This is probably going to be very unliked, but this is just like my opinion man. This is my issue with the LC250 (2 Viewers)

[MeWantLC]

100 percent with you. Same boat.

Why you HAVE to replace the trusty 200?

I understand your viewpoint.

What I’m seeing, though, is that I have a Lexus dealer selling GXs at MSRP and Toyota dealers selling the 250 at ADM such that a LC with premium costs as much as a GX Overtrail. In addition, every 250 premium that I see comes with the ridiculous 20” wheels. Not only do I not want to spend $1,000 on 20” wheels, I also don’t want to then have to spend another $2,500 on five 18” wheels and tires.

I expect that the GX will be quieter on the highway than the 250 (due to added sound deadening), so given that they will be similar in price, I’d rather have the GX.

 

[MeWantLC]

I adore your enthusiasm... Very much ! And they did well with that car for that price / mileage.... But they are not ZERO reliability concerns: as t least three things could happen and will need attention.

I successfully convinced one of my long-time friends to get on the GX bandwagon. Him and his wife picked up a 2020 GX460 on Monday with 64K miles on it for ~$37K in basically mint shape. Pretty attractive deal considering he can drive it for the next 15+ years and there are zero reliability concerns.

However, I doubt he goes wheeling with us any time soon as it would be a shame to scratch that pretty Atomic Silver paint.

 

[M1911]

Why you HAVE to replace the rusty 200?

FIFY

 

[MeWantLC]

FIFY

I had to Google that. . Shucks ! I am old. And you made me spit my late coffee.

Ahhhhhhh.... Ok.

 

[Rednexus]

I adore your enthusiasm... Very much ! And they did well with that car for that price / mileage.... But they are not ZERO reliability concerns: as t least three things could happen and will need attention.

In the context of my post, having to spend $300 in parts to add a trans cooler to a very sorted platform is two orders of magnitude less than the unknown of a $32K VA35F post-warranty shortblock replacement. So, assuming a GX550 is a reliability concern of 1, the 460 is a 0.01, which rounds to an even 0 .

 

[JohnnyLX570]

Nah that wasn't on the list, what is a real Land Cruiser is though. Seen something on CL that I really liked and have a Prado 120 badge coming on Wednesday to duplicate on the 460

Hey wait, I believe that is BINGO!

My Iron Pig, it must have been in 79 or 80

 

[VentoGT]

I can understand that. I've always driven diesel trucks and that V6 almost feels like driving an oil burner so it doesn't bother me too much. But if I had long commutes everyday, it might be annoying.

Your review of the 460 was almost word for word what I would have written myself after two test drives, so if I were in the market in the States (and I am not) I would lean towards the Gen 5 4Runner. Though a Nori Green GX 460 looks pretty nice and might make one accept the grill.

All we are getting in the EU is the 250 with the 2.8l diesel and I am going to give it a good look when I get home. But I likely will not go in that direction. I would buy the 4Runner or GX460 if they were available, but they aren't.

The rare forbidden fruit the other way 'round

 

[malden]

The rare forbidden fruit the other way 'round

Exactly.

And we are getting either the 2.8l diesel or a 2.7l NA petrol engine (160 bph) in the 250. No 2.4l T Hybrid to be found anywhere in the EU or the world. Is Toyota fearful of warranty issues? It seems strange. The only markets that get the 2.4l Hybrid are markets where it is pretty much mandated by law. No where else. Given what we are seeing with the TT V6, I would not want to be an early adopter on that 4 banger. Got to have real nerve to pull that trigger.

 

[Specialeyes]

Exactly.

And we are getting either the 2.8l diesel or a 2.7l NA petrol engine (160 bph) in the 250. No 2.4l T Hybrid to be found anywhere in the EU or the world. Is Toyota fearful of warranty issues? It seems strange. The only markets that get the 2.4l Hybrid are markets where it is pretty much mandated by law. No where else. Given what we are seeing with the TT V6, I would not want to be an early adopter on that 4 banger. Got to have real nerve to pull that trigger.

Hasn’t the 4 cylinder been in use for a little bit now without any issues? I’m speaking strictly on the turbo 4, sans hybrid. I know the battery component is a new addition but it’s also really old, tried and true battery tech that Toyota has been using for over a decade now from what I understand? Correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[tacoshawn]

The 2.4L turbo hybrid for US market is for competition. This is why it is a performance hybrid as opposed to an efficiency hybrid like in the Highlander/Camry/Rav4/RX. Less than 300hp simply isn’t competitive in the American market at the LC250 price point and will sell poorly.

A US market simplification and generalization
Price per month #1
Image/Apearance #2
Power #3
Cost of ownership #4
Longevity #5

Americans will take out 7 year auto loans to afford the vehicle they want.

 

[Zill]

Hasn’t the 4 cylinder been in use for a little bit now without any issues? I’m speaking strictly on the turbo 4, sans hybrid. I know the battery component is a new addition but it’s also really old, tried and true battery tech that Toyota has been using for over a decade now from what I understand? Correct me if I’m wrong.

I agree - I haven’t heard of any issues with the 4 cylinder as of yet, in both the Tacoma and Grand Highlander. Seems to be a stout motor so far.

The battery is a wear item and as long as you budget for a 4-5k battery replacement at around 150-200k miles, then I don’t see it being an issue. The gas savings driven over those miles far outweigh the cost of not having the hybrid, and with the instant torque off the line from the electric motor, it’s a no brainer to go with the hybrid setup.

