Thoughts From the 200 Crew On the LC250 Reveal

[Zill]

I really don’t understand why they brought this prado to the states when they have the 4Runner name plate.

Everything in this car was what I thought the new 4Runner would have, not the Land Cruiser. Just a complete letdown.

The engine bay looks like a total birds nest of wires and complication.

Time to save up and add another low mileage rust free 200 series to the stable to continue enjoying the last well built, solid, non EPA ridden disposable product the auto manufactures are pumping out these days.

This is a sad day indeed.

 

[Umbrarian]

I really don’t understand why they brought this prado to the states when they have the 4Runner name plate.

Everything in this car was what I thought the new 4Runner would have, not the Land Cruiser. Just a complete letdown.

The engine bay looks like a total birds nest of wires and complication.

Time to save up and add another low mileage rust free 200 series to the stable to continue enjoying the last well built, solid, non EPA ridden disposable product the auto manufactures are pumping out these days.

This is sad day indeed.

I am also not ready for the hybrid only. I thought there would be choice like with the Tundra, but the Sequoia and now this, looks it is not to be. 21 Sequoia, 21 TLC are going to be in the stable for a long time to come.

 

[Zill]

I am also not ready for the hybrid only. I thought there would be choice like with the Tundra, but the Sequoia and now this, looks it is not to be. 21 Sequoia, 21 TLC are going to be in the stable for a long time to come.

One of my favorite things to do is fire up the ol’ 5.7 in either the cruiser or the tundra on a cold morning. Always puts a smile to my face to hear the engine come to life.

I don’t think a 4 cylinder that sounds like an econobox will do that.

2008-2021 Tundra, Sequoia, and 200 LC/LX was the pinnacle for Toyota. Love every one of them. They kept them around for as long as they could before they were forced to switch over to the (inferior) NHTSA tech by our supreme leaders.

 

[Gazziza]

That 70!

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If they had just made it looked like the global 70 series and kept everything the same I probably would have been in LOVE. They were so close and already had the design down but in typical Toyota fashion they teased us once again. The new looks more like an FJC than anything.

 

[300ZXTT]

Can't actually believe this crap.. Same ground clearance as a Subaru Crosstrek? August fools day?

 

[40Man]

One of my favorite things to do is fire up the ol’ 5.7 in either the cruiser or the tundra on a cold morning. Always puts a smile to my face to hear the engine come to life.

I don’t think a 4 cylinder that sounds like an econobox will do that.

2008-2021 Tundra, Sequoia, and 200 LC/LX was the pinnacle for Toyota. Love every one of them. They kept them around for as long as they could before they were forced to switch over to the (inferior) NHTSA tech by our supreme leaders.

Don't worry, they'll probably pump in some fake growly engine noises through the speakers like they do in the Tundra .

 

[jefo13]

And these YouTubers keep comparing it to the 200 vs 150 (Prado) which in that comparo much like during the GX unavailing, we are talking true succession… to think the Land Cruiser is finally cheaper in the US I like thinking buying an Apple Watch SE is a cheaper awUltra
Ps no KDSS, instead one of the trims gets American-style swaybar disconnect and only in the front… the 200 will continue to be the king of the RTI ramp

 

[bj70bc]

thats not a landcruiser

this is a landcruiser

 

[LX Cruiser]

• No one was begging for the Prado in the US.
• Disingenuous to say the LC “returns” to the US when it’s the little brother we’ve had all along in the 4R/GX.
• I can seat 8, tow 8k, and go pretty much anywhere. This is not an upgrade from the 200.
• Good thing 200s last forever.

 

[Gazziza]

And these YouTubers keep comparing it to the 200 vs 150 (Prado) which in that comparo much like during the GX unavailing, we are talking true succession… to think the Land Cruiser is finally cheaper in the US I like thinking buying an Apple Watch SE is a cheaper awUltra
Ps no KDSS, instead one of the trims gets American-style swaybar disconnect and only in the front… the 200 will continue to be the king of the RTI ramp

Its because all the Youtubers were making their content off 5th gen 4Runners and 3rd Gen Tacomas. They didn't make content off a 200 series because 1) it was $88K and 2) it wasn't popular among feauxverlanders. The 200 series was sort of unobtanium for 99% of people. Hell I didn't buy my 2013 until 2 years ago because it was so damn pricey and they held value so well. Now that their channels grew and the "Land Cruiser" decreased in price they're all hopping on the LC bangwagon since its attainable. It's going to be sad when all the brodies start claiming to be "Land Cruiser" enthusiasts. I like the damn thing but it really should have just been called an FJ Cruiser. They killed the nameplate IMO.

Real ones know this ain't no 200 or 300. Not even close.

