Lexus to introduce the LX 700h - Is this the real Land Cruiser at a price??

[HTony]

Disclaimer: I am a 25 Land Cruiser 250 owner and absolutely love it and would not change it for what I am about to show, Best Land Cruiser I have owned, Period,

I received an email from Lexus announcing the new LX700 and LX700h, Perhaps you as a Toyota owner also received it, Priced at $110.000 to +$150,000 usd. Many versions including Overtrail:

2025 Lexus LX 700h - Luxury Hybrid SUV | Lexus.com

Crafted to elevate the driver and the driving experience to unprecedented heights, this is the next chapter of flagship luxury.

www.lexus.com

Looked at a couple of the inevitable early reviews, and of course there are comparisons to our loved LC250. Naturally, Napa is where the 700 is being revealed, Here is just one review:



Interesting comments about Toyota addressing redundancy.

Enjoy. H Tony

 

[AlexGates]

Fix your title/header.

SavageGeese did a review on the LX700h, they basically trashed it lol. I thought about one, it has an 18gal tank, and it is expensive. The interior is hit or miss depending on what you like. I prefer the lack of blind spots (and the lack of Lexus nameplate) of the LC250.

I would like a LC300.

 

[HTony]

Fix your title/header.

SavageGeese did a review on the LX700h, they basically trashed it lol. I thought about one, it has an 18gal tank, and it is expensive. The interior is hit or miss depending on what you like. I prefer the lack of blind spots (and the lack of Lexus nameplate) of the LC250.

I would like a LC300.

Fixed Alex. Thanks

 

[neema2k]

At that price point I'd get a G wagon.

 

[katekebo]

Let's ask first "What is a real Land Cruiser?"
When introduced to the US, the Land Cruiser was NOT a luxury SUV. It was a capable, utilitarian 4x4 "jeep". Only recently (somewhere around 1980) the Land Cruiser became upscale luxury status symbol.

Just for comparison:

• In 1958, LC's first year in the US, the list price was ~$1,800 dollars, same as Jeep CJ5 and Ford pickup truck. For comparison, a full-size semi-luxury sedan like Chevy Impala costed ~$2,500
• In 1970, LC's base trim was priced ~$3,000, just a tad above Jeep at ~$2,900 or Ford F150 at $2,700, and less than Ford Bronco at ~$3,300

Of course prices varied depending on trim and optional equipment, but this gives you an idea of LC's positioning.

So today, one can argue that the only "real" Land Cruiser in the US is the 1958 trim - it's the closest one to the original intent of what the Land Cruiser really meant. All the luxury versions (GX550, LX600, LX700h) are pretenders for people who want bling and have little connection to the off-road spirit of the original (1958-1970 Land Cruiser).

This is how Toyota positions the Land Cruiser sub-brand on their Japanese website.

 

[APIOQM]

In the GCC you can get a 300 with beige cloth seats, steel rims, and front/rear lockers. That's my dream rig! I do prefer the interior and exterior look of the 250 though.

 

[Noctilucent]

So the most expensive Lexus uses the exact same 2400W inverter that our 250s have. That really speaks to how much Toyota values it across their lineup. Very Good.

 

[katekebo]

So the most expensive Lexus uses the exact same 2400W inverter that our 250s have. That really speaks to how much Toyota values it across their lineup. Very Good.

It means that those who buy expensive LX 700h get cheap Toyota parts.

 

[HarvLC]

Let's ask first "What is a real Land Cruiser?"
When introduced to the US, the Land Cruiser was NOT a luxury SUV. It was a capable, utilitarian 4x4 "jeep". Only recently (somewhere around 1980) the Land Cruiser became upscale luxury status symbol.

Just for comparison:

• In 1958, LC's first year in the US, the list price was ~$1,800 dollars, same as Jeep CJ5 and Ford pickup truck. For comparison, a full-size semi-luxury sedan like Chevy Impala costed ~$2,500
• In 1970, LC's base trim was priced ~$3,000, just a tad above Jeep at ~$2,900 or Ford F150 at $2,700, and less than Ford Bronco at ~$3,300

Of course prices varied depending on trim and optional equipment, but this gives you an idea of LC's positioning.

So today, one can argue that the only "real" Land Cruiser in the US is the 1958 trim - it's the closest one to the original intent of what the Land Cruiser really meant. All the luxury versions (GX550, LX600, LX700h) are pretenders for people who want bling and have little connection to the off-road spirit of the original (1958-1970 Land Cruiser).

This is how Toyota positions the Land Cruiser sub-brand on their Japanese website.

View attachment 30894

Yep. Hard not to point to the 70 series when one is insistent on labeling the real LC

 

[AlexGates]

Yep. Hard not to point to the 70 series when one is insistent on labeling the real LC

Problem is, most people in the US wouldn't want to drive one. The YT crowd would bash the heck out of it. The 70-Series is a case of wanting something simply because you cannot have it. Great in a third world country, not so great in the US.

