Adios Amigos, only made it 8 months...

[PA-Cruiser 200]

Well, after just eight months, I have said goodbye to the LC250!

Here's a quick rundown on why I decided to depart from the 250:

• The hood is thin and oil/tin cans and rattles/shakes as you drive, which is very distracting.
• The Ridged fog lights are too heavy for the front fascia and rattle and shake when hitting bumps, again, very distracting.
• The MPG rating is not accurate, a tank depending on season got me 275-325'ish miles and an average of 18-22 MPG.
• The safety system is terrible!!!! The cameras, even if you turn them "off" are still "on" and will give you popups if you cover them... And, if the front sensors get covered with snow, you can't acknowledge them and they go away, they relentlessly keep popping up!
• The removal of KDSS or E-KDSS means you get a LOT of body roll which made my kids car sick.
• Cramped driver’s seat, my leg was always resting against the door (I'm not a big person!).
• Horrifically high rear load floor that gets super-hot if you over pack the rear compartment tight or mistakenly cover the rear vent…

-No outside dimming mirrors???, plastics are cheap, etc., etc., I could go on and on...

But there are some good:

• The engine is quick and peppy.
• The steering is AMAZING and effortless.
• Seats are comfy.

-Distinct looks and Trail Dust is the best color on any new vehicle. However, that rounds it out...

Toyota could not fix my hood or fog light issues and said they were normal and gave me a 7yr/100k mile platinum warranty, but for $70+K, no thank you. You shouldn’t live with mediocrity in manufacturing. Maybe Toyota will fix the issues I find egregious, but for now, I’ll stick with my 2018 200 series. Not one issue since my purchase.

Truth is transparency: The MSRP was $70,898, I paid $66,000 out the door in November ’25. I sold it back to Toyota for $62,000. Not bad for 8 months.
I also have a set of OEM rectangle headlights for sale. I swapped them for the round FE/1958 headlights. If interested, please send me a message.

Good luck folks and thank you for all the dynamic conversations!

 

[Nuke]

Wow, sad to see you go, but one should have to live with a vehicle they find unsatisfactory. I will agree to some extent, Toyota made compromises which should not be in a $70K vehicle.

 

[ultane]

I’m glad that you at least have the LC200 to fall back on. Happy trails..

 

[FarooqMCSE]

Well, after just eight months, I have said goodbye to the LC250!

Here's a quick rundown on why I decided to depart from the 250:

• The hood is thin and oil/tin cans and rattles/shakes as you drive, which is very distracting.
• The Ridged fog lights are too heavy for the front fascia and rattle and shake when hitting bumps, again, very distracting.
• The MPG rating is not accurate, a tank depending on season got me 275-325'ish miles and an average of 18-22 MPG.
• The safety system is terrible!!!! The cameras, even if you turn them "off" are still "on" and will give you popups if you cover them... And, if the front sensors get covered with snow, you can't acknowledge them and they go away, they relentlessly keep popping up!
• The removal of KDSS or E-KDSS means you get a LOT of body roll which made my kids car sick.
• Cramped driver’s seat, my leg was always resting against the door (I'm not a big person!).
• Horrifically high rear load floor that gets super-hot if you over pack the rear compartment tight or mistakenly cover the rear vent…

-No outside dimming mirrors???, plastics are cheap, etc., etc., I could go on and on...

But there are some good:

• The engine is quick and peppy.
• The steering is AMAZING and effortless.
• Seats are comfy.

-Distinct looks and Trail Dust is the best color on any new vehicle. However, that rounds it out...

Toyota could not fix my hood or fog light issues and said they were normal and gave me a 7yr/100k mile platinum warranty, but for $70+K, no thank you. You shouldn’t live with mediocrity in manufacturing. Maybe Toyota will fix the issues I find egregious, but for now, I’ll stick with my 2018 200 series. Not one issue since my purchase.

Truth is transparency: The MSRP was $70,898, I paid $66,000 out the door in November ’25. I sold it back to Toyota for $62,000. Not bad for 8 months.
I also have a set of OEM rectangle headlights for sale. I swapped them for the round FE/1958 headlights. If interested, please send me a message.

Good luck folks and thank you for all the dynamic conversations!

You made good deals. I am hoping hood latch was not loose. Unfortunately, when I bought my 250 in July 2024, every dealer was charging more. World's largest Toyota dealership in the city of El Monte, Los Angeles, had a one year wait. I did not get the color I wanted, but at least I have no rattling sounds.

