Tinker's latest brutal review of LC250 (5 Viewers)

[SanJuanJ]

Interestingly, LC 250 is outselling 4runner (by a hair).

2025 sales through May:

24,451 Land Cruisers
24,358 4Runners

Toyota 4Runner Loses Major Ground In 2025... To Another Toyota

People who said the Land Cruiser would cannibalize the 4Runner's sales were right, but by how much might surprise you.

carbuzz.com

Why wouldn't it? It's mostly mature adults buying $60K vehicles, and the 4Runner looks racer-boyish. If you're going to pull that off you need something under the hood - think Raptor etc. The new 4Runner is a tinny sounding, 4-cylinder, aggressive looking shell IMHO. It's just not a design combo that makes sense at that price point. The LC 250 on the other hand looks great, and probably appeals to a differnt audience (with more money).

I've appreciated every gen 4R, but they lost me with this one.

Over time the 4R will outsell the 250, only because of the much less expensive base models (SR5, TRD Sport). But there's no way in hell I'd pay $60k+ for a new 4Runner.

 

[MeefZah]

So we can assume you don't want a Tesler?

He wouldn't...

They're all computer!

 

[onemanarmy]

as an appliance that I know will not last and have no resell? A tesla/leaf/bolt could fit the bill.

but thats no fun!

 

[Heckraiser]

FYI, my brother just signed a 2-year lease on a Nissan leaf for, I s*** you not, $5.86 per month. He showed me his paperwork, it is legit. That payment might get some more people considering EV if anyone knew about it.

Back to the not-topic, I think the 6G 4Runner looks pretty good. And for people who didn't grow up in the 80s/90s with fabulous outward visibility, I can see choosing a 4runner over a LC250, price being equal. Though I bet the mid-gen refresh will further hone the look.

 

[Specialeyes]

Why wouldn't it? It's mostly mature adults buying $60K vehicles, and the 4Runner looks racer-boyish. If you're going to pull that off you need something under the hood - think Raptor etc. The new 4Runner is a tinny sounding, 4-cylinder, aggressive looking shell IMHO. It's just not a design combo that makes sense at that price point. The LC 250 on the other hand looks great, and probably appeals to a differnt audience (with more money).

I've appreciated every gen 4R, but they lost me with this one.

Over time the 4R will outsell the 250, only because of the much less expensive base models (SR5, TRD Sport). But there's no way in hell I'd pay $60k+ for a new 4Runner.

Boy racer and immature is well said. I was ready to pull the trigger on a new Tacoma recently. Exterior has grown on me, I found it to be a nice drive but I can’t get over the interior. I’m approaching 40 and it feels like their interior styling on the new TNGA-F models (exception for the 250/550) was aimed at the under 30 demographic.

 

[gasman4u]

Boy racer and immature is well said. I was ready to pull the trigger on a new Tacoma recently. Exterior has grown on me, I found it to be a nice drive but I can’t get over the interior. I’m approaching 40 and it feels like their interior styling on the new TNGA-F models (exception for the 250/550) was aimed at the under 30 demographic.

Were you looking at the trim festooned with “TRD” everywhere and camouflage seats? If so - I’m completely on board. Would’ve been cool when I was young…until I started to get older. As much as I want to like their direction, the trendy bro off-roader stuff likely will age like milk.

 

[joseywales]

FYI, my brother just signed a 2-year lease on a Nissan leaf for, I s*** you not, $5.86 per month. He showed me his paperwork, it is legit. That payment might get some more people considering EV if anyone knew about it.

Is that a state subsidy getting it to that rate? I can’t imagine Trumplestiltskin putting fed money in to a Nissan subsidy, and Nissan sure isn’t going be around long if that is their selling price. I would probably think about getting one at that price. Will they take 35s stock, or is trimming required?

 

[unexpectedfart]

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.

 

[Heckraiser]

Is that a state subsidy getting it to that rate? I can’t imagine Trumplestiltskin putting fed money in to a Nissan subsidy, and Nissan sure isn’t going be around long if that is their selling price. I would probably think about getting one at that price. Will they take 35s stock, or is trimming required?

Yes, there is a Colorado state tax incentive. It's $4k for purchases, I'm not sure exactly how they math that out for a lease, but the incentive is available for leases as well.

 

[jmdaniel]

The Passport Trailsport is a pretty nice car to be honest. It’s not a go anywhere do anything body-on-frame monster like the LC but it’s capable and well equipped with a straight 6.

People were complaining about the price on it and I’m not sure why. You are pushing $80,000 for a 4Runner these days. Inflation was real and prices are never coming back down.

Thinking real hard about getting the Trailsport....

 

[Tex68w]

I agree, I’ve loved every generation of the 4Runner less the 4th Gen, but this new 6th Gen has me baffled. I absolutely hate it!

 

[joseywales]

I just took our 250 on a fly fishing and oktoberfesting tour of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Sun Valley was crazy full of 250s. I saw virtually every color and trim level of both 250 and 550. Then in Jackson WY and north to Bozeman MT, I saw nothing but 6th gen T4Rs. I am not exaggerating when I saw one in ten cars was a new ‘Frunner. I came away thinking about how ugly they are, and how happy I am to have just committed early to the 250. When it comes to T4Rs I’m 100% odds. 1, 3 and 5 gens are awesome. 2, 4 and 6 gens leave me preferring to walk…

 

[Rednexus]

The 6th gen gets uglier every time I see it. I saw a TRD Pro in traffic yesterday and had the "why did they buy it" thought - in addition to noticing the huge amount of low-hanging suspension, spare tire, and other components underneath it.

I just helped a family member in their late 60s buy a vehicle. They live in a rural area with pretty limited competent mechanics, so reliability was key. I ended up recommending a 5th gen T4R as it is the most reliable modern vehicle I can think of. They just bought a Toyota Certified 2023 TRD Sport. It has blind spot monitoring/adaptive cruise/Apple Car Play/push button start/360 camera etc, along with the bulletproof 1GR/A750F/8.2 drivetrain. Best of all worlds....proven drivetrain and modern safety tech. I was not willing to recommend a new T4R for this particular application - despite the nominal cost difference - as it will be a decade until the 6th gen is as proven as the 5th gen. I'm confident this T4R (if well-maintained) will last my family member though the remainder of their driving years.

 

[Tex68w]

I just took our 250 on a fly fishing and oktoberfesting tour of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Sun Valley was crazy full of 250s. I saw virtually every color and trim level of both 250 and 550. Then in Jackson WY and north to Bozeman MT, I saw nothing but 6th gen T4Rs. I am not exaggerating when I saw one in ten cars was a new ‘Frunner. I came away thinking about how ugly they are, and how happy I am to have just committed early to the 250. When it comes to T4Rs I’m 100% odds. 1, 3 and 5 gens are awesome. 2, 4 and 6 gens leave me preferring to walk…

View attachment 4002334

That meme is pretty accurate. That said, I still enjoy the looks of the 2nd Gen, it's just the awful 3 Point Slow engine that made those so awful. The 4th Gen has always been the redheaded stepchild in my eyes, but the new 6th Gen is certainly giving it a run for its money.

 

[joseywales]

2nd gens can be nice for sure. The rust and 3.0 didn’t do them any favors.