Well I thought it was brutal.
Tinker's latest brutal review of LC250 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter rscoleman
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
You definitely can tell he has an agenda here, which he admits at the end. And maybe he overstates the negatives, but I don't disagree with the conclusions. "What comes after the 200?" is a debate that frequently plays out in my head... not because I plan to get rid of it, it's just the way my mind works. I do the same thing with sports cars and daily drivers.
I've come to the conclusion that the LC250 is just kind of an unnecessary middle child and doesn't really serve a purpose. For someone looking for a more "premium" feeling off road wagon and doing some towing, the GX550 much better fills the niche held by the 200 (assuming they sort out the 3.5 v6 woes in the long run). All it really needs is a good strong skidplate to cover up the front-mounted e-kdss bar, which is begging to get smashed on a rock.
For someone looking for a more basic/functional offroad wagon, the 6th gen 4runner TRD off-road spec non-hybrid does everything the LC250 does, except the swaybar disconnect, which will likely be taken care of by the aftermarket in short order. Even without the hybrid, the 4cyl should be enough power for most, as long as you don't plan to tow.
I've come to the conclusion that the LC250 is just kind of an unnecessary middle child and doesn't really serve a purpose. For someone looking for a more "premium" feeling off road wagon and doing some towing, the GX550 much better fills the niche held by the 200 (assuming they sort out the 3.5 v6 woes in the long run). All it really needs is a good strong skidplate to cover up the front-mounted e-kdss bar, which is begging to get smashed on a rock.
For someone looking for a more basic/functional offroad wagon, the 6th gen 4runner TRD off-road spec non-hybrid does everything the LC250 does, except the swaybar disconnect, which will likely be taken care of by the aftermarket in short order. Even without the hybrid, the 4cyl should be enough power for most, as long as you don't plan to tow.
Last edited:
Maybe we move to 250 section? Unless we're here to talk trash about it and I'm down.
I also don't see where it fits in to the market. GX550 Overtrail is a no-brainer compared to the LC First Edition on the high end, and 4Runner TRD is a no-brainer compared to the base 1958 on the low end. I get why Toyota couldn't make another V8 200, or even sell the 300 here at a market-competitive price. So why bring it back at all to cannibalize it with your own products?
Maybe 250 owners can chime in why they bought given the above dynamic.
I also don't see where it fits in to the market. GX550 Overtrail is a no-brainer compared to the LC First Edition on the high end, and 4Runner TRD is a no-brainer compared to the base 1958 on the low end. I get why Toyota couldn't make another V8 200, or even sell the 300 here at a market-competitive price. So why bring it back at all to cannibalize it with your own products?
Maybe 250 owners can chime in why they bought given the above dynamic.
Yep, yep...that's exactly what I have been saying. It is hard to justify a Prado, when you have the 4Runner 6th gen doing everything and, in the case of the 1958 Prado, with much better creature comforts.
The wining by the Prado owners will start all over again but this was a good review and very honest for someone that (like every other one of these car reviewers) needs to appease Toyota to have access to launch, events, reviews, etc, etc.
His conclusion is the same as mostly everybody that does not have a buyer's bias in going to bat to justify their purchase of a Prado, the GX550 is a better option almost in every way than the "new Land Cruiser".
The LC250 exists for the curb appeal and name only. That's how I felt from the get go, but this video only solidified that in my mind knowing that its compromised mechanically compared to even Tacoma or 4runners(nevermind the GX550).
Also, I wonder if the LC250 being a bit slower than the Tacoma or 4runner iForce max has to do with the rear axle. I wonder if they are having to manage torque in first gear to prevent all 465 ft-lbs from nuking the 8.2" diff.
Also, I wonder if the LC250 being a bit slower than the Tacoma or 4runner iForce max has to do with the rear axle. I wonder if they are having to manage torque in first gear to prevent all 465 ft-lbs from nuking the 8.2" diff.
Last edited:
It can’t be that bad, they sold more US trucks in a year than the 200 did in 10 years lol. And it comes with a rear locker. No one is leaving an FJC for a 250. Their base is weirder and more loyal than any other LC out there.
Here we go again.
Land Cruiser in name only (LC-NO) sums up the 250.
It’s sad that it’s the only new option we get here in the States and does not come close to what the predecessors offered.
