Test drove a 200 today

[khoopes]

I looked at a couple 2013 LC in Odessa last week, (window shopping only, I should be driving my 99' 100 for a LONG time still) and I was very disappointed to see that they still have not dropped the floor a bit to accommodate passengers with more legroom needs in the third row. That could be a deal breaker for me. My kids are all small right now and I thought maybe the 200 would accommodate bigger people than the 100. Not much in incentive to upgrade with on a single wage earner budget and a family of 7 if the seating is the same.

Even the smaller Ford Explorer has drop floors in the third row.

 

[M1911]

I looked at a couple 2013 LC in Odessa last week, (window shopping only, I should be driving my 99' 100 for a LONG time still) and I was very disappointed to see that they still have not dropped the floor a bit to accommodate passengers with more legroom needs in the third row. That could be a deal breaker for me. My kids are all small right now and I thought maybe the 200 would accommodate bigger people than the 100. Not much in incentive to upgrade with on a single wage earner budget and a family of 7 if the seating is the same.

Even the smaller Ford Explorer has drop floors in the third row.

The reason for that is because the LC still has a solid rear axle. As a result, the rear diff needs to be able to move up and down, so the rear floor has to be relatively high.

In contrast, the Ford Explorer is now a unibody, front-wheel drive biased cross-over. The Ford Explorer has an independent rear suspension, so the position of the rear diff is essentially fixed -- only the wheels and halfshafts move up and down.

If you are looking for a three-row crossover, the LC isn't it. The Land Cruiser is a rugged, body-on-frame, offroad capable truck with a solid rear axle.

If you want a three-row crossover, a Highlander or Ford Explorer are reasonable choices.

 

[Texas993]

Good explanation M1911.

I will point out, however, that the LX570 has much more leg room for the 2nd row. The 2nd row has power movement back and forth and really gives a lot of legroom if in the rearmost position.

We are a tall family of 5 and it works better than any of the large SUVs.

And another note, the driver headroom is reduced in the LX570. I had more headroom in the LX470.

Both are fantastic vehicles.

 

[khoopes]

The reason for that is because the LC still has a solid rear axle. As a result, the rear diff needs to be able to move up and down, so the rear floor has to be relatively high.

In contrast, the Ford Explorer is now a unibody, front-wheel drive biased cross-over. The Ford Explorer has an independent rear suspension, so the position of the rear diff is essentially fixed -- only the wheels and halfshafts move up and down.

If you are looking for a three-row crossover, the LC isn't it. The Land Cruiser is a rugged, body-on-frame, offroad capable truck with a solid rear axle.

If you want a three-row crossover, a Highlander or Ford Explorer are reasonable choices.

I don't want a crossover, I want a drop floor in the third row

The suburban is a truck chassis and solid rear axle, and has had a drop floor back there since the 90's. I realize the length is much different but I thought with the redesign on the "bigger" LC they would accomplish it. Even the new sequoia appears to have a truck floor in the third row. Toyota just doesn't appear interest in seating 7-8 adults.

 

[M1911]

I don't want a crossover, I want a drop floor in the third row

The suburban is a truck chassis and solid rear axle, and has had a drop floor back there since the 90's. I realize the length is much different but I thought with the redesign on the "bigger" LC they would accomplish it. Even the new sequoia appears to have a truck floor in the third row. Toyota just doesn't appear interest in seating 7-8 adults.

The Sequoia has an independent rear suspension -- that is why it has a lower floor in the third row.

 

[jwestpro]

Too cold to do much bike riding and we were just goofing off.

Maybe you need to toughen up There are a lot of great trails around there that are good in the winter before they thaw in the sun. Riding trails is nice in winter because you work more of your body and go slower staying warm more easily. I've ridden a number of great trails around the KC area.

 

[jwestpro]

I looked at a couple 2013 LC in Odessa last week, (window shopping only, I should be driving my 99' 100 for a LONG time still) and I was very disappointed to see that they still have not dropped the floor a bit to accommodate passengers with more legroom needs in the third row. That could be a deal breaker for me. My kids are all small right now and I thought maybe the 200 would accommodate bigger people than the 100. Not much in incentive to upgrade with on a single wage earner budget and a family of 7 if the seating is the same.

Even the smaller Ford Explorer has drop floors in the third row.

well, I apologize for saying it on a Toyota forum, but, you might really like the interior layout and functionality of the Land Rover LR3 or LR4. If you want a super depreciated version and don't need the fastest thing on the block, then the lr3 is actually quite a value in the used market with cpo dealer warranty out to 100k or more. I'd suggest a 2007 or newer. Very affordable, but 2009+ will get you several years of warranty coverage. The newer models also have fewer problems as it gets put together better each iteration.
Or, the lr4 has almost the same engine output as the Toyota 5.7.

So, the big thing no other vehicles seem to be able to combine is being very capable off road, very safe hauling 1500 lbs or more, yet allowing true 7 person/adult size, seating. The 3rd row is "dropped" floor as you say in that when the seats are flipped out, it reveals a footwell for the 3rd row people (or storage spaces for someone like me who hardly uses the 3rd row. I put a recovery gear bag under one side and the two headrests for the 2nd row seats under the other side. In front of that, right behind the 2nd row, there is also space for my high lift jack, gloves, etc. When all rows are flat, all of the above items are below the cargo floor level. It's pretty sweet design actually.

Way more headroom for occupants and the 2 sunroofs above 2nd and 3rd row add a nice airy experience. All cupholders allow a Nalgene bottle or small cup too

For people who like to switch out their vehicle not far past 100k, then this is a great choice. Or those who don't mind more repairs than a Toyota, there are trade offs.

I am not biased to any brand or whatever, I am simply biased to good design. Engineering is sometimes unfortunately not hand in hand with good design....

The LC gives you ventilated seats and a really nice build quality, especially underneath with the whole chassis. It's also far more modifiable whereas the Land Rovers now are hardly at all modifiable.

Good luck

 

[SWUtah]

I looked at a couple 2013 LC in Odessa last week, (window shopping only, I should be driving my 99' 100 for a LONG time still) and I was very disappointed to see that they still have not dropped the floor a bit to accommodate passengers with more legroom needs in the third row. That could be a deal breaker for me. My kids are all small right now and I thought maybe the 200 would accommodate bigger people than the 100. Not much in incentive to upgrade with on a single wage earner budget and a family of 7 if the seating is the same.

Even the smaller Ford Explorer has drop floors in the third row.

Your a nice guy worrying about the comfort of the kids in the third row. When I was growing up cars did not have air conditioning and when my dad smoked and flipped his ashes out the window they use to come back in the rear window and hit me in the face . When I complained he said I was lucky he wasn't like his father my grand father, who use to chew and spit tobacco. Times have changed!!