Tinker's latest brutal review of LC250 (10 Viewers)

[SanJuanJ]

I had the opp to buy a 200 with just over 7,000 miles on it for a little bit (less than $3k) over what I paid for my GX. It was basically new.

I'm well aware of the "full fat" LC heritage. I drove it and I just couldn't get over the wood wannabe luxury interior or the bulbous Highlander exterior. Chose a '25 GX OT+ and not a single regret. You 200 militants, enjoy your giant station wagons.

The very first time that I run into a situaton towing a horse trailer or offroad in the mountains (or desert) around here where I drive 12 months a year (not on a week long vacation from Texas) that the GX couldn't handle but maybe the 200 could, I promise to let you know.

 

[calokie]

Shadow or not, the ‘Fat’ LC really lives up to its nickname and yeah, the 250 beat the 200 this time. But at the end of the day, it’s not just the vehicle that makes a Land Cruiser it’s the community around it. Let’s keep our standards high and respect each other no matter what LC we drive Fat or whatever.

Yea pretty wild to me that other Landcruiser (Grand Highlander owners) are playing the territorial pissing game. I’m going to come up with a 200 series # Tag for posting 250 topics so the “Grand Highlander” owners can come flex their superiority complex (at the community expense of course). But for real…I would never hang out in a vehicle forum unless I owned that vehicle. Just really shows what kind of life a person must have. Perhaps they are the Lifted Truck type compensating for the lack of?

 

[Mingus Dew]

Yea pretty wild to me that other Landcruiser (Grand Highlander owners) are playing the territorial pissing game. I’m going to come up with a 200 series # Tag for posting 250 topics so the “Grand Highlander” owners can come flex their superiority complex (at the community expense of course). But for real…I would never hang out in a vehicle forum unless I owned that vehicle. Just really shows what kind of life a person must have. Perhaps they are the Lifted Truck type compensating for the lack of?

This was a 200 forum thread that was going for a while before the mods moved it. We are all still getting notifications (which we should probably turn off…).

 

[gasman4u]

I’d say there’s an 80/20 ratio of 200 owners giving satire/real feels overall in this thread. This is prior to being moved. And the 250 butthurt being strong and not taking the joke well.

Unpopular but true: there are shortcomings with every platform here. We are ALL here secondary to the pedigree that was established by prior gen’s in this being the best at most things and not getting you stranded when it matters most: the Land Cruiser will get you back and all that.

Am I disappointed with the 250? Yes, I am. On the surface, aesthetics don’t disappoint. Beneath the bodywork however is where my issues start to compile as gone over ad nauseum already. With my archaic infotainment and angry teenager off the line 200 I will stay until it gets totaled or the frame rails rust away.

In any event, mods keep this thread where you will - whatever is fine with me (and most I’d guess).

 

[joseywales]

Yup, all about use case. It's easy enough to critique about what is wrong or could be better, but there is so much right and goodness. Vehicles aren't built in a vacuum and overall balance and packaging is what's at play. The LC is not a rock crawler, nor SXS, or Wrangler. Yet it can do that and many many other things well. We have LCs for Toyota's sensibilities. Things like the full size spare fully underneath is part of the why. When the full fat LC has won the Baja 1000 in its current form, numerous times, it's a relative pinnacle for others to strive for. Not the other way around. The LC250 can thank the full fat LC for that winning template.

At least for the LC250, may not want to further expose its breakover. One of hallmarks of the full fat Land Cruiser is everything tucked up high and tight. The LC250 only approximates that. With hybrid features further exacerbating clearance at key points. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine vehicle in its own right. But this is why it shines from the shadow of Toyota's higher end models.

View attachment 3932896

View attachment 3932901

You could have used an apples to apples photo. A Baja prepped 200 compared to a bone stock 250 is a bit offside…

 

[TeCKis300]

You could have used an apples to apples photo. A Baja prepped 200 compared to a bone stock 250 is a bit offside…View attachment 3933067View attachment 3933068

Copy, shiny SEMA show truck is apples to a Baja Stock Full class truck.

Though seriously, I'd wheel with anyone and it's not about the trucks. They all have merits, pros, and cons.

 

[Rednexus]

You could have used an apples to apples photo. A Baja prepped 200 compared to a bone stock 250 is a bit offside…

250 looks better than the 200 and 100, hands down. IMO the 100 looks kind of like a weird Japanese vehicle (it almost has some Toyota Crown vibes). I like weird Japanese vehicles, but they need to be attractive as well - and the 100 is not especially attractive (nor is it ugly). The 200 doesn't look bad, but there is nothing noteworthy about the design either. It's plain and understated, which is probably the point.

The 250 looks like a Toyota SUV and objectively looks good, but I can also see it looking dated in 20+ years, like most modern/retro designs do. The GX550 is quite attractive as well, though perhaps a bit too aggressive.

The GX470 is still my favorite, although they look totally neutered stock. With blacking out some trim, slicing steps, and adding wheels, they look great. Perfect blend of luxury/toughness, and uniqueness, without being overstated or overly aggressive.

 

[cruisergreen]

The 250 looks like a Toyota SUV and objectively looks good, but I can also see it looking dated in 20+ years, like most modern/retro designs do. The GX550 is quite attractive as well, though perhaps a bit too aggressive.

The GX470 is still my favorite, although they look totally neutered stock. With blacking out some trim, slicing steps, and adding wheels, they look great. Perfect blend of luxury/toughness, and uniqueness, without being overstated or overly aggressive.
View attachment 3933135

I think the 460/470 does look good in a weird way, kinda like the 55 does.
The 100 and 200 are cool, but mostly because they’re Land Cruisers, not because they objectively look good.
IMO the retro round headlights already look dated on everything. I think the rectangle headlights on the LC trim 250 will make that version hold up aesthetically better long-term.

