Land Cruiser vs 4Runner

[Markarian421]

According to the reveal it will have an option for full-time 4wd and center locker. 4Runner Reveal

From what I've been able to find in the press materials, the two off-road trims will have part time 4WD and a real locker only. Full time 4WD and the additional center diff lock will only be options/standard on the "premium" Limited and Platinum trims. That's very confusing to me (and a few articles I've read) -- my FJ TTUE has full time 4WD, rear and center locking differentials, and special (not that special but at least non-standard) off-road suspension. Why would the 4Runner off-road trims not have all that? It looks like you have to choose between off-road suspension (TRD Pro and Trailhunter) or additional useful offered features (full time 4WD and center locking diff). Why not both? Unless that somehow turns out to be wrong and the TRD Pro and Trailhunter have an option for full time 4WD and both locking diffs, I'm inclined to get the LC and upgrade the suspension (as opposed to getting a Platinum trim 4Runner and doing the same).

 

[Markarian421]

BTW, expanding on a table from here I added my FJ for my own comparison chart. This is to the best of my knowledge, let me know if you see errors or have more info!

Edit(s) to update the table.

Specs	2014 FJ TTUE MT	2024 Toyota Land Cruiser (LC trim)	2025 Toyota 4Runner Offroad Trims (TRD Off-Road/ TRD Pro / Trailhunter)	2025 Toyota 4Runner Premium Trims (Limited / Platinum)
Engine	4.0-liter V6	Turbocharged 2.4-Liter Four-Cylinder Hybrid	Turbocharged 2.4-Liter Four-Cylinder Hybrid (optional on Off-Road)	Turbocharged 2.4-Liter Four-Cylinder Hybrid (optional on Limited)
Transmission	6-Speed Manual	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
Power	260 HP / 271 lb-ft	326 HP / 465 lb-ft	326 HP / 465 lb-ft	326 HP / 465 lb-ft
Full-Time 4WD With Two-Speed Transfer Case	Yes (MT only)	Yes	No (part time only)	Optional/Yes
Rear Diff Lock	Yes	Yes	Yes	?
Center Diff Lock	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Weight	4343/5570 lbs	5037.5/6725 lbs	?	?
Stabilizer Bar Disconnect	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multi-Terrain Select	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
CRAWL Control	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Downhill Assist Control	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
A-TRAC	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multi-Terrain Monitor	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Towing	4,700 lbs	6,000 Pounds	6,000 Pounds	6,000 Pounds
Wheelbase	105.9 Inches	112.2 Inches	112.2 Inches	112.2 Inches
Overall Length	183.9 in.	193.8 Inches	194.9 Inches	194.9 Inches
Overall Width	75.0 in.	77.9 Inches	77.8 Inches	77.8 Inches
Overall Height	72.0 in.	76.1 Inches	70.8 Inches	70.8 Inches
Height w/ Rack	?	?	?	?
Ground Clearance (Inches)	9.6	8.0 or 8.7 ?	Up to ~10.2 ?	9.2 ?
Approach Angle	34	31	32	32
Departure Angle	31	22	24	24
Breakover Angle	27.4	25	?	?
Tire Size	265/75R16	265/70R18	?	?
MPG	17/20 MPG	22/25	?	?
Gas Tank	19.0 gal.	17.9 gal.	?	?
Range	323.0/380.0 mi.	393.80/447.50	?	?

Notes:
Toyota gives two LC clearance specs on different pages.
4R Trailhunter is lifted at least 1.5" vs. standard, unclear if that one is 9.2 or if it's raised to around 10"

Sources:
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Returns to its Origin - Toyota USA Newsroom
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Specifications | Toyota.com
2025 Toyota 4Runner Refines Adventure Ready Heritage - Toyota USA Newsroom

 

[Skidaddl]

 

[BlackPearl]

IMO, interior is going to massively separate the 4Runner and Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser interior appears to be very well made and subtly stylish. The 4Runner interior is going to be an acquired taste at best.

This has to be true...having owned two of each in the past, if Toyota makes the interiors similar, I'm going to be irritated. For example, the glass on the old URJ200's glass was thicker and the vehicle had a lot of overall sound deadening material...it dramatically different. I'm praying that type of subtle difference still remains.

My 4runners sounded like garbage when the door shut and driving down the road. The LC felt like a tank in both scenarios. IDK...we'll see.

 

[elsie]

Doug Demuro's video was comparing the interior of the Land Cruiser vs the new 4Runner, and he felt that the 4Runner's interior was better - or at least more interesting. (less boring) Other than the placement of the infotainment screen, I kind of agree with him. Not that I dislike the LC's interior, but it is a little dull.

 

[Skidaddl]

This has to be true...having owned two of each in the past, if Toyota makes the interiors similar, I'm going to be irritated. For example, the glass on the old URJ200's glass was thicker and the vehicle had a lot of overall sound deadening material...it dramatically different. I'm praying that type of subtle difference still remains.

