2024/2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Position

[Marinna]

I want to start this thread try to understand our J250 for a fair review. I found vast majority of the content in public doesn't present the full context and render their biased opinions. So fairless is what I want to highlight. There are a few way you can look at our LC:

• J250 vs J200/J300
  This is the most popular but misleading comparison
• J150 vs J250
  This is the comparison within Prado family, which is safer but unfamilar to North America drivers since they never sell J120/J150 in this market
• GX460 vs GX550
  This is the North America comparison of 2. above, but still not quite the same as Toyota has fortified their offer in GX from LC

First method J250 vs J200/J300:

Most people in NA intuitively compare the 2024 model to its "predecessor" 2021 model. One of the recent most famous example is from the popular YouTube video people shared over and over.​

Price: (Upper Trim Only)​

J200: Heritage is $90000+, other base trim started from $85000​

J250: Top trim 2024 LC FE is around $77000, 2025 LC is around $62000​

Engine: (Upper Trim Only)​

J200: V8 5.7L, 381 HP, 401 lb-ft​

J250: V4 2.4L Turbo, 326 HP , 465 lb-ft​

Gas Efficiency: (Upper Trim Only)​

J200: 13~15 MPG​

J250: 22~25 MPG​

In this angle people will easily come into a conclusion that 2024 LC is a smaller, less powerful, and less luxurious versions. However any common sense people could tell a problem here - these are not the same cars. So all these sophisticated YouTuber only do a silly comparison for numbers rather than help their viewer to interpret the context. Using the "wrong" and more sensational titles definitely help them to get more viewers but degrade their image as a serious car guy.​

​

Second comparison is to more truthfully staying within the Prado family:

Since I am from North America, I will just use data I found from the public domain to compare them (can't find any insightful comparison from public domain, people in Europe/Asia please make some good ones):​

Price: (Upper Trim Only)​

J150: From Mid-East and UK it is around USD $55000 ~ $60000 with V6 4.0L, Australia version gets more expensive to beyond $80000​

J250: Top trim 2024 LC FE is around $77000, 2025 LC is around $62000​

Engine: (Upper Trim Only)​

J150: V6 4.0L, 271 HP, 281 Nm​

J250: V4 2.4L Turbo, 326 HP , 465 lb-ft​

Gas Efficiency: (Upper Trim Only)​

J150: 14~18 MPG​

J250: 22~25 MPG​

J150/J250 are designed as "light duty" and will be under-powered if you want to use it to haul weights. In exchange it offers matching power to the average Joe for almost 100% of their daily activities. Some of the spec can't really be compare Apple-to-Apple especially for the power train. the hp/torque are measured in a specific rev number, which gasoline engine and turbocharge worked completely differently and gas efficiency can't be technically matched neither. But overall J250 is definitely a work well done and appreciable improvement and refinement from J150. Too bad in North America nobody can really appreciate it since they never see true J150 before.​

​

I'll leave the third comparison to the GX hobbist, since I am not really that interested to their philosophy. I feel bad that Jason Cammisa and Hagerty spent that much effort on their nice visual compositions on their video but chose the poison comparing J250/24' LC vs J250/GX550 for more viewers. They called Toyota wrong for doing something Toyota has been doing since at least J150 and GX460 time.

My verdict to position this J250 is that if you expect to get a Land Cruiser Prado, you will find this car to be a well made and appreciable update. The new hybrid powertrain is a bit experimental and takes a while to understand, which is the biggest wildcard for the drivers. If you are the ones that expect the J200/J300 like machines that is bad ass on everything, it is likely going to a bit disappointment. Get a LX instead. So know the product you need before you shop. Don't blame the tool when you don't know what you need.

 

[Area 51]

The recent Motor Trend review is pathetic and clearly biased to pimp the failing US mfg that got the SUV of the year award.
The fools could not even get the drivetrain description correct for the current 250 Cruiser.

 

[Marinna]

The recent Motor Trend review is pathetic and clearly biased to pimp the failing US mfg that got the SUV of the year award.
The fools could not even get the drivetrain description correct for the current 250 Cruiser.

Motor Trend Car of the Year - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

They don’t seem ti have the speciality to review this class of the vehicles.

 

[DeepDive]

Fortunately, I didn't have any previous opinion on prior versions of Land Cruisers/Prados, etc. Wasn't really on my radar. Just saw the '24 and immediately thought it was a pretty cool vehicle.