 

[DubDub]

Later @PA-Cruser. I hope you stick around w/ your 200.

 

[wpage]

Too bad guys. Happy trails with your next adventure...

 

[RideWithYanu]

You’ll be hard pressed to find another tank of a vehicle to replace the 200-series, so I hope it gives you many, many more happy years.

So long!

 

[D-mac]

For what it's worth, I found a ~$135 cut n' stick hood liner from ResoNix helped quiet things down up front for driving around town and on the highway.

 

[Esquire]

Well, after just eight months, I have said goodbye to the LC250!

Here's a quick rundown on why I decided to depart from the 250:

• The hood is thin and oil/tin cans and rattles/shakes as you drive, which is very distracting.
• The Ridged fog lights are too heavy for the front fascia and rattle and shake when hitting bumps, again, very distracting.
• The MPG rating is not accurate, a tank depending on season got me 275-325'ish miles and an average of 18-22 MPG.
• The safety system is terrible!!!! The cameras, even if you turn them "off" are still "on" and will give you popups if you cover them... And, if the front sensors get covered with snow, you can't acknowledge them and they go away, they relentlessly keep popping up!
• The removal of KDSS or E-KDSS means you get a LOT of body roll which made my kids car sick.
• Cramped driver’s seat, my leg was always resting against the door (I'm not a big person!).
• Horrifically high rear load floor that gets super-hot if you over pack the rear compartment tight or mistakenly cover the rear vent…

-No outside dimming mirrors???, plastics are cheap, etc., etc., I could go on and on...

But there are some good:

• The engine is quick and peppy.
• The steering is AMAZING and effortless.
• Seats are comfy.

-Distinct looks and Trail Dust is the best color on any new vehicle. However, that rounds it out...

Toyota could not fix my hood or fog light issues and said they were normal and gave me a 7yr/100k mile platinum warranty, but for $70+K, no thank you. You shouldn’t live with mediocrity in manufacturing. Maybe Toyota will fix the issues I find egregious, but for now, I’ll stick with my 2018 200 series. Not one issue since my purchase.

Truth is transparency: The MSRP was $70,898, I paid $66,000 out the door in November ’25. I sold it back to Toyota for $62,000. Not bad for 8 months.
I also have a set of OEM rectangle headlights for sale. I swapped them for the round FE/1958 headlights. If interested, please send me a message.

Good luck folks and thank you for all the dynamic conversations!

Sorry you were not satisfied with your Land Cruiser purchase.

I am confused....Toyota offered you a 7 yr/100k miles factory warranty because you felt like the hood material was too thin? I have never heard of this complaint. That seems like an outstanding offer of customer service on behalf of Toyota Motor Corp. / the dealer.

I would have taken that warranty and either driven it out or sold it outright eventually.

 

[t3lcfe]

Well, after just eight months, I have said goodbye to the LC250!

Here's a quick rundown on why I decided to depart from the 250:

• The hood is thin and oil/tin cans and rattles/shakes as you drive, which is very distracting.
• The Ridged fog lights are too heavy for the front fascia and rattle and shake when hitting bumps, again, very distracting.
• The MPG rating is not accurate, a tank depending on season got me 275-325'ish miles and an average of 18-22 MPG.
• The safety system is terrible!!!! The cameras, even if you turn them "off" are still "on" and will give you popups if you cover them... And, if the front sensors get covered with snow, you can't acknowledge them and they go away, they relentlessly keep popping up!
• The removal of KDSS or E-KDSS means you get a LOT of body roll which made my kids car sick.
• Cramped driver’s seat, my leg was always resting against the door (I'm not a big person!).
• Horrifically high rear load floor that gets super-hot if you over pack the rear compartment tight or mistakenly cover the rear vent…

-No outside dimming mirrors???, plastics are cheap, etc., etc., I could go on and on...

But there are some good:

• The engine is quick and peppy.
• The steering is AMAZING and effortless.
• Seats are comfy.

-Distinct looks and Trail Dust is the best color on any new vehicle. However, that rounds it out...

Toyota could not fix my hood or fog light issues and said they were normal and gave me a 7yr/100k mile platinum warranty, but for $70+K, no thank you. You shouldn’t live with mediocrity in manufacturing. Maybe Toyota will fix the issues I find egregious, but for now, I’ll stick with my 2018 200 series. Not one issue since my purchase.

