2024 GX/Prado Release and Discussion (5 Viewers)

[Coupedncal]

It will be a Prado/GX platform with the all-new 2.4L TT i4 Hybrid MAX powertrain. People saw it in October at the dealer meeting but had their phones taken from them. Maybe something like this:

This is consistent with what we have heard. But the mystery remains how will they market this alongside the 4R and the Sequoia in the US.

Top tier = Sequoia
Mid tier = Prado?
Low tier = 4R?

There is so much overlap between the three that I am puzzled how will they market it? I was actually hoping they would take a different route with the LC and bring in a Wrangler / FJ40 type vehicle.

 

[jayp2]

Precious few Americans would plunk down north of 80 grand for a cloth interior work truck with a manual transmission and one single-cup holder.

Folks are already playing in that price range today

You price out a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup lately?

Granted, a 3500 with a 6.7 cummins has a much greater tow/carrying capacity.....but its still attached to a dodge body/running gear......and they stopped offering a 6MT

Stuff breaks/requires more maint than you average toyota

 

[cruiserdan]

Folks are already playing in that price range today

True, but you get air-conditioned leather seats, giant sun roofs, 8-speed automatics, radar cruise, 12-inch touch screen navigation, 15 cupholders, ad-nauseam.

 

[jayp2]

True, but you get air-conditioned leather seats, giant sun roofs, 8-speed automatics, radar cruise, 12-inch touch screen navigation, 15 cupholders, ad-nauseam.

Different strokes for different folks

Just priced out a "Big Horn" RAM with a 6.7 and 6spd automatic....has cloth seats, a wee little 5" screen and base infotainment....its 70k

You know the old expression....I purchased a cummins diesel engine....it just happens to be attached to a dodge.

If folks are plunking down this kind of cash for a 1 ton all day every day there's nothing that would lead me to believe they wouldnt happily beg toyota to take their money for a similarly equipped 70 series that will be far more reliable than the dodge chassis that the cummins comes wrapped in.

All I'm saying is that its not that they wouldnt sell....the major hurdle is production capacity and politics/regulatory burden to bring them to the US

 

[milesc3]

This is consistent with what we have heard. But the mystery remains how will they market this alongside the 4R and the Sequoia in the US.

Top tier = Sequoia
Mid tier = Prado?
Low tier = 4R?

There is so much overlap between the three that I am puzzled how will they market it? I was actually hoping they would take a different route with the LC and bring in a Wrangler / FJ40 type vehicle.

Agreed---And the GX470. I hope the one year delay that we started hearing about this month means they are reconsidering and might end up doing the 300 in the US.

 

[2021 LC200]

I would be greatly disappointed if Toyota brings back the Land Cruiser to the US and it will be the baby Prado version instead of the 300.

I guess the only upside is that I am glad I have a late model year 200, which in effect would remain the biggest and best Land Cruiser in the US, beside the unique 80, 60 and 40 series.

 

[Patassa]

It will be a Prado/GX platform with the all-new 2.4L TT i4 Hybrid MAX powertrain. People saw it in October at the dealer meeting but had their phones taken from them. Maybe something like this:

This would be pretty sweet, can't think of any reason to buy a 4Runner if this is on offer though.

 

[Patassa]

Simple branding. That is why they have an RX350 and an RX450h. And, earlier, the LS 460 and the LS600hl. The hybrids are the premium car.

Good point, forgot they did that.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Different strokes for different folks

Just priced out a "Big Horn" RAM with a 6.7 and 6spd automatic....has cloth seats, a wee little 5" screen and base infotainment....its 70k

You know the old expression....I purchased a cummins diesel engine....it just happens to be attached to a dodge.

If folks are plunking down this kind of cash for a 1 ton all day every day there's nothing that would lead me to believe they wouldnt happily beg toyota to take their money for a similarly equipped 70 series that will be far more reliable than the dodge chassis that the cummins comes wrapped in.

All I'm saying is that its not that they wouldnt sell....the major hurdle is production capacity and politics/regulatory burden to bring them to the US

A buddy of mine just bought a RAM identical to what you've posted here.
He tows a 5th wheel with it down the freeway at 80mph on the weekends. A Land Cruiser 70 wouldn't be able to do that.

