'26 LC, Premium First Impressions

[wpage]

Spot on with the seating position. Took me a few weeks to dial in. Also, my seat was not calibrated either. Had to watch a YouTube video to fix.

My three issues are:
1. There is way too much hood flutter and oil/tin canning while driving. I have notified the dealer and they are bringing in a field engineer to look it over. First vehicle I’ve ever had with hood flex or warping.

I e also seen the GX550 hood fix. So it’s definitely a known issue.

2. My driver fog light shakes when hitting bumps. Not noticeable on open roads, but if driving next to a barrier say in a bridge, you’ll notice it. And once seen-it can’t be unseen…

3. Still waiting for that magic 25 MPG… got 19.2 heading from PA to NY on a 4 1/2 trip and a whopping 15 coming home (crazy head winds, so I’ll give it that), but goodness…I don’t really care about the MPG, mainly the tank size. lol. I guess I’ll have to get used to that.

Still a smoother/quieter ride than my wrangler JLUR. ;-)

Agree, still some bugs to work out of this pup...

MPG is a big problem.

 

[rybob1]

Will you please explain what the "Carista OBDII module with the app" is? Was it dealer installed? I understand the two issues it helps with, but I haven't heard about this being dealer installed before.

I think someone else posted a link, but its a 3rd party module that plugs into the ODBII port below the steering wheel next to the door. The app (subscription required) allows you to monitor and change settings on the car. In the old days, the ODBII was used by techs to diagnose issues with vehicles. Its expanded to do a lot more now.

I have a '25 LC Premium with the 20" wheels too. What size KO2/KO3's did you put on the 20's? Looks good in the photo!

I have the KO2 and are still the stock tire size. I believe that is 265/60R20. Stock wheels on it still. I'd prefer 18" but overall happy with how it turned out with the 20's.

 

[basicxj]

Will you please explain what the "Carista OBDII module with the app" is? Was it dealer installed? I understand the two issues it helps with, but I haven't heard about this being dealer installed before.

Many thanks,
Chuck A

Car diagnostics and coding made simple | Carista OBD2 & App

Unlock the potential of your car. Diagnose & reset fault codes. Enable hidden features. Perform service procedures. Track parameters in real time.

carista.com

It is OBDII software used to check and clear codes, and can enable or disable certain factory functions. It can be used with their proprietary OBDII interface that plugs into the data port, or with select other compatible adapters.

I used similar software for my Jeep, and my OBDII adapter actually works with Carista.

 

[Jay’s 2025 Land Cruiser]

How do you calibrate the seat?! I can't seem to store my seat location and I have to move the seat and wheel every time I get back into it. I can't figure it out.

There’s a YT video on it.. I had same issue.. basically move up then down back then forward.. it’s a bit odd but afterwards it works great

Car diagnostics and coding made simple | Carista OBD2 & App

Unlock the potential of your car. Diagnose & reset fault codes. Enable hidden features. Perform service procedures. Track parameters in real time.

carista.com

It is OBDII software used to check and clear codes, and can enable or disable certain factory functions. It can be used with their proprietary OBDII interface that plugs into the data port, or with select other compatible adapters.

I used similar software for my Jeep, and my OBDII adapter actually works with Carista.

any risks using this?

 

[basicxj]

any risks using this?

I suppose if you clear an error that should have been heeded, or enable an adaptation that you don't know how to un-enable yes. It is pretty self explanatory and there is some content here on the forum for your reading pleasure:

Carista Full Customization List

I made many changes last night to my 2024 LC/LC with Premium Package. Everything worked except for the Rear hatch walk away kick sensor even though I enabled it. Not sure if anyone else has had any success with that? Carista EVO Bluetooth OBDII Scanner Amazon.com Obtained with Carista 8.9.2 for...

www.landcruiserforum.com

Reading Default Codes with Carista/OBDLinkMX+

I realized today that I could use the Carista App with my 3yr old OBDLink MX+ and was able to turn off seat belt chimes, auto-open windows and a few other things. I then decided to read default codes, thinking there would be none (silly me). 15 default codes. Here's a few of them - Anyone know...

www.landcruiserforum.com

Carista & Warranty

Hello, I searched and din't find a clear answer to this question. This is my first Toyota and I have purchased a Carista to eliminate some of the needless beeps. Does anyone know if using this app will void my warranty?

www.landcruiserforum.com

Using the forum's search function using the term "Carista" could potentially bring up more info.

 

[mikedmay]

What leveling kit did you have installed? You posted good stuff and information.

 

[rybob1]

What leveling kit did you have installed? You posted good stuff and information.

I didn't have a strong preference, salesman had the Readylift 1 1/2 kit, so I opted for that.

