How Toyota Got the 2024 Land Cruiser So Wrong — Full Review & History — Jason Cammisa on the ICONS

[Marinna]

They really did screw up the Hybrid only engine offering.
The V6 turbo is a much better setup/ system for this vehicle.
They have to make EPA numbers somehow this is one of those major concession's where the consumer eats it.
I do have one arriving in a couple of weeks.
If the 550GXs were actually avialbe that would be my choice hands down.
Any differences are easily fixed, the motr is not.
Already planning on swapping out the Cruiser for the GX in a year or two if it goes as I suspect.
Oiy vey I coulda had a GX.

I am neutral to that. I did have the option to test drive and buy either OverTrail+ or LC FE all without dealer markup, and I chose to buy LC FE instead.

I am never the driver who would driver 80+ mph constantly, most of the time 70 mph is already on the faster side of my driving. I remember I always wanted an efficient off-roader even from 10 years old. This is perfect for me together with high power AC plug and more engine off time when I wait in the parking, even car camping you can keep the engine on without worrying carbon monoxide. In reality GX550 is more like 15 mpg give or take but it did comes to a roomier trunk.

GX550 may looked similar on the paper to LC but in reality they design the car for a slightly different audience, plus I do not yet have full confidence to their V6TT.

GX550 OverTrail+ is very rare to get, so if you are not already in the waiting list likely you need to wait at least another 9-12 months to get it, and by that time they should probably also have the hybrid power available at high $80K or low $90K

 

[Area 51]

I am neutral to that. I did have the option to test drive and buy either OverTrail+ or LC FE all without dealer markup, and I chose to buy LC FE instead.

I am never the driver who would driver 80+ mph constantly, most of the time 70 mph is already on the faster side of my driving. I remember I always wanted an efficient off-roader even from 10 years old. This is perfect for me together with high power AC plug and more engine off time when I wait in the parking, even car camping you can keep the engine on without worrying carbon monoxide. In reality GX550 is more like 15 mpg give or take but it did comes to a roomier trunk.

GX550 may looked similar on the paper to LC but in reality they design the car for a slightly different audience, plus I do not yet have full confidence to their V6TT.

GX550 OverTrail+ is very rare to get, so if you are not already in the waiting list likely you need to wait at least another 9-12 months to get it, and by that time they should probably also have the hybrid power available at high $80K or low $90K

Exactly. Taking the Cruiser now and see how it works out. As the GXs become more avialbe and if i do not like the Cruiser that can always be fixed. I miss my Cruisers in another land far away and need to try the new version just cuz.

 

[venturer]

After a month and 1500 miles, I actually agree with the review. If I wore ear plugs, the LC would have enough pep. Unfortunately. The 4 cylinder engine sounds and feels very underpowered and rough/unrefined to me. Also, the big battery in the back won’t allow me to easily put my MTB in the back. I am going to test drive a GX in a day or two.

 

[Altitude]

I remember when Lincoln redesigned the Town Car in about 1987. The old one looked like something out of the Cold War; the new one had rounded edges like everything else at that point. People were up in arms. My friends’ dad wanted to buy an old one and store it, anticipating it would double in value.

After a year or so, the “new Town Car” was just “the Town Car” and nobody cared.

People need a place to direct their anxiety.

 

[Lenny33]

They really did screw up the Hybrid only engine offering.
The V6 turbo is a much better setup/ system for this vehicle.
They have to make EPA numbers somehow this is one of those major concession's where the consumer eats it.
I do have one arriving in a couple of weeks.
If the 550GXs were actually avialbe that would be my choice hands down.
Any differences are easily fixed, the motr is not.
Already planning on swapping out the Cruiser for the GX in a year or two if it goes as I suspect.
Oiy vey I coulda had a GX.

When you say the V6 Turbo is a much better setup for the vehicle, what are you basing this on? I’m honestly not trying to prove you wrong or anything, just starting a dialogue.
For my purposes, daily driver and occasional wheeling rig, that is asked to occasionally pull a camper, it does everything perfectly. There is nice pickup from a stop and plenty of pulling power for a 4k camper. There is no lag in power while waiting for the turbo to spool up, because the hybrid battery covers that gap. Also, the hybrid system is REALLY nice for delivering smooth torque while off-roading. I am a big fan of the 2400 watt inverter that comes with having a hybrid system too.
Now I will admit that the sound the 4 cylinder engine makes is horrible - I don’t like it at all. Other than that, I see no reason not to like this powertrain.