Most 3/4 and 1 ton buyers need the power to tow a 5th wheel, or a construction trailer, or a toy hauler. A 70 series isn't going to do anything for them, so those buyers won't be buying them.

There are a few people that buy the heavy duty trucks for the image and actually don't do anything with them, but those buyers also aren't going to be buying 70 series.

Fleet managers get bulk discounts on the big 3 (classically) domestic brands, so they aren't going to be buying 70 series.

If Toyota were to bring the 70 series to US shores, they MIGHT sell 500 of them to enthusiast buyers, and then thats it. In ~23 years of being a cruiser nut, I know exactly 3 people who bought their Land Cruisers new, everyone else bought their Land Cruiser 2nd or 3rd hand. Toyota doesn't care about any buyer OTHER than the person who buys a new Land Cruiser.

 

[Brown98LC]

When the new US LC comes out that's based on the Prado, can you please go with the Prado/GX people and leave this forum for the real 300 owners.
Thanks. I don't like sharing my forum space with Prado owners.






..
Jokes aside, I am actually very interested in seeing how the new Prado and its twins will look, I think the US version will look different from the global Prado or maybe similar to one of the trims of the global Prado ( I am hearing the global Prado will have retro face options and other more lux options closer to the 300)

I don't doubt the US LC is going to be nice but we all know it isn't really the big daddy 300. Anyway you guys still get the LX, that will be the realest full fat LC you have?

I will tell you this though, with how great the LC300 drives and how nimble it feels, I am betting the next gen mid size TNGA offerings will be a blast to drive.

 

[Specialeyes]

There are a few people that buy the heavy duty trucks for the image and actually don't do anything with them, but those buyers also aren't going to be buying 70 series.

Ahh yes, the typical Texas truck owner.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Ahh yes, the typical Texas truck owner.

Lots of them in Utah too.
My neighbor has a RAM 2500 Power Wagon on 37's and it has never been offroad, never tows anything. It's just his DD.

 

[jayp2]

A buddy of mine just bought a RAM identical to what you've posted here.
He tows a 5th wheel with it down the freeway at 80mph on the weekends. A Land Cruiser 70 wouldn't be able to do that.

Most 3/4 and 1 ton buyers need the power to tow a 5th wheel, or a construction trailer, or a toy hauler. A 70 series isn't going to do anything for them, so those buyers won't be buying them.

There are a few people that buy the heavy duty trucks for the image and actually don't do anything with them, but those buyers also aren't going to be buying 70 series.

Fleet managers get bulk discounts on the big 3 (classically) domestic brands, so they aren't going to be buying 70 series.

If Toyota were to bring the 70 series to US shores, they MIGHT sell 500 of them to enthusiast buyers, and then thats it. In ~23 years of being a cruiser nut, I know exactly 3 people who bought their Land Cruisers new, everyone else bought their Land Cruiser 2nd or 3rd hand. Toyota doesn't care about any buyer OTHER than the person who buys a new Land Cruiser.

I never claimed it was apples to apples.....in fact I said it wasnt quite explicitly......its only that people are already spending that amount of coin on sparsely outfitted vehicles for personal use and the majority never pull a trailer heavier that something you could drag with a tacoma.

Tundra is selling for 40-60k
4Runner is 45k on average

The market is there, otherwise folks wouldnt be buying 25-30 year old imports from overseas with 100k plus for $30-40k and sometimes more.

manufacturing capacity, the need to cater to a single countries safety/bs and regulatory challenges are what will continue to keep the LC out of the US

 

[Madtiger]

Besides the solid axle in front, LC200/300 platform is stronger than LC70. So, if you need truck, then great…buy a Tundra, esp the new one…likely stronger than any LC70 (except for the front solid axle feature).

There is no reason to buy LC70 over LC200/300 or Tundra unless you just need something different. Kinda like how Jeep Wrangler owners have clamored for a Gladiator truck……and then no one buys it when Jeep makes them.

EDIT: i hear that LC70 rides like cement truck on a good day…so, yeah, it will be a sales disaster worst than Yugo if Toyota imports them.

 

[shelby95]

Lots of them in Utah too.
My neighbor has a RAM 2500 Power Wagon on 37's and it has never been offroad, never tows anything. It's just his DD.

