What’s your take on this review of the LC

[qberg]

No. Only the TRD Off-Road if optioned, and the TRD Pro/Trailhunter.

It appears that only the Pro/Trailhunter get the SDM on the 4Runner. Which is surprising to me considering TRD OR Tacoma offers it.

 

[qberg]

I waited years to update my 5th Gen, but once I saw it, I just couldn't, it's like they let someone's pre-pubescent nephew give them advice on how it should look. Inside and out. That increasingly-sloped windshield going to drive people batty, the 5th Gen was hard enough to see out of; it now looks like a chop-top. That front-end, too! That one blank panel full of paint (similar to where the LC's fog light is mounted) just looks bare, like some design element was supposed to go there, but then they abandoned the idea.

The one thing I'm really curious to see is how much articulation the TRD Pro/Trailhunter 4Runner has compared to a 'vanilla' TRD OffRoad with disconnecting swaybar (I hope Dan Edmunds over at Car & Driver measures both in short order). Can't wait to see if the 'upgraded' suspension/lift limits droop, or if it was truly designed to lift it without limiting flex. I have to say I can't believe how much better the LC250 is off-road compared to the the 5th Gen 4Runner, I did not at all expect that. Truly impressive for such a relatively 'upscale' off-road vehicle. I do not in any way miss my 5th Gen.

Someone needs to get stock versions of everything to Dan Edmunds. I want to see the RTI on a 1958, LC (SDM), 4Runner TRD OR, 4Runner Pro, 4Runner TH, and then a 5th gen Pro. I still haven't seen a 5th gen Pro on the ramp. The early 5th gen w/ KDSS scored a little better than the later 5th gens w/ KDSS.

 

[b407driver]

Someone needs to get stock versions of everything to Dan Edmunds. I want to see the RTI on a 1958, LC (SDM), 4Runner TRD OR, 4Runner Pro, 4Runner TH, and then a 5th gen Pro. I still haven't seen a 5th gen Pro on the ramp. The early 5th gen w/ KDSS scored a little better than the later 5th gens w/ KDSS.

He's done the 5th Gen 4Runner TRD Pro, couldn't find the video, but here are the numbers. Impressive that it handily beats out the 5th Gen KDSS, even with a longer wheelbase. The LC250 is not to be underestimated off road. (note he also has data for the LC250 w/swaybar connected, which should be similar to the 1958).

 

[qberg]

He's done the 5th Gen 4Runner TRD Pro, couldn't find the video, but here are the numbers. Impressive that it handily beats out the 5th Gen KDSS, even with a longer wheelbase. The LC250 is not to be underestimated off road. (note he also has data for the LC250 w/swaybar connected, which should be similar to the 1958).

View attachment 23175

Good find. For some reason, Ih8mud doesn't have the 5th gen Pro on their tracking sheet.

Impressed with the LC w/ SDM numbers. I think this is why I really want to see these vehicles back to back. I think a lot of the concerns about ground clearance, fuel efficiency, etc will really be put to bed seeing the vehicles apples to apples especially since these vehicles are skinning the cat so many different ways (KDSS, eKDSS, SDM, long/short wheelbase, etc).

 

[effatma]

What is your take on this review of the Land Cruiser? I love this auto blog, but found this review to be uninformed and misleading based on my personal experiences with the platforms discussed.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Review: It’s Just Not the Same

Unless you’re talking about the Lexus GX, in which case it is the same. Wait, no, it’s worse.

www.thedrive.com

My take is that every review of the new Land Cruiser is a Rorschach test. Or maybe the 9 blind men describing an elephant by feel. There is no core truth in subjective approach to a vehicle when expectations vary so much.

The 250 base model feels to me like the spot-on perfect modernization of my FJ60. Which people at the time complained about being underpowered (waaah we want the diesel BJ the aussies get), insufficiently optioned in some detail or other (sliding rear window, 5 speed manual, PTO winch), primitive (waaaah no cupholders, no leather interior) and too expensive. Sound familiar?

As far as "true Land Cruiser" goes, well, personally I think the 80-series started down the path of a luxo-boat diversion that should have had a new name like the Range Rover variant of the Land Rover. Draw a line from the FJ55 through the FJ62 and you end up with the 250, not the 300-series.

No regrets moving on from my daily driver 100-series other than having a car payment again.