 

[Area 51]

When you say the V6 Turbo is a much better setup for the vehicle, what are you basing this on? I’m honestly not trying to prove you wrong or anything, just starting a dialogue.
For my purposes, daily driver and occasional wheeling rig, that is asked to occasionally pull a camper, it does everything perfectly. There is nice pickup from a stop and plenty of pulling power for a 4k camper. There is no lag in power while waiting for the turbo to spool up, because the hybrid battery covers that gap. Also, the hybrid system is REALLY nice for delivering smooth torque while off-roading. I am a big fan of the 2400 watt inverter that comes with having a hybrid system too.
Now I will admit that the sound the 4 cylinder engine makes is horrible - I don’t like it at all. Other than that, I see no reason not to like this powertrain.

There is no significant turbo lag on the V6.
The battery bank takes up too much space and adds weight.
They hybrid sucks at towing.
The inverter is a nickel dime item that can easily be added to any vehicle and not have to cycle the little engine needlessly.
The GX has a bigger enough tank to make a big difference in convenience and range. A very expensive fix for the Cruiser.
The longer term engine and battery bank costs are very open to debate and are both very TBD items.
Hopefully the bottom does not fall out of the resale/ trade in value that could very badly affect some.
These are just a few items that quickly come to mind.
Thx.

 

[SKLC]

There is no significant turbo lag on the V6.
The battery bank takes up too much space and adds weight.
They hybrid sucks at towing.
The inverter is a nickel dime item that can easily be added to any vehicle and not have to cycle the little engine needlessly.
The GX has a bigger enough tank to make a big difference in convenience and range. A very expensive fix for the Cruiser.
The longer term engine and battery bank costs are very open to debate and are both very TBD items.
Hopefully the bottom does not fall out of the resale/ trade in value that could very badly affect some.
These are just a few items that quickly come to mind.
Thx.

How does it suck at towing? I’m curious because I just towed a 4,000# trailer 2,000 miles and did not get that impression. Thx

 

[b407driver]

The GX has a bigger enough tank to make a big difference in convenience and range. A very expensive fix for the Cruiser.

I'm a bit unclear on the maths on this one, can you clarify how the GX has significantly better range than the LC?

 

[HarvLC]

In May, Edmunds did a pretty good comparison of the 550 and LC. Both drivetrains were favorably reviewed as to capability and in that sense (ie effortlessness as per Jason), it was a wash. But to the extent that someone wanted an engine that was more akin to a performance engine, the 550 was the better choice between the 2. But it was all relative - ie if you really want a performance SUV, buy a Cayenne.

 

[Area 51]

I'm a bit unclear on the maths on this one, can you clarify how the GX has significantly better range than the LC?

21g vs 17g tanks

 

[Area 51]

How does it suck at towing? I’m curious because I just towed a 4,000# trailer 2,000 miles and did not get that impression. Thx

I would never tow something that big and heavy with such a small vehicle.
I know it's the trend these days and the vehicles are very very overrated vs what they should be.
Diesel truck tow guy here.
Cleaned up way to much horse meat on highway wrecks to think anything else, ever.
I was going to post a good picture, not going to . way to disturbing and sensitive of a subject to many.
I am encouraged by you're report just the same. I am hoping the new Cruiser version is robust and capable.

 

[Marinna]

There is no significant turbo lag on the V6.
The battery bank takes up too much space and adds weight.
They hybrid sucks at towing.
The inverter is a nickel dime item that can easily be added to any vehicle and not have to cycle the little engine needlessly.
The GX has a bigger enough tank to make a big difference in convenience and range. A very expensive fix for the Cruiser.
The longer term engine and battery bank costs are very open to debate and are both very TBD items.
Hopefully the bottom does not fall out of the resale/ trade in value that could very badly affect some.
These are just a few items that quickly come to mind.
Thx.

You either ignores all the benefits for hybrid power chain, or you don’t care perhaps?

The gas efficiency in FE is at least 25% even if I count realistic MPG.

I consider inverter is a significant offer. Everybody can do 400w easy, but 2400w will need to be supported by the hybrid powertrain. You can use coffee maker, recharge a lithium power station, blow dryer, air fryer… etc that other 400w can’t do.

Other thing like E-KDSS, it is great but it compromise your approach angle. Also if it ever break it will be very very costly to repair.