 

[HarvLC]

You’re certainly right that many do not appreciate how spartan (ie old school) the 70 is by comparison to modern vehicles. But I wouldn’t be surprised if a fair number would still buy and drive it as their daily driver.

 

[AlexGates]

You’re certainly right that many do not appreciate how spartan (ie old school) the 70 is by comparison to modern vehicles. But I wouldn’t be surprised if a fair number would still buy and drive it as their daily driver.

I would, but sales wise, not great for Toyota with all the regulatory hoops. What I would like to see happen is the import restrictions relaxed and Toyota offering it as a custom order (not custom build) deal, but that isn't going to happen. Price would obviously be a barrier, you're not going to get Toyota of Gibraltar/3rd World pricing.

But, having a bare bone'ish/old school vehicle like the 40/60/62, with a more modern engine and parts support would be fantastic.

Look at all the people daily driving modded Jeeps, those drive like crap IMHO.

 

[Hilljf]

The chart above shows that the "real Landcruiser" has three branches. All three are great vehicles. For background, I have owned a 60 series, an 80 series and still have a 2006 100 series. I was excited but disappointed by the release of the 250 in either the Toyota or Lexus variants because it lacked a couple of features I love in my 100 series 1) AHC is great in my opinion being able to add 4 inches of lift on demand for off road and dropping the car by an inch so it can fit through my garage door with a rooftop tent on top is a game changer. 2) the 250 did not seem to me to be as robust a build and as bullet proof as my 80 or 100 series. I could not find anywhere a commitment to a long duty cycle for the 250 and my plan is to keep my vehicles a long time with heavy use. My 100 series only has 283,000 miles on it and runs like new. The LX 700h Overtrail has a published duty cycle of 500,000 miles.

I now have the LX 700h and have been driving it on and off road. It is a real 300 series (310 to be exact). The car is more capable than my 100 series off road, due to the intelligence built into it and the triple lockers. It is more comfortable as well. I will be keeping my 100 series as well.

A 250 is great if you want a platform that can take heavy modifications in my opinion (suspension lift, new tires, etc.). The LX 700h Overtrail requires no modifications but I will be adding an onboard compressor, a drawer system in the back, a robust roof rack with side mole panels to hold extra fuel, a rooftop tent and a swing out in the rear to hold recovery boards, propane and perhaps a second spare tire when my journey will need it. The base vehicle has all the offroad capable technology I will ever need.

Love your Landcruiser regardless of which leg on the family tree gave birth to it.
BTW, If I could get a new 70 series, I would buy one of those as well

 

[D-mac]

But, having a bare bone'ish/old school vehicle like the 40/60/62, with a more modern engine and parts support would be fantastic.

Look at all the people daily driving modded Jeeps, those drive like crap IMHO.

Toyota tried this in the 2000s with the FJ Cruiser. In the US, it sold great for 2 years, and then sales fell off a cliff when the 5th gen 4Runner was introduced in 2009. The FJC continued to sell in other markets for years after Toyota quit selling them in the US. Unlikely Toyota is going to try yet another FJC in the US, when they have so many different 4Runner options now.

 

[ultane]

The chart above shows that the "real Landcruiser" has three branches. All three are great vehicles. For background, I have owned a 60 series, an 80 series and still have a 2006 100 series. I was excited but disappointed by the release of the 250 in either the Toyota or Lexus variants because it lacked a couple of features I love in my 100 series 1) AHC is great in my opinion being able to add 4 inches of lift on demand for off road and dropping the car by an inch so it can fit through my garage door with a rooftop tent on top is a game changer. 2) the 250 did not seem to me to be as robust a build and as bullet proof as my 80 or 100 series. I could not find anywhere a commitment to a long duty cycle for the 250 and my plan is to keep my vehicles a long time with heavy use. My 100 series only has 283,000 miles on it and runs like new. The LX 700h Overtrail has a published duty cycle of 500,000 miles.

I now have the LX 700h and have been driving it on and off road. It is a real 300 series (310 to be exact). The car is more capable than my 100 series off road, due to the intelligence built into it and the triple lockers. It is more comfortable as well. I will be keeping my 100 series as well.

A 250 is great if you want a platform that can take heavy modifications in my opinion (suspension lift, new tires, etc.). The LX 700h Overtrail requires no modifications but I will be adding an onboard compressor, a drawer system in the back, a robust roof rack with side mole panels to hold extra fuel, a rooftop tent and a swing out in the rear to hold recovery boards, propane and perhaps a second spare tire when my journey will need it. The base vehicle has all the offroad capable technology I will ever need.

Love your Landcruiser regardless of which leg on the family tree gave birth to it.
BTW, If I could get a new 70 series, I would buy one of those as well

Welcome to the Asylum Hilljf.