Land Cruiser 250 versus Land Rover Defender

[Phillyd2]

My biggest question about the LR is why compare it to the LC? LR is purely for the highway. The appropriate Toyota comparator for that is a Highlander/Grand Highlander or rx350/TX. Why not choose the vehicle that's optimized for the way you're actually going to use it?

Appreciate the laugh

 

[TWILLY]

But it had an untraceable coolant leak, both headlights went out, speakers popped, the rear doors locked shut requiring a software reinstall to open them back up. All told I estimate I had about $16,000 worth of warranty repairs. My SA got me in and out easily and quickly with a loaner but eventually the time to keep going back 2-3x a year and the potential out of warranty service costs made me take my beating and sell it out of warranty.

It truly was an amazing vehicle.

It sounds amazing.

 

[joseywales]

If you watch the Top Gear video linked above, the twits from Brit actually didn’t have many good things to say about the Defender. It was an offroad test involving the Ineos, GWagen, Defender and Land Cruiser 250. Cliff notes? The G was their choice over the LC by a very slim margin, but the G being £160,000 and the LC being £80,000 led to them giving the win unanimously to the Toyota. (Don’t get me started on why we can’t have diesel LCs in North America. Phucing morons in government).

 

[stonepa]

(Don’t get me started on why we can’t have diesel LCs in North America. Phucing morons in governme

I think you have never driven a diesel powered Toyota land Cruiser. I’ve spent a lot of time in diesel 200s, various 70s, the 300, Hilux, and recently a Prado / 250. Other than the vastly better mileage (hence range) I would not trade a gas powered Toyota for a diesel. Slow, noisy, high maintenance, and slow. And slow. Maybe great for the markets they are sold in but not suited for US roads at all.

Toyota USA knows what sells. And a diesel Toyota is not one of them, atleast for North American driving needs.

 

[malden]

I have only ever driven diesel powered Landcruisers, and in my mind, Landcruisers are diesels. And the 250 transformed by the 2.8l diesel power plant on offer in the EU and around the world is no exception. It simply assumes the character and utility we expect from the greatest all purpose vehicle line ever made: 33 mpg, over 700 miles of range, 7800 pounds of towing, off-road chops to rival the very best and onroad prowess for its reliability, economy and steadfastness. All of this without the engine clatter trap of the 4 cylinder petrol hybrid version.

Did I mention it is slow? Makes sense, its a Landcruiser.

I am ordering a 250 with the 2.8l diesel in France and that is something I never thought I would write on this forum. It will replace a couple of cars. That’s how good it is.

The 250 becomes a Landcruiser, when the Landcruiser is a diesel.

 

[joseywales]

I think you have never driven a diesel powered Toyota land Cruiser.

And I think YOU have exactly zero clue what you are talking about. I have personally owned 3 diesel Land Cruisers, and I have driven 40, 60, 70, 80 and 100 series diesels on 3 different continents.

Not everyone needs, or wants a gas powered vehicle, nor is everyone in a hurry. In the future, just stick to speaking for yourself.

 

[TWILLY]

I have only ever driven diesel powered Landcruisers, and in my mind, Landcruisers are diesels. And the 250 transformed by the 2.8l diesel power plant on offer in the EU and around the world is no exception. It simply assumes the character and utility we expect from the greatest all purpose vehicle line ever made: 33 mpg, over 700 miles of range, 7800 pounds of towing, off-road chops to rival the very best and onroad prowess for its reliability, economy and steadfastness. All of this without the engine clatter trap of the 4 cylinder petrol hybrid version.

Did I mention it is slow? Makes sense, its a Landcruiser.

I am ordering a 250 with the 2.8l diesel in France and that is something I never thought I would write on this forum. It will replace a couple of cars. That’s how good it is.

The 250 becomes a Landcruiser, when the Landcruiser is a diesel.

With that efficiency and range, it’s a nice touring platform.

 

[bj70bc]

defenders are ugly, Lc250 or grenadier looks way better

 

[stonepa]

And I think YOU have exactly zero clue what you are talking about. I have personally owned 3 diesel Land Cruisers, and I have driven 40, 60, 70, 80 and 100 series diesels on 3 different continents.

Not everyone needs, or wants a gas powered vehicle, nor is everyone in a hurry. In the future, just stick to speaking for yourself.

Ok big guy. Sounds like you and I have had vastly different experiences driving the same vehicles. My experience is in southern Africa and southwest Asia. Imagine driving any of those diesels on a US freeway. Or in the mountains at highway speeds. They are horrible. Even the modern turbo diesels. But you do you.

 

[malden]

Freeway speed limits in the EU average 80 mph while those in the US tend to be 55-65mph. Modern diesel engines, that account for about 80% of engines powering European cars and trucks, handle even the rigors of the Autobahn with aplomb. So I would see no objective reason for the Toyota 2.8l diesel engine or any other modern diesel engine having any problem in US driving conditions whatsoever since they have zero problems in more rigorous EU climes.

Having driven quite a bit on US roads, I would feel very comfortable driving a 250 powered by the proven 2.8l diesel anywhere.

If you are talking about the suitability of vintage Landcruisers with 88 horsepower engines like the 2LT as Autobahn cruisers, I would tend to agree that they are not ideal for high speed highway use.

