2024 GX/Prado Release and Discussion (1 Viewer)

[desmocruiser]

I still have a challenge understanding Toyota’s US marketing team. If toyota Australia can sell a boatload of the new 70 Series in a tiny market like Australia i would think the US team could, with the right marketing, do at least as well in the US even with the Chicken Tax.

Just give us this:

2023 Toyota LandCruiser 70-Series review | RACV

The updated Toyota LandCruiser 70-Series is still more old than new, but one key upgrade adds to the appeal of the brand’s toughest, and most elusive, off-roader.

www.racv.com.au

Great idea, but I couldn’t imagine Toyota being very successful in selling $80-$90k 70 series Land Cruisers in the US, heck they couldn’t sell $80-$90k 200 series (which is the best built vehicles since the 80 series) and they had far more features that American’s demand.

Even with the current Overland craze, 70 Series trucks would far exceed the Tacoma, 4Runner, Jeep cost of entry most are willing to pay.

My bet is still a Prado version Land Cruiser for the US to get the price point closer to $70k than $100k. In general, Americans are such a sucker for gimmicks, it could be the Land Cruiser TrailHunter or something similar!

 

[FJ73Texas]

My bet is still a Prado version Land Cruiser for the US to get the price point closer to $70k than $100k. In general, Americans are such a sucker for gimmicks, it could be the Land Cruiser TrailHunter or something similar!

“Trail rated“ Prado sounds about right or TRD TrailHunter Pro.

 

[Gr8Daneger]

I still don’t see why they can’t just make the 70 and 300 series special order only models! It seems it would be a simple way to tell what people are interested in.

Heck, while your at it include the Prada anything and watch NO one buy one.

 

[greynolds]

I still don’t see why they can’t just make the 70 and 300 series special order only models! It seems it would be a simple way to tell what people are interested in.

Heck, while your at it include the Prada anything and watch NO one buy one.

For the 70 series, they would need to go to the effort of getting it certified for sale in the USA first - crash testing, EPA certification, etc. If they ended up going through all of that and only selling 1000 per year, it wouldn't be worth it for them or the price they would need to charge to recover those costs and make a profit just wouldn't make sense.

For the 300 series, I'm not sure if having the LX already in the market would make the process any easier. But special orders don't seem to be a thing for Toyota dealers, so that would probably be a challenge. The most feasible option, IMHO, would be an off-road trim level of the LX that has an aftermarket friendly bumper, 18 inch wheels, etc. Do most of us really care that much if the badge says Lexus or Toyota if we're otherwise getting the vehicle we want?

 

[Gr8Daneger]

For the 70 series, they would need to go to the effort of getting it certified for sale in the USA first - crash testing, EPA certification, etc. If they ended up going through all of that and only selling 1000 per year, it wouldn't be worth it for them or the price they would need to charge to recover those costs and make a profit just wouldn't make sense.

For the 300 series, I'm not sure if having the LX already in the market would make the process any easier. But special orders don't seem to be a thing for Toyota dealers, so that would probably be a challenge. The most feasible option, IMHO, would be an off-road trim level of the LX that has an aftermarket friendly bumper, 18 inch wheels, etc. Do most of us really care that much if the badge says Lexus or Toyota if we're otherwise getting the vehicle we want?

I understand they have to get them certified, but they already know what it take to pass all certifications. Just send 5 stripped down versions over for crash testing so we can start ordering. I know they will sell much more than 1000/yr. Also, once the overlanding community sees what the 70 LC can do they will sell even more.

People want cheep Toyotas but in the end $70-90k trucks are going to be the norm.

Lastly, I for one will never own a Lexus, so that is not an option.

 

[greynolds]

I understand they have to get them certified, but they already know what it take to pass all certifications. Just send 5 stripped down versions over for crash testing so we can start ordering. I know they will sell much more than 1000/yr. Also, once the overlanding community sees what the 70 LC can do they will sell even more.

People want cheep Toyotas but in the end $70-90k trucks are going to be the norm.

Lastly, I for one will never own a Lexus, so that is not an option.

Understanding what it takes to pass all certifications may be a big part of why they haven't brought them over. Land Rover stopped bringing the old Defender into the USA because they would have had to make pretty massive changes to continue doing so. Given how many LC200's they were selling here per year, I'm not as confident they would sell many 1000's of 70 Series here per year.

The branding thing has always puzzled me - it's the same as Chevy people who would NEVER buy a GMC and vice versa. If it's the same product and what I want, I really don't care. Maybe that's just me .

 

[TonyP]

IH8Mud drinking game;

Take a shot every time someone mentions the 70-Series in this 300-Series thread.

Have EMS on standby.

