Thoughts From the 200 Crew On the LC250 Reveal

[LX Cruiser]

Your example is more like akin to turning the LC into a crossover or some entirely different vehicle all together in form and function which is not what they are doing here. Also Mercedes names their models in classes such a A, C, E, G, etc. No X though, that’s BMW.

Land Cruiser is a family of vehicles. It’s not just the 200 Series. There are plenty of enthusiasts around who don’t like the 200 and believe the 100 or 80 is better. Then there are those who think it’s FJ40 or bust. You don’t have to buy a 250 if the marketing doesn’t speak to you. (That’s kind of how marketing works) You can keep driving your 200 for the next 15-20 years and have plenty of peace of mind that you’re in a great vehicle. Just keep lots of money set aside for gas.

It was clearly deceptive of Toyota. We've always had the Prado in the 4R/GX. They drop the $90k+ 200 series rather than giving us a poverty pack Qatari version and then tease this as the "return". For 14 years, they offer only a fully decked out 200 to abysmal sales numbers.

Now, it "returns." What returns? Certainly not what we've always known as the "Land Cruiser" in this market (that's the wagon: the 60, 80, 100, 200). So the return of the Land Cruiser is NOT the next gen wagon. Not the logical next step from the 200 series. What has "returned" is the badge. That's it. But they dropped the Prado qualifier, on purpose. Prado conveys "light duty". "Diet Land Cruiser" is how the public would perceive it.

But that's exactly what this is: a Prado, and it has always been called such in other markets. That's fine. Just don't say it's "returning" to the US market. Because it has always been here.

It will smoke the 200 series sales though because it's 40% cheaper and is a Bronco competitor with the heralded LC badge that allegedly gets 27mpg. Toyota knows what they're doing. I just wish I could order a bare bones Qatari 300 series and have it shipped.

 

[jefo13]

Fair points, I guess what makes it worse is that all the press, media and reviews make comparisons to the 200 vs when they reviewed the GX550 where they made comparisons to the outgoing GX.
If the LC 250 reviews where comparing all the changes to the Prado then this new version would be hard to not like… it just simply feels like they are trying to fool consumers…

 

[Specialeyes]

Fair points, I guess what makes it worse is that all the press, media and reviews make comparisons to the 200 vs when they reviewed the GX550 where they made comparisons to the outgoing GX.
If the LC 250 reviews where comparing all the changes to the Prado then this new version would be hard to not like… it just simply feels like they are trying to fool consumers…

Also fair but what else are they supposed to compare it to? They only other Prado we had here previously was the GX460 which again, outside of enthusiast circles is going to just confuse the majority of customers. Some folks like to say the 4Runner was a Prado, I disagree. It's similar yes, but a Prado it is not. The GX is literally, pound for pound the Prado just in a Lexus body kit. So it makes sense for the US market that they choose to compare it to the most recent model we had for sale here which just so happened to be the 200. Would the better way to announce and market this have been "For the first time ever on US shores, Toyota presents the all new 2024 Land Cruiser Prado 250 Series"? Even if they did people would still find something to complain about.

 

[desmocruiser]

I think part of the frustration is on both Halo examples, it seemed Toyota’s intention to continue the brand of both Land Cruiser and Supra, but without most of the DNA purists seek!

Adding to the frustration is in both cases there are Lexus examples already in the US market, the LX 600 and LC 500 that could have easily been built to purist’s specifications (or an existing overseas trim level utilized) and they still would have sold every unit they made and protected the Land Cruiser and Supra brand and image in the US!!!

Oh and call the 250 what it is, Land Cruiser Prado!!!

 

[Specialeyes]

there are Lexus examples already in the US market, the LX 600 and LC 500

I'd like to take a moment to appreciate how awesome (and underrated) of a car the LC500 is.

 

[tampacruiser95]

I like it, I don't love it. Interesting move bringing the 250 chassis vs the 300, but people forget that Toyota is a business, and didn't make enough money on the 200 sales in the USA to continue. They're bringing something that they think can sell, and the alternative is likely no Land Cruiser at all, so I appreciate that. You won't see me clutching any pearls or using the "not a real Land Cruiser" trope - it's tired and annoying. Although I would've loved to see a split tailgate.

I do struggle to see how this will differentiate from the 4Runner once it comes out - they seem like roughly the same size and components and 4Runner will likely be $10k-ish cheaper and cannibalize LC sales immediately. 4Runner has a stronger brand in America than LC as well. USA buyers have also proven with the 200 and across the market that they want luxury features for a high MSRP and don't bite on higher pricing for the utilitarian dependability that global LC's offer, so if the LC250 in higher trim starts to top $70k, they can get more for their money in a GX550.

Also the "Heritage Line" versus "Land Cruiser" line seems kind of gimmicky and a waste of resources to me. Only real difference seems to be round headlights that are put in a rectangular space and don't look good to me.

Overall the design is kind of clunky and doesn't work as well as the GX for me. But looks like plenty of room for 33's and maybe 35's and beefed up with some aftermarket goodies these could be very slick.

/random thoughts

Agreed on all counts...

 

[desmocruiser]

I'd like to take a moment to appreciate how awesome (and underrated) of a car the LC500 is.

If they had introduced that as the Supra it would have been a home run! A few performance tweaks and it would be legendary!

Now most people don’t even know it exists!!!

 

[tampacruiser95]

Looks like the forum moderator has lost his mind labeling the 250-Series Prado/GX or 250-Series Land Cruiser Prado/GX550 as a Land Cruiser. Assume this will be corrected soon.

View attachment 3391106

People are so funny. It's a Land Cruiser.

