2018 vs. 2021

[PhatFIREGus]

Hi all,

I've heard that there wasn't much changed between 2018 and 2021 (please correct me if that's wrong), but can anyone confirm that there was no "drive feel" change as well? This is probably a naive question, but I test-drove a '21 yesterday and loved it, but can't convince myself to spend $90k. Should I expect a different ride/feel driving a 2018?

Thanks

 

[Heritage 2020]

The same drive feel as far as I can tell. My younger brother has a 2018 and mine is a 2020. We’ve swapped rides a few times.

The only ride difference is that he has King suspension and I have Icon suspension. Suspension and tires (P metric and LT) likely make the only difference.

 

[PhatFIREGus]

The same drive feel as far as I can tell. My younger brother has a 2018 and mine is a 2020. We’ve swapped rides a few times.

The only ride difference is that he has King suspension and I have Icon suspension. Suspension and tires (P metric and LT) likely make the only difference.

Recognizing I'm about to sound as new to this as I am: are those stock suspensions that are different, or did you each upgrade differently?

 

[Fisher23]

When was the eclectic tail gate and electric 3rd row rear seats introduced? Also I think thee is a tread on here describing the differences year to year.

 

[AnyMal]

When was the eclectic tail gate and electric 3rd row rear seats introduced? Also I think thee is a tread on here describing the differences year to year.

I think that was all 2018.

From there its only black edition on LX and HE on LC. As far as i know.

@TeCKis300 knows best.

 

[Madtiger]

are you talking about Toyota LC or Lexus LX?

For LC:

2020+: new front differential design…maybe better/stronger differential carrier??

2018+: KDSS bolt change, automatically power-folding outside mirrors, late-2018s have new radiator design, late-2018s have capacitive touch screen on center display, powered lift gate, non-mandatory rear entertainment, newer transmission software (flashable on 2016-2017), and new key (very cool) design.

2016+ LC also gains bigger front brakes, 8-speed auto, semi-aniline leather of the LX, and has better buttons arrangement than prior years.

 

[AnyMal]

are you talking about Toyota LC or Lexus LX?

For LC:

2020+: new front differential design…maybe better/stronger differential carrier??

2018+: KDSS bolt change, automatically power-folding outside mirrors, late-2018s have new radiator design, late-2018s have capacitive touch screen on center display, powered lift gate, non-mandatory rear entertainment, newer transmission software (flashable on 2016-2017), and new key (very cool) design.

2016+ LC also gains bigger front brakes, 8-speed auto, semi-aniline leather of the LX, and has better buttons arrangement than prior years.

Never knew front diff changed. Why?

 

[Madtiger]

Never knew front diff changed. Why?

It was changed in June 2019 for model year 2020.

Not sure if it is an improvement or not.

Link: Is there no Front E-Locker for 2016+ ?

See Eric Sargent’s post.

 

[LTSR]

are you talking about Toyota LC or Lexus LX?

For LC:

2020+: new front differential design…maybe better/stronger differential carrier??

2018+: KDSS bolt change, automatically power-folding outside mirrors, late-2018s have new radiator design, late-2018s have capacitive touch screen on center display, powered lift gate, non-mandatory rear entertainment, newer transmission software (flashable on 2016-2017), and new key (very cool) design.

2016+ LC also gains bigger front brakes, 8-speed auto, semi-aniline leather of the LX, and has better buttons arrangement than prior years.

i have an early 2018 build date with old radiator style and powered lift gate

 

[Heritage 2020]

Recognizing I'm about to sound as new to this as I am: are those stock suspensions that are different, or did you each upgrade differently?

We are all new at some point.

NOTE: Some of the other posters are commenting on other things. I’m only talking about drive feel and ride quality.

Neither of the Land Cruisers (mine/my brother’s) have stock suspension.

With stock/OEM suspension, they would feel exactly the same assuming they had the same tires inflated to the same PSI, and that the suspension wasn’t worn out on one of the vehicles. Also if the ‘18 or ‘20 carrying extra weight due to heavy accessories (rack/sliders/steel bumpers/etc) it could ride different as well.

How many miles do each LC have?

 

[TeCKis300]

I think that was all 2018.

From there its only black edition on LX and HE on LC. As far as i know.

@TeCKis300 knows best.

