SUV Battle: 200 vs 300, and everything else
- Thread starter TeCKis300
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I saw this as soon as it came out. I'm not sure why they didn't use the same setting in both, the 300 and the 200. In fact, the 200 was the only SUV where they used the rock and dirt setting. In every other SUV they used the rock or rock crawl setting. This makes a noticeable difference of how aggressive the MTS is.
That G-wagon though 
scottm
SILVER Star
I considered a G-wagon when I bought my LC months ago. Great vehicle, but so much more had to go into my calculations. I spend a lot of time far from home in my vehicle. Which will be the easiest to maintain long-term, both at home and on the road? Which has better reliability? Which has better parts and service availability? Which has better online information and support? Which has more aftermarket part and accessory options?
Also important was the environment I'll be driving in. The world I'm driving in has become more hostile toward affluence, do I want that big Mercedes emblem or Toyota? Plenty of videos of protestors trashing a BMW or Land Rover or Mercedes. Even a Lexus would be more of a target than a Toyota. Probably good that Land Cruisers aren't particularly common anymore, people don't realize how much they cost. A bank teller was looking at my accounts the other day, she said something is wrong, this account is way to much to be a Toyota. I tried not to grin, that is exactly what I want people to think, and they do.
I'm giving up a little performance vs the G-wagon, that will never matter. If I care, there are tuners and mods galore that can increase performance of my LC.
The Land Cruiser is truly the safest vehicle available you can daily drive, when you consider every threat you are likely to encounter today. Long ago, Click and Clack on Car Talk deemed the Land Cruiser "Vehicle I Most Want to be in, if Martians Attack the Earth". That is still true today, but against even weirder threats than they imagined.
Also important was the environment I'll be driving in. The world I'm driving in has become more hostile toward affluence, do I want that big Mercedes emblem or Toyota? Plenty of videos of protestors trashing a BMW or Land Rover or Mercedes. Even a Lexus would be more of a target than a Toyota. Probably good that Land Cruisers aren't particularly common anymore, people don't realize how much they cost. A bank teller was looking at my accounts the other day, she said something is wrong, this account is way to much to be a Toyota. I tried not to grin, that is exactly what I want people to think, and they do.
I'm giving up a little performance vs the G-wagon, that will never matter. If I care, there are tuners and mods galore that can increase performance of my LC.
The Land Cruiser is truly the safest vehicle available you can daily drive, when you consider every threat you are likely to encounter today. Long ago, Click and Clack on Car Talk deemed the Land Cruiser "Vehicle I Most Want to be in, if Martians Attack the Earth". That is still true today, but against even weirder threats than they imagined.
Love this. I’m also low key which is why I chose the lc200
Exactly right on all fronts. I had a G65 for a while but I never used it for anything more than a car. My LC has been as far north and south that you can drive in the Americas. Totally invisible, reliable, and serviceable. Exactly what I look for in a vehicle.
I had 2 older g wagons that were much slower than modern g wagons. I love the nimbleness of the land cruiser. Also the reliability. I have gotten used to the stealth nature of it but loved the G wagon look. Somehow after 20 years of being hardcore german fan, I love not being tied to the dealer.
You have to recognize how capable that defender is and its crazy how far the competition is from all the makes have come.
That being said I will always be a fan of the g-wagen and were it not for cost and reliability, I wouldn't think twice about jumping over.
Its just savage even on street tires and AMG pack!
That being said I will always be a fan of the g-wagen and were it not for cost and reliability, I wouldn't think twice about jumping over.
Its just savage even on street tires and AMG pack!
Any idea what limited slip rear diff the 300 was running?
stonekutters
SILVER Star
After watching it seems like the 200 did the worst.
I had a ‘04 g500 for 9 years before I got my ‘13 LX. I did everything off road in my g that I do in my LX. Ever rolled the g on its side once, only broke off the side mirror. They are night and day different vehicles. Both on 33” tires. The g was not more capable, it was smaller, but had less travel and a surprisingly long turn radius. It was small, cramped, rough ride. I always explained it like it was the best worst driving car ever made or the best handling truck from the 1970’s out there.
I have many fond memories of the g but very glad I switched to the LX.
greynolds
SILVER Star
The G-wagons are wonderful vehicles in a lot of ways (I owned 3 before my current LC, most recently a 2017 G63) but the LC is more practical, less expensive to maintain, much more reliable, has FAR better aftermarket support, and so on. The G63 (vs G550), does handle better on the highway (comparing stock suspension setups) and has significantly more power, but having owned both now, the LC is definitely the better option for most people.
Lots of JLR hate here on this board, probably much deserved, but…The traction aides on the defender and Range Rover performed far better than ATRAC even with the 300s extra flexiness.
Land Rover has definitrly had the most capable offroad tech over the last 20 years - when it works. I’ve owned new Range Rovers and Discoveries in the past and they were amazing off-road until there was an electrical or mechanical problem. Because of this, i never sold my LCs. I’d love to see Toyota find a way to make LR capability reliable over 300k miles.
They will probably get there around 2025…they tend to be about 20 years behind on tech-probably by design…it’s easier to wait 20 years, see what works, then conservatively institute those things into their products…
That said: crawl control seems to work pretty well. A Land Rover may make walking up the hill look and sound easy, but I suspect the super aggressive brake modulation of Toyota’s crawl control, albeit noisy, is superior.
They always have. I said this about the G, and i will say for LR as well. I would jump over in a heartbeat.
But they just dont make sense.
Boss Hog
Cutty say he can’t HANG!!
I read “The Millionaire Next Door” waaaay back in 1990-something. One of the more common vehicles millionaires drove back then was a used Toyota. It always stuck with me that low-key and understated are calling cards of the wealthy. The rich flock to flashier displays of wealth…especially in their vehicle choices.
greynolds
SILVER Star
If Land Rover ever manages to figure out what quality control is, I would love to own another one at some point because other than that, they do an excellent job. I would love to see Toyota pair up with Land Rover and build a vehicle that leverages the strengths of both companies.
Boss Hog
Cutty say he can’t HANG!!
I love Land Rovers. After owning a RRC and a Disco, I’ve stayed away. But when working, they were outstanding and a lot of fun to drive.
Fix the reliability issue, and I’ll get another one.