 

[Altitude]

I’m leveling off at about 22 MPG in aggregate. But it’s fascinating how situationally variable it is. If I drive from home to office (~20 miles) in traffic I get as much as 29 or 30 MPG. Screaming down the highway at 75 MPH, it’s much less. Maybe 19 MPG. I figure it’s a combination of the effect of the electric motor at lower speeds and the non-aerodynamic profile. But 22 MPG is about what I expected.

On power - I think you just have to understand where the curve is. From 1500 RPM to about 3250 RPM, the vehicle feels very powerful to me. Above about 4000 RPM, not so much. This is like a diesel, and if you know about it coming in you can do a lot to keep the truck in the power curve. If you try to drive it like any other car, you probably will end up in situations where it feels underwhelming.

I was very disappointed with Doug DeMuro’s review of the power. His analysis was very two-dimensional and I expected him to have a more thorough understanding of how the powertrain works and delivers power and torque in a vehicle of this type. TL/DR, it’s optimized for off-road conditions that require major power and torque at low RPMs and that deliver it very quickly. The LC nails that brief and is also powerful enough to be responsive at highway speeds, if not necessarily fast like a Cayenne. DeMuro should have known this.

I really like the Land Cruiser. The two things that still bug me are:

- The engine note was a decision, and I don’t like it. The loud 4 cylinder drone at lower speeds sounds unrefined to my ears. I’ve been in plenty of 4 cylinder vehicles that were tuned differently. 4 cylinder BMWs sound awesome.

- At this point I’m ready to say that the multimedia interface is awful. Way too many taps needed to do things, the info on the screens is arranged awkwardly, and the whole thing is not very configurable. I’m not going to sell the truck over this objection or anything, but frankly the design and usability of the MMI is not as good as my 2016 Tahoe was. Considering how good MMI design has gotten across the industry, it’s a let down.

 

[SACTOWN]

Nice write up!!!

 

[Chris_lc]

Agree on the sound tuning of the 4cyl But love the turbo - coming from a 5th gen 4Runner it is responsive !!!!

 

[LCDakota]

So got my '26 LC LC with premium package a week ago. After having it and doing a 6 hour road trip with it, I feel I'm starting to get the hang of things. I thought I'd share a few first impressions. First a brief list of things It has as either FIO or PIO options-

• Premium Package (Java Interior)
• Sway Bar Disconnect (Might be standard on '26)
• Door Sill Lights (I like but not sure I would have sought out and paid extra for it)
• 20" Rims (Didn't want these, but good luck getting an LC trim with premium package w/o it)
• Performance Exhaust (not sure I wanted this)

Additionally, I had the dealer do the following-

• BFG KO2 Tires
• Window Tint (all windows except windshield)
• Leveling Kit
• Rock Sliders
• Upgraded Factory Roof Rack
• Ceramic Coating

First Impressions-

1. Gas Mileage is slowly coming up. Started out at roughly 14 MPG, up to 18MPG with 1300 miles already on it. I'm a bit concerned with the KO2's I will see closer to 18-20 MPGs.
2. I'm having a hard time finding that perfect seating position. Not to say it's not comfortable, but I'm constantly feeling the need to try new seating positions, even ever so slight. I love the knee rest. Its interesting that its not power like the Tundra was, but the tundra one was prone to breaking. Mine broke when I had the tundra, and Dealership said there was soon to be TSB on. Assuming its as common of a break as I think, I can see why LC is manual.
3. Speaking of Seat, my seat was not calibrated, and it took until yesterday to realize that was the reason it was beeping when I was adjusting it, and the seat memory feature wasn't working.
4. There is plenty of power for it being a 4 cylinder. Not sure why everyone is complaining. Maybe after doing some off roading, I'd feel differently, but pleasantly surprised by the power.
5. Doors - I read multiple threads here, and multiple YouTube videos all stating that the doors feel cheap and thin. I disagree. Sure, they don't have as solid of a thud as my Silverado 2500 had, but It feels solid and satisfying to me when closing the door.
6. The cruise control is substantially improved over my '23 Tundra. Specifically find its not as jerky and seems to manage the slowing and speeding up better than the Tundra. That said, It does seem to be a bit weird, at times it seems to be slowing me down, especially when there are slight turns in the road. My 7-hour road trip was almost entirely interstate driving and found multiple times when it seemed to be slowing down, and I would have it to give it gas to keep a constant speed.
7. Driver recording - why would anyone chose to have this on? What possible benefit is there to me as an owner to have it turned on? I get why Toyota would want it.
8. TSS 3.0 is a huge improvement over what the tundra had, but it is still a lot to digest and frankly find some of it kind of annoying. Yes, the alerts for paying attention everyone mentions, but I'm also speaking to the steering assist feature. I can't remember what its called but seemed like I was constantly fighting the steering until I turned it off.
9. I bought the Carista OBDII module with the app. STRONGLY recommend it. I made two changes that made a huge difference for me. A) Disabled the no seat belt alert. Don't get me wrong I'm actually uncomfortable not having my seatbelt on, but the beeping was way too aggressive. B) Changed the turn signal flash count from the standard 3 to 5. At least with my driving style, I can't get moved over in the 3 intervals.
10. It took way to long for me to realize that the fog light color toggle isn't the same as the switch to turn on the fog lights (on the head light stick). I'm really loving the amber fog lights. All lights seem amazing, super bright.
11. I love the fact that my google maps via CarPlay still shows directions on the gauge cluster and HUD. My Silverado 2500 with a HUD did not, unless I used the GM navigation.
12. Not sure if this more a reflection on the Toyota of the Silverado, but I would basically keep the Silverado temp at 74-78 F degrees to feel comfortable, I'm constantly warm in the Toyota, and I'm not sure I've ever had it above 70, typically 67-69 F.
13. Part of the reason I bought the LC was because I use it for work. I frequently am working with internet towers, and I have one site in particular, that when I'd drive up to it (dirt road, 1 mile relatively steep incline), the truck would warn me about transmission temp. As a test, I took the LC up there yesterday, and the temp didn't budge at all. The LC also blew away the Tundra with the ride quality on the dirt road. I'm really anxious to get some snow and see how it performs on the same gravel road with an unplowed road.