 

[Dusty1]

My wife and I had previously been looking forward to seeing what the 2025 4-Runner was going to be like. My wife had formerly had 4-Runners, but was looking to replace her Jeep Grand Cherokee X.

We then saw the introduction of the new 2024 Land Cruiser, thought it was interesting. Loved the body style right off, but had slight reservations about on the hybrid. We had then started to look at the Lexus GX 550, but premium pricing and availability pretty much kept us from moving forward on those.

We decided to go drive the Land Cruiser, along with a left over 2024 4-Runner. We liked both, yet really enjoyed the overall appeal of the LC. Was surprised at how peppy the hybrid drive train was, and again, just enjoyed the styling. We are very glad we made the choice to buy the LC with premium package, which really mirrored most of the luxury items which she had on her Jeep Grand Cherokee.

After driving hers quite often, I just fell in love with how hers drove, and ended up purchasing a 1958 for myself-me coming from several Tacomas over the years. Now we have the best of both models, seeing as getting an FE wasn’t going to happen. We both enjoy what each model offers. Both very enjoyable and hopefully, they will continue to be solid, dependable vehicles.

 

[Marinna]

My wife and I had previously been looking forward to seeing what the 2025 4-Runner was going to be like. My wife had formerly had 4-Runners, but was looking to replace her Jeep Grand Cherokee X.

We then saw the introduction of the new 2024 Land Cruiser, thought it was interesting. Loved the body style right off, but had slight reservations about on the hybrid. We had then started to look at the Lexus GX 550, but premium pricing and availability pretty much kept us from moving forward on those.

We decided to go drive the Land Cruiser, along with a left over 2024 4-Runner. We liked both, yet really enjoyed the overall appeal of the LC. Was surprised at how peppy the hybrid drive train was, and again, just enjoyed the styling. We are very glad we made the choice to buy the LC with premium package, which really mirrored most of the luxury items which she had on her Jeep Grand Cherokee.

After driving hers quite often, I just fell in love with how hers drove, and ended up purchasing a 1958 for myself-me coming from several Tacomas over the years. Now we have the best of both models, seeing as getting an FE wasn’t going to happen. We both enjoy what each model offers. Both very enjoyable and hopefully, they will continue to be solid, dependable vehicles.

I feel to fully understand the reasoning of LC variants we have to think globally not just from Americans experience.

My understanding is that station wagon are too heavy for European given their infrastructures. So Prado is always a more practical choice. Mid-East buyers couldn't care less about being efficiency and luxury is all they are after. British has too much pride about their Land Rover. In North America we just get so used to the "bigger is better" ideology.

I bet in the Toyota product meeting they must be debating on a practical solution as a flagship of their TNGA platform, only have to sell enough to offset development cost, and yet good enough to survive the scrutiny from all admins globally about emission, and then this Prado concept came into light as closest global solution to meet all requirements.

 

[PACruiser]

Yeah, the long and varied history creates a mix of expectations.

Some want the ultimate mud bogging, rock crawling, baja busting, swamp buggy. Others prefer to glide along in ultimate comfort using a Ritz Carlton on wheels. Then there are still a few more that wish to live out their tinted window, stealth wealth VIP fantasies worthy of a foreign service diplomat or Silicon valley oligarch.

Perhaps the LC is a little bit of all of those and I predict it will ne very popular.

 

[Marinna]

Yeah, the long and varied history creates a mix of expectations.

Some want the ultimate mud bogging, rock crawling, baja busting, swamp buggy. Others prefer to glide along in ultimate comfort using a Ritz Carlton on wheels. Then there are still a few more that wish to live out their tinted window, stealth wealth VIP fantasies worthy of a foreign service diplomat or Silicon valley oligarch.

Perhaps the LC is a little bit of all of those and I predict it will ne very popular.

Any LC variants will probably never become "Car of The Year" because it is supposed to be good at everything but perfect at nothing (other than reliability which you can't quantify).

I don't think LC will be too popular. Street price for 1958 is already quite soft now and $2K~3K off MSRP deal are everywhere. Being popular is supposed to be 4-Runners' job. I guarantee in about six months we will all see tons of YouTube videos talking about how unreasonably expensive Land Cruiser is and six-gen 4-Runner is the new Land Cruiser.... blah blah blah. (It already started actually). I remember I had to justify why I spend twice the price to buy my flagship DSLR that an alternative at half can do 95% of its functionality. It is always the same argument

 

[TakaraLC]

The recent Motor Trend review is pathetic and clearly biased to pimp the failing US mfg that got the SUV of the year award.
The fools could not even get the drivetrain description correct for the current 250 Cruiser.

