At least at my local lexus dealership for a GX it's put down 1k to get on the list.
2024 GX/Prado Release and Discussion (10 Viewers)
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At least at my local lexus dealership for a GX it's put down 1k to get on the list.
The only thing I can imagine is that they keep the body style of the 4Runner and update the engine, transmission and dashboard etc and keep it otherwise as is. People will continue to buy it. It seems like an almost cult car in the States. In this way it might work all three models co-existing. What I don’t see is completely redoing the 4Runner and put it alongside a completely new LC. How different would they be (with what we know now?)
I find the vibe of the 4runner to be very cool in real life. It has an aura of Big Easy, strong and competent, about it. It’s pleasant, homey and comfortable. In German one would say “gemutlich.” It has the vibe for an SUV that the Porsche 356 has. And it is an endearing and handsome one. I was in a bar the other afternoon and a lady, the bartender owned a white TRD Pro. When I asked her about it, the entire place started to chime in about how great 4Runners are etc. Never seen anything like that.
No need to recite all the negatives of the 4Runner and I am sure there are many depending on one’s needs and driving style. It would not work at all in my terrain at home, but I sense that it is very competent offroad as some of you have suggested. I see lifted massive pickup trucks driving on the freeway here zipping in an out of traffic, slaloming at well over 100 mph. If sports car speed is what your need is, aerodynamics or gas mileage, then look elsewhere. I asked a local top level Porsche mechanic about the 4Runner and he said, “its a car I’d drive from here to hell and back.” Toyota should keep it as it is with a mild update. It is much better looking than what we have seen of the LC so far!
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I personally think there is room for the 4Runner down market from the LC but I will also go back to my old idea that the next 4Runner/FJ Cruiser could be brought out as the Wrangler/Bronco competitor for Toyota. I have never said that Toyota should not try and compete with Jeep and Ford, I just did not think it would be with the Land Cruiser nameplate.
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Hard (almost impossible) to imagine that they would keep the 4R the same and just tweak the powertrain – although a very interesting consideration. One would think if that’s what they were doing then it would have been the first to be announced. Coming so long after the GX and LC surely means something.
I think the 4Runner would have its own sheet metal and interior as well as the I-4 powertrains. Heck, they can even give it a removable top and doors if they want to aim for Jeep and Ford.
Man this thread has been an entertaining way to burn some time at work. Here's my take, which is worth less than a virtual grain of salt.
I feel like it's pretty obvious at this point what Toyota's plan is. We're getting the light-duty J150 successor branded as the "Land Cruiser" for US marketing purposes. To the majority of US consumers, they don't know s*** (or care) about J-designations or whether-or-not the "new Land Cruiser" is a true successor to the outgoing station wagon. They've done this in various markets already - nothing new.
It should come as no surprise that US marketing shows 40s, 60s, 200s along with the new J250 - those are the "Land Cruiser" widgets (to use my favorite @OGBeno term) that the US market knows and associates with the US "Land Cruiser" brand. It would be pretty strange if they showed a Toyota-badged J150 Prado that we never received here as the outgoing model in marketing material...
This is a US market release of the US-market "Land Cruiser" - it is not a global release, or a Japanese release, or an Australian release. Sure - those of us that know the J-designations and the underpinnings of the J-series trucks will be watching from other markets to get a glimpse of what they will likely receive as their "Land Cruiser Prado". We will see during those releases if they choose to drop the Prado name (like the 70 having the same "Land Cruiser" badge as the wagons), give it a new name, or just keep it the Prado. I bet you will see them marketing the "Prado" badge harder in those releases just like they did with the J150 releases in those markets.
Physical size comparisons between the J250 and J300 are not the only thing that matter. Spend some time under each truck, or just keyboard jockey some google searches, and you will quickly see the difference in almost all drivetrain components. Thinking the J250 is going to replace or be an equivalent to the J300 is silly.
Obviously what's going to happen with the 4Runner is the largest unknown, but honestly that seems to be clearing up with each announcement as well. It makes no sense for them to drop the 4Runner brand, it's worth too much and it was born out of the US market. My gut feeling and what makes the most sense from a line-up perspective will be for the 4Runner to shrink in size slightly (or remain the same-ish since the J250 is larger then the 4Runner-sized J150) and have all the same (smaller) engines that were announced with the Tacoma. I know they have done it before, but it just doesn't make much sense to me to have two trucks (J250 & new 4R) be exactly the same size. If they are the same size then the 4R will probably get very distinguishing features like the FJ Cruiser did (which was also a J-designation). So from smallest-to-largest you'd be looking at 4Runner/Tacoma -> J250 "Land Cruiser"/GX500 -> Sequoia/Tundra.
but once again - I couldn't be less qualified to assert that any of this will come to fruition, but its a fun mental exercise none-the-less.
I feel like it's pretty obvious at this point what Toyota's plan is. We're getting the light-duty J150 successor branded as the "Land Cruiser" for US marketing purposes. To the majority of US consumers, they don't know s*** (or care) about J-designations or whether-or-not the "new Land Cruiser" is a true successor to the outgoing station wagon. They've done this in various markets already - nothing new.
