Your Thoughts on the LC 250? (8 Viewers)

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I think what a good chunk of people here want is the LC body and the GX underpinnings haha.
I think that's pretty much it. TBH - even just a non-hybrid LC250 with the TrailHunter 4Runner running gear would be okay even with the 4cyl. But the v6 would be better. The body is much nicer than the 6G 4R. I drove the 4R for a week - not a fan of the new design. Visibility out is awful. LC body is much better.
 
I watched this. For a brief summary, his three main complaints were: Size of fuel tank too small, rear diff too small, front axles too weak. Ground clearance and approach/departure angles also inferior compared to FJ Cruiser.
Hasn’t every LC been hamstrung with a small fuel tank? The larger diff and CV’s would be nice and one would think a relatively easy change to make on the assembly line?

I did find it odd that this generation of Prado/GX have those mechanical differences. Weren’t they identical before?
 
Well, seeings that I'm one of the few people in this discussion with an actual LC250 I should chime in, If offered a choice between a 6banger and a 4banger Id keep my 4banger It does everything I ask from it. Now, If offered with or without hybrid.. well after living with a hybrid 4x4 I can see why the top trim Lexus LX has that same sweet 2400w inverter/battery. I'm sure I'll stick with the hybrid that feature is slept on here. It's a power generator anywhere you go.. say goodbye to all that propane you haul around on camping trips and you can recharge battery banks on the whim. Camp fires are cool but not having to make a fire is practical. Power outage? You could use your LC as a generator now to recharge your battery banks rapidly with 2400w. People refer to the Land Cruiser as a swiss army knife this ability builds onto that ethos sure it's a tad more complicated now but you're going to get more complicated as things advance into the future and they even give you the option to buy a gx if you don't want that ability. Fuel tanks can always be bigger, I get enough range. Personally, I think Toyota nailed the format. apparently lots of folks agree because sales numbers speak for themselves. I like Ih8mud I see this place like visiting my grandparents, folks, If you want a bigger engine etc just get a 200 or a GX, I might pick a 200 up on the side, but as far as this LC pRADo goes... This format just makes sense.
 
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I just priced a LC with premium package with SDM and its around $72.6k and a GX OT (not +) is around $75.8k. The LC was package to get close to the GX.

However, the GX OT will still have an OB compressor. I think EKDSS is superior to SDM since it's automatic. Additionally, the 2025 OT and OT+ was given a 1inch lift from 2024. LC tow is 6k and GX is 9k


I'm also in the camp of the GX looks better.
Top range LC can be optioned out to around $72k but a well equipped one is in the mid to upper $60’s and you can actually get discounts on them. $4-$6k I have seen at some dealers.

Throw everything at an Overtrail Plus and you’re looking at $87k depending on PIO’s. Move down to an OT and you’re looking at $75k at best. Lexus dealers are not discounting yet. Most units are sold before they arrive and the ones that aren’t sell within a day or two.

Point is while they can be close in price on paper, if you really get to seriously shopping between the two like I have the spread is about $10 to $15k depending on what trim and options you want.
 
Moreso just awful fuel economy
Using EPA numbers, the LC250 gets around 412 miles of range at 23 mpg with its 17.9 gallon tank. Compare that to the FJ’s 342 miles at 18 mpg with a 19 gallon tank or about 345 miles for the 200 Series. That’s a 20% boost in range even over the smaller lighter FJ Cruiser.
 
I think that's pretty much it. TBH - even just a non-hybrid LC250 with the TrailHunter 4Runner running gear would be okay even with the 4cyl. But the v6 would be better. The body is much nicer than the 6G 4R. I drove the 4R for a week - not a fan of the new design. Visibility out is awful. LC body is much better.

Give the 250 the V35A and the larger rear diff and I bet most of the "not a land cruiser" complaints go away.

I rented a 6th gen SR5 4R on a trip as well. The T24A makes good power but I have to agree with many that it's not a particularly smooth or refined engine. I had a few rough shifts down low, too. That said, I do think it's fine in something 4Runner / Tacoma grade. In the 250 it's more debatable, but IMO the only 250 that makes any sense is the 1958. Anything uptrim I'd just pay more for a GX550 or Sequoia instead.