My 4runners sounded like garbage when the door shut and driving down the road. The LC felt like a tank in both scenarios. IDK...we'll see.

I spent some time watching the first drive videos last night, and that sounds to be the case. Many reviewers commented on the quiet on-road manners, and more luxury, less "trucky" feel of the LC vs the Tacoma/4Runner.

 

[chaseshort]

I'm very confused why they would offer both the 4runner and LC, they are essentially the same car now. Why did they not make a vehicle that would actually compete with Jeep and Bronco off road?

 

[LC-120]

Trust them. They are not stupid. 4Runner is very flexible you can get any configuration you want. It will (still) be the best seller.

 

[qberg]

I'm very confused why they would offer both the 4runner and LC, they are essentially the same car now. Why did they not make a vehicle that would actually compete with Jeep and Bronco off road?

The Land Cruiser will have a taller, more airy cabin. I expect it will be more premium as far as the items that don’t fill out a spec sheet.

I’d assume that they don’t make a Jeep or Bronco competitor because the spreadsheets say that it isn’t going to be profitable based on their regulatory and logistical boundary conditions as a business… or a different model is on the horizon to do that.

 

[chaseshort]

The Land Cruiser will have a taller, more airy cabin. I expect it will be more premium as far as the items that don’t fill out a spec sheet.

I’d assume that they don’t make a Jeep or Bronco competitor because the spreadsheets say that it isn’t going to be profitable based on their regulatory and logistical boundary conditions as a business… or a different model is on the horizon to do that.

It's just too bad that Toyota doesn't have a real competent off roader sold in the US

 

[TLC]

This will sound like a strange thing to compare, but it’s one that I’ve been thinking about..
Why is the 4Runner Platinum offered with Heated Rear Seats, but the Land Cruiser has no such option? If the LC is the more premium / luxury of the vehicles, I’d think it would be standard or at least an option as it is in the 4r.

 

[Dragoon]

The Land Cruiser has the option of a Heads Up Display, which I don't believe the 4Runner does.

 

[Buckfever]

I think if you’re building it based on the hybrid, there will probably be a value equation with the forerunner maybe in the off-road trim. And then you have the specific off-road trims of the forerunner which have different applications.

The Prado has always had a different world wide application.

 

[Skidaddl]

This will sound like a strange thing to compare, but it’s one that I’ve been thinking about..
Why is the 4Runner Platinum offered with Heated Rear Seats, but the Land Cruiser has no such option? If the LC is the more premium / luxury of the vehicles, I’d think it would be standard or at least an option as it is in the 4r.

Good point. I no longer have kids, so heated rear seat isn't that important, but you'd think at least higher trim LC's would have it.

 

[Skidaddl]

Doug Demuro's video was comparing the interior of the Land Cruiser vs the new 4Runner, and he felt that the 4Runner's interior was better - or at least more interesting. (less boring) Other than the placement of the infotainment screen, I kind of agree with him. Not that I dislike the LC's interior, but it is a little dull.

One man's "dull" is another man's "timeless".

 

[qberg]

Good point. I no longer have kids, so heated rear seat isn't that important, but you'd think at least higher trim LC's would have it.

Heated rear seats will complicate removing the rear seats. Taller cargo area and easily removable rear seats are to plusses that the Land Cruiser has over the 4Runner for those that want to car camp.

 

[MJE]

Chevy did answer though.

With the Blazer.

Can't believe they dropped that into the universe right about the same time Ford walked in the room and dropped the new Bronco on the table.

Not a bad car, but a waste of a good name. Complete missed opportunity. I almost can’t believe they misread the room that bad. But this is GM, legendary for misreading the marketplace for 40 years now.

 

[LC-120]

A Skeptic’s Guide to the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, and Land Cruiser An Inside Look into the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, and Land Cruiser

 

[Skidaddl]

For anyone still trying to decide between Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and GX, he does a pretty good comparison here:

 

[jeffd]

From what I've been able to find in the press materials, the two off-road trims will have part time 4WD and a real locker only. Full time 4WD and the additional center diff lock will only be options/standard on the "premium" Limited and Platinum trims. That's very confusing to me (and a few articles I've read) -- my FJ TTUE has full time 4WD, rear and center locking differentials, and special (not that special but at least non-standard) off-road suspension. Why would the 4Runner off-road trims not have all that? It looks like you have to choose between off-road suspension (TRD Pro and Trailhunter) or additional useful offered features (full time 4WD and center locking diff). Why not both? Unless that somehow turns out to be wrong and the TRD Pro and Trailhunter have an option for full time 4WD and both locking diffs, I'm inclined to get the LC and upgrade the suspension (as opposed to getting a Platinum trim 4Runner and doing the same).

When you engage 4wd you are locking the center differential. An AWD vehicle uses an open center differential under normal operation. Closing it sends 50/50 f/r.