Truth is transparency: The MSRP was $70,898, I paid $66,000 out the door in November ’25. I sold it back to Toyota for $62,000. Not bad for 8 months.
I also have a set of OEM rectangle headlights for sale. I swapped them for the round FE/1958 headlights. If interested, please send me a message.

Good luck folks and thank you for all the dynamic conversations!

So sorry for that “8-month short LC marriage” Good luck for next one !

 

[PA-Cruiser 200]

Sorry you were not satisfied with your Land Cruiser purchase.

I am confused....Toyota offered you a 7 yr/100k miles factory warranty because you felt like the hood material was too thin? I have never heard of this complaint. That seems like an outstanding offer of customer service on behalf of Toyota Motor Corp. / the dealer.

I would have taken that warranty and either driven it out or sold it outright eventually.

Esquire, it was because they could not fix the hood or fog light issues. Very good of Toyota for the warranty, however, the stipulation was that the warranty would never cover the hood or fog lights in the future, but everything else. It was a win.

One of those things that once you see it, you can’t unsee it.. I really hope my issues were isolated, but I see shaking fog light all the time when LC250 come towards me on the road.

My hope is Toyota quickly resolves these issues, and (BIG HOPE HERE) they offer another engine without a hybrid in the future… I know, probably not, but one can wish… ;-)

 

[MSINAL]

Curious to see what you replace it with. With modern regulations and automotive manufacturers struggling with massive (ridiculous) carbon fines in europe, and CAFE here, they're all trying to cut costs to satisfy shareholders. Doesnt help that these safety systems and connected services, along with EVs no one buys are forced on them by bureaucrats. Is easy to say the manufacturers need to build better quality vehicles, but when you source thousands of parts from suppliers and rely on the quality of each, they're at the mercy of these suppliers too - who are all barely keeping afloat themselves.

Add to all that, auto workers are not the same today. Younger ones rarely want to learn a trade and have horrible work ethics. Older ones are at their wit's end with inflation, profit maximizing, et al.

I bought japanese built vehicle because i know more than id like to about US and European manufacturing. So Landcruiser might be as good as it gets in 2026... i hear Japan's government is forcing non-japanese workers from 3rd worlds to work in automotive (in japan) to force lower wages. We just cant win.
Damn the politicians.

 

[PA-Cruiser 200]

Curious to see what you replace it with. With modern regulations and automotive manufacturers struggling with massive (ridiculous) carbon fines in europe, and CAFE here, they're all trying to cut costs to satisfy shareholders. Doesnt help that these safety systems and connected services, along with EVs no one buys are forced on them by bureaucrats. Is easy to say the manufacturers need to build better quality vehicles, but when you source thousands of parts from suppliers and rely on the quality of each, they're at the mercy of these suppliers too - who are all barely keeping afloat themselves.

Add to all that, auto workers are not the same today. Younger ones rarely want to learn a trade and have horrible work ethics. Older ones are at their wit's end with inflation, profit maximizing, et al.

I bought japanese built vehicle because i know more than id like to about US and European manufacturing. So Landcruiser might be as good as it gets in 2026... i hear Japan's government is forcing non-japanese workers from 3rd worlds to work in automotive (in japan) to force lower wages. We just cant win.
Damn the politicians.

MSINAL, I agree with 100% on all your statements. Let’s hope what we have today isn’t as good as it gets… Hell,, if you can get coke to come out of the water fountains, you have my vote… lol

We got my wife an Audi SQ5. Cool car, but assembled in Mexico with sourced parts from across the globe. Lots of tech, but it’ll never see anything but some snow. I just had higher expectations for the LC.

I have faith in our automotive future! Well, fingers crossed anyways!

 

[GR8Santini]

Sorry y'all are leaving.
LX600 is the next step up from LC/GX, & actually have done pretty well off road in a few of the recent reviews. Best of luck!

 

[RideWithYanu]

We got my wife an Audi SQ5. Cool car, but assembled in Mexico with sourced parts from across the globe. Lots of tech, but it’ll never see anything but some snow. I just had higher expectations for the LC.

My 2015 Q5 with snow tires was the best vehicle for snow-covered paved roads I’ve ever driven (including the Land Cruiser, excepting very deep snow scenarios of course). I sold it before it got too high in the miles because I could feel the quality level would lead me to frequent service center visits - but damn that thing was fun on snowy highways or backroads!