But the subject at hand is modern Toyota diesel engines that are sold almost exclusively world wide (except for the USA.) And Toyota knows very well what the WORLD wants, so they supply diesel engines.

 

[stonepa]

I drove a new Prado with the 2.8 diesel. It is very slow to accelerate. It would be risky in most US cities to accelerate and merge a vehicle this slow on to a high speed freeway where cars are driving 70-80 mph (or more). Back roads? 2 lane highways? Sure. But not suitable for modern American high speed roads.

 

[TexasHusker]

defenders are ugly, Lc250 or grenadier looks way better

thought provoking.

 

[987R]

I drove a new Prado with the 2.8 diesel. It is very slow to accelerate. It would be risky in most US cities to accelerate and merge a vehicle this slow on to a high speed freeway where cars are driving 70-80 mph (or more). Back roads? 2 lane highways? Sure. But not suitable for modern American high speed roads.

2.8l diesel LC250 0-60 is 9.6 seconds

My 2024 Sprinter with a 2.0L diesel 0-60 is 10.40 seconds

I put a ton of miles on Sprinters with these numbers, and find them very suitable to American roads. Zero issue IMO.

 

[bj70bc]

thought provoking.

im a deep thinker

 

[joseywales]

Sounds like you and I have had vastly different experiences driving the same vehicles. My experience is in southern Africa and southwest Asia. “I THINK they are horrible”. But you do you.

No need to be a patronizing ass.

My experience is in Canada, Australia and South America. There are mountains and highways in these countries too. There are these magic things called turbos and tuners. When applied in the right dosage, they can change the driving characteristics of the modern diesel engine massively. Then there are also the expectations of the vehicle owner. YOUR expectations are what took the Land Crusier from the legendary ruggedness and relative comfort of the 60 and 80 series to the soccer mom mall Cruiser of today. Thanks for that.



















Ok, maybe a little ass in my response too, but justified methinks. Have a nice day.

 

[Weedhopper]

You’re paying the Toyota tax because the cars last a long time and have a high resale value.

One cannot say the same about Land Rover products. Yeah, they’re great when they’re new, but give it time and you’ll see where they cut corners and did not invest in the long term durability of the components. The historically low resale value is a reflection of this with Land Rover products.

If you have the cash to blow on a Range Rover products every 3-5 years so you can avoid the reliability headache, then by all means, it may be a good option for you. Just expect to get hosed at the dealer when you’re trading it in.

Lease it and get it towed back home when it’s over.

 

[stonepa]

No need to be a patronizing ass.

My experience is in Canada, Australia and South America. There are mountains and highways in these countries too. There are these magic things called turbos and tuners. When applied in the right dosage, they can change the driving characteristics of the modern diesel engine massively. Then there are also the expectations of the vehicle owner. YOUR expectations are what took the Land Crusier from the legendary ruggedness and relative comfort of the 60 and 80 series to the soccer mom mall Cruiser of today. Thanks for that.



















Ok, maybe a little ass in my response too, but justified methinks. Have a nice day.

Ok. Been driving Land Cruisers as my daily since 1987. I will be the first to admit my gas powered FJ60 is super slow as well. My 100 is tolerable. My 200 is just about right.

 

[joseywales]

Believe me, if I could get a super low mile late 200 for the same deal as a 250, I’d be all over it. If you still have a 200, 100 and 60 in your fleet, what are you slumming it wit us?

I do miss my diesel 60 series 5 speeds (I had 2 of them), and maybe the 1958 we ordered (it arrived yesterday) will be a bit of nostalgia for me. 4 cyl, reasonably good on fuel, round headlights and the obvious other similarities mean it should be close in some way. I will still have my 4.7 Sequoia for when the mood is crying out for a V8.

 

[MRego]

Believe me, if I could get a super low mile late 200 for the same deal as a 250, I’d be all over it.

That would be the smart move. What is your definition of low mileage? You can certainly find deals out there in 200s non-HEs with less than 50kmiles (which in my book is very low for a 200). Here is a quick example in our own classifieds for probably the same price (or close) you paid for your 1958.

For Sale - Fairfax, VA: 2017 Lexus LX570 - 45k Miles, Lexus Warranty

I purchased this LX570 in August 2021 when it had just 28k miles on it. It was still under the factory Lexus warranty so I purchased a zero deductible Lexus Platinum warranty that is good until 8/23/25. The truck has had zero issues, I get comments all the time asking if it's new. It's hand...

forum.ih8mud.com

If you are not into LXs, I bet you can find similar deals on LCs too.

 

[Catching Neutral]

Believe me, if I could get a super low mile late 200 for the same deal as a 250, I’d be all over it. If you still have a 200, 100 and 60 in your fleet, what are you slumming it wit us?

I do miss my diesel 60 series 5 speeds (I had 2 of them), and maybe the 1958 we ordered (it arrived yesterday) will be a bit of nostalgia for me. 4 cyl, reasonably good on fuel, round headlights and the obvious other similarities mean it should be close in some way. I will still have my 4.7 Sequoia for when the mood is crying out for a V8.

You will enjoy your 250 Landcruiser. I have been driving one for a week now. It is fantastic.