5th gen 4 runner vs LC250

[malden]

However I probably would pick a LC250 over a 5th gen 4Runner, just to avoid the under-powered 1GR

Rednexus, you are towing a trailer the size of a small apartment building, right? I can see why you want all this horsepower. I could not get that mini-motel on wheels back where I have to go with no road…..even with a helicopter! Seriously, I have seen the 4Runner with the 1GR do some pretty remarkable things here in AZ desert and hills with “no road.” It’s a very capable truck.

 

[Rednexus]

Rednexus, you are towing a trailer the size of a small apartment building, right? I can see why you want all this horsepower. I could not get that mini-motel on wheels back where I have to go with no road…..even with a helicopter! Seriously, I have seen the 4Runner with the 1GR do some pretty remarkable things here in AZ desert and hills with “no road.” It’s a very capable truck.

View attachment 3599851

I'm just spoiled by my 2UZ-FE with long-tube headers, a catback, a tune, and a CAI . Off-road, yes there is probably no difference. Unloaded on the highway, I'm sure the difference is there but not a big deal.

While towing on the highway the UZ can lug our 4,000-lb camper around all day at 65-70 mph. If there is a steep hill, putting it in a lower gear and getting it at that 3,400 rpm torque peak just pulls it right up no problem (and it sounds amazing). Then we can un-hook from the camper and go wheeling . I can't imagine trying to do that with something like 40-70 ft/lbs less torque that comes in at 1,000 rpm higher.

 

[Jetboy]

The 1gr is great. But it doesn't tow very comfortably. It pulls fine. It just doesn't have close ratios with the 5 speed and that often means it's spinning at high RPMs. The issue with that is that the A750 doesn't lock the torque converter in 3rd gear, and that's where it spends a lot of time. The heat is a non issue in my experience, but the efficiency suffers. Additionally the engine thermal efficiency seems to fall off a cliff at about 3k rpms. Similar highway trips with 4.56 diffs cost about 2-3mpg for me. That's 20% loss doing the same work.

And the engine in the 4Runner is balanced like a washing machine full of rocks. And it's poorly isolated. So in the cabin it feels like it's screaming. My experience is that it'll do it all day long without any real harm, but it isn't very nice to do as far as the comfort level. The 1gr with better balancing and significant improvements in isolation plus an 8 or 10 speed could probably tow very nicely. I'm my rx350 you can hardly tell if or when it shifts. Never feels strained. Same basic engine.

This is where I expect the new 2.4 turbo to do much better. It has a lot more power at 2500 RPMs than the V8 or the 1gr. Might even have more power at 2k rpms than the 5.7. so it'll be slow AF up the big passes where you really need 300+ hp. But really nice cruising at 150hp steady load and it'll feel a lot less stressed most of the time. The tundra 3.4 feels like it has endless power because it so rarely needs to dig deeper into the rpm range.

I'm cautiously optimistic that the 2.4 will be an improvement. Should out pull the 1GR. But I also don't think it'll tow well on mountain passes. It just doesn't have enough power.

 

[osb40000]

Does a fifth gen 4runner have beefier running gear than the new LC 250?

The GX550 has beefier axles than the Lqnd Cruiser. Curious how the 5th gen 4runner compares.

Really glad that I read this. I was under the impression that the LC would have the 9.5". Not very thrilled to find out it has the baby diff, especially since it's a big heavy vehicle with decent torque. This is pushing me back towards the GX550...

 

[Gr8Daneger]

Decisions Decisions!

 

[vantage78]

Decisions Decisions!

Decisions indeed. No full specs yet but here is a early release of the 6G 4runner

 

[ThRiLlGmYr]

Still need to see pricing, but right now I will take the new 6th Gen 4Runner Trailhunter over the new Land Cruiser. Beautiful truck.

 

[Patassa]

Still need to see pricing, but right now I will take the new 6th Gen 4Runner Trailhunter over the new Land Cruiser. Beautiful truck.

LC just became much less appealing imo. I can see how the LC Prado works in other markets, I can't see how it works in NA now.

 

[lonelydriver]

Man, I’ve got a first edition non marked up cruiser with my name on it but can’t understand why Toyota thinks someone would pay $76k for it when the gx is nicer , more powerful and bigger rear diff, and the 4Runner has everything and better suspension than the landcruiser for likely cheaper… cmon Toyota……

 

[Jetboy]

A few thoughts about the 4Runner. (not a fan of the looks)

Interior looks nicer in materials and finish, less good in layout. Loses pass through. Less leg room despite longer wheelbase. Cargo area looks better than LC250 in models without hybrid.

Has 3rd row optional!

cargo area is not fold flat.

Appears to have the same wheelbase and footprint as GX and LC250, but better suspension and more options - at least 6 suspension setups: TRD Pro fox adjustable bypass, TH 2.5" bypass OME shocks, TRD OR Bilstein RR, Sport ??, Base, and Active Variable in Limited and Platinum.

New platinum trim level.