 

[stonepa]

Great idea, but I couldn’t imagine Toyota being very successful in selling $80-$90k 70 series Land Cruisers in the US, heck they couldn’t sell $80-$90k 200 series (which is the best built vehicles since the 80 series) and they had far more features that American’s demand.

Even with the current Overland craze, 70 Series trucks would far exceed the Tacoma, 4Runner, Jeep cost of entry most are willing to pay.

My bet is still a Prado version Land Cruiser for the US to get the price point closer to $70k than $100k. In general, Americans are such a sucker for gimmicks, it could be the Land Cruiser TrailHunter or something similar!

Have you priced a base big 3 SUV these days? Find a Tahoe that is actually being built that isn’t $70-80k. Heck Highlanders are going for $50-60k. Try to buy a reasonably priced, well equipped Big 3 pickup. Everything is expensive today.

Somehow Toyota can price the new 70 series vehicles in, say, Australia ,from an equivalent of $48-60k US dollars.

Right now there is zero in any manufacturer’s US available 4x4 lineup that I would buy, even if it was actually available. Glad my 200 is only 8 years old.

 

[Specialeyes]

Have you priced a base big 3 SUV these days? Find a Tahoe that is actually being built that isn’t $70-80k. Heck Highlanders are going for $50-60k. Try to buy a reasonably priced, well equipped Big 3 pickup. Everything is expensive today.

Somehow Toyota can price the new 70 series vehicles in, say, Australia ,from an equivalent of $48-60k US dollars.

Right now there is zero in any manufacturer’s US available 4x4 lineup that I would buy, even if it was actually available. Glad my 200 is only 8 years old.

If push came to shove I’d go with a F150 Tremor with the base 5.0 V8 but ya, I felt the same way looking at all of the 2023 models at the NTX auto show yesterday. None of the “latest and greatest” really excited me.

 

[desmocruiser]

Have you priced a base big 3 SUV these days? Find a Tahoe that is actually being built that isn’t $70-80k. Heck Highlanders are going for $50-60k. Try to buy a reasonably priced, well equipped Big 3 pickup. Everything is expensive today.

Somehow Toyota can price the new 70 series vehicles in, say, Australia ,from an equivalent of $48-60k US dollars.

Right now there is zero in any manufacturer’s US available 4x4 lineup that I would buy, even if it was actually available. Glad my 200 is only 8 years old.

Second that on the 200!


I think the 70 series is a bit more than $60k currently and are sold out in Australia, the current rate is $90k+ USD to get into a newish one and I would imagine they would be another $20k+ per unit to offer them for sale here with all the US requirements of emissions and safety, if it was even possible.

Also, it is currently a diesel which doesn’t sell well in the US outside of the 3/4 ton and above segment. But most importantly and by a wide margin, the biggest factor is the way we utilize vehicles in the US. The good sellers are high tech, soft riding, luxurious vehicles used to carry family comfortably. There isn’t much of a market in the US for what would be considered a stripped down incredibly capable long lasting 70 series outside of our niche, unfortunate but reality.

The next best dream is a redesigned 70 series, whenever that happens, would be be offered in the US, I frankly think that may be as realistic as the 300!

There is so much change at Toyota, the global supply chain, rising material/production cost, and the future of combustion engines, they probably have several different potential directions on the table, none of which have fully been determined.

 

[stonepa]

Second that on the 200!


I think the 70 series is a bit more than $60k currently and are sold out in Australia, the current rate is $90k+ USD to get into a newish one and I would imagine they would be another $20k+ per unit to offer them for sale here with all the US requirements of emissions and safety, if it was even possible.

Also, it is currently a diesel which doesn’t sell well in the US outside of the 3/4 ton and above segment. But most importantly and by a wide margin, the biggest factor is the way we utilize vehicles in the US. The good sellers are high tech, soft riding, luxurious vehicles used to carry family comfortably. There isn’t much of a market in the US for what would be considered a stripped down incredibly capable long lasting 70 series outside of our niche, unfortunate but reality.

The next best dream is a redesigned 70 series, whenever that happens, would be be offered in the US, I frankly think that may be as realistic as the 300!

There is so much change at Toyota, the global supply chain, rising material/production cost, and the future of combustion engines, they probably have several different potential directions on the table, none of which have fully been determined.

Agreed. As for pricing, I was going from the articles reviewing the newly updated version, converting MSRPs from AUS to US dollars.

Not saying they need to necessarily bring the 70 series here. But it sure would be nice to get the styling, simplicity, solid front axle with coils, and a naturally aspirated gas engine. The FJ Cruiser was horrid looking in my eyes. But a modern FJ60/70? I think it would sell.

 

[Gr8Daneger]

Agreed. As for pricing, I was going from the articles reviewing the newly updated version, converting MSRPs from AUS to US dollars.

