This is probably going to be very unliked, but this is just like my opinion man. This is my issue with the LC250 (1 Viewer)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

i agree the LC is in a weird position now that it’s basically a badge engineered 4Runner. To be honest, they should have just given the US the 4Runner and been like “hey guys it’s a J250 with a different body”

The only real things that separates it, far as I can tell: 4R not available with full time 4WD AND rear locker and sway bar disconnect (though that’s not included on the 1958); and the bumper being segmented for easier replacement, and better fender/quarterpanel interface for aftermarket bumpers
I think the 4Runner TRD pro has the features you mention above. Plus, it has more ground clearance than the 250.
 
Right, the LX600 is a "real" Land Cruiser then.

So, the 550 is more heavy duty than the new US LC. Hmm. Does that make the 250 a Prado lite?
They are all "real" Land Cruisers and are called such by Toyota. I suggest everyone stop parroting that "real" argument (on both sides). It's stupid.

I can't believe I actually feel the need to type this out in response to a relatively well-reputed forum member.

The LX300 is the upscale/luxury variant of the wagon variant of land cruiser.
The LC250 is the light duty variant.
For the GX460/470, the GX was more or less just an upscale/luxury variant of the overseas light duty land cruiser. The GX had an upgraded powerplant compared to the rest of the world's Prado, but driveline was the same. But for the first time that I'm aware, the GX550 has some driveline differences copied from the wagon variant.

So yes - per the specs, the GX550 has a bit more umpf than the US and overseas 250 light duty variant.

Is the LC250 the wagon variant? No.

Is Toyota Marketing (i.e., gaslighting campaign) working to tell everyone that doesn't care about the details that the LC250 is the successor in the same model line to the 200 series Land Cruiser? Yes. But it's only the successor in name.
 
Last edited:
They are all "real" Land Cruisers and are called such by Toyota. I suggest everyone stop parroting that "real" argument. It's stupid.

I can't believe I actually feel the need to type this out in response to a relatively well-reputed forum member.

The LX300 is the upscale/luxury variant of the wagon variant of land cruiser.
The LC250 is the light duty variant.
For the GX460/470, the GX was more or less just an upscale/luxury variant of the overseas light duty land cruiser. The GX had an upgraded powerplant compared to the rest of the world's Prado, but driveline was the same. But for the first time that I'm aware, the GX550 has some driveline differences copied from the wagon variant.

So yes - per the specs, the GX550 has a bit more umpf than the US and overseas 250 light duty variant.

Is the LC250 the wagon variant? No.

Is Toyota marketing (i.e., gaslighting campaign) working to tell everyone that doesn't care about the details that the LC250 is the successor in the same model line to the 200 series Land Cruiser? Yes. But it's only the successor in name.
The quote imparts sarcasm. I know that Toyota considers them deserving of the name Land Cruiser. Some people don't agree, believing only the heavy duty 70 series and luxury versions are deserving. They have an arguable point, based on the past use of this model name here in the US.

Toyota has stated they're going forward with three lines of Land Cruiser, the luxury wagons only available as Lexus in the US, the heavy duty 70 series not available in the US and the "in between" 250/Prado. So are they gaslighting the public? I would say yes, for those not paying close attention.

Meanwhile, Australians are lamenting news that the new 4Runner will not be available for them.
 
The quote imparts sarcasm. I know that Toyota considers them deserving of the name Land Cruiser. Some people don't agree, believing only the heavy duty 70 series and luxury versions are deserving. They have an arguable point, based on the past use of this model name here in the US.

Toyota has stated they're going forward with three lines of Land Cruiser, the luxury wagons only available as Lexus in the US, the heavy duty 70 series not available in the US and the "in between" 250/Prado. So are they gaslighting the public? I would say yes, for those not paying close attention.

Meanwhile, Australians are lamenting news that the new 4Runner will not be available for them.
For clarity, the 70 series is always called "Land Cruiser 70" by the Toyota community overseas, the 200 and 300 "Land Cruiser" and the 120/150 "Prado". I guess the jury is out on what they will call the 250 but the Toyota Australia website is already very clear. In the title they combine Land Cruiser Prado and then refer to Prado only (as it is know by everybody) in the article.


Some quotes pointing out how it is known and referred to for easy reference. I think the top of the range is a Kakadu. I may need to expand my sticker business. Beside selling "Its a Prado" i will need for the top of the line First Edition "Its a Prado Kakadu". In Spanish "Kaka" means a pile of 💩.

Making my day you all by keep digging it is a Land Cruiser and not a Prado;

The five-variant Prado range brings the rugged capability worthy of a LandCruiser name, with major improvements to driveability, technology and design.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the all-new LandCruiser Prado will continue to resonate with Australian families and adventurers.

“Over decades the Prado has become a favourite for Australians in need of an SUV able to transport the whole family during the week and go off the beaten path on the weekend, all with signature Toyota reliability,” he said.

“The new-generation Prado will continue the legacy forged by its predecessors when it arrives here later this year, with the addition of 48-volt technology and the new Altitude grade making it more appealing than ever.”

The all-new LandCruiser Prado range will build upon the line-up of the current generation with GX, GXL, VX and flagship Kakadu grades, and the addition of a new high-end Altitude variant aimed at adventure-focused customers looking to take their Prado further off-road.

