Will Toyota drop the '1958 Trim?

[LunarCruiser]

I wonder if Toyota will drop the 1958 trim now that the 6th Gen 4runner production is rolled out and most of the under-bits could be used for the new 4runners. I am seeing fewer 1958 trims and more LCLC in the Phoenix Metro on dealer websites, where we, at one time, were very heavy 1958 trims not to long ago.

 

[D-mac]

It makes sense to me that the LC trim becomes the actual "base" model, and a new off road oriented trim with a few extra goodies is offered like the 'First Edition' or a 'Trailhunter'.

 

[Jester]

Until the tariffs began they were sitting for a fairly long time on the lot.

Those heavily discounted batch have since sold.

 

[ERROR504]

I do see them dropping the 1958. It’s going to be a case of those who wanted one already got one. Then the cycle will continue..the LC will slowly creep back up to the same price point as it was before.

 

[Jester]

The Venn diagram overlap of the Mid/high-level 4Runner is significant with 1958 which is something I'm still trying to understand from a pricing and market angle.

My assumption is that Toyota sees each truck as being in a different segment and doesn't believe people would cross-shop the two. Perhaps from a tech perspective, I could understand that; "I want a Hybrid OR-Premium for the crawl control and MTS" where the 1958 doesn't have that tech..

 

[PC3]

I lean go away, but ultimately it will depend on sales. IMHO, the 1958 at its price point is similar to what the 4Runner TRD Off Road used to be - a very capable off-road vehicle that approximates the TRD Pro but at a more reasonable price point. I don't see the perfect analog to the olde TRD Off Road in the current 4Runner lineup. I also think the two vehicles play to different market segments., but again, a sales issue.

 

[jbe2289]

Like others said, it comes down to sales. But the 1958 is a special edition. So I don’t think it will carry on beyond 2025 model year. With that said, in my area of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania I’m starting to see 1958’s on the road regularly. There are three in my work parking garage alone, counting mine. And I pass others on the road. This just happened in the last few months, mine was one of the only ones around the area since July 2024 to around December 2024. I’d see an occasional First Edition and LC. I’m starting to see LC’s on the road more often too, but actually see more 1958’s in this area. When I was in New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona in the fall I only saw FE and LC, not a single 1958 on the road. I don’t understand the 4Runner off-road overlap with the 1958, and the 4Runner actually costing more in many configurations. My dad just got a 4Runner OR premium nonhybrid and paid $4000 more than my 1958. I’d take the 1958 any day in looks, ride quality, power, handling, simpler/cleaner cabin tech, three zone climate, high quality comfy fabric seats, and visibility, but to each their own. I also don’t get the appeal of MTS, I never use that kind of stuff, just a stupid feature to check a box in my opinion and meaningless, just use your feet. And the reality is some high amount of drivers are never going beyond forest roads, so it is a totally useless feature and a pointless differentiation.

 

[LunarCruiser]

The Venn diagram overlap of the Mid/high-level 4Runner is significant with 1958 which is something I'm still trying to understand from a pricing and market angle.

My assumption is that Toyota sees each truck as being in a different segment and doesn't believe people would cross-shop the two. Perhaps from a tech perspective, I could understand that; "I want a Hybrid OR-Premium for the crawl control and MTS" where the 1958 doesn't have that tech..

Yes the 1958 does not have MTS but does have crawl control and maybe a gallon more of gas.

 

[robsurfskate]

Like others said, it comes down to sales. But the 1958 is a special edition. So I don’t think it will carry on beyond 2025 model year. With that said, in my area of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania I’m starting to see 1958’s on the road regularly. There are three in my work parking garage alone, counting mine. And I pass others on the road. This just happened in the last few months, mine was one of the only ones around the area since July 2024 to around December 2024. I’d see an occasional First Edition and LC. I’m starting to see LC’s on the road more often too, but actually see more 1958’s in this area. When I was in New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona in the fall I only saw FE and LC, not a single 1958 on the road. I don’t understand the 4Runner off-road overlap with the 1958, and the 4Runner actually costing more in many configurations. My dad just got a 4Runner OR premium nonhybrid and paid $4000 more than my 1958. I’d take the 1958 any day in looks, ride quality, power, handling, simpler/cleaner cabin tech, three zone climate, high quality comfy fabric seats, and visibility, but to each their own. I also don’t get the appeal of MTS, I never use that kind of stuff, just a stupid feature to check a box in my opinion and meaningless, just use your feet. And the reality is some high amount of drivers are never going beyond forest roads, so it is a totally useless feature and a pointless differentiation.

i bought the first 1958 sold in FL in 2024. I have no regrets.