That's how I understand it. Electronics for those things got introduced on the LC in 2018.

are you talking about Toyota LC or Lexus LX?

For LC:

2020+: new front differential design…maybe better/stronger differential carrier??

2018+: KDSS bolt change, automatically power-folding outside mirrors, late-2018s have new radiator design, late-2018s have capacitive touch screen on center display, powered lift gate, non-mandatory rear entertainment, newer transmission software (flashable on 2016-2017), and new key (very cool) design.

2016+ LC also gains bigger front brakes, 8-speed auto, semi-aniline leather of the LX, and has better buttons arrangement than prior years.

Front diff, I'm pretty sure that only changed for both LC/LX when they went to the 8-speed in 2016. On account of the revised 3.307 gear ratio, which has a larger pinion. They had to reconfigure the ring gear carrier with a different deck height. Yes, that could mean it's strong as the larger pinion has more meat in each teeth.

It's why numerically larger diff ratios could also be interpreted as being weaker, aka 4.88 and 5.29s.

 

[PhatFIREGus]

We are all new at some point.

NOTE: Some of the other posters are commenting on other things. I’m only talking about drive feel and ride quality.

Neither of the Land Cruisers (mine/my brother’s) have stock suspension.

With stock/OEM suspension, they would feel exactly the same assuming they had the same tires inflated to the same PSI, and that the suspension wasn’t worn out on one of the vehicles. Also if the ‘18 or ‘20 carrying extra weight due to heavy accessories (rack/sliders/steel bumpers/etc) it could ride different as well.

How many miles do each LC have?

Thanks for all that. The the 2021 has 41,000 and the 2018 had 63,000. I was too slow on the 2018, and somebody else picked it up, but they were offering after a little negotiation 62k. The 2021 they were hard at 89.9

 

[Heritage 2020]

Thanks for all that. The the 2021 has 41,000 and the 2018 had 63,000. I was too slow on the 2018, and somebody else picked it up, but they were offering after a little negotiation 62k. The 2021 they were hard at 89.9

my ‘20 Heritage has 45.5k miles and is modified.

Even if it were stock, I’d not sell for $90k. Of all of my vehicles this is a keeper

Good luck in your search!

 

[04UZJ100]

2021 - potential reduction in QA/QC standards due to COVID protocols. I saw the toll silly quarantine and isolation requirements took on large manufacturing/production sites and ultimately frontline personnel morale that were run by big companies.

2018 - old style radiator depending on build date.

 

[IslandCruiser23]

2018 gets better MPG than 2021...

Compare Side-by-Side

Compare the MPG of cars and trucks side-by-side. Compare the gas mileage and greenhouse gas emissions of new and used cars and trucks

fueleconomy.gov

 

[prharper]

Thanks for all that. The the 2021 has 41,000 and the 2018 had 63,000. I was too slow on the 2018, and somebody else picked it up, but they were offering after a little negotiation 62k. The 2021 they were hard at 89.9

Bummer on the 2018.

FWIW - Late model 2018 LC (w radiator update) is the exact same as 2021 LC.

 

[ToothDr]

2021 - potential reduction in QA/QC standards due to COVID protocols. I saw the toll silly quarantine and isolation requirements took on large manufacturing/production sites and ultimately frontline personnel morale that were run by big companies.

you’ve seen data that Covid decreased quality control standards at Toyota?

 

[El Skywalker]

you’ve seen data that Covid decreased quality control standards at Toyota?

Quality has decreased across the board for all the major brands.
I had seen one guy in here bashing Toyota Quality, I laughed.
He failed to mention the other brands decline as well and the situation...

Maybe he would be better suited in a big 3.
If he thinks Toyota has declined, he apparently hasn't driven other brands recently.

 

[Madtiger]

Quality has decreased across the board for all the major brands.
I had seen one guy in here bashing Toyota Quality, I laughed.
He failed to mention the other brands decline as well and the situation...

Maybe he would be better suited in a big 3.
If he thinks Toyota has declined, he apparently hasn't driven other brands recently.

Second this. My Honda is 2022. Wheel bearing went out as soon as i drove it off the lot. Body panel gap is horrible.

 

[04UZJ100]

you’ve seen data that Covid decreased quality control standards at Toyota?

See other commentary.