Will Toyota drop the '1958 Trim?

[HarvLC]

If history is any indication, Toyota will narrow down to one trim level in the US for the LC with the occasional limited edition.

But, the new 250 is a different deal for Toyota US. For Q1 2025, Toyota sold 15K LC’s in the US and thus might hit 60k for the year, versus approx 3.5K annually for the 200 (excluding similar numbers for the LX 570) in 2021 and 2020. Even at that pace, it would not be a high volume vehicle for the company. Even the aged 4Runner was selling 120k units annually for ‘23 and ‘22. So, it’s kinda hard to predict how Toyota will continue to position the new 250 given the competition from the 4Runner and GX.

 

[bennettlo]

I'm under the impression that the 1958 has less defined fender flares and less aggressive tires, which I'm sure helps with gas mileage and Toyota's (total BS) stated EPA numbers. So, if they get rid of the 1958, I assume they'll need to move those to an LC LC somehow.

 

[PDPete]

I'm under the impression that the 1958 has less defined fender flares and less aggressive tires, which I'm sure helps with gas mileage and Toyota's (total BS) stated EPA numbers. So, if they get rid of the 1958, I assume they'll need to move those to an LC LC somehow.

Don't think there's any difference in the fender flares, though I admittedly haven't compared them up close, but if there is a difference, it's very slight... the 1958 does have the odd 245/70R18 size tires though (compared to 265/70R18 or 265/60R20 on the LC trim depending on wheel size), so that does likely make a difference.

Thing is, now that the 4Runner has the same "iForceMax" power train, with presumably better fuel economy than the out-going generation, that may give them more wiggle room on any hit they'd take on the EPA numbers

 

[jbe2289]

Don't think there's any difference in the fender flares, though I admittedly haven't compared them up close, but if there is a difference, it's very slight... the 1958 does have the odd 245/70R18 size tires though (compared to 265/70R18 or 265/60R20 on the LC trim depending on wheel size), so that does likely make a difference.

Thing is, now that the 4Runner has the same "iForceMax" power train, with presumably better fuel economy than the out-going generation, that may cancel out any hit they'd take on the EPA numbers

The 1958 has flat wheel well molding. The LC and First Edition has/had small fender flares, maybe ½”. I don’t imagine this makes any difference once so ever in MPG. However, the smaller wheels and highway tires certainly do. Regardless, the rest of the world doesn’t get 1958, and that is the likely plan here too. That is what the dealer told me when I bought mine. It is a special edition, actually a “First Edition/Base” per the vin. There is only one model and that is Land Cruiser. Why people started calling it Land Cruiser Land Cruiser is beyond me. There is just Land Cruiser as always. The 1958 is a special edition likely for 2 or 3 years and the First Edition is a special edition for 1 year. There will likely be future special editions to drive sales. I suspect that the round headlights will be limited to special editions in the United States. I doubt Toyota will make a new “base”model Land Cruiser in the United States with the 4Runner it doesn’t make sense. Also, the 1958 is not a real “base” model either. The rest of the world base model Land Cruiser comes without tinted glass, on steel wheels, rectangle headlights and cheaper front end, not sure on interior differences.

 

[PDPete]

Why people started calling it Land Cruiser Land Cruiser

Yeah, it's odd, but then again, the way the different trim are named are also a bit odd compared to other US Toyota models...so I get why that happens

I think the key is to think of this vehicle as not having traditional "trim levels" in this sense, but rather, there's just the "Land Cruiser", it is the "base" configuration... and the "1958" or "First Edition" are just special editions/configurations that are offered for a limited run. (which is essentially what you said )

 

[APIOQM]

Also, the 1958 is not a real “base” model either. The rest of the world base model Land Cruiser comes without tinted glass, on steel wheels, rectangle headlights and cheaper front end, not sure on interior differences.

A few more items:

-Plastic, non-heated steering wheel
-Plastic shifter
-No drive mode selector
-Some don't even have TSS 3.0, therefore blank buttons on the steering wheel
-No locking rear differential

 

[Blue Sky]

Sadly, I think the '58 will be discontinued. Partially due to it being a limited release and partially due to lower sales volume compared to the LC. (Although I would have to check the sales numbers to confirm, so just speculation at this point.)

The fact that toyota gave the US market a stripped down, not-as-many frills Prado (1958) with 95% of the off road capability of the LC/FE is already a win for me. The North American market also fails to recognize that the LC variant we got is the most powerful Prado offered. I'm not gonna split hairs with the diesel crowd as they definitely have their merit.

The point is, North Americans said they wanted this and Toyota gave us want we asked for. Then we started to compare it to the 300 and all the socials started to boo-hoo it. I wish they would have just called it the Prado in the first place but then again, I got my 2025 for 55k. So maybe I should be thanking youtube for all its negativity?

*Edit-Also want to point out that the 1958 has the lowest price point for full-time 4-wheel drive in the Toyota lineup for those who think it's overpriced for what it is.
And that still doesn't take into account the locking rear diff and I-Force Max that the '58 has.

 

[HarvLC]

A few more items:

-Plastic, non-heated steering wheel
-Plastic shifter
-No drive mode selector
-Some don't even have TSS 3.0, therefore blank buttons on the steering wheel
-No locking rear differential

Looking at the Australia site, the GX is the lowest of the 5 trim levels offered. Though it lacks MTS, it has alloy wheels, DAC/CC, 3 drive modes, 12.3” screen, etc. Can’t tell for certain but perhaps none of the 5 trims had a rear locker.

 

[APIOQM]

Looking at the Australia site, the GX is the lowest of the 5 trim levels offered. Though it lacks MTS, it has alloy wheels, DAC/CC, 3 drive modes, 12.3” screen, etc. Can’t tell for certain but perhaps none of the 5 trims had a rear locker.

