How would you compare the GW to the 200 ? As in size, ride, features, etc ??
First off, I completely agree about the looks of the 200 compared to the 100. The 100 is the better looking vehicle and, despite being conservative itself, looks interesting compared to the 200. That said, the 200 is rather bland/so-so rather than hideous like the new QX (opinions are subjective and may vary) and I bought it as I wanted an LC not the latest in fine art. (though at the best part of 80k some more thought would've been nice, 'Yota.)
On to the G. It is best compared to a super luxurious Defender from a "first impressions" standpoint. I owned a Defender 90 (TD5) when living in Europe and the proximity to the windshield and outer edges of the doors are something the two vehicles share.
Something I preferred on the G was the weight of the controls - from the steering to the brakes to the throttle. This is most likely because I am an Audi/BMW guy rather than a Lexus buyer where my sedans are concerned so the lightness of the Land Cruiser controls took some getting used to.
Maneuvering the G was easier as it was easier to see the outer edges of the truck. In the 200, it's hard to tell where the front corners begin and end. It has a camera for reversing, the G doesn't need one even with the spare will obstructing the view.
With the Land Cruiser, I feel a lot safer taking family and friends out. The G does fee very solid but there is no hiding it's 1970s underpinnings and a side impact would likely not end well. I have, touch wood, not been involved in a major accident yet but driving standards are decreasing year on year and speeds increasing so paint me paranoid and happier in the LC from this perspective.
The later years (I believe 07 and on) Gs received a new instrument cluster as the old ones were lifted from the W203 C-Class. They were fine but dated. That said, the interior felt very solidly put together. Of course, the doors all shut like bank vaults but as I mentioned in my earlier posts the finniky electrics mean opening them is not always as fun and often involved me crawling over from the other side.
The G has MASSES of room if you are moving FOUR people or LESS plus luggage. The vehicle is very narrow, something masked by the fender flares, so sitting in the middle of the second row is advised for short trips only. The height of the truck creates a real sense of airiness, there is so much headroom it's insane and this means the rear compartment can handle a lot more stuff than the LCs. Not sure if the numbers back this up, but in reality this is how it is. The LC can seat FIVE plus luggage on long journeys and, for shorter journeys, you can move 7 or 8 but then there's no room for gear.
The ride of the G is not bad at all. Like the LC, it will crash over certain bumps and this will be transmitted into the cabin far more than is say a modern Range Rover but it is not uncomfortable. The LC does suppress this better.
As regards handling, slowing down for corners is advisable in both as body lean is fairly noticeable. LC edges it though. Both have more than enough power, the LC has more but the G can now be had in G550 form (380bhp) or as a G55 AMG (a 5.4 liter which in 04 gained a Kompressor for 470bhp) though you'd need to redirect the tail pipes on the latter.
Off road, I do not do any rock crawling but do enjoy some mudding and some "medium grade trails". Both vehicles waltz this with with aggressive tread patterns, LC has more ground clearance, the G has better approach/departure angles. The G had f,r and center lockers from what I can remember and this is nice to have but for steep sloped the LC counters with decent control. I'll say no more on this as the subject has been trampled to death and I'm sure you know about getting trail ready than me.
In conclusion, both are great and rugged vehicles. They are crude on-road compared to X5s (the LC less crude), the LC has the more modern and spacious interior and rides a little better, the G is better looking but more common. For me, I had money to spend and had a shortlist of the LR4 (Great truck but 19s are the smallest wheel that will fit due to gimpy caliper design), RR(been burned in the past with engine and trans, too common), G550(had one, fun but dated), GL550(on-road only) and LC200. I chose the LC200 and am very happy with my choice and would do the same again.
Sorry for the huge post and let me know if you have any more questions. I'm sick so have the day off work hence the long winded reply.
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