One additional side benefit for hybrid is that it is very friendly to accessories lighting, as well as engine starting as you are using the hybrid high output battery rather than the traditional lead acid. This is a big attraction to me as it solves a lot of my aftermarket challenges

 

[Lenny33]

There is no significant turbo lag on the V6.
The battery bank takes up too much space and adds weight.
They hybrid sucks at towing.
The inverter is a nickel dime item that can easily be added to any vehicle and not have to cycle the little engine needlessly.
The GX has a bigger enough tank to make a big difference in convenience and range. A very expensive fix for the Cruiser.
The longer term engine and battery bank costs are very open to debate and are both very TBD items.
Hopefully the bottom does not fall out of the resale/ trade in value that could very badly affect some.
These are just a few items that quickly come to mind.
Thx.

There is always a turbo lag - that is the nature of a turbo. And even if it isn’t a big turbo lag, there is none with the LC.

The LC does NOT suck at towing. I towed a lot this last summer over passes in Colorado. Not arguing that the GX could tow more, but if you don’t need it, you don’t need it.

Yes, a work around could be made for the inverter, but I don’t have to work around it - I already have it and it works beautifully. And cycling an engine needlessly is an old school thought. Pretty sure Toyota has it figured out at this point.

So stating the V6 engine is a much better setup may be a personal preference for you, but far from a given fact.

 

[HarvLC]

I think the 550’s towing limit advantage is mostly due to larger driveline components rather than some constraint of the LC’s hybrid. Both packages generate the same torque and one isn’t going to exhaust the hybrid’s charge / availability in typical towing scenarios

 

[PACruiser]

I have owned vehicles that used twin turbo, super charger/turbo and now the LC with battery/turbo combo.

I think the battery/turbo is the superior solution. It provides better power delivery, better fuel efficiency, has fewer moving parts, and all the secondary benefits of the hybrid electrical system.

I test drove the GX several times and prefer the LC power train. It is better around town, is more responsive off road, cruises gracefully on rhe highway going 70mph at 1700 rpms and gets about 5mpg better gas mileage.

 

[b407driver]

21g vs 17g tanks

That's not math. Multiply by their respective MPG for the actual difference: 316.5 for the GX (15mpg, average EPA est.), or 340.1 for the LC (19mpg: below the lowest EPA est.). Those estimates are obviously being generous to the GX.

 

[jbe2289]

Exactly! It’s a well-produced video but it reports numerous things (such as steering shake) that objectively are not true. I’ve taken mine to its max 109 mph speed and it was perfectly fine.

Me too, I was actually quite surprised how solid it was at 109 and couldn’t believe we were going that fast. The first thing I noticed on the test drive when I took it on the highway was the effortless acceleration and doing 80 MPH merging into a 55 without even realizing it until I looked down. Huge improvement over the Toyota naturally aspirated V6’s in the prior gen 4Runner and Tacoma.

 

[qberg]

The battery bank takes up too much space and adds weight.
The GX has a bigger enough tank to make a big difference in convenience and range. A very expensive fix for the Cruiser.

The GX is 200lbs heavier than the LC in most trims.
The bigger tank doesn't matter when the GX is drinking down fuel the way it does. 19mpg on a 17.9 gal tank is 340 miles. 16 mpg on a 21.1 gal tank is 337 miles. (both mpg ratings pulled from fuelly)

 

[qberg]

I would never tow something that big and heavy with such a small vehicle.
I know it's the trend these days and the vehicles are very very overrated vs what they should be.
Diesel truck tow guy here.
Cleaned up way to much horse meat on highway wrecks to think anything else, ever.
I was going to post a good picture, not going to . way to disturbing and sensitive of a subject to many.
I am encouraged by you're report just the same. I am hoping the new Cruiser version is robust and capable.

Actually, tow ratings are more accurate than they've ever been because there's an actual standard that everyone is following now for acceleration, braking, and handling. Up until the SAE standard in the late 00s, everything was wild west and the rating was whatever the manufacturers said it was.

 

[Area 51]

That's not math. Multiply by their respective MPG for the actual difference: 316.5 for the GX (15mpg, average EPA est.), or 340.1 for the LC (19mpg: below the lowest EPA est.). Those estimates are obviously being generous to the GX.

off road they both get about the same mileage, thats what matters with a full tank on expeditions. The GX will win out.
Off road math is what matters here.