Nearly the same fuel cost as a 200 when you factor in the excess cost of premium fuel and factoring in the advertised mpg numbers are woefully misleading. 18-19 real world MPG is really all you’re getting out of the high strung 4 cylinder, and the inadequate fuel tank size just adds salt to the wound.
bloc
SILVER Star
Off topic. Mods, please move.
I believe this is on topic. As owners of the 200-series, a natural question is where does it belong relative to the new Toyota/Lexus lineup. For the moment, it's easy enough to buy a reasonably well kept 200-series in the used market. With time, the next question is what in the new lineup comes closest as a legit successor in the spirit of the 200-series.
Upon it's introduction, some thought the LC250 might be it.
As mentioned before for SUVs
4Runner < LC250 < GX550 < LX600/700
Clearly the LC250 is not it. It's well on the bottom end of the ladeder. Understanding its placement within the new lineup helps calibrate what could be a legitimate successor to the LC200 that would meet expectations.
Upon it's introduction, some thought the LC250 might be it.
As mentioned before for SUVs
4Runner < LC250 < GX550 < LX600/700
Clearly the LC250 is not it. It's well on the bottom end of the ladeder. Understanding its placement within the new lineup helps calibrate what could be a legitimate successor to the LC200 that would meet expectations.
just buck up for the 700 overtrail. Pinky’s up.
I think America got what we were asking for…cheaper, smaller, and modern tech on the dash & under the hood. America asked and Toyota delivered the light duty Prado! I am so glad I purchased one of the last Land Cruiser 200’s with the V8 in 2020!
Apparently, so far and so long as no engine woes occur, the 700h OT is it. It is just a shame that there is no Land Cruiser/Toyota name to it, and we have to live with the Lexus bling and pomp. Not to mention that chin.
Hoa...hold your horses...cheaper and modern ok...smaller I am not so sure. The ask was for the lower trim 300s (not Prados) and Toyota completely misread IMO. Although, in reality, I think Toyota just saw the opportunity of bringing a less/lighter-product (when compared to the 300) and charge lower-trim 300 prices - sending their profit waaaay up. A win-win...for them.
most of the people complaining about the LC250 being a downgrade from the 200 didn’t buy 200s off the lot and were unlikely to buy a bare bones 300 either. The 250 appeals to a wider audience.
They may share the same wheel base measurements, but I remember hearing words like “bloated and fat” describing the LC200. Now we consider the size as the comparative virtue for the US Prado. I would question whether the Prado interior offers comparable space, especially with that battery covering a chunk of the cargo space.
Last edited:
Yep. Toyota misread. Misread all the way to the bank.
scream this from the mountaintops.
- Thread starter
- #18
As person that opened the thread I am not going to complain if you move it to 250 forum, however they might.
On a more realistic note I think even with all things Tinker pointed out 99.9% of buyers of LC250 are probably never going to notice. I purchased a used 2016 in 2018 LC200, I had waited about 20 years to get my 200. I had passed on 100 series as I did not have money at that time nor the need (See T100). I plan to keep my 200 until it is not feasible to repair. Agree that GX550 is what I would get if my 200 died dead tomorrow or I might buy an ICON FJ44 as money is no longer the concern.
On a more realistic note I think even with all things Tinker pointed out 99.9% of buyers of LC250 are probably never going to notice. I purchased a used 2016 in 2018 LC200, I had waited about 20 years to get my 200. I had passed on 100 series as I did not have money at that time nor the need (See T100). I plan to keep my 200 until it is not feasible to repair. Agree that GX550 is what I would get if my 200 died dead tomorrow or I might buy an ICON FJ44 as money is no longer the concern.
I paid $85k including tax for my 200 new in 2015. In 2025 money that is $115k, the same price as a LX700h OT. That’s what I’m buying next year depending on the Trump tax.
The 250 is perfectly priced for those that want to buy new but don’t have $115k plus tax. Sells like hot cakes.
The 250 is perfectly priced for those that want to buy new but don’t have $115k plus tax. Sells like hot cakes.
The 700h OT still has the small 17.9 gallon gas tank problem. It really isn’t big enough for how much these pigs drink gas.
The 600 to me is still the better option since you get a somewhat useable gas tank and trunk space.
The hybrid does not have many compelling reasons to spend the additional coin on it since the TTV6 already provides adequate power. (If it doesn’t seize up on you)
Last edited:
