Hey folks, I have been on and off here intermittently the last few years and have come to really appreciate all the info and the sense of community on these forums. My wife currently has a 100 series and although I have a rav4 I am in the market for something larger as we are expecting our fourth child. I am aware of the inherent limitations such as mpg and size as compared to something like a sequoia/expedition but keep coming back to the cruiser due to baked-in quality of cruisers; it just seems as if most other vehicles prioritize modern conveniences at the expense of quality and durability. Having said that, the hitch in my plan to get a 200 and sail off into the sunset is that I have a ridiculous commute (100 miles round trip) in northern va to DC daily and the lack of full speed adaptive cruise and low mpgs are holding me back. I have found full speed adaptive cruise to be a god send in the drudgery of commuting. Anyway, I would appreciate any advice from the sages on the forum as to what to pursue, should I just go forward with the LC or what alternatives should I consider?
Purchase advice family of 6
- Thread starter Joshuak172
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we have 4 kids that are five and under, and my wife has a 2wd Yukon XL (suburban). We have 3 carseats in the 3rd row, one in the 2nd row captain chair, and still have a full cargo area to use. The adaptive cruise and steering is legit.
I picked up my LX570 6 months ago, and only intended to have 2 carseats in it; however, it's the more popular choice among the kids since it's so much "cooler".
In the LX, we have 3 across in the second row, and a single carseat in the 3rd row. there's no carseat anchor in the 3rd row, and we're only left with half of the cargo area.
Road trips would be doable in the LX (i have radar cruise), but doesn't hold a candle to the amount of space the chevy/gmc has.
I picked up my LX570 6 months ago, and only intended to have 2 carseats in it; however, it's the more popular choice among the kids since it's so much "cooler".
In the LX, we have 3 across in the second row, and a single carseat in the 3rd row. there's no carseat anchor in the 3rd row, and we're only left with half of the cargo area.
Road trips would be doable in the LX (i have radar cruise), but doesn't hold a candle to the amount of space the chevy/gmc has.
TheGrrrrr
GOLD Star
I would say that with the right tires and conservative driving, the MPGs can be significantly better than advertised. Not good, but not everyone is getting 12mpg. I regularly see posts indicating as high as 19mpg. Thats a huge difference when you are piling on the miles. The robust build quality and overall safety of the LC is in my mind, second to none. Yes its more money for fewer features, but the longevity measured not just in how long the LC will be drivable, but how well it manages the aging process is worth that extra cost. There are plenty of vehicles that will go 200,000 miles if they are well maintained, but the interiors, exteriors and general feature functionality with degrade rapidly. In the LC at 200,000 you are pretty likely to have a fully intact and functional truck that isn't falling apart around the still functional drivetrain. That is the main reason I chose the LC as a daily driver that will eventually become a dedicated camping/overlanding rig. The other benefit is that you will very likely be able to hand it down to your oldest child when they turn 16 and know they are driving a tank.
1) Get your wife the 200 and you get a high mpg vehicle with the ACC?
2) Keep the 100, buy a 200, and add a 3rd vehicle with high mpg with the ACC?
3) Keep the 100 for family duty and get a high mpg vehicle with the ACC?
Thats all I can think of. I just can’t get past my estimated $4000+ per year in gas for a 200 commuter.
2) Keep the 100, buy a 200, and add a 3rd vehicle with high mpg with the ACC?
3) Keep the 100 for family duty and get a high mpg vehicle with the ACC?
Thats all I can think of. I just can’t get past my estimated $4000+ per year in gas for a 200 commuter.
- Thread starter
- #5
Still need something large enough to get all the kids on the way home from time to time unfortunately. Also, it’s a war zone out there, I guess I’m jaded because I just worked in an ER for a few months and saw the worst of it.
I replaced a Tahoe with my 2016 LC and love it. But I have 3 kids and they’re older...no way I would consider a LC with 4 kids. I would look at Sequoia Expedition or Suburban. The LC is much smaller than the Tahoe inside, and the 3rd row is terrible. It’s really a much smaller vehicle than other full size SUV’s. Sequoia is MUCH bigger for hauling kids and still gives you Toyota quality with the same motor.
I was going to support your decision to add a 200-series to the stable until I understood your ridiculous commute.
I'm going to go on a complete tangent with a recommendation. With 4 kids and a significant commute, for your sanity, family comfort, ease of use, and needed efficiency to travel that kind of mileage daily, I'd actually highly recommend the upcoming Tesla Model Y.
Hear me out:
1) With a serious commute like that, the only sane way I'd personally tolerate it is with a full adaptive cruise. And full adaptive steering. And so much more.
