Do they both have the same horrible horn?
4Runner vs LC250
- Thread starter jbe2289
- Start date
Just looking at some old posts. Trying to be fair here. I see a GX550 go by office every morning , same relative color as mine. I have abhorred their grill design since its inception, but to be fair, the way they treated it on the GX550 is a step in the right direction, dare I say acceptable from the front now and good looking from other angles. The old GX was awkwardly top heavy looking , the new one much more balanced. But I still much prefer our dash layout with physical buttons!!!!! and overall, they just nailed the design language!!!!
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I wish it had the barn door with tire carrier. The rear window down on my 5th Gen 4Runner always brought exhaust fumes into the cab so I didn't use it much.
Either the retractable window or barn doors would have been preferable.
Even though the storage and fuel tank size get attention, this is the one thing I don't understand about this design.
I understand why the conventional liftgate was a design element of the previous LC, as that became a luxury competitor in the US market, but the with the LC 250 getting back to more utilitarian roots (yes, I know that's very subjective, but it IS more utilitarian than the 200 series), either of the other options make more sense to me.
What's frustrating is that I can understand the barn doors being a stretch for some of the US market, but the roll down window would have been an easy sell...and I'm guessing that (very frustratingly given the theft history) that there wasn't room in the tailgate for the window because of the CAN-bus.
Even though the storage and fuel tank size get attention, this is the one thing I don't understand about this design.
I understand why the conventional liftgate was a design element of the previous LC, as that became a luxury competitor in the US market, but the with the LC 250 getting back to more utilitarian roots (yes, I know that's very subjective, but it IS more utilitarian than the 200 series), either of the other options make more sense to me.
What's frustrating is that I can understand the barn doors being a stretch for some of the US market, but the roll down window would have been an easy sell...and I'm guessing that (very frustratingly given the theft history) that there wasn't room in the tailgate for the window because of the CAN-bus.
- Jul 7, 2025
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- '25 LC 1958 || '25 Sequoia LTD TRD || '05 TJR || '24 Polaris Ranger 1000 Crew
Since this thread appears to have a full tank of gas
, and because you brought up one of my favorite things about my previous 4Rs, I'll bite. I think that if I take the LC and 4R side-by-side to identify each vehicles major concession when compared against the other's offerings, my short lists look like this:LC:
- No non-hybrid offering => no option to increase vertical load space (The TRD OR Premium non-hybrid is the hidden gem amongst the 4R trim ladder IMO)
- Retractable rear window (I agree on this, one of my favorite features across my 4R ownerships)
- No OEMalternative suspension options (4R has standard, bilstein OR, OME TH, Fox Pro... all plug and play if you're willing to spend the money)
4R:
- Lower roof due to lower seat bottom design => difficult to "ride high" when wheeling (problem with every 4R I've ever owned)
- Blind spots (This may be subjective based on my habits, but it bothered me a ton when test driving different trims and powertrains in direct comparison to the LC)
- (Personal opinion) the interiors of the Tacos and 4Rs feel like they're getting smaller and smaller even if the specifications say something different. It feels like a dark cave with all sorts of "fake rugged" design elements that I (again personal opinion) am not convinced will stand the test of time like the outgoing generation.
I agree with this. My buddy owns a 5th‑gen 4R, and it feels very roomy up front, but I still think the 250 has more space. I can’t really comment on the second row since I never spend any time back there.
Another friend has a 4th‑gen Tacoma, and I’ve spent a good bit of time in that truck. Assuming the interior is similar to the 4Runner, I agree that the “fake rugged” and “macho” styling is a bit much for my taste. Dislike the massive tablet that's thrown in the dash. Wish that had more of a integrated design feel like the 550. When sitting up front in the Tacoma, you feel like you’re really close to the driver, whereas in the 250 you have noticeably more elbow room. The bigger windows and higher ceiling in our 250s does give a more airy feel.
I absolutely agree they refined it very well on the GX. That open area doesn't go all of the way to the bottom of the front end as others have.
The horn is awesome! I can honk at people to wake 'em up at the stale green light without upsetting them. "Meep meep", perfect!