 

[bj70bc]

yes.... new fj cruiser
it as much of a landcruiser as the new broncos are broncos

 

[MJernigan]

My opinion as a new to me 200 series owner:
•The new LC 250 isn’t meant to replace what we’ve come to know as the LC.
•Toyota is going after quantity rather than class or prestige.
•Toyota likely plans for many customers to make this a parts counter build while signing the paperwork on day one. They sell the vehicle, sell the accessories for the vehicle, and the service department makes money for installing the parts.
•The ride height was intentionally left low to sell TRD branded lift kits for those who don’t care about MPG, see above bullet point.
•I wouldn’t be one bit surprised to see a TRD Pro model for the ‘25 model year as a follow up to the first editions. TRD Pro gets 3.4 v6tt with increased ride height and suspension travel. Think Bronco Raptor but not as aggressive. They will need a halo suv and what better way to keep excitement than power and suspension.

What baffles me though:
•Where will the 4R fit in?
•Why not the 4R get the turbo 4 cyl., LC get the v6tt, the GX the v6tt with optional hybrid at lower power levels than the Sequoia and the LX600 get the v6tt hybrid as standard with higher output than the Sequoia?
•I can’t be the only one who doesn’t want the added weight or complexity of the hybrid system for a vehicle designed as an off-roader.
•That battery and raised floor of the cargo area sure eats up a lot of room that off-roaders could use for storage of useful equipment. Again see above bullet point.

 

[04UZJ100]

Hahahahha a 2.4 liter fart cannon and the same build/beefiness as a 4Runner. No thanks.

 

[tbisaacs]

Hahahahha a 2.4 liter fart cannon and the same build/beefiness as a 4Runner. No thanks.

Same. I’m sure it’s objectively a fine vehicle. If they had called it a 4Runner or FJ or 4Runner it would make more sense. And I get that globally they use Land Cruiser interchangeably.

 

[jefo13]

Yeah, it actually is a huge improvement over the outgoing Prado and extremely unfair to campare to a 200… Australians are actually very positive on it for that same reason, no one is comparing it to the 300 over there…
If anyone with a 200 in the US had an itch to buy something, the overtrail GX550 is the way to go!

 

[Leelanau]

For me, there’s some hits and misses. I like the overall exterior looks; including the GX550. The interior design updates with a modern display combined with a lot of physical switches is a design win.

The biggest misses revolve around the modern pressures on automakers to reduce carbon emissions and meet efficiency standards…AKA the “war on the v8’s I hold near and dear.”

The complicated 4 cylinder hybrid system with the elevated load floor…
The reduction in towing capacity…
No front locker, no kdss…
No warm v8 resonance…

It’s not a 200 replacement, and I am happily keeping my 200.

 

[Tennessee80]

I certainly don't like the "cheapening" and "accessible to everyone" aspect of this model. As others have said, a new Land Cruiser is pricey but for a reason, they are built very well with high quality components. If this new 250 is "affordable" then that doesn't add up to high quality. Maybe we are all wrong, who knows. LOL

 

[aedgington]

If this new 250 is "affordable" then that doesn't add up to high quality. Maybe we are all wrong, who knows. LOL

Tike, Quality, Cost. Pick 2. I doubt this truck has broken the Iron Triangle.

 

[open country]

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

 

[40Man]

My opinion as a new to me 200 series owner:
•The new LC 250 isn’t meant to replace what we’ve come to know as the LC.
•Toyota is going after quantity rather than class or prestige.
•Toyota likely plans for many customers to make this a parts counter build while signing the paperwork on day one. They sell the vehicle, sell the accessories for the vehicle, and the service department makes money for installing the parts.
•The ride height was intentionally left low to sell TRD branded lift kits for those who don’t care about MPG, see above bullet point.
•I wouldn’t be one bit surprised to see a TRD Pro model for the ‘25 model year as a follow up to the first editions. TRD Pro gets 3.4 v6tt with increased ride height and suspension travel. Think Bronco Raptor but not as aggressive. They will need a halo suv and what better way to keep excitement than power and suspension.

What baffles me though:
•Where will the 4R fit in?
•Why not the 4R get the turbo 4 cyl., LC get the v6tt, the GX the v6tt with optional hybrid at lower power levels than the Sequoia and the LX600 get the v6tt hybrid as standard with higher output than the Sequoia?
•I can’t be the only one who doesn’t want the added weight or complexity of the hybrid system for a vehicle designed as an off-roader.
•That battery and raised floor of the cargo area sure eats up a lot of room that off-roaders could use for storage of useful equipment. Again see above bullet point.

I agree with a lot, but it won't get a ttv6. Just like the current gx has the 4.6, it differentiates from the 4R.

I'm guessing the 4R gets the tti4 with no hybrid. Probably the same size.

The hybrid is a mixed bag to me. Toyota is the hybrid king, and I trust they system to be robust and give it more torque at the expense of more to potentially go wrong. Positives are no start stop (which I am sure all new non-hybrid will have, no turbo hesitation off the line with good torque(my Tundra hybrid squeals rubber if I get a bit too aggressive off the line.

It has a lot of good attributes. Std. locker, torsen ft-4wd, high torque, etc. Definitely an improvement in the 5th gen 4runner (which is basically a Prado already). I'm guessing mpg will have a big improvement over the old GX or 5th gen 4R.

TBDs are robustness of build as well as QC out of the gate. I'll wait a couple years to replace my wife's 4R, but will likely lean GX.

From a business standpoint, this will sell better than the 200, but the question is will it cannabalize 4R sales? Time will tell.