2) EVs with kids is a godsend. The ability to keep the car on and climate controlled while running errands. Built in big screen entertainment.
3) It may seem that it'll be a small RAV4 equivelent in size, but with seating for 7, a frunk, a flat floor, EVs dedicate more usable space to people than mechanicals. It might very well be larger in usable room than many full size SUVs.
4) Efficiency, pocket the extra time saved never getting gas again, and extra monies saved that would be flushed down the toilet in gas and maintenance...
Upgrade her 100-series to a 200-series.
Then have the best of both worlds with an ultra capable cruiser, and ultra efficient family hauler.
I'm going to go on a complete tangent with a recommendation. With 4 kids and a significant commute, for your sanity, family comfort, ease of use, and needed efficiency to travel that kind of mileage daily, I'd actually highly recommend the upcoming Tesla Model Y.
Hear me out:
1) With a serious commute like that, the only sane way I'd personally tolerate it is with a full adaptive cruise. And full adaptive steering. And so much more.
2) EVs with kids is a godsend. The ability to keep the car on and climate controlled while running errands. Built in big screen entertainment.
3) It may seem that it'll be a small RAV4 equivelent in size, but with seating for 7, a frunk, a flat floor, EVs dedicate more usable space to people than mechanicals. It might very well be larger in usable room than many full size SUVs.
4) Efficiency, pocket the extra time saved never getting gas again, and extra monies saved that would be flushed down the toilet in gas and maintenance...
Upgrade her 100-series to a 200-series.
Then have the best of both worlds with an ultra capable cruiser, and ultra efficient family hauler.
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You should get a Toyota Sienna since it gets 26mpg hwy and can pick up your kids. In 4 years you will put over 100k miles so you will lose a bunch of $$$ in gas and depreciation in the 200 compared to a much cheaper minivan. New hybrid or normal gas Highlander is also a good choice.
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Adaptive cruise on my 18LX is excellent even at very low speeds, ie freeway gridlock crawl.
- Thread starter
- #10
Tesla is out of the question at least until they get their shi* sorted. We bought a fire sale X towards the nd of the last year. We were really njoying it (minus looks, it’s fugly) the first month until someone did a smash a grab of the front right passenger window. 3 months later we finally got the window replaced after numerous unreturned calls, emails, and failure to follow through. Then we came to find out that there seriously screwed up the financing paperwork and came to us with threats of repossession (which they couldn’t even do because the lien was with a different bank and we never missed a payment) if we didn’t pay them an additional $2500 four months after the sale of the vehicle. Nope, they get some things so right but paying for an $80,000 lawn ornament with a plexiglass-glass window for a few months will change your mind.
- Thread starter
- #11
May have to reconsider a 2016+ LX. I just wish the after market support was better for the LX, that front bumper would have to go.
I would not recommend an LC or LX for high mileage commuting. You’ll be hitting the gas station every other day. I hate minivans but iF I had 4 kids, it would be my best friend. Otherwise, consider a GLS. I rent the comfy GLS anytime I’m with my family traveling as it’s a great family suv, easy(relaxing) to drive with good fuel mileage and range for a big suv. I would honestly buy a used or new one without hesitation for a family of 3+. I’ve owned many Mercs and never had issues with them, just make sure it has an extended warranty 
I have 4 kids. my wife was daily driving my lx470, and the rear facing car seat was the deal breaker. we went out the next day and bought an Expedition EL.
We had a toyota sienna pre face lift and really liked it. I had plans of buying a 2020 sienna in AWD and do some light mods for over landing. They are super comfy, get great mileage, and drive like a car. second row captains chairs are a must have for 4 kids.
We had a toyota sienna pre face lift and really liked it. I had plans of buying a 2020 sienna in AWD and do some light mods for over landing. They are super comfy, get great mileage, and drive like a car. second row captains chairs are a must have for 4 kids.
This right here is something you’ve got to keep in mind.
We have 4 kids. We use our 200 for trips and it’s my wife’s DD (stay at home mom). Would more space be nice? Sure. Do we really need more space? No. We pack strategically. I have a Yakima box on the roof. It works for us. We were using 3 car seats. But they’ve graduated to boosters.
Captains chairs weren't/aren’t a necessity for our family.
We looked hard at the Expedition, Suburban and Sequoia. But the 200 just takes the cake.
Now if you need to haul around strollers and such, then it’ll be a challenge. But just be honest with yourselves. We’ve learned that we can travel comfortably without the kitchen sink.
...we’re spending this week down in Moab. No issues with space. And my mom is with us...so 7 of us and all our stuff (incl a cooler I keep behind the 3rd row). The roof box is a necessity. It makes it work. It could easily swallow a stroller or two. Assuming they aren’t massive.