What I really don't understand though, is how Toyota is getting away with putting the T24A in the Lexus models like the RX and TX. Those luxury models should buy you a level of refinement and smoothness in the powertrain. Is the insulation / motor tuning that much better in the Lexus'? Seems doubtful. We have an RX350 with the 2GR-FE, it's fantastic in this regard. Returning to the 2GR in the RX after driving the T24A in the 6th gen 4R was a welcome relief.
 
Give the 250 the V35A and the larger rear diff and I bet most of the "not a land cruiser" complaints go away.

I rented a 6th gen SR5 4R on a trip as well. The T24A makes good power but I have to agree with many that it's not a particularly smooth or refined engine. I had a few rough shifts down low, too. That said, I do think it's fine in something 4Runner / Tacoma grade. In the 250 it's more debatable, but IMO the only 250 that makes any sense is the 1958. Anything uptrim I'd just pay more for a GX550 or Sequoia instead.

What I really don't understand though, is how Toyota is getting away with putting the T24A in the Lexus models like the RX and TX. Those luxury models should buy you a level of refinement and smoothness in the powertrain. Is the insulation / motor tuning that much better in the Lexus'? Seems doubtful. We have an RX350 with the 2GR-FE, it's fantastic in this regard. Returning to the 2GR in the RX after driving the T24A in the 6th gen 4R was a welcome relief.
Agreed. I really expected when the LC250 was released that it would have the v6 option and was very surprised that it didn't come with a 9.5" rear axle. Toyota also IMO was pretty misleading when you had all of those press events where the engineers were saying "the tacoma gets the 9.5" rear axle" and then in reality it's one obscure model that's priced so high they'll probably sell less than 100 per year.

I need to go drive a T24A RX or TX. Haven't had a chance yet. I wonder if the differences in the engine components makes enough difference that it smooths it out in the passenger car models. It's possible, although i have no idea, that the car version has a different rotating assembly that balances better. Or it could also be just better engine mounts? Or maybe it's just a sorta rough engine all around. I had a 8AR (the 2.0 turbo 4) NX200t loaner for a day about 6-8 years ago. It's been a while, but my recollection is that the engine was buzzy and not very quick. I remember thinking that I would not want that engine in a RX because it would feel overworked a lot vs the V6.

On the flip side - the 2GR feels far more refined in the RX than the nearly identical engine in the Tacoma. It also feels about 50hp more in the RX than the Tacoma despite both having nearly identical curb weights. So, maybe there is some magic that they can apply to isolate the engine in those models. 🤷‍♂️
 
Agreed. I really expected when the LC250 was released that it would have the v6 option and was very surprised that it didn't come with a 9.5" rear axle. Toyota also IMO was pretty misleading when you had all of those press events where the engineers were saying "the tacoma gets the 9.5" rear axle" and then in reality it's one obscure model that's priced so high they'll probably sell less than 100 per year.

I need to go drive a T24A RX or TX. Haven't had a chance yet. I wonder if the differences in the engine components makes enough difference that it smooths it out in the passenger car models. It's possible, although i have no idea, that the car version has a different rotating assembly that balances better. Or it could also be just better engine mounts? Or maybe it's just a sorta rough engine all around. I had a 8AR (the 2.0 turbo 4) NX200t loaner for a day about 6-8 years ago. It's been a while, but my recollection is that the engine was buzzy and not very quick. I remember thinking that I would not want that engine in a RX because it would feel overworked a lot vs the V6.

On the flip side - the 2GR feels far more refined in the RX than the nearly identical engine in the Tacoma. It also feels about 50hp more in the RX than the Tacoma despite both having nearly identical curb weights. So, maybe there is some magic that they can apply to isolate the engine in those models. 🤷‍♂️
I've owned aa MY25 RX 500h and got the RX 350h as a loaner both have the T24 both feel pretty smooth. Obviously the 500h is more peppier and the all wheel steering is noticeably vs the 350h. I think there was a tranny issue on the 500h on previous years but i didn't experience it on mine.

With that said, I haven't driven the 6G 4R so I can't make the comparison vs the RX
 
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Agreed. I really expected when the LC250 was released that it would have the v6 option and was very surprised that it didn't come with a 9.5" rear axle. Toyota also IMO was pretty misleading when you had all of those press events where the engineers were saying "the tacoma gets the 9.5" rear axle" and then in reality it's one obscure model that's priced so high they'll probably sell less than 100 per year.