If we were to poll 1000 random people and asked them what is the best SUV of this year, I would be surprised if more than 100 say it is Lincoln Nautilus.

 

[MJE]

If we were to poll 1000 random people and asked them what is the best SUV of this year, I would be surprised if more than 100 say it is Lincoln Nautilus.

I’d be impressed if 10% of respondents knew what the Lincoln Nautilus is or that they still make it.

 

[Smokester]

I want to start this thread try to understand our J250 for a fair review. I found vast majority of the content in public doesn't present the full context and render their biased opinions. So fairless is what I want to highlight. There are a few way you can look at our LC:

• J250 vs J200/J300
  This is the most popular but misleading comparison
• J150 vs J250
  This is the comparison within Pardo, which is safer but unfamilar to North America drivers since they never sell J120/J150 in this market
• GX460 vs GX550
  This is the North America comparison of 2. above, but still not quite the same as Toyota has fortified their offer in GX from LC

First method J250 vs J200/J300:

Most people in NA intuitively compare the 2024 model to its predecessor 2021 model. One of the recent most famous example is from the popular YouTube video people shared over and over.​

Price: (Upper Trim Only)​

J200: Heritage is $90000+, other base trim started from $85000​

J250: Top trim 2024 LC FE is around $77000, 2025 LC is around $62000​

Engine: (Upper Trim Only)​

J200: V8 5.7L, 381 HP, 401 lb-ft​

J250: V4 2.4L, 326 HP , 465 lb-ft​

Gas Efficiency: (Upper Trim Only)​

J200: 13~15 MPG​

J250: 22~25 MPG​

In this angle people will easily come into a conclusion that 2024 LC is a smaller, less powerful, and less luxurious versions. However any common sense people could tell a problem here - these are not the same cars. So these all these sophisticated YouTuber only do a silly comparison for numbers rather than help their viewer to interpret the context. Using the "wrong and more sensational" titles definitely help them to get more viewer but depreciate their image as a serious car guy.​

​

Second comparison is more truthfully staying with the Prado family:

Since I am from North America, I will just use data I found from the public domain to compare it (can't find any insightful comparison in public domain, people in Europe please make some good ones):​

Price: (Upper Trim Only)​

J150: From Mid-East and UK it is around USD $55000 ~ $60000 with V6 4.0L, Australia version gets more expensive to beyond $80000​

J250: Top trim 2024 LC FE is around $77000, 2025 LC is around $62000​

Engine: (Upper Trim Only)​

J150: V6 4.0L, 271 HP, 281 Nm​

J250: V4 2.4L, 326 HP , 465 lb-ft​

Gas Efficiency: (Upper Trim Only)​

J150: 14~18 MPG​

J250: 22~25 MPG​

Some of the spec can't really be compare Apple-to-Apple especially for the power train. the hp/torque are measured in a specific rev number, which gasoline engine and turbocharge worked completely differently and gas efficiency can't be technically matched neither. But overall J250 is definitely a work well done and appreciable improvement and refinement from J150. Too bad in North America nobody can really see appreciate it since they never see true J150 before.​

​

I'll leave the third comparison to the GX hobbist, since I am not really that interested to their philosophy. I feel bad that Jason Cammisa and Hagerty spent that much effort on their nice visual compositions on their video but chose the poison comparing J250/24' LC vs J250/GX550 for more viewers. They called Toyota wrong for doing something Toyota has been doing since at least J150 and GX460 time.

My verdict to position this J250 is that if you expect to get a Land Cruiser Prado, you will find this car to be a well made and appreciable update. The new hybrid powertrain is a bit experimental and takes a while to understand, which is the biggest wildcard for the drivers. If you are the ones that expect the J200/J300 like machines that is bad ass on everything, it is likely going to a bit disappointment. Get a LX instead. So know the product you need before you shop. Don't blame the tool when you don't know what you need.

This is good. I appreciate the perspective.