AWD optional in unknown range, but std in LTD and Platinum. MTS and Crawl appear to be available in all trims now, ATRAC std in all models. All safety systems, adaptive cruise etc. std on all models.

Trailhunter seems to have a lot of content the LC250 doesn't. Could be Toyota's most capable OEM suspension setup ever for the dirt.

I'd still buy the LC250 at price parity because it looks a lot better. But the 4R seems like the better value if pricing is inline with Taco.

EDIT: also made in Japan confirmed

Appears to be very wide. Looks like it gains 10 inches in width over 5th gen. Probably at least 4" in reality. Already has wide body fender - sure to look cartoonish when someone puts wide body fenders on wide body fenders.

Rear doors look really small and not access friendly - kind of a head scratcher to combine with 3rd row.

 

[TWILLY]

The resemblance just came to me… Beavis; the long chin.

I’m surprised (but not) that they put 4Runner on the 112” wheelbase. That’s for decades been reserved for Land Cruiser, but that’s all changed now with the new platform, etc.

 

[W4632018]

Literally what are you even getting from the LC250 over a 4Runner. What a disaster. Toyota should have just sold a mid spec Land Cruiser 300.

 

[ThRiLlGmYr]

I have no idea about pricing, but Car and Driver has the TACOMA Trailhunter at $57k (EST) and TRD Pro at $65k (EST). That seems high for a Tacoma but reasonable for a 4Runner. If that is the case I would take a 4Runner Trailhunter over a 1958 and the TRD Pro over the "Land Cruiser" without question. How stupid that Toyota wanted separation between the LC and GX but not the LC and 4Runner. Of course, the Trailhunter and TRD Pro could actually be MORE expensive, which would be insane. Why even build the LC 250 in that case. I stand by what I have said all along. The LC should have come with the GX's V-6 to separate it from the 4 Runner.

Here is what would make sense to me. All LC and GX with the V-6. No GX Overtrail.

4Runner Trailhunter- $55k
4Runner TRD Pro- $60k
Land Cruiser- $60k
GX Premium- $65k
Land Cruiser Trailhunter/Overtrail- $70k
GX Luxury- $77k

 

[W4632018]

I have no idea about pricing, but Car and Driver has the TACOMA Trailhunter at $57k (EST) and TRD Pro at $65k (EST). That seems high for a Tacoma but reasonable for a 4Runner. If that is the case I would take a 4Runner Trailhunter over a 1958 and the TRD Pro over the "Land Cruiser" without question. How stupid that Toyota wanted separation between the LC and GX but not the LC and 4Runner. Of course, the Trailhunter and TRD Pro could actually be MORE expensive, which would be insane. Why even build the LC 250 in that case. I stand by what I have said all along. The LC should have come with the GX's V-6 to separate it from the 4 Runner.

“LC” 250 needs a V6, 3rd row seating, and a front locker. Definitely won’t happen. The only thing going for it: it’s not butt ugly like the 4Runner or GX550.

 

[TheLCProject]

Literally what are you even getting from the LC250 over a 4Runner. What a disaster.

You're getting the LC name, the LC price, but not anything that would make it befitting of the heritage of the flagship model.

 

[TWILLY]

Literally what are you even getting from the LC250 over a 4Runner. What a disaster. Toyota should have just sold a mid spec Land Cruiser 300.

Nobody will care except us. They look very different and have different names. That will suffice for the US market. They’ll sell both.

 

[ThRiLlGmYr]

Nobody will care except us. They look very different and have different names. That will suffice for the US market. They’ll sell both.

I just don't see that many people buying those LC's that wouldn't have happily bought a 4Runner if it was the only choice from Toyota. How many LC sales would be from other brands and not 4Runners? The GX makes sense. The LC no longer does to me.

 

[TWILLY]

Appears to be very wide. Looks like it gains 10 inches in width over 5th gen. Probably at least 4" in reality. Already has wide body fender - sure to look cartoonish when someone puts wide body fenders on wide body fenders..

That’s a huge change, and, alongside longer wheelbase, detracts from trail nimbleness. 4Runner just got a lot bigger. I wonder if it and the 250 share an identical frame.

 

[TWILLY]

I just don't see that many people buying those LC's that wouldn't have happily bought a 4Runner if it was the only choice from Toyota. How many LC sales would be from other brands and not 4Runners? The GX makes sense. The LC no longer does to me.

Well, I would choose the 250 because, all other things being similar, I think the 4Runner is hideous. But I don’t think most US consumers will notice or care about the mechanical similarities and redundancies that we do. They’ll see two distinct body styles and badges, each marketed to unique demographics. It’s all very superficial and Toyota knows it. I actually think 250’s stock went up quite a bit today given 4Runner’s odd proportions.

 

[Jetboy]

That’s a huge change, and, alongside longer wheelbase, detracts from trail nimbleness. 4Runner just got a lot bigger. I wonder if it and the 250 share an identical frame.

Sure looks like it. Looks like it shares the same footprint as the 250. Rear end looks weirdly square to me.