Thoughts From the 200 Crew On the LC250 Reveal (1 Viewer)

[Redbull]

Toyota has to conform to CAFE standards and they’re gonna sell a s*** ton of these. They cant afford to have them doing 17 mpg highway downhill with a tail wind in 40 degree weather.

And what else are we gonna buy? A Tahoe? Bronco? Defender? Navigator? X7? GLS Mercedes? No. We’re gonna buy a Toyota product whether this LC250 or a 200 or 100 or whatever. Either well buy new or go back catalog.

 

[Tripledave]

I'm just happy to own three of the best Toyota/Lexus SUV's ever made IMHO (100/150/200) and I do not have to think about buying another Prado anytime soon. This was a letdown from the beginning (GX550 reveal) to me but I understand that I buy for different reasons than the masses.

 

[canyonrider]

17 mpg highway downhill with a tail wind in 40 degree weather.

Lol, this statement perfectly sums up the fuel efficiency of my 200. I may be interested in a 250 at some point for this reason alone, despite the lack of a split tailgate.

 

[Itsky]

Where's all the folks that said they wanted a bare-bones, basic version of a Land Cruiser? Seems like this would appeal to them because of the cloth seats, simple body design, no third row, rear locker, etc...

I’m here. They will sell 10x these than they did the 200. I was hoping it came in at the same size of the 200, but otherwise they nailed it.

 

[TeCKis300]

The rest of the world does not have the competition in that segment. Suburban, Tahoe, Expedition, Navigator. Also the full size pickup - F150, Silverado, Sierra, Ram. I had a LX570 for a while but man - it's a very small full sized SUV with horrible gas mileage. Better value and room in a Suburban or Tahoe - or a full sized pickup. That's what killed the LC market in the USA. You really have got to want an LC in the USA to buy it. There are too many competitive full sized SUV's that beat it in room, mpg, price (by a lot) and other attributes. I love the LC 200 but it's hard to justify. The LC 300 would have the same problem if not more of one as the domestic offerings keep getting better. For the price of an LC300 you can get a fully loaded Escalade or Navigator. That's a hard sell.

Perhaps what you stated goes more to prove my point. The mainstream American consumer doesn't want what the traditional Land Cruiser offered. They want what the competitors offered which is maximum space, power, features, tech, optics of capability, all wrapped in a throwaway package. The stereotypical American consumer.

I'll speak for myself but there's literally no other option that can do the heavy lifting I want. WIth the level of capability, reliability, and comfort the 200-series offers.

 

[Specialeyes]

I've only had my 200 for 6 weeks now but long enough to figure out what I like and dislike about it. I don't know that it will be something I keep around longer than any of my previous rides as it has it's shortcomings for my use case but time will tell. As for the 250 here are my thoughts...

Likes: I am thrilled that there is going to be a BOF, off road SUV capable of 27 MPG combined! (Nearly 3x's the economy of my 200) The interior layout and design looks good and well thought out. Having only 2 rows of seating is also a win in my book. I like the slightly smaller size compared to the 200 as well. I like the styling for the most part although at first I thought the renders that were leaked made it look hokey and cheap but then I thought it looked a bit better on camera during the reveal. That Heritage Blue with the light colored grey/white roof is sharp! (I do wish they did not have so much black cladding, this is a problem for me on the new GX as well)

Dislikes: No split tailgate, that raised floor in the rear could also be a pain. Wish the 2nd row folded flat instead of just folding down or tumbling forward. (I do not care for this in the 200 either) My only other nit pick really (and I don't mean to come off "holier than thou" with what I am about to say) is that I kind of dislike the overall move down market. That stealth wealth, IYKYK flex that the 200 is known for is one of the reasons I wanted one. I like not seeing them on every block. I like having something that is top shelf. The 250 looks like it's going to be a great vehicle and at the price point they will no doubt be everywhere just like 4Runners, Broncos, and Wranglers.

My closing thoughts are that I really need to touch and feel this new LC. If it retains that tight, high quality assembly along with the capability and reliability that the LC is known for then I think Toyota has a hit on their hands with this new Prado.

 

[08URJ200]

This is great news, sounds like I will be getting into a 2016+ 200 (or a second 200) waaaaaay sooner than I was expecting. Fantastic!

With a 14 year run behind it, keeping one going for many years to come shouldn't be difficult and they will only become more rare as the years go by. I think that's great.

So at this point why would someone buy a 4Runner moving forward? The Tacoma has a truck bed so spending 40k+ for a reputable truck still makes sense. Is the 4Runner going to be discontinued?

I have spent zero time looking at what a 4Runner is nowadays, and also zero time looking at this 250 before this afternoon.

 

[Sandroad]

From what I've seen so far, this LC and the new GX hit all the high spots of my use case and interests. I couldn't care less about a name and my personal identity is not tied to the badge on a vehicle. With a few caveats from things I don't know yet and availability without obscene wait times or markups, I will for sure take a long test drive in one. If everything continues to check all my boxes, my 200 could very well be for sale in a couple years.

 

[Redbull]

I will say this: Toyota needs someone new designing their alloys. You could have people doing backflips for this truck if it had the right wheels.

4runners are $40k+ and this will be 55 or 60+ so there is still very much a need for the 4Runner.

 

[Pierce]

From what I've seen so far, this LC and the new GX hit all the high spots of my use case and interests. I couldn't care less about a name and my personal identity is not tied to the badge on a vehicle. With a few caveats from things I don't know yet and availability without obscene wait times or markups, I will for sure take a long test drive in one. If everything continues to check all my boxes, my 200 could very well be for sale in a couple years.

Unfortunately, I’m fairly sure that my personal identity has become tied to the badge. These things get in your blood.


Oh man… the official press release video… the engine noises! Those aren’t 4 cylinder noises!



I’m fine now. Was depressed. Just along for the ride now. I like where the volume knob is . It’ll probably be fine.

 

[08URJ200]

I will say this: Toyota needs someone new designing their alloys. You could have people doing backflips for this truck if it had the right wheels.

4runners are $40k+ and this will be 55 or 60+ so there is still very much a need for the 4Runner.

Ah, $20k is certainly a significant gap.

 

[Umbrarian]

So at this point why would someone buy a 4Runner moving forward?

I guess it all depends upon what the NextGen 4Runner offers

 

[Supra Turbo]

Toyota has to conform to CAFE standards and they’re gonna sell a s*** ton of these. They cant afford to have them doing 17 mpg highway downhill with a tail wind in 40 degree weather.

And what else are we gonna buy? A Tahoe? Bronco? Defender? Navigator? X7? GLS Mercedes? No. We’re gonna buy a Toyota product whether this LC250 or a 200 or 100 or whatever. Either well buy new or go back catalog.

G-wagon for me. Maybe the GX550. Something luxury with offroad chops.

 

[2021 LC200]

The mainstream American consumer doesn't want what the traditional Land Cruiser offered. They want what the competitors offered which is maximum space, power, features, tech, optics of capability, all wrapped in a throwaway package. The stereotypical American consumer.

I'll speak for myself but there's literally no other option that can do the heavy lifting I want. WIth the level of capability, reliability, and comfort the 200-series offers.

Exactly what Toyota has "achieved" with the 250 Prado labelling it a Land Cruiser in the US, what a joke. At least Land Cruiser Prado as done everywhere else would have made some sense. Anyways, it is Prado and a latest sub par incarnation of the same.

Reminds me how BMW has messed up the looks completely of the last generation 7 and X7 series. The thin lights remind me of the pathetic looking late Jeep Cherokee models. Just shocking, including how otherwise class leading BMW dashboards have taken space for LCD panels sticking out. OMG.

 

[Kurtj29]

Perhaps what you stated goes more to prove my point. The mainstream American consumer doesn't want what the traditional Land Cruiser offered. They want what the competitors offered which is maximum space, power, features, tech, optics of capability, all wrapped in a throwaway package. The stereotypical American consumer.

I'll speak for myself but there's literally no other option that can do the heavy lifting I want. WIth the level of capability, reliability, and comfort the 200-series offers.

But seriously - a Land Cruiser is a really nice vehicle, very well made but it is severely compromised - it pales in comparison to what a full sized pickup offers in terms of capability. I sold my LX 570 after taking my son and his wife to the airport for a ski trip and I had to leave my wife at their house because the skis and luggage took up too much room. After that I went out and traded in the LX for a F-150. Now I have a pickup bed, huge back seat, much better mpg (17.5 v. 13); much more power (450hp and 550lb ft tq); 0-60 in 5.5 secs and a 36 gallon gas tank with a 600+ mile range. Oh and Regular gas. Sorry but no comparison - if you have the space for a full size pickup - it's not even a choice. But I still really like Land Cruisers - they just are not that capable for everyday life.

Oh and right before this incident, we went to Costco to get some food and my wife saw they have these freezers for sale, well we could not pass that up. Getting the freezer into the back of a pickup would have been no problem. With my LX - I had to push it in the back, it hung out the gate, I had to tie the gate open. Running down the road with the alarm going off all the way home pissed me off and primed me to get rid of it. The airport situation sealed the deal.

Still the LX was a great vehicle, as long as you did not have to do any truck stuff.

 

[TeCKis300]

Exactly what Toyota has "achieved" with the 250 Prado labelling it a Land Cruiser in the US, what a joke. At least Land Cruiser Prado as done everywhere else would have made some sense. Anyways, it is Prado and a latest sub par incarnation of the same.

Reminds me how BMW has messed up the looks completely of the last generation 7 and X7 series. The thin lights remind me of the pathetic looking late Jeep Cherokee models. Just shocking, including how otherwise class leading BMW dashboards have taken space of LCD panels sticking out. OMG.

View attachment 3391052

View attachment 3391057

Agreed that BMW has lost their way. As much as I dislike the Land Cruiser branding go down market, outside of our small niche here, I get the sense that it's widely celebrated by most every other circle and mainstream. Toyota knows what they're doing even if that's watering down the brand. I believe it's going to be a success.

Between Toyota and Lexus, they're going to have a body on frame SUV for all sizes and budgets. They're not done either.

The high end is going to see the LX to broaden its offerings with a possible LX700H and Overtrail models.

Toyota will come out with an FJ inspired Compact Cruiser.

I'm more of a Porsche guy. They're killing it.

 

[2021 LC200]

But seriously - a Land Cruiser is a really nice vehicle, very well made but it is severely compromised - it pales in comparison to what a full sized pickup offers in terms of capability. I sold my LX 570 after taking my son and his wife to the airport for a ski trip and I had to leave my wife at their house because the skis and luggage took up too much room. After that I went out and traded in the LX for a F-150. Now I have a pickup bed, huge back seat, much better mpg (17.5 v. 13); much more power (450hp and 550lb ft tq); 0-60 in 5.5 secs and a 36 gallon gas tank with a 600+ mile range. Oh and Regular gas. Sorry but no comparison - if you have the space for a full size pickup - it's not even a choice. But I still really like Land Cruisers - they just are not that capable for everyday life.

Oh and right before this incident, we went to Costco to get some food and my wife saw they have these freezers for sale, well we could not pass that up. Getting the freezer into the back of a pickup would have been no problem. With my LX - I had to push it in the back, it hung out the gate, I had to tie the gate open. Running down the road with the alarm going off all the way home pissed me off and primed me to get rid of it. The airport situation sealed the deal.

Still the LX was a great vehicle, as long as you did not have to do any truck stuff.

2010+ Ford F-150 quality pales in comparison to Land Cruiser 200. Good luck with your throwaway pick up.

 

[bj70bc]

After that I went out and traded in the LX for a F-150. Now I have a pickup bed, huge back seat

aughhhhh, damn,i just threw up in my mouth a bit, i thought you were going to say Tundra.......................................

 

[Supra Turbo]

But seriously - a Land Cruiser is a really nice vehicle, very well made but it is severely compromised - it pales in comparison to what a full sized pickup offers in terms of capability. I went out and traded in the LX for a F-150. Now I have a pickup bed, huge back seat... I still really like Land Cruisers - they just are not that capable for everyday life.

I guess it depends on how you look at it. Personally, I would never even consider a pickup truck. It's not in the same luxury class, doesn't seat 7/8, doesn't have the same presense, offroad chops, reliability record, etc. But anytime you gain something offroad, you lose something on road.

 

[2021 LC200]

Agreed that BMW has lost their way. As much as I dislike the Land Cruiser branding go down market, outside of our small niche here, I get the sense that it's widely celebrated by most every other circle and mainstream. Toyota knows what they're doing even if that's watering down the brand. I believe it's going to be a success.

Between Toyota and Lexus, they're going to have a body on frame SUV for all sizes and budgets. They're not done either.

The high end is going to see the LX to broaden its offerings with a possible LX700H and Overtrail models.

Toyota will come out with an FJ inspired Compact Cruiser.

I'm more of a Porsche guy. They're killing it.

View attachment 3391070

Yes, the Porsche 911 and variants of the same are indeed awesome. Timeless. The GOAT of sports car. Above any fancier sports car just because of its sheer class. Except maybe a fifties 300SL, in case money is no object. I guess I keep dreaming...