 

[TeCKis300]

Also fair but what else are they supposed to compare it to? They only other Prado we had here previously was the GX460 which again, outside of enthusiast circles is going to just confuse the majority of customers. Some folks like to say the 4Runner was a Prado, I disagree. It's similar yes, but a Prado it is not. The GX is literally, pound for pound the Prado just in a Lexus body kit. So it makes sense for the US market that they choose to compare it to the most recent model we had for sale here which just so happened to be the 200. Would the better way to announce and market this have been "For the first time ever on US shores, Toyota presents the all new 2024 Land Cruiser Prado 250 Series"? Even if they did people would still find something to complain about.

Good points.

Also reminds me just how good and under appreciated the GX (LC Prado) was over practically decades until the recent epiphanies. It had the wrong styling, lipstick, and branding. Yet it's core had so much right and was everything many overland enthusiasts wanted - size, weight, power. The LC250 is really more a recast and fix to that product line than anything to do with the real deal LC.

The old Land Cruiser is still dead in my eyes. American buyers never voted for it. They voted for the LX line and is why we have it in the form of the LX600.

I like the old GXs perhaps more than this new fangled LC250.

 

[2021 LC200]

People are so funny. It's a Land Cruiser.

I guess in your book it makes all the body on frame Toyota SUV's Land Cruisers. I guess the 4 Runner and Sequoia are now a Land Cruiser as well...

In my book there are 3 categories of Toyota Land Cruisers:
- The heavy duty Land Cruiser 70 which is great and continued to be sold as such, unfortunately not in the US
- The Land Cruiser 40/55/60/80/100/200/300 aka the Land Cruiser in every country globally
- The light duty Land Cruiser Prado, of which the 250 is the follow up from the 150

 

[2021 LC200]

The old Land Cruiser is still dead in my eyes.

Exactly and per the video posted, Toyota could have brought the 300 series in a more basic model as well and gain sales.

 

[Flow Master]

Be nice if they brought in a truck version. Just saying.

 

[tampacruiser95]

I guess in your book it makes all the body on frame Toyota SUV's Land Cruisers. I guess the 4 Runner and Sequoia are now a Land Cruiser as well...

In my book there are 3 categories of Toyota Land Cruisers:
- The heavy duty Land Cruiser 70 which is great and continued to be sold as such, unfortunately not in the US
- The Land Cruiser 40/55/60/80/100/200/300 aka the Land Cruiser in every country globally
- The light duty Land Cruiser Prado, of which the 250 is the follow up from the 150

No. The models that are badged "Land Cruiser", which this one is, are the cruisers. Why do I get the feeling people are only upset because the club is going to get less exclusive? And I say who gives a sh*t. Are people's egos this fragile? It's actually pretty funny.

And all those trashing Prados, have you ever driven one? They are bomb proof! I've driven them in the desert, in a combat environment, and it performed flawlessly.

 

[jefo13]

Also fair but what else are they supposed to compare it to? They only other Prado we had here previously was the GX460 which again, outside of enthusiast circles is going to just confuse the majority of customers. Some folks like to say the 4Runner was a Prado, I disagree. It's similar yes, but a Prado it is not. The GX is literally, pound for pound the Prado just in a Lexus body kit. So it makes sense for the US market that they choose to compare it to the most recent model we had for sale here which just so happened to be the 200. Would the better way to announce and market this have been "For the first time ever on US shores, Toyota presents the all new 2024 Land Cruiser Prado 250 Series"? Even if they did people would still find something to complain about.

100% right, like someone else said, if Toyota listened to us they would be bankrupt

 

[bj70bc]

how about an 'identifies as a' sticker above the landcruiser badge

 

[Romer]

Funny how people keep claiming it isnt a Land Cruiser or that 4runneers should be called Land Cruisers. Those opinions are not relevant as Toyota is the only one how can define the name of those vehicles. The 250/GX550 have a strong heritage through the Prrao. My daughter wheels a GX470 and she goes everywhere my 200 goes. I consider her GX470 a Land Cruiser as it is a Toyota 120 series Land Cruiser per their name definition.

Then again, many people told me my Lexus wasnt a Land Cruiser even though it was stamped FZJ80 on the Frame

 

[777Gage]

How about this sticker - where the Toyota Hybrid all started. Who would have thought we would put Land Cruiser and Hybrid in the same sentence?

how about an 'identifies as a' sticker above the landcruiser badge

 

[Nothinghead]

I'm sure TMC is having a good laugh reading this forum.

Take a look at the mistubishi eclipse, chevy blazer, mustang mach-e, acura integra, etc.

They could call it a Toyota Gonorrhea and it wouldn't change what it is.

 

[desmocruiser]

No. The models that are badged "Land Cruiser", which this one is, are the cruisers. Why do I get the feeling people are only upset because the club is going to get less exclusive? And I say who gives a sh*t. Are people's egos this fragile? It's actually pretty funny.

And all those trashing Prados, have you ever driven one? They are bomb proof! I've driven them in the desert, in a combat environment, and it performed flawlessly.

I could care less about exclusivity, I attend multiple TLCA events to be around more of us! Heck, I wave at every Land Cruiser, slightly modified Toyota/Lexus and any vintage 4X4, I figure we have something in common!

I am disappointed Toyota is not offering us a full range of choices in a Toyota brand with both the 250 and 300. But since they want the lexus to be the exclusive 300, don’t try to convince us that what they call the Land Cruiser Prado in every other country is suddenly the Land Cruiser here when everywhere else it isn’t!

Just call it the F’n Land Cruiser Prado!!!!!!

It’s no big deal, it’s a quality rig with cool equipment levels, it will be just fine!

 

[flyfish4life]

Exactly and per the video posted, Toyota could have brought the 300 series in a more basic model as well and gain sales.

Or just do like Porsche does and let the damn customer order it to specs. But nooooooo…..