Not saying they need to necessarily bring the 70 series here. But it sure would be nice to get the styling, simplicity, solid front axle with coils, and a naturally aspirated gas engine. The FJ Cruiser was horrid looking in my eyes. But a modern FJ60/70? I think it would sell.

My calculations (aud to usd) puts the GR-Sport (only trim that matters) about $102k and the 70 Series 70th anniversary wagon about $53k. Both are totally doable numbers in my book.

 

[hl krawler]

70 series wont pass crash testing, IIRC the only reason its sold in AUS is because its a "farm/work" truck not a regular consumer car so it snakes around some regulations that a normal car would have to pass.

AKA it will never be sold here no matter how much you want it, just gonna have to wait 25 years or bring one in stripped down and put the cab and engine on a different chassis.

 

[Jetboy]

I think there already is a modern fj60.
View attachment 3253584
View attachment 3253589

 

[stonepa]

70 series wont pass crash testing, IIRC the only reason its sold in AUS is because its a "farm/work" truck not a regular consumer car so it snakes around some regulations that a normal car would have to pass.

AKA it will never be sold here no matter how much you want it, just gonna have to wait 25 years or bring one in stripped down and put the cab and engine on a different chassis.

Yep but wouldn’t it be nice if Toyota took the cue of Ford and built a new 70 series equivalent they could sell in North America? Apparently the Ford Bronco and Jeep Rubicon are doing quite well in the market. My guess is a similar Toyota would as well.

 

[hl krawler]

Yep but wouldn’t it be nice if Toyota took the cue of Ford and built a new 70 series equivalent they could sell in North America? Apparently the Ford Bronco and Jeep Rubicon are doing quite well in the market. My guess is a similar Toyota would as well.

Ya an actual retro version of a great vehicle they made, not that abomination they called the fj cruiser.

 

[greynolds]

Ya an actual retro version of a great vehicle they made, not that abomination they called the fj cruiser.

Yup, make it actually look like an FJ40, much like what Mercedes has managed to do with the G-wagon and Jeep has managed to do with the Wrangler. I have a hunch that a modernized FJ-40 that actually looks very similar to the original and has the off road chops and ruggedness to match would sell like crazy and could be a huge nightmare for Jeep and Ford as long as the price is reasonably competitive.

 

[UZJ100LC]

Yup, make it actually look like an FJ40, much like what Mercedes has managed to do with the G-wagon and Jeep has managed to do with the Wrangler. I have a hunch that a modernized FJ-40 that actually looks very similar to the original and has the off road chops and ruggedness to match would sell like crazy and could be a huge nightmare for Jeep and Ford as long as the price is reasonably competitive.

I really think the market is big enough for bronco, jeep, and a new fj40. This segment of vehicles has really taken off in the last few years especially since the pandemic and the rise of the Instagram/tik-tok/YouTube influencer channels. Less and less people are buying smaller cars. Ford doesn't even sell sedans anymore in the US market which is crazy

 

[rex in bama]

If a Kia Soul had sex with a FJ Cruiser and created a child....it would be that Compact Cruiser.

Actually I don't think the concept itself is a bad idea for the North American market but I can't get over how abhorrent it is to put the cruiser name on it. Call it something else and don't make it try to be a cruiser in any way, shape or for

 

[Jetboy]

Kinda relaying info from another pretty reliable source - carmaker1. Take it with a grain of salt:

New Taco drops around April 5th - probably debut and be on display on NYIAS.

June 1st or later in the summer, the 2024 MY Land Cruiser will be revealed.

4Runner is not being delayed or redesigned to compete with the Bronco/Wrangler. It will continue its mission statement and not deviate.

(Assuming that's correct - an evolutionary update. Presumably stays a 2/3 row BOF SUV with 4 doors and ranges from $40-60k. I'd guess it retains similar boxy styling and 110-114" wheelbase. Unfortunately it probably means the top engine is a T24A. I think the 4runner mission statement has always been 2cyl short of a decent powerplant.)

The Land Cruiser will be the bronco/wrangler competitor from Toyota with the prestige nameplate and higher price.

My editorialization: The Land Cruiser nameplate isn't worth a lot in North America to most buyers. I wouldn't pay more for a 4Runner if they swap the badge to say Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser Prado is less expensive than the 4Runner in the markets they both exist. If it's not a removeable top, as the suggestion that it is the same vehicle as the new GX will be implies - I'm not sure how Toyota will differentiate it from the 4Runner. It can't just be a 4 door BOF wagon that's the same size but more expensive. No one will buy it. And I don't think anyone really wants a short wheelbase 4Runner that costs more..

Where does that leave it? I'm not sure. Very curious to see what actually comes out. If it's anything like the recent BOF models - it'll just be a retro styled 4Runner with poor visibility, a LC badge, and a higher price tag.