 

[robsurfskate]

I hope so. My 2024 1958 will only go up in value moving forward.

 

[Bighorn Tremor]

I bought the 1958 over a 4Runner because it had the off-road goodies and full-time 4WD, a combination not available in the 4Runner. They were also around the same price point. I prefer the roll down rear window on the 4Runner, but the back seat is better on the LC. It's subjective, but the LC is better looking IMO.

I spent much of my corporate life as a product line planner. If I were Toyota, I'd discontinue the 1958 as the new 4Runner comes to the market in quantity, and focus on the LC version and look at offering a new, premium version, perhaps with the Lexus GX engine (since there are large parts of the US that don't have a Lexus dealer). But then we're back to $85k Land Cruisers. There also should be a better margin on US-assembled 4Runners than Japanese-assembled LCs.

 

[ATbuckhunter]

I think it will. I've been saying it for 6 months. When I was looking back in oct/nov I had my pick of the litter with 1958's. They were offering steep discounts that you know could have gone lower.

 

[jbe2289]

I bought the 1958 over a 4Runner because it had the off-road goodies and full-time 4WD, a combination not available in the 4Runner. They were also around the same price point. I prefer the roll down rear window on the 4Runner, but the back seat is better on the LC. It's subjective, but the LC is better looking IMO.

I spent much of my corporate life as a product line planner. If I were Toyota, I'd discontinue the 1958 as the new 4Runner comes to the market in quantity, and focus on the LC version and look at offering a new, premium version, perhaps with the Lexus GX engine (since there are large parts of the US that don't have a Lexus dealer). But then we're back to $85k Land Cruisers. There also should be a better margin on US-assembled 4Runners than Japanese-assembled LCs.

The 4Runners are all assembled in Japan on the same lines assembling the LC and GX.

 

[Jayhawk78]

If I ran Toyota I would drop the 1958 and then periodically have special editions in the Land Cruiser line, do a "TRD" version one year, do the 1958 stripped down one year, do a Platinum luxury variant one year. Give some flexibility to try out cool versions, but only keep the "LC LC" as a full product line, don't end up with 9 LC trim levels.

 

[Dusty1]

If is dropped, would Toyota incorporate the round headlights into future models, or as an option? So many questions…..

 

[AlexGates]

The interior of the 4R looks tacky. The 1958 is overpriced for what it is, but I would take a 1958 over any version of the new 4R. I think the LC base (non-premium) is the best pick of the bunch, but I may be bias.

I think they would sell more 1958's if they kept the discounted price and added the big screen. People love the big screens. I would dump the 1958 a make a version with a removable top, but I don't know how many 1958's sell vs the other two versions. Those cloth seats were damn comfy though, nicest cloth seats I have seen in a long time.

 

[Code54]

I like the 1958 a lot, just wish you could get some options. Larger screens/better radio. I didn't want leather or a sunroof so that leaves the 1958. Also for a 3rd vehicle, the price point was appealing. I went to buy a 4runner but my wife liked the Landcruiser better so that was fine with me and we got the 1958. I think it has a place, the interior is a lot different from a 4runner so it appeals to some people (as well as the box like body).

 

[Ishtar]

Gotta have round headlights......

 

[PDPete]

If I ran Toyota I would drop the 1958 and then periodically have special editions in the Land Cruiser line, do a "TRD" version one year, do the 1958 stripped down one year, do a Platinum luxury variant one year. Give some flexibility to try out cool versions, but only keep the "LC LC" as a full product line, don't end up with 9 LC trim levels.

I don't fully disagree with you, but I don't see Toyota ever doing a "TRD" version of the LC 250, as those types of design elements really aren't on-brand for the "Land Cruiser" nameplate...and the "Platinum luxury" variant already exists, as the Lexus GX550.

Having said that, I would not be surprised if the 1958 is dropped, and/or a replacement trim level for the "First Edition" is introduced, which would just be the most fully-loaded variant. Also would not be surprised if they start to rotate color options, replacing the specialty colors like heritage blue and trail dust with other limited options. Regardless though, I expect the trim levels and options to remain relatively simple...since that's just how the Land Cruiser models usually go, you won't have 87 trim options like you do with the 4Runner.

 

[Lipscomb]

If it is anything like the FJ60 series, then the round headlights were around for 2 years and then the FJ62 arrived so that may be their strategy since the styling and everything else so closely matches the 60 series (interior and exterior). I went ahead and bought a '24 FE and a '25 1958 to match the two FJ60s I had.