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2024 GX/Prado Release and Discussion
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My mk7 golf R was the worst turning car I’ve ever owned.
@Knowbuddy is that Meteor Shower color similar to a dark Thunder Cloud color in person? Surprised they aren’t doing a lighter silver.
It’s similar but not quite the same.
Our 2001 1gen Sequoia we had turned tighter than all of the sedans we had, and my 460 is one of the only vehicles we own that can do a full 180 in our street in one go.
No pano roof (thank goodness). Unclear about a HUD, but I doubt it. The GX550 will be available with a HUD.
I have seen some photos online that show a pano on the first edition trim. Maybe those are not official.
IMO, HUD should be standard for a top trim vehicle.
I drove a gen 1 Raptor for 11 years and the window drop was easily my least favorite feature of that truck. It meant you could not drive your arm comfortably on the window frame on a beautiful day, and it interfered with any drive-through tasks like banking or food. At least it doesn’t effect the front seat passengers here.
Anyone else noticed the raised rear cargo floor? It look like the interior trim is designed for a 3rd row seat that isn’t available in the US. Not sure what’s under the raised floor- perhaps batteries?
The auto interior YouTube channel above had a GX video that shows different cargo trim for a vehicle without a 3rd row.
The auto interior YouTube channel above had a GX video that shows different cargo trim for a vehicle without a 3rd row.
The raised floor is the hybrid battery.
When I look up the brake diameter for the 300 I'm finding 13" - 14", I'm not sure what is correct for the 300, do you know?
The reason that is key, the 250 has 17" brakes so with the caliper it looks like 18" wheels are the minimum.
Both vehicles that were at the museum had 18 inch wheels. certain 17 inch wheels might clear the calipers.
If Jeep and Power Wagon can have solid axels and be successful, why can't Toyota do the same with Land Cruiser?
Put it this way, if it were an option, the take rate would be less than a manual transmission, maybe 5% - 10% of sales. Enthusiasts are a small percentage of overall sales. Auto manufactures know Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) are much more important to the majority of the buying public.
Not disagreeing at all but...
But what if it weren't an option? What if Toyota just made the Wrangler competitor that the LC250 was alleged to be when it was first announced? About every 3rd vehicle on the road around here is a Wrangler. Half of those are running 35's or lager. Probably less than 10% actually see dirt. Broncos and jacked up 3/4 ton trucks also make up a large portion of vehicles on the road.
Maybe it's a regional thing and not seen across the country, but there is certainly a market for the "hardcore off roader" or at least the perception there of. I think this perception plays into the psychology of vehicle sales every bit as much as ride quality. People seems perfectly happy to spend their money on a loud, rough riding, solid axle 4x4 when a crossover or sedan would be a more practical choice.
I'm also not sure I agree that a solid front axle means poor handling and ride quality. As an example, Land Rover did fine for many years with solid axle Discoveries and Range Rovers.
I understand the whole global platform thing and the logic in engineering and manufacturing, but it's left us with what will be 3 versions of the 4Runner by 2025. The LC250 is cool, but there is nothing exciting about it for me.
I also fully recognize that I'm and enthusiast and Toyota hates me.
EDIT to add: IFS isn't the only be of the world, but I do believe Toyota could have done better to set the LC250 apart.
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Ford for the Bronco and Toyota for the Land Cruiser looked at market requirements and did not see a need for solid axles. I was looking at Broncos, until I saw how poor of quality they are, but saw a bunch of people mention, I looked at and drove Jeeps but didn't want the harsh ride and death wobble. Further, many mentioned any trip over 3-4 hours was not pleasant.Not disagreeing at all but...
But what if it weren't an option? What if Toyota just made the Wrangler competitor that the LC250 was alleged to be when it was first announced? About every 3rd vehicle on the road around here is a Wrangler. Half of those are running 35's or lager. Probably less than 10% actually see dirt. Broncos and jacked up 3/4 ton trucks also make up a large portion of vehicles on the road.
Maybe it's a regional thing and not seen across the country, but there is certainly a market for the "hardcore off roader" or at least the perception there of. I think this perception plays into the psychology of vehicle sales every bit as much as ride quality. People seems perfectly happy to spend their money on a loud, rough riding, solid axle 4x4 when a crossover or sedan would be a more practical choice.
I'm also not sure I agree that a solid front axle means poor handling and ride quality. As an example, Land Rover did fine for many years with solid axle Discoveries and Range Rovers.
I understand the whole global platform thing and the logic in engineering and manufacturing, but it's left us with what will be 3 versions of the 4Runner by 2025. The LC250 is cool, but there is nothing exciting about it for me.
I also fully recognize that I'm and enthusiast and Toyota hates me.
Independent suspension has ruled for years, while maybe Land Rover can do solid axles at a higher price point, it really does not enter into the conversation in the mid market.
Power Wagon sales are tiny. Jeep sales are great, but just how much of that market Toyota could get is an open question.
The 70 Series would need to be completely redesigned to be US legal and Toyota hasn't ever done a complete redesign on it.
I have found this thread quite entertaining and despite all of our individual wants, needs and complaints, I hope Toyota sells the LC250 by the 10's of thousands!
One thing they can do in future to switch over any US 200 owners who don't want o get a 250 Prado/LC is possibly introduce an overtrail trim LX 600, it would be expensive but it would attract those who never had an issue with previous LC price and would be a nice off road flagship of Lexus sitting above the GX 550 as well as becoming kind of like an off road halo product for Toyota/Lexus in the US market.
They would also sell a lot of them in the Middle East so offering it for the select few who want in the US wouldn't be an issue, even if they end up selling little.
They already offer a triple locked version of the LX 600 in Japan anyway so the base for such a trim level is already available.
if done properly, that could end up being a very nice product honestly.
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