What's next?

• Testing it out in the snow. Weather forecast has small amount of snow possibly this week. We'll see.
• I bought the M and R light bar and am pairing it with the Garming Power Switch. Hoping to install it this week.

Congrats on your new rig! What color combo did you end up getting?

 

[rybob1]

Congrats on your new rig! What color combo did you end up getting?

Thanks! I'm loving it more and more each day I drive it. I ended up with the Wind Chill Pearl with the Java interior. Would have probably opted for the black over java, but don't really have any complaints with the java.

 

[Defender-LC]

No trouble finding lclc premium with 18” wheels.

 

[LCDakota]

Thanks! I'm loving it more and more each day I drive it. I ended up with the Wind Chill Pearl with the Java interior. Would have probably opted for the black over java, but don't really have any complaints with the java.

Nice! I have a meteor with Java and I love it.

 

[ChuckA1]

I think someone else posted a link, but its a 3rd party module that plugs into the ODBII port below the steering wheel next to the door. The app (subscription required) allows you to monitor and change settings on the car. In the old days, the ODBII was used by techs to diagnose issues with vehicles. Its expanded to do a lot more now.

Thank you for this explanation. I'm not really trained in automotive electronics, is this a requirement for proper use of this tool? I too find the volume and intensity of the seatbelt alarm completely ridiculous. I wear my seatbelts but do prefer to turn in my chair in certain conditions to observe oncoming traffic, like leaving a tricky parking lot. It will be nice to be able to tone the turn it down a bit!

 

[cvx5832LC]

Thank you for this explanation. I'm not really trained in automotive electronics, is this a requirement for proper use of this tool? I too find the volume and intensity of the seatbelt alarm completely ridiculous. I wear my seatbelts but do prefer to turn in my chair in certain conditions to observe oncoming traffic, like leaving a tricky parking lot. It will be nice to be able to tone the turn it down a bit!

Some learning required, like how to connect the OBD wirelessly to your phone, but other than that it's a matter of selecting choices and seeing how the change works for you

 

[4RunnerJay]

Hello Everyone,

I’m new here without a Land Criuser, but am thinking of purchasing. One question.

How is the wind noise? I’ve seen quite a few complaints that it’s a bit loud on the highway.

 

[basicxj]

Hello Everyone,

I’m new here without a Land Criuser, but am thinking of purchasing. One question.

How is the wind noise? I’ve seen quite a few complaints that it’s a bit loud on the highway.

As with many box-shaped vehicles, there is some wind noise. That will be true for the Land Cruiser, a Wrangler, a Bronco or any other heritage-inspired vehicle with similar form factor.

I don't find the noise excessive, though I do hear some when driving with a window cracked open. Crack that window a little farther open and noise is reduced. I believe the mirrors are the main source. I have some OEM window visors on my "to-do" list, and suspect that will cut down some of the noise I do hear. I came from a Jeep JK Rubicon, and find the Land Cruiser to be quieter in most regards. My suggestion would be to test drive a Land Cruiser before committing.

 

[PA-Cruiser 200]

Hello Everyone,

I’m new here without a Land Criuser, but am thinking of purchasing. One question.

How is the wind noise? I’ve seen quite a few complaints that it’s a bit loud on the highway.

Compared to a wrangler or bronco, it’s quite… lol

 

[ChuckA1]

I have been told removing the roof rack cross members will help also. I guess that depends on if you use/need them.