4Runner vs LC250

[jbe2289]

I have 10,500 miles on a 2024 LC 1958 that I picked up in July 2024. It has been my favorite vehicle that I've owned. I was not a fan of the new 6th gen 4Runners and didn't understand the overlap with the LC. Well, my dad bought a 2025 Off-Road Premium 4Runner in green and took the air damn off, and powder coated the wheels matte black. I think it looks excellent in person, better than the LC, in my opinion. I had the opportunity to drive the 4R about 20 miles on a mix of city, highway, backroads, and gravel. It is quiet; compared to the LC, it is like a luxury vehicle at highway speeds. I credit this primarily to the mirrors and raked windshield, but I think it is better insulated, too. Speaking of mirrors, the normal mirrors are excellent, giving a nice wide view across all lanes. I'm also surprised by the power and smoothness of the drivetrain (it is non-hybrid). Toyota also did a really good job on the trailer options versus with land cruiser, able to use BSM and put in trailer length and save profiles. The Bilstein external reservoir suspension on the 4R is also excellent and superior to the LC; it is firm but not jarring and floaty, and there’s no reverberation. The big difference is the full-time 4WD. As soon as the 4R got on gravel, it slipped and spun easily. The 4R pushes through corners versus pulls with the LC. The full-time 4WD is superior in my mind. If I was buying today, to my great surprise, I think I’d go 4R. It is clear to me that the 4R as a North American market-only vehicle is built to a different standard of comfort and refinement than the world market LC250 and most regards is a better daily driving experience. I'm still perplexed by the existence of the two in the US market as they are the same vehicle with a different body. I figured this could help some people make decisions.

 

[Nuke]

Thank you SO much for the honest and objective review! Some will not take it kindly, but your opinion is very much appreciated. Anxious to hear other responses...

 

[boisematt]

Yeah, that’s a thoughtful write up. Thank you. Personally I would have waited for the 6th gen 4R but the interior space on them is simply too compact for me (I’m 6’4”). I’ve always lover 4Runners, but have loved LCs more. Still, good stuff all around.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Sweet. We need to start getting more 250s on the used market. Sell yours to someone who appreciates it and go buy a 4Runner!

 

[RUN-8]

The 1958 trim LC doesn’t make much sense now that the 4Runner is out.

As for ride quality from shock absorbers, it will not be terribly difficult to upgrade the LC to some pretty nice shocks if you want them.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

You got the ‘58… there’s a thread started about regrets and the ‘58.

 

[jbe2289]

You got the ‘58… there’s a thread started about regrets and the ‘58.

that has nothing to do with it. I've been in the other model LC too, they're all the same save for some materials and screen tech. Same glass, insulation, and suspension. Plus I didn't say I regret getting a 1958. If a LC with no options can be found, it is a better buy than the 1958 if paying MSRP. But in all likelihood, can get the 1958 for $8,000 less or more, which makes no sense to me to “upgrade” when you basically get everything with the 1958 (except for the now optional sway bar disconnect, which maybe some small percent of buyers ever use, and an even smaller percent will truly need).

 

[Don]

Yeah, that’s a thoughtful write up. Thank you. Personally I would have waited for the 6th gen 4R but the interior space on them is simply too compact for me (I’m 6’4”). I’ve always lover 4Runners, but have loved LCs more. Still, good stuff all around.

Isn't the 2025 4 runner 6th gen?

 

[APIOQM]

Things that pushed me to the 250 over a 6th gen 4Runner:

-I could get the 250 one year sooner
-I prefer the styling of the 250 (major point)
-I wanted full-time 4WD with locking rear differential
-The 250 is more unique, 4Runners are a dime /dozen
-Badge prestige

I can see how the 4Runner would be a quieter highway cruiser, but I would argue the 250 is quiet enough given the shape.

 

[MJE]

Thanks for a thoughtful comparison. I’ve not gotten to drive either yet, but sitting in the two back to back at the auto show recently, I was struck by just how different they both felt. I think Toyota has done a good job of differentiating the two and for most buyers which one they choose will be obvious. I kinda liked the headroom of the LC with the knee room of the 4R. Or I could just get a Tundra where I’d have both in the same price range, which is something that hadn’t yet occurred to me.

 

[Don]

Thanks for a thoughtful comparison. I’ve not gotten to drive either yet, but sitting in the two back to back at the auto show recently, I was struck by just how different they both felt. I think Toyota has done a good job of differentiating the two and for most buyers which one they choose will be obvious. I kinda liked the headroom of the LC with the knee room of the 4R. Or I could just get a Tundra where I’d have both in the same price range, which is something that hadn’t yet occurred to me.

The two Toyotas and the GX550 are still the same base vehicles. Each configuration will have a group that feel its the best choice for the price. But many buyers want to identify strongly with branding and don't want to hear about the shared development. Personally I would feel weird modding a Lexus and driving it off road. Not logical, but it is what it is.