So I've had 3 LC250s and 3 6th 4R's - yes, I know that is idiotic but I have a problem and this is a safe place (yeah right, lol). I much prefer the LC250 over the 4R's in virtually every aspect. Honestly, the only things I liked more on the 4R is the fake leather seats the premiums come with and that badass rear window roll down. I had two Off-Road Premiums (White and Silver both non-hyrbid) and a Limited (hybrid). The Limited build was much closer to the LC250 in features (leather, AWD, dual Climate) - the other two felt like they were their own thing entirely (in a good way). My hot take is that I would most likely get a 4R over a 1958 edition LC - I love the 1958 but think there's better value from the 6th gen 4R in that price range. By the time I was into Limited Hybrid money though all I could do is think about how it wasn't a Land Cruiser. I feel like it drives better, feels more premium, has better dimensions, etc... and of course it says Land Cruiser. I like the idea behind the 4R trims but none of them ever hit the sweet spot for what I wanted short of the TRD Pro (the trail hunter interior color isn't it for me and I need a sunroof in my life or I start missing my Broncos). The jumble of features, only one (okay two if you count the platinum) way to get AWD, painted vs non painted fenders, and interior finishes... it's a lot. At the limited hyrbid price I'm taking the LC every single time. I get the allure of both but for me I'm back in a LC and the universe feels at peace again.
- Jul 7, 2025
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- '25 LC 1958 || '25 Sequoia LTD TRD || '05 TJR || '24 Polaris Ranger 1000 Crew
1)
I’m not countering anything you’ve said, as I relate to most all of it. By the time I had climbed up the trim ladder, I was firmly in alignment with your assessment (3) and had a Pro on order.
However, for me, (1) and (2) above are mutually exclusive. The value of potential savings adhering to (1) would need to be extremely significant to justify the sacrifice of (2). In my informed opinion, the 4R trim most equitable to the 1958 is the TRD OR iforcemax w/out premium package. That’s a $55k 4R w/out any upgrades (those ugly wheels would have to go lol). My 1958’s MSRP hovered around 60 and, as we all know, had a ton of wiggle toward invoice. $5k isn’t worth sacrificing (2) for me.
Although, to your point, I do think the TRD OR non-hybrid Premium is the break-even point where you could justify a sub-$5k savings (on paper) by gaining the LC premium trim options while maintaining max cargo space.
I like your insider perspective though. It reinforces my belief that the 1958 was the correct choice for me. Thank!
2)
3)
I’m not countering anything you’ve said, as I relate to most all of it. By the time I had climbed up the trim ladder, I was firmly in alignment with your assessment (3) and had a Pro on order.
However, for me, (1) and (2) above are mutually exclusive. The value of potential savings adhering to (1) would need to be extremely significant to justify the sacrifice of (2). In my informed opinion, the 4R trim most equitable to the 1958 is the TRD OR iforcemax w/out premium package. That’s a $55k 4R w/out any upgrades (those ugly wheels would have to go lol). My 1958’s MSRP hovered around 60 and, as we all know, had a ton of wiggle toward invoice. $5k isn’t worth sacrificing (2) for me.
Although, to your point, I do think the TRD OR non-hybrid Premium is the break-even point where you could justify a sub-$5k savings (on paper) by gaining the LC premium trim options while maintaining max cargo space.
I like your insider perspective though. It reinforces my belief that the 1958 was the correct choice for me. Thank!
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That’s a great point on the real life trim comparison being the Off Road non-premium and I agree 100% - the LC is the right call there for $5k more, you’re getting a ton of great value for that jump! That’s a no brainer to me.
I want all the 4R owners to be happy with their purchase and to each their own - but having experienced both multiple times I’d hands down take any Land Cruiser trim over the 4R.
At least we can ALL agree that the off road standard wheels are the worst thing. Ever.
All the lc’s should have been built at Tahara like the 4Runners.
Great summary, and it's rare these days to find a brand/product that you love that spans multiple generations, so I say keep with it until it doesn't work for you. I agreed with you on the point above until I test drove a G6 4R TRD Off Road with iForce and compared it to the 1958. I came from a 2019 TRD Off Road Premium, which was a reasonable value at that time given features and off-road capability, and I truly loved thar car. But factoring in ride comfort and interior room, LC won hands down, plus I am 50+ so the LC aesthetic swayed me as well - my early 20s kids prefer the 4R. To each his own, but I've had the LC for almost 2 years and wouldn't go back.
After the "stare and compare" between the 4R and the LC. After the initial sticker shocks. Since it had been a while since new car shopping. The LC won. In many aspects most mentioned already in this thread. Not having to duck my head when getting in the vehicle was a plus and of course the features and benefits of the true go any where machine.
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