4Runner vs LC250

[Grandpawmoses]

About 2 weeks ago I traded my 2024 4R TRD Pro for a 2025 LC250 Premium. I was in for an oil change and while I waited, I looked over the LC's on the lot. A quick test drive sold me. Gobs more instant power, memory seat, HUD, Full time 4 wheel drive, power liftgate, etc.

 

[LandRunner24]

I could be totally wrong, but I think the 4runner has acoustic/thicker windows? Maybe that helped with NVH.

I was cross-shopping between a used LC (LC) Premium with SDM and a new 6th gen 4runner ORP, LC wins hands down for me, no contest.
LC has:

• Full time 4WD
• Tri-zone climate (for $62K, Toyota put single zone in the 4runner, why?)
• Soft touch plastic throughout
• SDM (not even an option on the 4Runner ORP)

 

[BreezTrd]

The TRD off-Road is the best value to they money.

 

[chrisw2069]

I though I made a mistake buying my LC Premium after seeing Lexus GX550 and the New 4Runner… but, after doing my overall research.. I found FOR ME, that my vehicle is perfect… I hear people complain over YouTube, this site, other websites about this or that vehicle is better because of whatever reason they deem. Well, probably is… for them! It’s all perspective

 

[chrisw2069]

One regret I do have now though… my color!!! I love it but, every LC I see in my area has that color now. Even my next door neighbor that just moved in! when I first bought mine in September 2024.. there were only black and white colors roaming

 

[Jack_]

I though I made a mistake buying my LC Premium after seeing Lexus GX550 and the New 4Runner… but, after doing my overall research.. I found FOR ME, that my vehicle is perfect… I hear people complain over YouTube, this site, other websites about this or that vehicle is better because of whatever reason they deem. Well, probably is… for them! It’s all perspective

I loved my past Lexus vehicles but I haven't bought or considered one since they went to that Godawful, huge, downward angle, open grill. It's aesthetically so incredibly off-putting (to me) that I don't even entertain the thought that there might be an amazing vehicle behind that horrid grill. They're killin' me with that design.

 

[GrayBeard]

I loved my past Lexus vehicles but I haven't bought or considered one since they went to that Godawful, huge, downward angle, open grill. It's aesthetically so incredibly off-putting (to me) that I don't even entertain the thought that there might be an amazing vehicle behind that horrid grill. They're killin' me with that design.

Yep. Hard for me to see anything but this:

 

[TimHerald]

I loved my past Lexus vehicles but I haven't bought or considered one since they went to that Godawful, huge, downward angle, open grill. It's aesthetically so incredibly off-putting (to me) that I don't even entertain the thought that there might be an amazing vehicle behind that horrid grill. They're killin' me with that design.

Agree. There is a Nori Green Lexus with a black top at my gym, and it looks great until you see that front end. Just doesn’t look like it should ever leave pavement.

 

[pv488]

In April, I test drove both a LC and 4Runner 2025. The 4Runner drove great but the LC just felt better in all other aspects. And looking at both side by side, the LC looks so much better imo.

 

[floppy]

I just sat in a 4Runner SR5 after test driving a LC LC Premium here in the Bay Area.

I really wanted to like it, because I wanted to spare some money.
I thought I might get turned off by the cloth (and relatively spartan) interior, but I actually didn’t mind it.
However, at 6’4 with long legs, I just could not find a comfortable driving position. The angles of the cockpit near my knees were very annoying. I also felt like I could only get the steering wheel far enough from my legs by extending it significantly, which in turn meant pushing the seat backwards a lot - not great, considering that I have two children under two in car seats.

I drive a Polestar 2 and a Golf, so I am used to cramped interiors, but I can dial the perfect driving position in those cars; not in the 4Runner.

On the other hand, the LC felt perfect.
Too bad the (gently used) LC I had tested was bought by someone else right before I got to the dealership to close

The new ones are just outside my budget, so the research continues…

 

[ERROR504]

My neighbor has the new 4Runner. Parking next to it is kind of crazy to see the size difference between the two.

 

[Nuke]

My neighbor has the new 4Runner. Parking next to it is kind of crazy to see the size difference between the two.
View attachment 69307

Many reviewers have commented regarding sparse 4Runner headroom, and very apparent here.

 

[t3lcfe]

My neighbor has the new 4Runner. Parking next to it is kind of crazy to see the size difference between the two.
View attachment 69307

Please don’t park next to his new 4Runner

 

[lar317]

I traded my 2025 4Runner, for a 25 1958, and noticed the opposite of what the OP stated, I felt most all road bumps, and the highway noise was so high in the 4 runner I could not hear the radio.

 

[PDPete]

My neighbor has the new 4Runner. Parking next to it is kind of crazy to see the size difference between the two.

What's kind of crazy is that, in my opinion, when you look at the two from the opposite perspective (looking at the front of them), the 4R looks bigger...but definitely not so from this perspective.

 

[wpage]

To each thier own preference. Maybe go over to the 4R side and challenge them to a opinion thread...
I like the TLC cause it fits my needs and desires for something special, with lots of capability.

 

[DubDub]

I’ve said this so many times I feel like I’m annoying someone out there. But, I’m a 4R fan 100%, I love them. We’ve had a few in our house and I very nearly purchased one for myself last year. The 4R has better ground clearance but a lower roofline. The difference in headroom in the cockpit is not insignificant, but it also isn’t ridiculous. They accomplish this in the seating posture. For as long as 4Runners have been a thing they have had low seat bottoms requiring the driver’s legs to be out in front and more parallel to the ground. The LC has a more “chair” like posture w/ a more platformed
Seat bottom. The driver can bend their knees mostly down.

Not as much headroom required when your butt is closer to the ground. At 6’2” with a broken back, this is the only reason I went with the LC over the 4R. You try and elevate your torso over your thighs in the 4R and your head is in the ceiling. You are also bracing yourself with your hips and back, whereas your legs do a lot in the LC. There is no “vs.” though, just two similar vehicles with a different angle of attack and intended demographic. Anything else is bait… be it engagement, click or rage.

 

[basicxj]

I tried both the 4Runner and Land Cruiser on last spring. Comfort for my usual co-pilot was the deciding factor on spending the extra money for a Land Cruiser.

There are other perks too- some I knew up front and others that revealed themselves after some ownership time. These two vehicles share enough DNA that there is no win/lose choosing one over the other.

 

[RideWithYanu]

I don’t aesthetically like the new 4Runners, but they are one of the best off-roading trucks that the USA has ever seen. They are a worthy alternative to Land Cruisers.

 

[ERROR504]

I agree with you. Can’t go wrong with either model. It just comes down to a preference of design style.