It should come as no surprise that US marketing shows 40s, 60s, 200s along with the new J250 - those are the "Land Cruiser" widgets (to use my favorite @OGBeno term) that the US market knows and associates with the US "Land Cruiser" brand. It would be pretty strange if they showed a Toyota-badged J150 Prado that we never received here as the outgoing model in marketing material...
This is a US market release of the US-market "Land Cruiser" - it is not a global release, or a Japanese release, or an Australian release. Sure - those of us that know the J-designations and the underpinnings of the J-series trucks will be watching from other markets to get a glimpse of what they will likely receive as their "Land Cruiser Prado". We will see during those releases if they choose to drop the Prado name (like the 70 having the same "Land Cruiser" badge as the wagons), give it a new name, or just keep it the Prado. I bet you will see them marketing the "Prado" badge harder in those releases just like they did with the J150 releases in those markets.
Physical size comparisons between the J250 and J300 are not the only thing that matter. Spend some time under each truck, or just keyboard jockey some google searches, and you will quickly see the difference in almost all drivetrain components. Thinking the J250 is going to replace or be an equivalent to the J300 is silly.
Obviously what's going to happen with the 4Runner is the largest unknown, but honestly that seems to be clearing up with each announcement as well. It makes no sense for them to drop the 4Runner brand, it's worth too much and it was born out of the US market. My gut feeling and what makes the most sense from a line-up perspective will be for the 4Runner to shrink in size slightly (or remain the same-ish since the J250 is larger then the 4Runner-sized J150) and have all the same (smaller) engines that were announced with the Tacoma. I know they have done it before, but it just doesn't make much sense to me to have two trucks (J250 & new 4R) be exactly the same size. If they are the same size then the 4R will probably get very distinguishing features like the FJ Cruiser did (which was also a J-designation). So from smallest-to-largest you'd be looking at 4Runner/Tacoma -> J250 "Land Cruiser"/GX500 -> Sequoia/Tundra.
but once again - I couldn't be less qualified to assert that any of this will come to fruition, but its a fun mental exercise none-the-less.
Toyota's New Land Cruiser "250" Makes World Premiere | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) has unveiled the new Land Cruiser "250" Series to the world, with the launch planned for the first half of 2024 in Japan. Also announced today is the heavy-duty Land Cruiser "70", which will make its return to Japan this coming winter as a regular model in the...
Looks like it goes live the next day in Toyota City-- "globally".
Looks like 8pm CST Aug 1st for the US, taking into account the 14 hour time difference.Toyota's New Land Cruiser "250" Makes World Premiere | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) has unveiled the new Land Cruiser "250" Series to the world, with the launch planned for the first half of 2024 in Japan. Also announced today is the heavy-duty Land Cruiser "70", which will make its return to Japan this coming winter as a regular model in the...global.toyota
Looks like it goes live the next day in Toyota City-- "globally".
Sounds about right with US and global launches. Too bad Humphries is VeeJaying it. Was hoping we'd hear from CEs instead.
Nice so we should be seeing both the GX and LC @ the MW Expo! Only 4 weeks out. @cruiseroutfit I realize it is unlikely you would drive them out to CO but I'm a one way $35 flight away if you need help getting them out here. I know most Toyota's high altitude test routes on the way here with a free pass thru RMNP 
BTW, this is the new part number for that split tailgate they were showing LOL... Has to be a touched up video as the far side looks one piece and the closer side sure looks split... I only noted this because I sat on my 80 tailgate just the other day at the reservoir as the rain poured down for 10 minutes while I drank a cold one. Reminded me how damn nice it is to have it....
BTW, this is the new part number for that split tailgate they were showing LOL... Has to be a touched up video as the far side looks one piece and the closer side sure looks split... I only noted this because I sat on my 80 tailgate just the other day at the reservoir as the rain poured down for 10 minutes while I drank a cold one. Reminded me how damn nice it is to have it....
It is hard to imagine, but consider this: Toyota sells six times as many 4Runners in the US as they do Land Cruisers in the EU plus Russia, Turkey, Ukraine etc, a comparable market size. So is that about 130,000 units a year, as in every blinking year? So, how lucky do you feel today? Ready to risk it all on a redesign? Roll the dice? Kiss it all good bye? Offer another 130K units to Ford and Jeep on the rebound?
Or how about this: “The 2024 4Runner is released. The TRD Pro color will be Terra. The engine will be a 4 cyl TT with an 8 speed transmission. New infotainment system as well. Stop by your local dealer and test drive one!” Done. Bank another 130K units for 2024 and from here to eternity.
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Toyota's New Land Cruiser "250" Makes World Premiere | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) has unveiled the new Land Cruiser "250" Series to the world, with the launch planned for the first half of 2024 in Japan. Also announced today is the heavy-duty Land Cruiser "70", which will make its return to Japan this coming winter as a regular model in the...
