5th Gen 4Runner vs 2025 Land Cruiser

[YotaGoat]

For those who upgraded from a 5th Gen 4Runner, how does the power of the new Land Cruiser feel, especially when the car is loaded with passengers and gear? My current 4Runner is fine when it’s just me, but it struggles a bit when fully loaded. The specs on the new LC look impressive, but how does it actually feel behind the wheel?

I’ve got a test drive scheduled for this weekend and was hoping to get some ideas from you all about what to watch for or expect.

 

[b407driver]

I often load it down for trips (offroad), and it is WAY better than the 5th Gen I spent 9 years in. Have only towed around town so far (3000# teardrop), but it felt much more effortless to get going, more like you are not towing anything. The 5th Gen was a nightmare for towing, always looking for a gear it does not possess, and frequently screaming around at 4500 in 2nd for minutes on end up mountain passes.

Offroad the smooth torque delivery seems much better than the 5th Gen (often took coaxing to get the 4R moving on steep slopes), and the LC climbs MUCH better on uneven terrain, rarely lifting a tire when the 4Runner would be spinning. It quite surprised me how much better it was on terrain I'm familiar with. The LC is way better on road (much more comfortable, only a bit more noticeable body roll compared to KDSS, better than I expected), and way, way better offroad.

 

[NJ2VT]

I currently own a 2018 5th Gen 4Runner Limited since new, and a 2024 LC/LC. We had done so many journeys to Nantucket and Vermont in the 4Runner loaded up with 4 humans, our lab, and Loaded Thule roof box. The 4Runner is a rock, however serious showing its age vs the new LC. Loaded up the 4R is a dog. I mean it is able to keep up with traffic perfectly fine but you need to step on it. Plus the handling on the highway loaded up it’s a bit wondering in an old school need to stay alert way….The new LC is substantially more powerful, far more refined and handling is much more stable. I am not knocking the 5th gen 4R as it is still a great SUV, but the LC is an upgrade in almost every way. Just hoping the new drivetrain is as reliable.

 

[MudNGuts]

I traded my 2021 4Runner TRD Pro for an LC/LC plus had owned 2 earlier 4Runners. On my first test drive of the LC I was immediately impressed with the improved handling and drivetrain responsiveness. Having owned my LC for 5 months/4,000 miles, here are my "longer term" positive impressions:

LC gets 4-5 mpg better fuel mileage​

LC drivetrain is much more responsive​

LC tows my 3,000# camp trailer much better​

8-speed transmission is light years better than old 5-speed​

LC handles day-to-day driving with more comfort/confidence​

Updated gauges/controls are nice​

Love full-time 4WD and 4WD options at my fingertips​

LC/LC headlights are amazing and love self-leveling feature​

LC/LC styling is, IMHO, off the charts​

A few features I'm still getting used to:

Unproven long-term reliability/durability​

Lower ground clearance (but I've never hit bottom)​

TSS 3.0 complexity and "nanny-ness"​

Dim interior lighting (I'd replaced all of my '21 4R with bright LED)​

Tumbling instead of fold-flat rear seats​

 

[neema2k]

Everything that was said above is spot on. It's night and day. It really is a direct upgrade over the 5th gen runner. Even the 1958 is a huge upgrade in both mechanics and luxury.

I really loved my 5th gen runner but do I miss it ? I only miss the sunglass holder.

This ride is everything I wanted the 5th gen 4runner to be.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

The 4Runner had enough power but like has been said you have to stick your big toe in the injectors and it didn’t have enough gears. Lc has enough power also but I wouldn’t bog it down with 35” tires like some people have. I find the steering comparable to the kdss 4Runner. The 4Runners without kdss are atrocious for on road manner’s IMHO. The big difference I find is the lc is much more nimble as far as turning radius is concerned. Not mentioned often but for those of us who are in the woods on a frequent basis it makes a huge difference.

 

[ChrisMA1B]

I traded up from a 2015 4R Trail to the 1958 LC and the LC is way better on and off road.

 

[southernLC]

I have taken my LC FULLY loaded and it responds well.

 

[YotaGoat]

Appreciate all the input! Now it’s time to narrow down the must-have options, decide what I can do without, and settle on a color.

 

[KSea]

Appreciate all the input! Now it’s time to narrow down the must-have options, decide what I can do without, and settle on a color.

Picking mine up this week…. Not entirely sure how I’ll handle all the new tech aspects and am excited about that. We couldn’t do cloth seats with dogs and kids —excited for the Java interior! I’m hoping I love it so much I don’t regret trading my 4R at all!! It’s going to be tough letting it go!! I am excited for the pick up on the highway and learning to make the most of all the technology I’m not used to having.

 

[Stage7]

Picking mine up this week…. Not entirely sure how I’ll handle all the new tech aspects and am excited about that. We couldn’t do cloth seats with dogs and kids —excited for the Java interior! I’m hoping I love it so much I don’t regret trading my 4R at all!! It’s going to be tough letting it go!! I am excited for the pick up on the highway and learning to make the most of all the technology I’m not used to having.

I think you'll find it amazing. I had a 2010 4Runner Trail Edition and I loved it but the LC is leaps and bounds better IMO.

 

[PDPete]

Picking mine up this week…. Not entirely sure how I’ll handle all the new tech aspects and am excited about that. We couldn’t do cloth seats with dogs and kids —excited for the Java interior! I’m hoping I love it so much I don’t regret trading my 4R at all!! It’s going to be tough letting it go!! I am excited for the pick up on the highway and learning to make the most of all the technology I’m not used to having.

regarding the “new tech”, just be aware that you’ll probably love some of the features, but others will probably be annoying to you…however most of those can be tuned or disabled as desired.

I appreciate the focus on safety, but don’t want it getting in my way of actually driving.

Don’t be too quick to curse out Toyota about stuff that annoys you until you’ve had the chance to get those TSS 3.0 settings tuned the way you like.

This is the second vehicle I’ve had with TSS (though the other one was only 2.0), so I was able to find and adjust those settings a lot quicker this time, but it may take some trial and error with tweaks and adjustments if this is the first vehicle you had with it.