k price premium, and in no way is it a replacement for the 200/570 either.

 

[MRego]

Did you drive one with AHC? Have they finally fixed the suspension flutter when going over bumps?

The LX 600 got the weight reduction treatment as well and has thinner interior plastic and sheet metal when compared to the 200/570. I test drove the LX 600 two times and felt the same way about it. It was not worth the 40k price premium, and in no way is it a replacement for the 200/570 either.

I think it all comes down to preference/perception. Yes, i drove a Luxury trim, so it had AHC. i did not really feel the suspension that bad and I mainly left in Sport mode. I did see the hood trembling, so I agree it had some reduction in body panels here and there. Interior plastics felt pretty good and the leather is extra supple when comparing to my 200 (I do have the HE, so the leather is a bit rougher than the base model). I also agree the $40k premium is a tough pill, but a lightly used grocery gather can lower this difference to $20k or less. Starts to make sense in my mind to get a bit more modern platform. Have not made my mind yet, but I do have time since plan to wait a bit on 2023s lowering prices. Not risking a 2022 engine. What I am sure is that I would have a hard time parting ways with my HE.

 

[Joshuak172]

Did you drive one with AHC? Have they finally fixed the suspension flutter when going over bumps?

The LX 600 got the weight reduction treatment as well and has thinner interior plastic and sheet metal when compared to the 200/570. I test drove the LX 600 two times and felt the same way about it. It was not worth the 40k price premium, and in no way is it a replacement for the 200/570 either.

Im curious about this as well. I test drove a 600 on 3 separate occasions and each time felt that it had some extra movement in the AHC over the bumps which was unfortunate. It was a great car otherwise, well screwed together.

 

[185]

I like how influencers and car aggregators websites/journalists study trends on social media including forums like this, and then create a video essentially monetizing talking points. Hats off to these folks!

 

[Specialeyes]

I think a lot of folks attribute the heavy steering and lumbering barge like handling of the 200 as a “tank” like feeling. Then when they get into a modern vehicle, even a modern iteration of that same vehicle (I.E. a 300 Series LX) which has lighter steering and more nimble handling characteristics it’s suddenly not a tank in their mind. Personally I prefer the latter but don’t mind the former either. The 200 is just modern enough in that regard.

I’m more put off by the lesser refinement of the new Prado twins. Obviously there was cost cutting measures made across the entire line up but at least (to me anyways) the LX still feels like a premium vehicle.

 

[Zill]

Im curious about this as well. I test drove a 600 on 3 separate occasions and each time felt that it had some extra movement in the AHC over the bumps which was unfortunate. It was a great car otherwise, well screwed together.

Yeah, this new generation of the hydraulic AHC is having issues with large undulations (train track type bumps) where the suspension doesn’t know what to do when you hit these bumps, thus the fluttering occurs.

 

[Zill]

I think it all comes down to preference/perception. Yes, i drove a Luxury trim, so it had AHC. i did not really feel the suspension that bad and I mainly left in Sport mode. I did see the hood trembling, so I agree it had some reduction in body panels here and there. Interior plastics felt pretty good and the leather is extra supple when comparing to my 200 (I do have the HE, so the leather is a bit rougher than the base model). I also agree the $40k premium is a tough pill, but a lightly used grocery gather can lower this difference to $20k or less. Starts to make sense in my mind to get a bit more modern platform. Have not made my mind yet, but I do have time since plan to wait a bit on 2023s lowering prices. Not risking a 2022 engine. What I am sure is that I would have a hard time parting ways with my HE.

I would wait until the face lifted models come out in the next couple of years. This body style will be plagued with low resale value in the long term due to the engine recall.

 

[hoser]

I think a lot of folks attribute the heavy steering and lumbering barge like handling of the 200 as a “tank” like feeling. Then when they get into a modern vehicle, even a modern iteration of that same vehicle (I.E. a 300 Series LX) which has lighter steering and more nimble handling characteristics it’s suddenly not a tank in their mind. Personally I prefer the latter but don’t mind the former either. The 200 is just modern enough in that regard.

FYI, the LC300 still has more traditional hydraulic steering while the LX600 has Electric Power Steering.

 

[TWILLY]

This guy is so unbearable. My house plants wilt at the sound of his voice.

 

[Navyator]

He’s wrong on the aesthetic argument. The 250 is better than the new 4Runner due to not having the underbite double chin front grill treatment, and the rear quarter glass is a miss because it messes up the natural body lines.

The 250 looks very close to the 60 series, which is one of the best looking SUV’s of all time.

Totally agree, the new 4Runner looks very juvenile to me, inside and out. I don’t know how he can hate on the 250 interior, I think it looks perfect for what I would want in a vehicle. And if the 60 and 80 look as good as they do 30+ years later, the 250’s looks are going to hold up just as well.

I also very much disagree with him saying “serious off-roaders would pick a sequoia”… maybe I’m out of touch but that seems laughable to me.

I really do think people just look for things to confirm their preconceived biases. I’ve driven a GX460, GX550, and the LC250; I felt the 250 was the best of the bunch. Was not overly impressed with the V8 or TTV6 and would rather have the increased economy and immediate torque of the electric motor.

 

[185]

I do wonder how redundant the LC250 will become once 4R and GX550h are on dealer lots?