The Prado line-up continues to open with the five-seat GX grade, distinguishable from the outside by 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels, an upper grille with ‘TOYOTA’ lettering, LED headlights and daytime running lights, retractable body-coloured exterior mirrors, darkened front and rear bumpers, side sills and wheelarches, and a manual tailgate with glass hatch.
 
Wasn’t the 70 just “updated” though?
It was just a minor facelift. It's still the same truck that won't meet our emissions or crash safety regulations. And most people simply won't put up with all the drawbacks of a solid front axle -- worse ride, bump steer, etc.
 
It was just a minor facelift. It's still the same truck that won't meet our emissions or crash safety regulations. And most people simply won't put up with all the drawbacks of a solid front axle -- worse ride, bump steer, etc.
It'd be interesting to hand one over a handful of them to IIHS and see how they do. @ Greg Miller - got any spare change for some research?
 
I get the changing from snow to wet pavement thing. Its a slight inconvenience on the last few melty days of snow but still kind of not an inconvenience to me. In the rain, ive never felt a discernable difference between the two cruisers. Ive never lost traction in the rain in either. The 100 does feel like it has slight understeer though. Especially in the snow
Any time you are driving on snow and you are turning, a part-time 4WD system forces its tires to slip, simply because the front of the vehicle is taking a longer path than the rear of the vehicle. A Torsen diff prevents this slippage.
we get it, you dont like fun.
I like fun.
I drift on tracks in a drift car, and in the snow in my 60. My state literally has thousands of miles of public land and roads. Maybe im an irresponsible teenager.
If you want to do it on a track, that's awesome. If you are doing it on a public road, then you are being irresponsible.
 
It'd be interesting to hand one over a handful of them to IIHS and see how they do. @ Greg Miller - got any spare change for some research?
I suspect it's the side impact collision that would doom the 70 series in crash protection. They are narrow from the outside door skin to the driver/passenger's shoulder. It's like the difference between my old '87 Integra and my old 2000 GTI. The doors on the Integra were narrow. The GTI was markedly wider -- side impact protection.
 
The LX600 carried over a lot of the 120-series design language that I like so much. I think it actually looks better than the GX550. Not sure how the used market for a 600 will be in the future, but it might be an attractive option if I want to build a rig a decade from now.
I disagree. I hate the spindle grille on the LX600 and it's center stack with two screens is a hot mess.
 
I disagree. I hate the spindle grille on the LX600 and it's center stack with two screens is a hot mess.
I'm talkimg about everything behind the front clip :). Surely a 300 series front clip conversion will be possible.
 
I'm talkimg about everything behind the front clip :).
Sorry, I've never been able to focus on any other part of that vehicle -- one look at the front clip and I'm puking...
 
As you all know I am not thrilled about what Toyota did with the Land Cruiser in the US. Having said that there is still a wide range of choices Toyota or Lexus is offering which may appeal to the needs and tastes of many. Haggling about taste definitely does not make sense, good we are all different. Enjoy when you go for a new 250 or 4Runner or Sequoia or 550 or 600 or otherwise. In a way washing powder products come in many similar forms and shapes and are made by only a few manufacturers. They all wash clothes fine. Almost seems the 250/4Runner at the same time is a similar approach by Toyota. Have something for everybodies liking.

I do hope my 200 will last me so I do not need to shop for any of these in the near term. Then with time some of it will grow on me and will build a reputation and therefore becomes an option if somehow my 200 dies early. I may end up buying a 45ft sailing yacht and get rid of cars all together. I have noticed not being on the road and on a sailing boat gives me lots of peace and joy while being busy handling sails going slowly from A to B. Does not get much better. Beside perhaps driving in a Toyota 4WD on trails in Colorado or Utah or going Skiing.
 
It was just a minor facelift. It's still the same truck that won't meet our emissions or crash safety regulations. And most people simply won't put up with all the drawbacks of a solid front axle -- worse ride, bump steer, etc.
I would say adding an automatic transmission and a 2.8L turbo four-cylinder is more than a facelift.
 
I would say adding an automatic transmission and a 2.8L turbo four-cylinder is more than a facelift.
I disagree strongly.

There's no significant change to either the frame or body and that is what controls crash safety. And the 2.8L is not homologated for the US.

Look the 70 Series hasn't had a full redesign since it was introduced. It's a 40+ year-old design. I know you guys love it because it is forbidden fruit, but it really isn't that great.
 
I would say adding an automatic transmission and a 2.8L turbo four-cylinder is more than a facelift.
Speaking of the new engine, per the Toyota AUS website, demand for the V8 is so great that they are pausing orders. From their press release: "The introduction of the new powertrain will not only broaden the appeal of the 70 Series range to more customers, but helps reduce weight, improve payload and reduce fuel consumption compared to the V8, delivering on customer demands."

Sounds like you guessed wrong on customer demands, eh?

They also added a slew of safety systems (emergency braking, land departure, road sign assist) and other minor niceties like a rear camera on the wagon, new LED headlights, updated interior, and those USB-Cs that every influencer thinks everyone cares about.

You know what they didn't fix? The rear track width. Not that I have any personal experience with it...maybe for the 140 series or whatever they called the 70 series successor in 40 years.
 
Toyota is here to make money, not cater to 1% of buyers on ih8mud.

Most mudders are 2nd and 3rd owners anyway…. Toyota is after the 1st owner.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom