Thoughts From the 200 Crew On the LC250 Reveal

[TeCKis300]

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.

That's a reasonable perspective and sounds like the F150 fits your uses. I'm definitely in the minority with more niche requirements. A truck doesn't work for my needs, and to be fair, I did need to modify my LX a bit. Interestingly, I road trip, camp, and off-road with 4 buddies with F150s - 2x Raptors, 1 FX4, and 1 XL. I have no want for an F150 and it is the LX that is the one to beat when it comes to all around off-road chops, reliability, capability, comfort, and towing. My LX is also older by 7 years to the closest one and they are absolutely blown away by that fact.

An F-150 can't road trip with 8 people. It's not full time 4WD. Doesn't have the build quality and comfort (even off-road where tour kids often choose the Lexus). Raptor buddy complains about towing a 6500lb travel trailer, and yet the LX tows my 8k trailer confidently.

I'll admit I'm not a truck guy. That might change when I get a CT.

EDIT: this deserves a picture. When my Raptor buddy needed to trade up his 2019 Raptor due to issues, he seriously considered the LX.

 

[2021 LC200]

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.

 

[Kurtj29]

That's a reasonable perspective and sounds like the F150 fits your uses. I'm definitely in the minority with more niche requirements. A truck doesn't work for my needs, and to be fair, I did need to modify my LX a bit. Interestingly, I road trip, camp, and off-road with 4 buddies with F150s - 2x Raptors, 1 FX4, and 1 XL. I have no want for an F150 and it is the LX that is the one to beat when it comes to all around off-road chops, reliability, capability, comfort, and towing. My LX is also older by 7 years to the closest one and they are absolutely blown away by that fact.

An F-150 can't road trip with 8 people. It's not full time 4WD. Doesn't have the build quality and comfort (even off-road where tour kids often choose the Lexus). Raptor buddy complains about towing a 6500lb travel trailer, and yet the LX tows my 8k trailer confidently.

I'll admit I'm not a truck guy. That might change when I get a CT.

EDIT: this deserves a picture. When my Raptor buddy needed to trade up his 2019 Raptor due to issues, he seriously considered the LX.

Well I love buying and selling trucks mainly. I keep for about a year, trade it in and get a new more. But I have had mainly pickups. My LX was my only SUV. But I have 1.5 acres and my wife likes to buy a lot of plants, trees and bark so my truck fits that. BTW, Nothing beats the ride of a Raptor off road. My LX was nice but the Raptor is on a whole other level of speed and comfort. There is just no way that short wheel base is going to match up to a Raptor with the active suspension which is pretty amazing. FWIW, try jumping an LX or LC.... I can't believe how far you can jump these trucks - and the suspension can sense when the truck gets airborne and presets/stiffens the shocks for a better landing. Really fun trucks at the dunes - running at 40mph and hitting a hill. Scary but a blast.

 

[Idaho Savage]

I'm sorry if I missed it but have they revealed where the 250 will be manufactured?

 

[Idaho Savage]

Well I love buying and selling trucks mainly. I keep for about a year, trade it in and get a new more. But I have had mainly pickups. My LX was my only SUV. But I have 1.5 acres and my wife likes to buy a lot of plants, trees and bark so my truck fits that. BTW, Nothing beats the ride of a Raptor off road. My LX was nice but the Raptor is on a whole other level of speed and comfort. View attachment 3391107

As an owner of both a built 200 and a Gen 3 Raptor, it is no contest. In any venue outside of crawling, the Raptor wins. This might change after 150k when the Raptor starts falling apart, but don't kid yourself. They are very, very nice trucks with absolutely wicked capabilities.

To put it another way, if my wife made me sell one, it would not be the Raptor. And I do love my 200.

 

[chriscosta416]

I'm sorry if I missed it but have they revealed where the 250 will be manufactured?

Hino and Tahara

 

[Idaho Savage]

Hino and Tahara

Well I guess that's good. I've always loved knowing the LC was a Japanese built Toyota.

 

[bj70bc]

japan

 

[2021 LC200]

As an owner of both a built 200 and a Gen 3 Raptor, it is no contest. In any venue outside of crawling, the Raptor wins. This might change after 150k when the Raptor starts falling apart, but don't kid yourself. They are very, very nice trucks with absolutely wicked capabilities.

To put it another way, if my wife made me sell one, it would not be the Raptor. And I do love my 200.

No contest, right... Seems many do not understand how well made and heavy duty the Land Cruiser 200 is and why it therefore stands out as an overlanding machine, can indeed tow up to 8000lbs with confidence (have the same experience as TeCKis300) and can survive years of washboard track driving in the Australian outback or Sahara dessert.



Even second to a Chrysler product in a drag race, how funny

 

[LX Cruiser]

they just are not that capable for everyday life.

I'm sorry, this just sounds insane to me. There is no other platform that is as good at as many different tasks as a 200 series Land Cruiser.

• seats 8
• tows 8k. No mods required to keep from squatting if you have the LX
• drop off your heavy trailer and go do serious off-roading
• LC has better stock articulation than a Wrangler Rubicon
• tight turn radius helps maneuver trailers in tight spaces
• unlocked L4 range turns every boat ramp into a breeze
• fulltime 4wd is nearly perfect in all conditions.

If you're in a Raptor, the LX is better for towing. Yes the Raptor great for off roading. But for "everyday life" as you say, it's not great at towing, hauling, or daily driving. Doesn't every Raptor require a chainsaw or hedge trimmers if you take it on forest service roads? That's all I see: Raptor drivers constantly getting out to trim back the flora. Can't have any pinstripes!

 

[TeCKis300]

Well I love buying and selling trucks mainly. I keep for about a year, trade it in and get a new more. But I have had mainly pickups. My LX was my only SUV. But I have 1.5 acres and my wife likes to buy a lot of plants, trees and bark so my truck fits that. BTW, Nothing beats the ride of a Raptor off road. My LX was nice but the Raptor is on a whole other level of speed and comfort. FWIW, try jumping an LX or LC.... I can't believe how far you can jump these trucks - scary. View attachment 3391107

No doubt the Raptor is a great truck and better performing box stock as Toyota/Lexus is too conservative to fit appropriate tires for the job.

It's arguable whether the Raptor beats everything. I have nothing to prove to you, but my F150 friends having seen the LX perform side by side with theirs, surely wouldn't put it the way you do.

I'll leave it with this posted by @Jetboy who's also on these forums - Toyota-4Runner.org - https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3213654-post18.html?s=b6e81f0ef33f0fadc8ca661f4f23d4ef

 

[dudek7]

I like it. I like how it's tighter and not as bulky as the 200. I never use my third row seats, either. That said, we won't sell the 200 ever, so if I get one of these, it will be in addition to what we have. Ha

Australian version offer 3rd row seats, that why even in us version there cup holders on the back are in kind of awkward place.

 

[chriscosta416]

Australian version offer 3rd row seats, that why even in us version there cup holders on the back are in kind of awkward place.

7 seater means great load capacity none the less

 

[Romer]

my open question is the Hybrid engine (staying charged) and torque going up two steep mtn passes. I have a Kimberley Karavan which says the tow vehicle should be >5500 lbs. This new LC is rated at 6000 lbs so that is good

I went from a 200 series to 200 series as my 100 series struggled maintaining any decent speed up Mtn passes in Colorado. The 200 series doesn't have any issues with that

 

[2021 LC200]

my open question is the Hybrid engine (staying charged) and torque going up two steep mtn passes. I have a Kimberley Karavan which says the tow vehicle should be >5500 lbs. This new LC is rated at 6000 lbs so that is good

I went from a 200 series to 200 series as my 100 series struggled maintaining any decent speed up Mtn passes in Colorado. The 200 series doesn't have any issues with that

View attachment 3391134

Exactly, the battery and electromotor are useless on highways and definitely long climbs. Hybrids are great in the city and to drive to the mall. Why that gets combined with a 250 Prado is even for a Prado unreal. This new 250 Prado is a joke, from capability to looks to the miss labeling it as a Land Cruiser in the US. Toyota being influenced by too many US sh$t heads designing and marketing them so it seems. Sorry, it is a sad week for Toyota. Losing the plot. Happy I have a 2021 LC200 designed fully in Japan in the late nineties and early two thousands along very clear objectives and capabilities.

 

[TomEf]

Tell me if I’m wrong, but is this not the 9.5” axle? I believe the 8.2” transitions to round tube much closer to the pumpkin.

 

[Romer]

Exactly, the battery and electromotor are useless on highways and definitely long climbs. Hybrids are great in the city and to drive to the mall. Why that gets combined with a 250 Prado is even for a Prado unreal. This new 250 Prado is a joke, from capability to looks to the miss labeling it as a Land Cruiser in the US. Toyota being influenced by too many US sh$t heads designing and marketing them so it seems. Sorry, it is a sad week for Toyota. Losing the plot.

I don't know about the Hybrid item which is why I am asking, but disagree with just about everything you said. I like what I see and the towing is my only open concern and a Land Cruiser owner here since 1979. The Prado LC has a long history of capability so it isnt mislabeling. That is just my opinion

 

[TeCKis300]

my open question is the Hybrid engine (staying charged) and torque going up two steep mtn passes. I have a Kimberley Karavan which says the tow vehicle should be >5500 lbs. This new LC is rated at 6000 lbs so that is good

I went from a 200 series to 200 series as my 100 series struggled maintaining any decent speed up Mtn passes in Colorado. The 200 series doesn't have any issues with that

View attachment 3391134

I think you'll be fine with the hybrid. Electric motors are generally most efficient when used for low end power and torque fill when taking off and in between shifts. Climbing grades, contrary to popular belief, is all about HP, and where the gas engine will do most of the heavy lifting anyways.

I know many are balking at hybrids, but that's the future if we want better than 16MPG. There might be some niceties along with that too. Upsizing tires may not require regearing as much because of the higher low end torque.

 

[2021 LC200]

I don't know about the Hybrid item which is why I am asking, but disagree with just about everything you said. I like what I see and the towing is my only open concern and a Land Cruiser owner here since 1979. The Prado LC has a long history of capability so it isnt mislabeling. That is just my opinion

Romer. by all means buy the 250 series if you like it. Happy for you.

For me looks and capability are a total failure (reminds me way too much of the ugly late generation square Jeep Liberty and Jeep Commander).

Regarding hybrids:
- They work well in stop and go as the battery gets charged from braking (using the same electric motor as a generator) and is used to accelerate instead of the combustion engine only. This yields the great fuel efficiency in town in 0 to 30 or 0 to 60 mph driving routines.
- At constant speed on a high way towing either flat and more so climbing the battery will not stay charged and as such the electromotor cannot help. All the power of this small 4 cylinder will be needed to maintain speed. Therefore they had to lower the tow capacity to 6000lbs from the twin turbo V6 in the GX550 at 8000lbs, which is otherwise I understand the same platform. By the way the GX550 looks better and has a decent engine, the one to potentially consider as noted by TeCKis300.
Regarding naming:
- Everywhere in the world this 250 series is the Prado or Land Cruiser Prado, except for the US where marketing thinks they can call it a Land Cruiser because the public at large is basically ignorent. They can ofcourse do whatever they want and they just have. However for those who know this is a Prado it never will be a Land Cruiser.

Even labelling it as "just" a Prado or Land Cruiser Prado is sad, as it used to be an awesome vehicle with good global heritage.

Things change and not always for the better. Like the Chris Bangled BMW 5 series E60, which compared to earlier and later 5 series models was just a total joke.

 

[2021 LC200]

I think you'll be fine with the hybrid. Electric motors are generally most efficient when used for low end power and torque fill when taking off and in between shifts. Climbing grades, contrary to popular belief, is all about HP, and where the gas engine will do most of the heavy lifting anyways.

I know many are balking at hybrids, but that's the future if we want better than 16MPG. There might be some niceties along with that too. Upsizing tires may not require regearing as much because of the higher low end torque.

The 4 cylinder hybrid is just to little to allow for serious towing capability. They should have used the Sequioa 3.4 ltr V6 hybrid setup to make it right.