A portion of buyers really should consider the Highlander, Sequoia, and their Lexus counterparts. The LC and siblings are trucks. The large majority of SUVs are upright cars.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

that has nothing to do with it. I've been in the other model LC too, they're all the same save for some materials and screen tech. Same glass, insulation, and suspension. Plus I didn't say I regret getting a 1958. If a LC with no options can be found, it is a better buy than the 1958 if paying MSRP. But in all likelihood, can get the 1958 for $8,000 less or more, which makes no sense to me to “upgrade” when you basically get everything with the 1958 (except for the now optional sway bar disconnect, which maybe some small percent of buyers ever use, and an even smaller percent will truly need).

You are misinformed. A premie has much more than that over the ‘58.
MTS
Leather
Power seats
Heated and cooled seats
Tires
Rims
Roof rack
Headlight upgrade
JBL stereo
Memory seats.
Digital rearview
Thigh extension
Larger infotainment screen.
360 camera to mention a few that I can think of off the top of my head. With the SDM if you can add all those things to a ‘58 for 8k … it will cost you that in parts then add another 5k+ for labor and you have the regrets that you have now. To purchase a new vehicle in 2024+ and that vehicle not have powered seats and then to complain about how it’s not comfortable really makes it sound like you created this post to troll. If you have no regrets, why you looking for something else?

 

[L&RCSprings]

My wife, the owner, made it simple. It’s about a style (1958) that is unique and she loves her ride! You seem to see 4R everywhere these days. The base package of the 1958 allows you to customize to your hearts desire! Her words and that is exactly what she is having fun doing!

 

[jbe2289]

You are misinformed. A premie has much more than that over the ‘58.
MTS
Leather
Power seats
Heated and cooled seats
Tires
Rims
Roof rack
Headlight upgrade
JBL stereo
Memory seats.
Digital rearview
Thigh extension
Larger infotainment screen.
360 camera to mention a few that I can think of off the top of my head. With the SDM if you can add all those things to a ‘58 for 8k … it will cost you that in parts then add another 5k+ for labor and you have the regrets that you have now. To purchase a new vehicle in 2024+ and that vehicle not have powered seats and then to complain about how it’s not comfortable really makes it sound like you created this post to troll. If you have no regrets, why you looking for something else?

You are missing the entire point of the post or you didn't read it, which seems more likely. Yes, those are features that are available on higher trims of the LC and are largely useless nicities and have nothing to do with the comparrison I made. It was of the ride quality: NVH, and the powertrain. Didn't touch on anything else other that there than towing software, which is the same in all LC and improved on the 4Runner.

 

[jbe2289]

Sweet. We need to start getting more 250s on the used market. Sell yours to someone who appreciates it and go buy a 4Runner!

I never said I don't appreciate it. It is going nowhere.

 

[jbe2289]

The 1958 trim LC doesn’t make much sense now that the 4Runner is out.

As for ride quality from shock absorbers, it will not be terribly difficult to upgrade the LC to some pretty nice shocks if you want them.

No its not difficult, but a couple grand. The point is that the 4R comes on better shocks. I've had Fox Trd Pro shocks on past Toyotas and the bilsteins on the 4R felt better in all instances from city, highway, backroads, and gravel.

 

[Area 51]

No its not difficult, but a couple grand. The point is that the 4R comes on better shocks. I've had Fox Trd Pro shocks on past Toyotas and the bilsteins on the 4R felt better in all instances from city, highway, backroads, and gravel.

That's because the Bilsteins are better. One only needs to put them on the Cruiser to fix that.
The factory high end 4R is a compelling offer if one does not have to have the Cruiser, like me.
Fully equipped, no dealing with poorly funded and staffed shops, continual disappointments, i am done with the here in NorCal.
The higher end 4Rs are a great value.

 

[RUN-8]

A couple grand for greatly improved shocks is still vastly less expensive than installing a transfer case with a TORSEN differential for full time 4 wheel drive, or a new rear axle differential locker.

In other words you will spend far more $$$ bringing a 4Runner up to the mechanical capabilities of a Land Cruiser of any trim level. Add in putting a disconnecting front sway bar on the mods list and it’s gonna get stupid expensive. A 4Runner will give you some combinations of the things, but not all of them. Upgraded shocks for a Land Cruiser are dirt cheap in comparison.

 

[Area 51]

https://www.elkgrovetoyota.com/inventory/new-2025-toyota-4runner-trd-sport-premium-part-time-4-wheel-drive-4wd-trd-sport-prem-jteva5br7s5024776/

https://www.elkgrovetoyota.com/inventory/new-2025-toyota-4runner-i-force-max-4runner-trd-off-road-premium-part-time-4-wheel-drive-4wd-trd-off-rd-prem-jtevb5br6s5005875/

When it's all said and done, each person needs to get what they want, for whatever reasons they feel are most important.
At these price points desire is more important than the cost of adding a SB disc by far.
To try and micro evaluate is futile under the very best of conditions.

 

[ch78]

I’ve waited for years for the 6th Gen T4R to come out & I went to the dealer fully anticipating driving one home that day. After driving them both, the consensus among my wife and I was the that LC was the easy decision.