So the 200 was our choice. And our family hasn’t had any issues. Our current trip to Moab as case in point.
If you need any other real world feedback feel free to reach out. Cheers.
Guy
Captains chairs weren't/aren’t a necessity for our family.
We looked hard at the Expedition, Suburban and Sequoia. But the 200 just takes the cake.
Now if you need to haul around strollers and such, then it’ll be a challenge. But just be honest with yourselves. We’ve learned that we can travel comfortably without the kitchen sink.
...we’re spending this week down in Moab. No issues with space. And my mom is with us...so 7 of us and all our stuff (incl a cooler I keep behind the 3rd row). The roof box is a necessity. It makes it work. It could easily swallow a stroller or two. Assuming they aren’t massive.
So the 200 was our choice. And our family hasn’t had any issues. Our current trip to Moab as case in point.
If you need any other real world feedback feel free to reach out. Cheers.
Guy
Aftermarket support for the LX is really improving. Have you seen mine with the ARB front bumper on it that removes 2/3 of the grill? I have the 40 gallon auxiliary tank, the skid plates, the bumper, sliders are on the way. At this point there’s really nothing I can think of that I can’t get for the LX. Yes, you’ll spend A chunk to get an ARB front and the auxiliary tank, but they are well worth it. I now have 60+ gallons of fuel. However, going to the 40 gallon tank does relocate the spare which could be an issue. But my point is that the days of the LX having Less aftermarket support or quickly coming to a close.
Also, I am running three car seats in the middle row. If I needed to add a fourth then I would remove one of the rear seats and put it in the back, but that is not ideal at all. Two in the middle and one in the rear with a booster seat in the middle row where are the seat flips forward would be ideal if I had 4 that young.
I also have an 18 Honda Odyssey with every option and whatever the top trim is. There are times when we take that because I don’t keep the other car seats in the LX and I’m too lazy to installthem. The Odyssey drives like a car. It’s got a ton of room. It’s really enjoyable to drive. The gas mileage isn’t spectacular but that could be how I drive it
even fully loaded with people it’s got a lot of storage in the back and with a roof rack and hitch on it there’s a lot more storage options remaining.
The last two SUVs I had prior or were a QX56 and a Nissan armada and so the LX was definitely a downgrade in terms of interior space. There is definitely a degree of experiential subjectivity here when it comes to space despite the objective numbers.
Last summer I had a 19 Escalade with only 1K miles as a rental for a few weeks and that thing was junk. I never wanted to get back to my LX so badly. I’ve had expeditions and escalates over the years. In relation to their price point, They are junk.
The only other serious option should be the Sequoia, which I doubt has the same cruise control.
I also have an 18 Honda Odyssey with every option and whatever the top trim is. There are times when we take that because I don’t keep the other car seats in the LX and I’m too lazy to installthem. The Odyssey drives like a car. It’s got a ton of room. It’s really enjoyable to drive. The gas mileage isn’t spectacular but that could be how I drive it
even fully loaded with people it’s got a lot of storage in the back and with a roof rack and hitch on it there’s a lot more storage options remaining. The last two SUVs I had prior or were a QX56 and a Nissan armada and so the LX was definitely a downgrade in terms of interior space. There is definitely a degree of experiential subjectivity here when it comes to space despite the objective numbers.
Last summer I had a 19 Escalade with only 1K miles as a rental for a few weeks and that thing was junk. I never wanted to get back to my LX so badly. I’ve had expeditions and escalates over the years. In relation to their price point, They are junk.
The only other serious option should be the Sequoia, which I doubt has the same cruise control.
With that kind of commute I’m struggling to see how a 200--or any 4WD SUV--is reasonable for the OP's use case. Based on my limited experience driving in NoVa, I would guess that typical rush hour in a 200 would yield closer to 10-14 mpg, not 19. Something more efficient for your daily driving is the ticket, whether it's a minivan, hybrid Highlander, etc. You could even get the 200 in combination with a smaller efficient car for those days when you don't need to shuttle all four kids (assuming that's not an everyday thing). A used Prius/Accord/etc. would be worth it to avoid daily driving the 200.
While it’s all about balancing safety and reliability and finances etc, at the end of the day if I could afford it, I would never spend that many miles on the freeway in a small car. That many miles just increases the likelihood of a serious accident and my life and health are too valuable to my wife and children. The gas bill will definitely be expensive, but I consider it somewhat of an insurance policy. Yes, I have a good life insurance policy, but my children would rather have me alive and not only alive but fully functional in all aspects. So to me it’s worth spending the extra money if I think I can increase the likelihood of preserving or protecting my health