What the 300 should have been?

[coleAK]

I have zero interest in the 300 series. But the new GX, Torsten with lockers x2, 33’s OEM, 8k lb towing, no predator grill, …

Anyone thinking about this as a 200 replacement. I likely won’t buy another non-EV but if my 200 faces a premature demise, sign me up.

I wonder why they didn’t do this with the LC for USA?

2026 Lexus GX - Luxury SUV | Lexus.com

Experience the 2026 GX 550 SUV, where capability and refinement intersect to take you beyond what you once thought possible.

www.lexus.com

 

[OldCarSmell]

I have zero interest in the 300 series. But the new GX, Torsten with lockers x2, 33’s OEM, 8k lb towing, no predator grill, …

Anyone thinking about this as a 200 replacement. I likely won’t buy another non-EV but if my 200 faces a premature demise, sign me up.

I wonder why they didn’t do this with the LC for USA?

2026 Lexus GX - Luxury SUV | Lexus.com

Experience the 2026 GX 550 SUV, where capability and refinement intersect to take you beyond what you once thought possible.

www.lexus.com

Couldn’t agree more. It is a crowded market for 4x4s nowadays, even those with bells and whistles. If Toyota is one thing it’s patient and plodding. They don’t rush garbage to market just to compete. Whatever the next generation of the LC is I expect it to differ from the GX and be a classy, capable product like it’s always been. I also wonder how Toyota’s decade plus of R&D with hydrogen combustion engines will factor into plans for the next 25 years of design and production. Something tells me it won’t be long before they’re leading the market again.

 

[xeuxaz]

I love everything about it. I’m worried about the motor though. Not a great track record for the third gen tundras.

3.4 I-Force engine failures.

This has been a heated debate on here and I wanted to see some statistics on some of these failures. I will update the member list in the original...

www.tundras.com

2022+ Gen 3 Turbocharger Failure List.

About 3500 miles on an early build 10-22 2023. No turbo issues just whistling wind noise around driver door Here's the possible solution for you, and...

www.tundras.com

 

[TeCKis300]

As a general progression, models lines tend to get stronger, better, and more capable with every generational model. The Prado takes a big jump this generation. Likely enough to play the role of LC in Toyota's lineup if the tea leaves are reading right. The 4Runner will get incrementally larger and stronger too. Making room for the introduction of a new compact cruiser in the lineup. This is a progression that plays out with many manufacturers and model lines for devotees and repeat buyers. It's more rare for repeat buyers to go down in the model line but maybe that's how good the Prado has become? Between Toyota and Lexus, the lineup is huge and there's a right size for everyone. Including at the tippy top with the 300-series.

I can't decide if I'm a potential 300-series or GX550 type of buyer. Maybe neither because I'm not sure I'm buying ICE again.

 

[KShorthairs]

I too am leaning new GX when the time comes. I just hope that isn't for a long time. It really makes me want to find a 40k unit now so i can sit back and wait.

 

[Madtiger]

Yup great vehicle. My only criticism is the somewhat poor approach and departure angles even with 33” tires.

 

[stonepa]

I have zero interest in the 300 series. But the new GX, Torsten with lockers x2, 33’s OEM, 8k lb towing, no predator grill, …

Anyone thinking about this as a 200 replacement. I likely won’t buy another non-EV but if my 200 faces a premature demise, sign me up.

I wonder why they didn’t do this with the LC for USA?

2026 Lexus GX - Luxury SUV | Lexus.com

Experience the 2026 GX 550 SUV, where capability and refinement intersect to take you beyond what you once thought possible.

www.lexus.com

How do you know they won’t?

 

[Tex68w]

As of right now our plan is to wait until year two or possibly three of the GX550 and then trade in our current GX460 for one. I don't buy first year products anymore, especially a full redesign like the GX550. I am curious what the new Land Cruiser might be so I am not totally taking that off the table as a possible option either. The 200 isn't going anywhere though, it'll continue to get built and used for hunting/fishing/camping/off-road travel for many years to come.