 

[cruisergreen]

This was a 200 forum thread that was going for a while before the mods moved it. We are all still getting notifications (which we should probably turn off…).

Speaking of, at the risk of pissing off said mods, I think that was kind of a dick-move to throw a multi-page bash-fest grenade from another forum in here.

This forum is dead. As someone else said, anyone who’s just enjoying owning, driving, and building their 250 isn’t doing it here.

 

[Hiluxforever]

That ass tho...

I am biased towards the Prado coming from mini trucks.

I am assuming the aftermarket will be there to serve if anything becomes too serious. I doubt it would cost as much as doing a timing cover and valley plate on any of the UR V8s.

Its all worth it when you can do intermediate and advanced obstacles with relative ease without having a locker at all.

 

[hoser]

This forum is dead. As someone else said, anyone who’s just enjoying owning, driving, and building their 250 isn’t doing it here.

Most "new" series sub-forums are dead. They don't become interesting on mud until at least 5+ years. From the 0-5 year mark, they are just talking adding accessories, how great the 2400 watt inverter is, what color paint they ordered, etc.... same as any other forum. At the 5 year mark, many original owners have left for the next "best" vehicle. But some owners are running their LC to the limits, making modifications to better suit their needs.... and maybe addressing shortcomings of the "new" platform. That is when the LC250 Sub-forum on mud will become interesting.

 

[Heckraiser]

Need to wait for them to depreciate enough for the goons like us to get our hands on them and feel comfortable denting them up

 

[OSS]

200 guys bashing the 250 is understandable but its only because the 250 was never intended to be an upgrade from the 200. Thats what the 300 is for - which the USA never got.
As the president of Toyota said, the 250 is supposed to take the Landcruiser back to its roots. Simpler, cheaper, not as luxurious. (Think FJ62).
I think if the 250 was compared to a FJ62 - everyone would mostly give it higher scores.

 

[Noctilucent]

 

[cruiserguysc]

200 guys bashing the 250 is understandable but its only because the 250 was never intended to be an upgrade from the 200. Thats what the 300 is for - which the USA never got.
As the president of Toyota said, the 250 is supposed to take the Landcruiser back to its roots. Simpler, cheaper, not as luxurious. (Think FJ62).
I think if the 250 was compared to a FJ62 - everyone would mostly give it higher scores.

I bought my 2025 premium edition 250 with 30 miles on it back in February. I drove my 2014 200 to my local Toyota dealership just to take a look. They gave me one to drive for a few hours and later that evening I made the decision to go purchase one.

No! I did not trade any of my land cruisers.(73,76 40’s, 88(2) 62’s, 95 80’s series, 04 hundy and the beloved 14 200.

I am almost at 4000 miles on the ticker and getting ready for first service. I’ve taken it on two 6hr(each way) trips so far and have gotten at best 18.4 mpg. The more I use for travel it does seem as if the gas mileage is getting better with each trip? I do keep in mind that I have the premium package which is the bigger wheels and tires.

With that being said, I absolutely dig this machine because it is completely different than any of my other ones. I will agree that I think of it as a newer 60 series feel with a great sound system, air conditioning, cool/heated leather seats etc….

I’ll keep driving it with no regrets.

 

[calokie]

This was a 200 forum thread that was going for a while before the mods moved it. We are all still getting notifications (which we should probably turn off…).

Apologies to the 200 Series owners who aren't acting like Gatekeeper Oligarchs who were dragged into this. Im about to turn off the notifications myself

 

[calokie]

I bought my 2025 premium edition 250 with 30 miles on it back in February. I drove my 2014 200 to my local Toyota dealership just to take a look. They gave me one to drive for a few hours and later that evening I made the decision to go purchase one.

No! I did not trade any of my land cruisers.(73,76 40’s, 88(2) 62’s, 95 80’s series, 04 hundy and the beloved 14 200.

I am almost at 4000 miles on the ticker and getting ready for first service. I’ve taken it on two 6hr(each way) trips so far and have gotten at best 18.4 mpg. The more I use for travel it does seem as if the gas mileage is getting better with each trip? I do keep in mind that I have the premium package which is the bigger wheels and tires.

With that being said, I absolutely dig this machine because it is completely different than any of my other ones. I will agree that I think of it as a newer 60 series feel with a great sound system, air conditioning, cool/heated leather seats etc….

I’ll keep driving it with no regrets.

View attachment 3934393

View attachment 3934394

Nice Fleet....Very nice indeed....
FYI I was surprised to find out not all Premium PKG units have the "Premium" wheels. My; Windchill / Java / Premium / SDM "Prado" came with 18" wheels. Mine was from Tahara, not sure if that makes a difference. 11th position in the Vin# nomenclature S=Tahara K= Hino.
Long story short.... I ordered 18" wheels prior to its arrival. (I need to upgrade the tires)

 

[calokie]

View attachment 3934219

Silly me… I used to think this was a LandCruiser. Thanks to the LandCruiser gods aka 200 series owners who have opened my eyes

 

[Old Nick]

Everyone knows that the Land Cruiser stopped being a real Land Cruiser when the 80 series went out of production.

 

[Old Nick]

I'm just being a douche. I like the 250, the 200, the 100 and right on down the line.

Land Cruisers are, at least in my estimation, like Bourbon. Drink what you like, and how you like to drink it.