 

[RCFTE]

I want to start this thread try to understand our J250 for a fair review. I found vast majority of the content in public doesn't present the full context and render their biased opinions. So fairless is what I want to highlight. There are a few way you can look at our LC:

• J250 vs J200/J300
  This is the most popular but misleading comparison
• J150 vs J250
  This is the comparison within Pardo, which is safer but unfamilar to North America drivers since they never sell J120/J150 in this market
• GX460 vs GX550
  This is the North America comparison of 2. above, but still not quite the same as Toyota has fortified their offer in GX from LC

First method J250 vs J200/J300:

Most people in NA intuitively compare the 2024 model to its predecessor 2021 model. One of the recent most famous example is from the popular YouTube video people shared over and over.​

Price: (Upper Trim Only)​

J200: Heritage is $90000+, other base trim started from $85000​

J250: Top trim 2024 LC FE is around $77000, 2025 LC is around $62000​

Engine: (Upper Trim Only)​

J200: V8 5.7L, 381 HP, 401 lb-ft​

J250: V4 2.4L, 326 HP , 465 lb-ft​

Gas Efficiency: (Upper Trim Only)​

J200: 13~15 MPG​

J250: 22~25 MPG​

In this angle people will easily come into a conclusion that 2024 LC is a smaller, less powerful, and less luxurious versions. However any common sense people could tell a problem here - these are not the same cars. So these all these sophisticated YouTuber only do a silly comparison for numbers rather than help their viewer to interpret the context. Using the "wrong and more sensational" titles definitely help them to get more viewer but depreciate their image as a serious car guy.​

​

Second comparison is more truthfully staying with the Prado family:

Since I am from North America, I will just use data I found from the public domain to compare it (can't find any insightful comparison in public domain, people in Europe please make some good ones):​

Price: (Upper Trim Only)​

J150: From Mid-East and UK it is around USD $55000 ~ $60000 with V6 4.0L, Australia version gets more expensive to beyond $80000​

J250: Top trim 2024 LC FE is around $77000, 2025 LC is around $62000​

Engine: (Upper Trim Only)​

J150: V6 4.0L, 271 HP, 281 Nm​

J250: V4 2.4L, 326 HP , 465 lb-ft​

Gas Efficiency: (Upper Trim Only)​

J150: 14~18 MPG​

J250: 22~25 MPG​

Some of the spec can't really be compare Apple-to-Apple especially for the power train. the hp/torque are measured in a specific rev number, which gasoline engine and turbocharge worked completely differently and gas efficiency can't be technically matched neither. But overall J250 is definitely a work well done and appreciable improvement and refinement from J150. Too bad in North America nobody can really see appreciate it since they never see true J150 before.​

​

I'll leave the third comparison to the GX hobbist, since I am not really that interested to their philosophy. I feel bad that Jason Cammisa and Hagerty spent that much effort on their nice visual compositions on their video but chose the poison comparing J250/24' LC vs J250/GX550 for more viewers. They called Toyota wrong for doing something Toyota has been doing since at least J150 and GX460 time.

My verdict to position this J250 is that if you expect to get a Land Cruiser Prado, you will find this car to be a well made and appreciable update. The new hybrid powertrain is a bit experimental and takes a while to understand, which is the biggest wildcard for the drivers. If you are the ones that expect the J200/J300 like machines that is bad ass on everything, it is likely going to a bit disappointment. Get a LX instead. So know the product you need before you shop. Don't blame the tool when you don't know what you need.

Excellent write up and description of what the LC 250 is. Most of these YouTube clowns know that negative bitter hate titles and content is what brings in views because they are pandering to a specific audience, and that audience is the pissed off bitter person who can not afford a new LC 250, and it’s really laughable to compare it to a $ 115,000.00 LX 600 or LX 700 because they definitely can not afford a LX. And then their favorite response is, “ the new LC 250 is not a real Landcruiser and I wish they would have imported the LC 300” . We’ll the LC 300 is here, it’s called the LX 600/ LX 700 H, but it is out of their price range.

Car YouTubers are turning into the national enquirer of vehicle reviews.

 

[ultane]

Engine: (Upper Trim Only)​

J200: V8 5.7L, 381 HP, 401 lb-ft​

J250: V4 2.4L Turbo, 326 HP , 465 lb-ft​

​

Engine: (Upper Trim Only)​

J150: V6 4.0L, 271 HP, 281 Nm​

J250: V4 2.4L Turbo, 326 HP , 465 lb-ft​

Sorry Marinna, my OCD kicked in.. the J250 has an I-4
2.4L engine.. nor a V4.