 

[bloc]

How do you know they won’t?

Ditching the split gate on the 300 has shaken confidence in Toyota for many.

 

[desmocruiser]

It should have been a 300 with a split tailgate! I haven’t heard (haven’t looked either) any other complaints about it being too non LC where it is available.

However, it was NEVER their plan to make the 300 available as a Land Cruiser in the US and the plan to offer a lighter, less expensive model with the Land Cruiser nameplate is playing out as they planned.

Will it be as robust as a 200 series? NO! There isn’t a away to keep everything and lower the cost while adding different content, something has to give.

The good news it probably doesn’t have to be to still be a great vehicle, there are plenty of 300k mile 4Runners on the road and trail!
Plus they have the LX in the states and it probably is more suitable to historical new 200 series buyers with the exception of the final 2 years.

 

[stonepa]

It should have been a 300 with a split tailgate! I haven’t heard (haven’t looked either) any other complaints about it being too non LC where it is available.

However, it was NEVER their plan to make the 300 available as a Land Cruiser in the US and the plan to offer a lighter, less expensive model with the Land Cruiser nameplate is playing out as they planned.

Will it be as robust as a 200 series? NO! There isn’t a away to keep everything and lower the cost while adding different content, something has to give.

The good news it probably doesn’t have to be to still be a great vehicle, there are plenty of 300k mile 4Runners on the road and trail!
Plus they have the LX in the states and it probably is more suitable to historical new 200 series buyers with the exception of the final 2 years.

We don’t know if it will or will not be as robust as a 200. Given how many people immediately replace the suspension of their stock 200, it seems like the stock 200 isn’t that great anyways.

Tongue in cheek.

We have no idea on anything.

 

[desmocruiser]

Well we already have the new GX which will be the close relative of the new LC and that gives us a good starting point.

I agree the stock suspension leaves something to be desired on the 200, but does the job just fine if you are okay with a softer ride, slight rake, and limited ability to increase tire size, admittedly most on the forum are not, but still the majority of 200’s are driving around with stock components that have performed well for up to 15 years and 200k+ miles on many that are on the road.

What I meant by robust, is the overbuilt nature of the 200 series and now the 300 and is a large part of 90’s and newer Land Cruiser DNA. This isn’t different in other cars, an S class and E class Mercedes look similar in design, but feel very different, same for a Big Body Range Rover and a Sport, or a 7 series and 5 Series BMW, when cost is reduced some of the feel is compromised in almost every high end vehicle case.

My point is new LC will be based of the lighter framework design of the GX/Prado and will be cheaper than the 300 series,( but have feature content that likely has a similar cost to the GR and other overseas 300 series Land Cruisers, if the locking differentials etc,. make it to the new LC, which is hope and what we have reserved expectations for) all for a lesser price than a 300 series Land Cruiser would have been. Something had to be reduced and that will likely be in the framework, design, and likely materials used and the new LC will not feel like a 200 and most certainly not like a 300.

All this being said, it will be more than satisfactory for the large majority of the target buyers and the vehicle will be a huge success, just not a 300 series Land Cruiser or even a 200 series, but updated tech, off the shelf capabilities, and the fact that the GX/Prado is still better than most anything else on the road will make for long waiting lists and a success for Toyota, it just isn’t a 300 series by intention.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Anyone thinking about this as a 200 replacement.

Nope. Hands down the top 3 ugliest rear-end I've ever seen on a car. Nissan Juke territory. All other angles scream "overland bro," too. The more I look at it, the more I hate it. Plus the diminished interior room vs a 200 - no go for me.

I'd buy a late year 200-series LX in a heartbeat, though.

 

[TeCKis300]

As great as the GX550 may be, I don't think I'd buy one over a used 200-series.

I'd buy a late year 200-series LX in a heartbeat, though.

This is where I am too.