Is the 250 the best size Landcruiser platform since the 40 series ?

[desmocruiser]

As best I can tell it only applies to light trucks and 2 door SUVs that are considered light trucks = basically vans like the Ford Transit or Sprinters in the commercial configurations. I think all 4 seat or more SUVs are exempt from the higher taxes. As are cab and chassis trucks. So you can import an LC79 so long as it doesn't have a factory bed on it and then add a flatbed here. The LC79 bed would not meet FHMV safety standards anyway - can't have the tie down hooks on the outside of the bed rail or anything else with a sharp corner on the outside.

Yes, that was once the qualifications, reasons for original mini trucks having beds added in Long Beach, 2 door 4Runners, Subaru Brats with seats in the bed etc. most of those type loopholes were discovered, utilized, and closed by the next administration. I think adding the truck bed in the US closed up in the 80’s/90’s?

One would have to go back and review Clintons Administration changes, Obama and the TPP, and separate Trumps threats and actions and to which countries (I recall he hammered China on SUVs and EVs) to sort the current impact on Japanese made Land Cruiser SUVs in 2023, it seems most changes over the years had a fairly long timeline to full implementation, I haven’t kept up with deep specifics in a long time.

Unfortunately, any report on the current status or expected changes will help us get a cheaper 300 or 70 series to the US anytime soon!

 

[desmocruiser]

I think for most folks, hybrid vehicles are a better solution than BEVs or HFCEVs. This is true whether it is Toyota's full hybrid system (THS 5) or its partial hybrid system (iForce Max).

Yeah, some of us traditional folks may or may not like it, but Hybrids whether added for fuel economy or additional power aren’t a real disadvantage other than the complexity, which we have plenty of already, and potential harvesting of and disposal of battery cells, but that toothpaste is already out of the tube!

 

[M1911]

Yeah, some of us traditional folks may or may not like it, but Hybrids whether added for fuel economy or additional power aren’t a real disadvantage other than the complexity, which we have plenty of already, and potential harvesting of and disposal of battery cells, but that toothpaste is already out of the tube!

Hybrids have tiny batteries compared to BEVs or even plugin hybrids. Many hybrids use old chemistries (not lithium) for which there is an established recycling network.

 

[Phillyd2]

The Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in America, is going hybrid-only. The Camry is available in a hybrid version now, but the redesigned 2025 Camry will be offered only as a hybrid car combining a gasoline engine with electric motors.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/15/business/toyota-camry-hybrid-only/index.html

 

[Corbet]

The Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in America, is going hybrid-only. The Camry is available in a hybrid version now, but the redesigned 2025 Camry will be offered only as a hybrid car combining a gasoline engine with electric motors.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/15/business/toyota-camry-hybrid-only/index.html

Logical move in my eyes.

 

[MoJ]

yeah - according to the specs- the low weight 2200kg - likely for the cloth seat 1958 which translates to 4860lbs....take out second row seats people and that 250series is 1100lbs lighter than a 200 !! that about explains the differences in tow capacity........and solidifies the 250 coming in at a few hundred pounds less than an 80 series.....wooohooo! I read somewhere the front overhang was like 7" shorter than the 200......cant find that link now.

You might be thinking of the below article that mention the LC250 being 7” shorter than the LX600. That article does a good job of comparing external dimensions to other Toyotas, some of which is incorrectly stated in this thread.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Is Cool, Affordable, Yet Honors the Original

It may not have a solid front axle, but it's also not a mall wagon—essentially, Toyota turned the clock back and forward at the same time.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[M1911]

You might be thinking of the below article that mention the LC250 being 7” shorter than the LX600. That article does a good job of comparing external dimensions to other Toyotas, some of which is incorrectly stated in this thread.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Is Cool, Affordable, Yet Honors the Original

It may not have a solid front axle, but it's also not a mall wagon—essentially, Toyota turned the clock back and forward at the same time.

www.caranddriver.com

If I’m reading this correctly, the 250 is almost exactly the same size as the 200.

“Compared to the old 200, the new model shares an overall width of 78.0 inches, stands only 0.8 inch shorter, and is just 1.2 inches stubbier front to back.”

The 250 is virtually the same size as the 200.

 

[Zill]

So the 250 is roughly the same size as the 200, but gets a significantly smaller cabin size because of the wide fender flares?

Everyone saying the 250 will be easier going down trails with the “smaller” form factor is not accounting for the wide fender flares they have to deal with. They essentially robbed interior space for more design appeal. (Form over function)

 

[M1911]

So the 250 is roughly the same size as the 200, but gets a significantly smaller cabin size because of the wide fender flares?

Yup

Everyone saying the 250 will be easier going down trails with the “smaller” form factor is not accounting for the wide fender flares they have to deal with. They essentially robbed interior space for more design appeal. (Form over function)

Yup.