The 4 cylinder without the hybrid has a ton of turbo lag and is a dog because of it. The hybrid fixes all of that. I do suspect that’s why the new Taco has been getting so much flack because the only thing out right now is the 4 popper without the hybrid to complete the powertrain package. (At an average of 50k a piece, which that is ridiculous)

 

[M1911]

The 4 cylinder without the hybrid has a ton of turbo lag and is a dog because of it. The hybrid fixes all of that. I do suspect that’s why the new Taco has been getting so much flack because the only thing out right now is the 4 popper without the hybrid to complete the powertrain package. (At an average of 50k a piece, which that is ridiculous)

I test drove the new Taco yesterday. I didn’t have a long test drive (maybe 10 or 15 minutes). I didn’t notice a ton of turbo lag. I did notice that it got pretty noisy at higher rpm. But it seemed to me to have plenty of power in the Taco Off-road that I drove.

But I agree that the hybrid should add a lot of torque off the line.

 

[Zill]

I test drove the new Taco yesterday. I didn’t have a long test drive (maybe 10 or 15 minutes). I didn’t notice a ton of turbo lag. I did notice that it got pretty noisy at higher rpm. But it seemed to me to have plenty of power in the Taco Off-road that I drove.

But I agree that the hybrid should add a lot of torque off the line.

I have driven both (Taco regular 4, and 250 hybrid), and it is a world of a difference between the two. The hybrid is on a whole different level.

Nice to see we get the better option in the 250

 

[BTay1]

I’ve put almost 5,000 miles on ‘24 Taco TRD OR Premium without any major issues. I had 1 rattle that was quickly/easily muted by myself. I’ve been very impressed with the 4 cylinder engine and transmission. No complaints about power. Although the power is not on same level as the 23 Tundra TRD Pro I owned, the overall build quality is much better.

I’m looking forward to comparing the Hybrid TRD Pro Taco to the non Hybrid OR. Maybe the extra torque will be even more enjoyable, but all that will do is broaden the current smile I have while driving the non hybrid.

I actually had allocation for GX550 OT. Stopped by dealer and they had a GX550 Premium demo on the lot. After test drive, I cancelled my allocation and requested deposit refund. Not sure if my expectations were out of line, but it was not what I expected.

 

[M1911]

I’ve put almost 5,000 miles on ‘24 Taco TRD OR Premium without any major issues. I had 1 rattle that was quickly/easily muted by myself. I’ve been very impressed with the 4 cylinder engine and transmission. No complaints about power. Although the power is not on same level as the 23 Tundra TRD Pro I owned, the overall build quality is much better.

What issues did you have with your Tundra?

 

[BTay1]

What issues did you have with your Tundra?

I was constantly chasing new rattles and clunking sounds, brake squeal, power mirror squeak when using auto close, alignment out of spec. No major mechanical issues, but very annoying. After 16,000 miles and dealing with these annoying issues, I began thinking about potential engine issues and didn’t want this on my mind every time I took a long road trip.

I really liked the power train, endless smooth power. The interior was spacious and very comfortable. Drivability was great.

 

[Jarred]

I’ve put almost 5,000 miles on ‘24 Taco TRD OR Premium without any major issues. I had 1 rattle that was quickly/easily muted by myself. I’ve been very impressed with the 4 cylinder engine and transmission. No complaints about power. Although the power is not on same level as the 23 Tundra TRD Pro I owned, the overall build quality is much better.

I’m looking forward to comparing the Hybrid TRD Pro Taco to the non Hybrid OR. Maybe the extra torque will be even more enjoyable, but all that will do is broaden the current smile I have while driving the non hybrid.

I actually had allocation for GX550 OT. Stopped by dealer and they had a GX550 Premium demo on the lot. After test drive, I cancelled my allocation and requested deposit refund. Not sure if my expectations were out of line, but it was not what I expected.

I took my brother's OR premium last month for the mounting and balancing of the new nittos from 4Wheelonline and man, the power is amazing. There might not much difference compare to the Hybrid Taco.

 

[malden]

Hasn’t the 4 cylinder been in use for a little bit now without any issues? I’m speaking strictly on the turbo 4, sans hybrid. I know the battery component is a new addition but it’s also really old, tried and true battery tech that Toyota has been using for over a decade now from what I understand? Correct me if I’m wrong.

Toyota has been making petrol v6 engines for a few years now. And they have been making Turbos too if I recall correctly. And they have rarely had problems with either. But the new V6 TT has significant problems. So, yeah, Toyota has made 4s, and Turbos and Hybrids. But put together in this new combination in the NEW i-Force Max engine, it has not been vetted “yet.” I am willing to have bit of willing suspension of disbelief in many things that concern Toyota, but for 80K euros I will want to see a track record and data especially given the problems with the TT V6. But it's a moot point because Toyota is only selling the new I-Force Max in N America. Seems strange. Maybe it's a supply problem. But why would you go to the trouble and expense to develop a great new engine and then not sell it anywhere?

 

[M1911]

But it's a moot point because Toyota is only selling the new I-Force Max in N America. Seems strange. Maybe it's a supply problem. But why would you go to the trouble and expense to develop a great new engine and then not sell it anywhere?

Because different markets have different regulations and different demands.

 

[malden]

Because different markets have different regulations and different demands.

I can only speak to EU issue, but there is nothing that would keep Toyota from selling the new engine in my part of the world at all. And the market would probably love it.