This.
I’m pretty sure 3/4 and 1 tons are rarely cross-shopped with LC here in Texas. Just because someone spends upwards of $70k on pickup, doesn’t mean they’ll do the same for an LC…or a Porsche 911.

 

[milesc3]

When the new US LC comes out that's based on the Prado, can you please go with the Prado/GX people and leave this forum for the real 300 owners.
Thanks. I don't like sharing my forum space with Prado owners.






..
Jokes aside, I am actually very interested in seeing how the new Prado and its twins will look, I think the US version will look different from the global Prado or maybe similar to one of the trims of the global Prado ( I am hearing the global Prado will have retro face options and other more lux options closer to the 300)

I don't doubt the US LC is going to be nice but we all know it isn't really the big daddy 300. Anyway you guys still get the LX, that will be the realest full fat LC you have?

I will tell you this though, with how great the LC300 drives and how nimble it feels, I am betting the next gen mid size TNGA offerings will be a blast to drive.

I really hope they don;t bastardize the LC with a GX platform Prado. Just gives us the 300 is the US please.

 

[Specialeyes]

I really hope they don;t bastardize the LC with a GX platform Prado. Just gives us the 300 is the US please.

Why would it be considered a bastard? The current Prado is no slouch and is plenty capable for all but the absolute toughest terrain and conditions. It’s just a light duty version of the Land Cruiser.

300 LC is not coming to the U.S.

 

[Jetboy]

A 4.0 v6 4x4 Land Cruiser 79 pickup isn't $80k in most of the world. It's base price is equivalent to $39,745. Buy The New LC70 2022 in The UAE | Toyota - https://www.toyota.ae/en/new-cars/land-cruiser-pickup/ There's no magic. It's just a work truck at work truck prices. Unless you have a very specific need for it to be narrow, the base Tundra 4x4 is $41k and is a bigger more powerful truck that is nicer inside. Would it sell at $40k in the USA? I'm not sure. I think it would sell some, but not a ton. In large part due to the craptastic re-design of the Tundra front clip being so highly compromised for anyone looking for utility use. If you wanted to run a snow plow, or use around a ranch for example, the LC79 is better suited vs the plastics on the Tundra, but it probably also holds front weight better than a Taco IFS.

I don't think the rendering of a LC300 grill on a Prado is going to be the next LC for the USA. The new LC will (supposedly?) be about as similar to the Prado as it is to the 4R. Meaning it's neither Prado or 4Runner. More LC70 on Prado/4Runner running gear. What is the value proposition? I have no idea. Seems like there's got to be some sort of secret sauce we don't know about.

Food for thought - There are currently 3 (maybe 5?) midsize BOF off-road SUVs for sale in the USA; Bronco, wrangler, 4Runner (maybe LX600 and GX?). For Q1 2023 the Bronco already outsells the 4Runner by about 30%. Of total sales between the 3, Wrangler had 45k, Bronco 32k, and 4Runner 21k. For the 4Runner that is a 39% decline in sales from the same quarter last year. Toyota is losing a lot of sales in this segment by not having a Bronco/Wrangler direct competitor.

 

[TWILLY]

A 4.0 v6 4x4 Land Cruiser 79 pickup isn't $80k in most of the world. It's base price is equivalent to $39,745. Buy The New LC70 2022 in The UAE | Toyota - https://www.toyota.ae/en/new-cars/land-cruiser-pickup/ There's no magic. It's just a work truck at work truck prices.

This nearly 50 year old guy who still, since a teenager, drives the 1992 80 Series that his folks drove off the showroom, would eagerly plunk down forty grand for a similarly spartan 70 series that'll last my next and last three decades.

That's value: One lifetime, two trucks. Take my money.

 

[Jetboy]

This nearly 50 year old guy who still, since a teenager, drives the 1992 80 Series that his folks drove off the showroom, would eagerly plunk down forty grand (which is more in 2023 dollars than was the 1992 80 Series) for a similarly spartan 70 series that'll last my next and last three decades.

That's value: One lifetime, two trucks. Take my money.

Find a tundra you like. You can drive it a million miles and go highway speed! I think there's buyers. Just not a lot. The LC70 just isn't well suited for most of the USA that's built of wide lanes, 80mph speed limits, and big parking spots. It's just a square peg in a round hole.