The Australian GX is cool, I like that it comes with the larger screen, but I think I’d trade that for the locking differential, leather steering wheel and round headlights. The 1958 is globally the nicest equipped 250 with cloth seats, which was a must for me.

 

[LunarCruiser]

Sadly, I think '58 will be discontinued. Partially due to it being a limited release and partially due to lower sales volume compared to the LC. (Although I would have to check the sales numbers to confirm, so just speculation at this point.)

The fact that toyota gave the US market a stripped down, not-as-many frills Prado (1958) with 95% of the off road capability of the LC/FE is already a win for me. The North American market also fails to recognize that the LC variant we got is the most powerful Prado offered. I'm not gonna split hairs with the diesel crowd as they definitely have their merit.

The point is North Americans said they wanted this and Toyota gave us want we asked for. Then we started to compare it to the 300 and all the socials started to boo-hoo it. I wish they would have just called it the Prado in the first place but then again, I got my 2025 for 55k. So maybe I should be thanking youtube for all its negativity?

*Edit-Also want to point out that the 1958 has the lowest price point for full-time 4-wheel drive in the Toyota lineup for those who think it's overpriced for what it is.
And that still doesn't take into account the locking rear diff and I-Force Max that the '58 has.

Right, that was one of the selling points for me was a full-time 4WD with an i-Force Max that had a rear locker, crawl control, A-trac, and on top, the styling is completely different from the rest of the new lineup.

 

[PC3]

I don't know what Toyota considers a "hit" BUT, the LC in is current iteration is selling pretty steadily and pretty well with the mix heavily skewed to 1958, at least from what I've seen available. At close to 30,000 units for 2024, and 15k units in Q125, that's solid for a specialty vehicle. See the following charts comparing 250 sales versus prior year models (note this compares the 250 to all prior LCs in the US, so not apples to apples).

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Sales Figures

Toyota Land Cruiser monthly, quarterly, and yearly sales and statistics in the United States. Including data and interactive charts for the latest model year 2024 and crossover/suvs segment.

carfigures.com

And GX 550 sales, which are comparable to LC sales for 24, but are about 6k units lower than the LC at around 9k unit for Q125. I wonder whether 2024 included holdover sales of 2023 models because the number strikes me as high relative to availability,.

2024 Lexus GX Sales Figures

Lexus GX monthly, quarterly, and yearly sales and statistics in the United States. Including data and interactive charts for the latest model year 2024 and crossover/suvs segment.

carfigures.com

Now, compare those numbers to historic 4Runner sales averaging well in excess of 100k US units per year for the last 8 years. See following. Q1 sales are down, but this seems to be a supply issue.

2024 Toyota 4Runner Sales Figures

Toyota 4Runner monthly, quarterly, and yearly sales and statistics in the United States. Including data and interactive charts for the latest model year 2024 and crossover/suvs segment.

carfigures.com

The data is interesting, and it's an interesting experiment by Toyota in evaluating the market, and deciding which features make its existing products attractive within the US market. For me I favor the LC variants over the 4Runner and GX due to styling, size, practicality, and utility. Seems that a non-trivial number have a similar view.

Based on the date, which is inconclusive at this point given the early rollout of the 4Runner, some questions and thoughts.

• Is the market telling Toyota that it wants the combination of features the LC has versus the 4Runner/GX - i.e., FT 4WD with a locking center and rear dif + better mileage?
• Will Toyota suppress the LC and particularly the LC 1958 IF it is cannibalizing the 4Runner's sales?
• Will Toyota do more to highlight the LC?
• Will Toyota offer more LC variants rather than fewer depending on sales volume?
• Will Toyota offer the LC powertrain and offroad package in the 4Runner and/or GX (e.g., FT 4WD and iForce)?

We'll see.

 

[PDPete]

Sadly, I think the '58 will be discontinued. Partially due to it being a limited release and partially due to lower sales volume compared to the LC. (Although I would have to check the sales numbers to confirm, so just speculation at this point.)

At the very least, most Toyota dealerships have had more 1958s available...but that may also just be a reflection of how many of 1958s vs standard LC were produced & sent over here. Supply chain issues with the sway bar disconnect (SDM) may have created an artificial shortage of non-1958s as well, as that is why the sway bar disconnect went from standard to optional equipment in the standard LC trim.

The fact that toyota gave the US market a stripped down, not-as-many frills Prado (1958) with 95% of the off road capability of the LC/FE is already a win for me. The North American market also fails to recognize that the LC variant we got is the most powerful Prado offered. I'm not gonna split hairs with the diesel crowd as they definitely have their merit.

Indeed, the HP and torque of the North American "iForceMax" powertrain is quite impressive...personally, I'd take it over the diesel any day, though one of the biggest complaints is range of the fuel tank, and I imagine that the diesel version does do better in that regard.

The point is, North Americans said they wanted this and Toyota gave us want we asked for. Then we started to compare it to the 300 and all the socials started to boo-hoo it. I wish they would have just called it the Prado in the first place but then again, I got my 2025 for 55k. So maybe I should be thanking youtube for all its negativity?

Likely a case of a vocal minority...Though I've wondered if branding the LC 250 as a successor to the FJ Cruiser may have been a better approach?

*Edit-Also want to point out that the 1958 has the lowest price point for full-time 4-wheel drive in the Toyota lineup for those who think it's overpriced for what it is.
And that still doesn't take into account the locking rear diff and I-Force Max that the '58 has.

To me, that was a huge win over the 4Runner, which I also heavily considered...but went with the LC for quite a few reasons, many of which I've already discussed here.