One advantage of the narrower body through the doors is that it might be a bit easier to get in and out of the vehicle in a tight parking space.

Personally, I wish it had been made a bit narrower overall. I don’t need a vehicle the size of my 200.

 

[Corbet]

When your look at them side by side all the corners of the 250 look much smaller. I'm confident that will make it easer to maneuver on the trail or the mall. Even if the flares are the same overall width the tucked in body will still offer clearance advantages sometimes.

 

[desmocruiser]

When your look at them side by side all the corners of the 250 look much smaller. I'm confident that will make it easer to maneuver on the trail or the mall. Even if the flares are the same overall width the tucked in body will still offer clearance advantages sometimes.

View attachment 3483602

Exactly! As much as I love 200’s for what they are, they are big in places that are detrimental on tight trails.

Most notably the large rear hind end (after the low bumpers are addressed), I have witnessed a number of broken tail lights and scraped rear qtr panels, 60/80’s are a tight fit in many spots, the 200 pushes it over the limit and having seen the 250 in person, it will have a size advantage over a 200 and even a possibly a 100 on the trail.

 

[Brown98LC]

You guys will really enjoy how great the 250 is as a daily driver.
Based on my experience with the J300 ( which is pretty much the same platform but slightly larger body than j250), it is much better to live with around town on a daily basis vs any previous LC. It feels so much more nimble.
The same will apply to the 250 ( and probably even better )

Some may be initially put off by the noticeable lack of ( substantial heft ) which is greatly attributed to just how sluggish any LC/LX pre J300/310 drove.
For example my 5.7 LX 570 feels more heavy to drive around town than my 1GR J300.

Since you don't get the Toyota 300, just ask the Lexus J310 owners how much better it is to drive vs LX 570.

 

[CruiserLite]

Sounds like the LC250 utilizes the same frame as the 300 series? Is the new 4Runner using the same platform?

“The Prado now shares its underpinnings with the 300 Series, riding on the rugged and sophisticated TNGA-F ladder-frame chassis which is 50 per cent more rigid than the current-generation Prado, helping to increase overall vehicle rigidity by 30 per cent.”

https://www.toyota.com.au/news/all-new-toyota-landcruiser-prado-world-premiere-a-legend-reimagined

Yes the 250 is technically a prado, but this sounds like a beefy prado. Chassis is 50 percent more rigid? That’s a huge improvement. Maybe it falls somewhere between the ‘heavy duty’ LC and prado ‘light duty’. A ‘medium duty’ if you will. Sounds well balanced and as others have said, similar to the 200 in size although slightly smaller for better off-road performance.

 

[M1911]

Sounds like the LC250 utilizes the same frame as the 300 series? Is the new 4Runner using the same platform?

It uses the same platform as the 300 series. That is the same platform that is used by the Tundra, Tacoma, and Sequoia. Platform doesn't mean it is the same frame. The frame is related, but can be stretched (for the longer wheelbase Tundra and Tacoma) and strenghthened or weakened as needed by the vehicle.

So, the frame will be related to the 300's frame, but it won't be identical.

 

[CruiserLite]

It uses the same platform as the 300 series. That is the same platform that is used by the Tundra, Tacoma, and Sequoia. Platform doesn't mean it is the same frame. The frame is related, but can be stretched (for the longer wheelbase Tundra and Tacoma) and strenghthened or weakened as needed by the vehicle.

So, the frame will be related to the 300's frame, but it won't be identical.

That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.

Sounds like it is an improvement over the current J150 either way but still not quite a 300.

 

[M1911]

That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.

Sounds like it is an improvement over the current J150 either way but still not quite a 300.

I’d prefer something in size closer to the J150, as my 200 is bigger than I need. I think it is unfortunate that we aren’t getting the 300 (except as the LX), but considering how poor the 200 sales were I understand Toyota’s decision.

 

[Corbet]

200 sales would have stronger IHO if they did not equip them so close to the LX. Outside the offroad community who wouldn’t just pay a little more for the LX to get the slightly nicer trim and service that comes with the Lexus badge.

Toyota’s move makes perfect sense to me with the new 250 and hopefully they continue to offer a base model of it moving forward. Coming out of an 80 I’m supper happy with the size as well it’s near identical. A new FJC is rumored for those looking for smaller.

 

[M1911]

Coming out of an 80 I’m supper happy with the size as well it’s near identical.

No, it's not. It's the size of a 200, not an 80.

 

[Corbet]

No, it's not. It's the size of a 200, not an 80.

agree to disagree

 

[Knowbuddy]

agree to disagree

Closer to the 80 than 200 in my opinion. A little bigger than the 4Runner. But not nearly as bulky as the 200