I need to go drive a T24A RX or TX. Haven't had a chance yet. I wonder if the differences in the engine components makes enough difference that it smooths it out in the passenger car models. It's possible, although i have no idea, that the car version has a different rotating assembly that balances better. Or it could also be just better engine mounts? Or maybe it's just a sorta rough engine all around. I had a 8AR (the 2.0 turbo 4) NX200t loaner for a day about 6-8 years ago. It's been a while, but my recollection is that the engine was buzzy and not very quick. I remember thinking that I would not want that engine in a RX because it would feel overworked a lot vs the V6.

On the flip side - the 2GR feels far more refined in the RX than the nearly identical engine in the Tacoma. It also feels about 50hp more in the RX than the Tacoma despite both having nearly identical curb weights. So, maybe there is some magic that they can apply to isolate the engine in those models. 🤷‍♂️
I'm also struggling to understand how much cost Toyota is really saving by sticking the 8.2" in the LC250. Since so much is shared with the GX550 and they are made on the same assembly line, it seems foolish to have two different differentials instead of just one. Unless, it's just to get that extra 0.1 mpg for CAFE reasons :).

That being said I'm about to replace the 8" in my GX470 with a built 8.2". The 8" has done perfectly fine for my uses so far and there is a big cost delta between a 8.2" upgrade and a 9.5" upgrade or Dana 60.
 
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I'm also struggling to understand how much cost Toyota is really saving by sticking the 8.2" in the LC250. Since so much is shared with the GX550 and they are made on the same assembly line, it seems foolish to have to different differentials instead of just one. Unless, it's just to get that extra 0.1 mpg for CAFE reasons :).

That being said I'm about to replace the 8" in my GX470 with a built 8.2". The 8" has done perfectly fine for my uses so far and there is a big cost delta between a 8.2" upgrade and a 9.5" upgrade of Dana 60.
Toyota's rear axles make little sense. Why did they have an 8, 8.2, 8.9ish (tacoma 8.75), and now there's apparently 2 different 9.5 versions that are not interchangeable. Just put the 9.5 in the midsize stuff, put the 10.5 in the Tundra/Sequoia, and instead of having a bunch of different axles, how about having an option of 2 or 3 ratios?!? Toyota already does a 4.10 ratio 9.5 for the LC250 GR Sport.
 
Toyota's rear axles make little sense. Why did they have an 8, 8.2, 8.9ish (tacoma 8.75), and now there's apparently 2 different 9.5 versions that are not interchangeable. Just put the 9.5 in the midsize stuff, put the 10.5 in the Tundra/Sequoia, and instead of having a bunch of different axles, how about having an option of 2 or 3 ratios?!? Toyota already does a 4.10 ratio 9.5 for the LC250 GR Sport.
2 rear diffs with perhaps 4 available ratios (3.73, 3.91, 4.10, 4.30) would seem to make sense. They'd omit a ton of different production lines and castings in that manner. The 8.2 is such an oddball (only used in the 5th gen 4Runner/150 platform rigs) that you are stuck with OEM Toyota 3.73 or 3.91 gears or aftermarket 4.56 or 4.88 gears. 4.56 is probably too much gear for my application but that's what I'm going with as I know 3.91 is not enough and 4.30 is not an option.
 
Using EPA numbers, the LC250 gets around 412 miles of range at 23 mpg with its 17.9 gallon tank. Compare that to the FJ’s 342 miles at 18 mpg with a 19 gallon tank or about 345 miles for the 200 Series. That’s a 20% boost in range even over the smaller lighter FJ Cruiser.
I have about 20k miles on mine and have not managed close to 400 miles a tank yet. I'm a pretty easy going driver. It's probably my #1 complaint (range)
 
Using EPA numbers, the LC250 gets around 412 miles of range at 23 mpg with its 17.9 gallon tank. Compare that to the FJ’s 342 miles at 18 mpg with a 19 gallon tank or about 345 miles for the 200 Series. That’s a 20% boost in range even over the smaller lighter FJ Cruiser.

I have about 20k miles on mine and have not managed close to 400 miles a tank yet. I'm a pretty easy going driver. It's probably my #1 complaint (range)
It seems to me that these estimates tend to be overly optimistic. According to the same EPA calculations, my LX 450 has a range of 350 miles on the highway. Counting on this many miles during a road trip would be foolhardy! At least the range is superior to a 60 series. It would be worthwhile to post up a comparison of realistic numbers for each Land Cruiser series over the years. My old FJ40 had a range of 100 miles max!

Back on topic, It's too bad that the frame layout of the 250 doesn't allow for a larger tank. According to video, as I recall, this limitation is due to a hybrid powertrain crossmember.
 
The folks really pushing for more range are the ones that need it. It's not just a matter of convenience where the owner wants to fill up fewer times. What do they say, the longest distance in the US on highways in the continental US is ~170 miles? With that usage, the standard tank is fine. But add legitimate, larger off-road tires, lift, roof rack, maybe a trailer and the mileage and range goes way down. This is a major issue for electric SUV's.

Given, mud is more of an off-road enthusiast board, we are more concerned with driving range, when modded, off-road. I'm not interested in EPA numbers, I like when Slee compared highway mileage and range with their typical modded LC250 and their typical modded GX550. I'd like it more if somebody would compare off-highway mileage. I imagine the hybrid 2.4 would shine but I dunno.
 
The folks really pushing for more range are the ones that need it. It's not just a matter of convenience where the owner wants to fill up fewer times. What do they say, the longest distance in the US on highways in the continental US is ~170 miles? With that usage, the standard tank is fine. But add legitimate, larger off-road tires, lift, roof rack, maybe a trailer and the mileage and range goes way down. This is a major issue for electric SUV's.

Given, mud is more of an off-road enthusiast board, we are more concerned with driving range, when modded, off-road. I'm not interested in EPA numbers, I like when Slee compared highway mileage and range with their typical modded LC250 and their typical modded GX550. I'd like it more if somebody would compare off-highway mileage. I imagine the hybrid 2.4 would shine but I dunno.
I believe Ely, Nevada to Tonopah is the longest distance on the USA interstate highway system between fuel stops. 168 miles. That segment is fine with almost any vehicle. It gets pretty dicy if you're pulling a trailer. I barely made it towing my travel trailer in my 5th gen 4R that had more range. Add a head wind and I had to drive 45mph to max my mpg to make it across. At 8mpg it will take 21.2 gallons to make it. The LC250, GX550, and LX will all need to carry gas cans to make it across that stretch with a full size travel trailer.

Same for places like Alaska where I'm at right now. There are lots of gas stations closed at night in rural places so you really need at least 350 miles of range if you want to drive late evening or overnight. Dempster highway has 250 mile stretches during the day, more at night. Gas cans are going to be part of life for the GA-F SUVs.
 
The folks really pushing for more range are the ones that need it. It's not just a matter of convenience where the owner wants to fill up fewer times. What do they say, the longest distance in the US on highways in the continental US is ~170 miles? With that usage, the standard tank is fine. But add legitimate, larger off-road tires, lift, roof rack, maybe a trailer and the mileage and range goes way down. This is a major issue for electric SUV's.

Given, mud is more of an off-road enthusiast board, we are more concerned with driving range, when modded, off-road. I'm not interested in EPA numbers, I like when Slee compared highway mileage and range with their typical modded LC250 and their typical modded GX550. I'd like it more if somebody would compare off-highway mileage. I imagine the hybrid 2.4 would shine but I dunno.
Limited range is a major annoyance. Currently my GX470 has maybe 275-300 miles of range. Am I going to run out of gas somewhere in the lower 48? Hasn't happened and probably won't. But, when towing etc, it drops to more like 200 miles, and requires frequent fill-ups. I've had other vehicles with ranges around 300 miles and also found them to be far too low for anything other than putting around town. Our Highlander Hybrid has 400-500 miles of range, which is frankly awesome, as we can drive it for weeks without filling it up, or the better part of a day on the highway.
 
Yup the range is the issue. Small tank + under performing MPG, I’ll be carring 4 Jerry cans to Alaska this summer to bridge the gaps. So far I’ve averaged about 13MPG towing my trailer over 2000 miles.

My 80 has a longer range towing than the 250 and it’s rolling on 37’s.
 
i dont know anything really about the 250, ( i dont have one) but if the spare tire is carried under the vehicle like all the previous land cruisers... thats where the extra gas tank will go when the spare tire gets carried inside - or on a rear swing out. Thats the traditional way of increasing fuel capacity on a cruiser.
 

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