Looks like it goes live the next day in Toyota City-- "globally".
Not at the LC museum then? That’s a shame as it would have been the perfect venue.
The beyond obvious difference is that almost everyone is posting opinions, guesses and wishes while a very few were claiming inside information.
Or do you just think he’s a nifty dancer – in that case I agree.
Not sure about kissing it goodbye as opposed to replacing it with…… If the 4R had another name it would have sold just as well. If it had a LC name then maybe it would have sold even better.
If I was going to buy a 4R type truck and it was sitting at the dealer as a LC then there would be no loyalty to the 4Runner name if they are both Toyota.
The question remains: the new LC and similar 4R coexisting on the same dealer floor just makes zero sense.
The 4Runner will be smaller and have the same Tacoma engine options and priced lower.
Is a 4 runner based off the new ‘24 Taco out of the question? It seems they could easily modify the Taco into a SUV. Or is the new Taco still too small? Or better yet, maybe with the LC fitting in the line up, that’s what Toyota is going for?
Not sure that makes any more sense since when you do stop by, guess what else is sitting there? IF that was their plan then it would have been much easier and way more cost effective to pick one and then offer different engines / transmissions at different price points. And then there would still be no need to wait until next year to announce it. I think logic demand that it will be something different. And that might be basing it on the ‘24 Taco - which is a guess that does make sense.
Still a fun thought exercise. My first car was a ’70 Mustang and really loved how they used it and the ’69 for their reintroduction.
FWIW - that was not Toyota USA marketing. That's the Toyota Japan website. Not sure if that matters much, but it's the global marketing unless they have another launch and reveal for the Prado that is different.Man this thread has been an entertaining way to burn some time at work. Here's my take, which is worth less than a virtual grain of salt.
I feel like it's pretty obvious at this point what Toyota's plan is. We're getting the light-duty J150 successor branded as the "Land Cruiser" for US marketing purposes. To the majority of US consumers, they don't know s*** (or care) about J-designations or whether-or-not the "new Land Cruiser" is a true successor to the outgoing station wagon. They've done this in various markets already - nothing new.
It should come as no surprise that US marketing shows 40s, 60s, 200s along with the new J250 - those are the "Land Cruiser" widgets (to use my favorite @OGBeno term) that the US market knows and associates with the US "Land Cruiser" brand. It would be pretty strange if they showed a Toyota-badged J150 Prado that we never received here as the outgoing model in marketing material...
This is a US market release of the US-market "Land Cruiser" - it is not a global release, or a Japanese release, or an Australian release. Sure - those of us that know the J-designations and the underpinnings of the J-series trucks will be watching from other markets to get a glimpse of what they will likely receive as their "Land Cruiser Prado". We will see during those releases if they choose to drop the Prado name (like the 70 having the same "Land Cruiser" badge as the wagons), give it a new name, or just keep it the Prado. I bet you will see them marketing the "Prado" badge harder in those releases just like they did with the J150 releases in those markets.
Physical size comparisons between the J250 and J300 are not the only thing that matter. Spend some time under each truck, or just keyboard jockey some google searches, and you will quickly see the difference in almost all drivetrain components. Thinking the J250 is going to replace or be an equivalent to the J300 is silly.
Obviously what's going to happen with the 4Runner is the largest unknown, but honestly that seems to be clearing up with each announcement as well. It makes no sense for them to drop the 4Runner brand, it's worth too much and it was born out of the US market. My gut feeling and what makes the most sense from a line-up perspective will be for the 4Runner to shrink in size slightly (or remain the same-ish since the J250 is larger then the 4Runner-sized J150) and have all the same (smaller) engines that were announced with the Tacoma. I know they have done it before, but it just doesn't make much sense to me to have two trucks (J250 & new 4R) be exactly the same size. If they are the same size then the 4R will probably get very distinguishing features like the FJ Cruiser did (which was also a J-designation). So from smallest-to-largest you'd be looking at 4Runner/Tacoma -> J250 "Land Cruiser"/GX500 -> Sequoia/Tundra.
but once again - I couldn't be less qualified to assert that any of this will come to fruition, but its a fun mental exercise none-the-less.
I'm not sure what you're seeing underneath. I haven't seen a GX550 up close. What is it that you are seeing that's different? Other than the mufflers, I'm not sure I could tell which is which by looking underneath.
I’m guessing they stick with the 4 bangers in the LC, and leave the TTV6 for the GX to differentiate. Look at the grand highlander/TX; TX at least has the option for the top of line V6 hybrid, and the Highlander is capped with 4 banger power. With the GX only having been announced with one engine, I would think they would they would need to keep that exclusive to the GX, at least for now.
Other than a diesel I’m not sure anything is out of the question. Size may well an issue for the market if the new LC is the same size as the GX, which is bigger than the current 4R. To me personally, the current 4R or slightly smaller is the sweet spot.
The much more knowledgeable people here can better answer if a current 4Rish sized body can go on the Taco – makes sense to me that it could.
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