 

[t3lcfe]

2024: nearly 30,000 LC sold in USA. Most of them sold before they arrived to dealerships
2025: almost 44,000 LC sold
2026: sale keeps going fast
Average days LC stay in dealers before they sold is 9 days compare to other Toyota 45-90 days

Those facts tell us that PA-Cruiser case is very very small percentage. No vehicles are perfect and meet 100% consumer satisfaction even $800k-$900k 6x6 Gwagon, $200K-$500K sport cars…

LC250 is one of the kind that dealers across US and Canada don’t have enough to sell. PA-Cruiser paid $66k OUT THE DOOR ($60K+tax+license) and after used, dealer bought back $ 62K: this tells you the truth !

Man…never forgot that in mid 2024, I called all dealers in CA, AZ, NV, UT to hunt for a FE with pay-in-full cash offer, but nothing happened or they want to add stupid/crazy $10-$15k on window sticker price! Ended up, I found 1 and were happy to pay $5K over $77K—-paid in cash OTD $90K. Never regretted and always happy till now…$24-$25k more with upgrades…I am still very happy with mine
Probably, I am a LC happy man or crazy man or both

 

[supernova]

Esquire, it was because they could not fix the hood or fog light issues. Very good of Toyota for the warranty, however, the stipulation was that the warranty would never cover the hood or fog lights in the future, but everything else. It was a win.

One of those things that once you see it, you can’t unsee it.. I really hope my issues were isolated, but I see shaking fog light all the time when LC250 come towards me on the road.

My hope is Toyota quickly resolves these issues, and (BIG HOPE HERE) they offer another engine without a hybrid in the future… I know, probably not, but one can wish… ;-)

Maybe my hearing and eyesight are getting worse, but luckily I seem to be immune to these first-world problems: hood vibrations, tin-can doors, and wind noise.

 

[RideWithYanu]

2024: nearly 30,000 LC sold in USA. Most of them sold before they arrived to dealerships
2025: almost 44,000 LC sold
2026: sale keeps going fast
Average days LC stay in dealers before they sold is 9 days compare to other Toyota 45-90 days

Those facts tell us that PA-Cruiser case is very very small percentage. No vehicles are perfect and meet 100% consumer satisfaction even $800k-$900k 6x6 Gwagon, $200K-$500K sport cars…

LC250 is one of the kind that dealers across US and Canada don’t have enough to sell. PA-Cruiser paid $66k OUT THE DOOR ($60K+tax+license) and after used, dealer bought back $ 62K: this tells you the truth !

Maybe my hearing and eyesight are getting worse, but luckily I seem to be immune to these first-world problems: hood vibrations, tin-can doors, and wind noise.

I think there’s a difference in level of robustness between a 250-series that can’t be denied if you’ve experienced both, so if that’s as big a priority as it seems to be for OP, they’re just not going to be happy with a 250-series (or about anything else on the market). I think OP is probably smart to ride out the 200-hundy for as long as they can.

 

[Esquire]

Esquire, it was because they could not fix the hood or fog light issues. Very good of Toyota for the warranty, however, the stipulation was that the warranty would never cover the hood or fog lights in the future, but everything else. It was a win.

One of those things that once you see it, you can’t unsee it.. I really hope my issues were isolated, but I see shaking fog light all the time when LC250 come towards me on the road.

My hope is Toyota quickly resolves these issues, and (BIG HOPE HERE) they offer another engine without a hybrid in the future… I know, probably not, but one can wish… ;-)

I appreciate the explanation.

The auto industry has changed literally overnight it seems and I know as a life-long car connoisseur, it has been a brand new experience with what is available. There is not a model manufactured today that is anything like it was manufactured even 5-7 yrs ago. We are all adapting to the changes.

I mirror everyone thoughts and hope you find a great replacement. I think it will be tough to replace the 250, however, you have the 200 to keep you in the loop and sharp.

 

[AlexGates]

Man, I’m sorry to hear that, I love mine. To be fair, I only use my in the city or on <55mph “highways” that have stop lights. Long distance, I take my F150.

Toyota really should have jammed a larger fuel tank in and there are some cheap things compared to my F150 (gasp). But, I love my LC. It is the “light duty” LC, so I do adventurous runs to Target and Downtown. If I had to daily long distances, probably not.