Honest LC250 review that goes into more technical details & why Toyota missed the mark on LC250

[Mtn40]

I'll just add, on the handling piece and body roll; Yes, it's a bit of a boat and has a lot of body roll, and yes a heavier stabilizer might lesson that, but the tradeoff there is ride quality and smoothness. I knew this going in. For me, the LC is a daily driver with off road capability. I intentionally wanted a little bit softer and less harsh of a ride. I think it delivers that over any 4Runner trim, even the Limited, and certainly over the Tacoma.

There's also a big chunk of dealing with that tradeoff in driving technique. Anticipate corners, set the chassis up to enter level, and smooth accelerator or braking to keep it level through turns. I found myself on a very windy section of road near Deckers Colorado last evening with a little Porsche chasing me. With 2500 miles on the odometer I decided to really cut loose. It's obviously no Porsche, but I'm telling you that little motor can rock it pretty well, and for the boat she is, it's quite capable of keeping a quick pace on mountain roads and twistys. Driver passed me on a straight with his thumb up. With that, and a 140 mile jaunt, I pulled into the driveway hitting over 24mpg for the first time.

I think the video illustrates confusing product positioning for Toyota. The new LC is slightly less off road capable than the 4Runner and Tacoma, but is better in creature comfort. His points on high price are fair. For me, I won't mod the suspension, so while I'd rather see the bigger rear end and upgraded axles, it's not a real world issue. I love the truck! It's quick, pretty nimble, comfortable, capable off road, and with stock tires so far, gets very good mpg. It fits my use case spot on.

Agreed. The 250 feels great on road and amazing off road, especially with the sway bar disconnected.
Body roll on the street doesn’t bother me. I’m used to driving a spring-over 40 with a hard top and giant roof basket.

 

[LCOceans]

Wow what a busy thread. I figured it would be.
Solid points made but I think time will tell whether they make a real difference or not. How hard are we really pushing this truck and what percentage of us will be hindered by the differences he presented? I will guess very few.
Also could it be the materials used in 2024 on are stronger and do not need to be as heavy and as large? Lastly, everything is a trade-off, and benefits come with lighter materials etc.

 

[LCOceans]

As for body roll and driving feel, I think the truck drives amazing so I discount all of that. Buy a sports car if that's what you want. Choices...

 

[JustinHEMI]

I will guess very few.

We don't have to guess that it's very few, Toyota knows it's very few which is why they didn't send us a vehicle very few would buy.

Toyota built the vehicle Americans would buy, and their sales show it. It's still far more capable than 95% would ever need despite the guy's complaints. They didn't build it for hard core offroaders.

 

[PDPete]

We don't have to guess that it's very few, Toyota knows it's very few which is why they didn't send us a vehicle very few would buy.

Toyota built the vehicle Americans would buy, and their sales show it. It's still far more capable than 95% would ever need despite the guy's complaints. They didn't build it for hard core offroaders.

It’s a global vehicle…they’ll sell a ton of these world wide…yeah, the configurations are different depending on region, but the Prado has been popular in various places before it came to North America.

In other words, I don’t know that they built this with the US market in mind specifically…that’s what the 4Runner is for.

 

[JustinHEMI]

It’s a global vehicle…they’ll sell a ton of these world wide…yeah, the configurations are different depending on region, but the Prado has been popular in various places before it came to North America.

In other words, I don’t know that they built this with the US market in mind specifically…that’s what the 4Runner is for.

Good point about being a global vehicle not necessarily specific to USA market, agreed. I'm just saying that they know Americans didn't buy a 100K+ Land Cruiser before, so they brought what we would. (People CAN still get the ultimate Land Cruiser under the Lexus name).

 

[teghogh]

I’m not sure why all his valid points are causing such a stir here.
The cv design should have been shared with the lc

The first edition at 75k is more expensive than gx550 and inferior in most aspects

All lc trims are overpriced by 10k compared to competition and it is reflected in the poor 1 year resale value compared to gx

my biggest issue with this platform is the rather unrefined 4cyl engine that is shared with entry Toyota line up and terrible transmission tuning that seems to always be in the wrong gear and doesn’t downshift and tries to compensate with boost . This is the main culprit that makes the truck feel buggy and underpowered.

as for the 90-95 percent that claim the truck is never used offroad, the base gx premium msrp starts at 63-64k which matches lc lc and is an obvious pick over the lc

This platform with all its shortcomings should not have been priced upmarket as is today.

 

[HammerTheWall]

my biggest issue with this platform is the rather unrefined 4cyl engine that is shared with entry Toyota line up and terrible transmission tuning that seems to always be in the wrong gear and doesn’t downshift and tries to compensate with boost . This is the main culprit that makes the truck feel buggy and underpowered.

as for the 90-95 percent that claim the truck is never used offroad, the base gx premium msrp starts at 63-64k which matches lc lc and is an obvious pick over the lc

This platform with all its shortcomings should not have been priced upmarket as is today.

Had had zero issues with the "unrefined 4cyl engine" and also have not had any wrong gear issues with "terrible transmission". And it feels, and is, more powerful than the Wrangler JLU I had previous to it. Or the FJ it's incorrectly being compared to for that matter.

Seems like the sales numbers paint a different picture than it being priced incorrectly or it not being the "obvious pick". Do you have buyer's remorse?

 

[Stage7]

The FJ was a smaller vehicle positioned against the Wrangler. It was a sales flop. The 250 can be compared, but its not the same class vehicle.

A better comparison would be the 250 against the four door Bronco.

Or after watching this review maybe the Bronco Sport?

 

[teghogh]

Had had zero issues with the "unrefined 4cyl engine" and also have not had any wrong gear issues with "terrible transmission". And it feels, and is, more powerful than the Wrangler JLU I had previous to it. Or the FJ it's incorrectly being compared to for that matter.

Seems like the sales numbers paint a different picture than it being priced incorrectly or it not being the "obvious pick". Do you have buyer's remorse?

Not At all. I bought mine for 50.5k and is perfect for that price. However I wouldn’t spend a dime more. I would however get buyers remorse if I paid 60+ and then drove the gx

 

[Don]

Or after watching this review maybe the Bronco Sport?

Well, according to the video our budget to beat the FJ is $100K . Is there a Bronco Sport Raptor? Looking forward to a video comparing a Raptor, Sasquatch, or Rubicon be to the FJ

 

[DoMoCruiser24]

Not At all. I bought mine for 50.5k and is perfect for that price. However I wouldn’t spend a dime more. I would however get buyers remorse if I paid 60+ and then drove the gx

I drove both.

Then gladly paid 60k for the LC.

Oh how remorseful. Woe is me.

 

[colfishnski]

I’m not sure why all his valid points are causing such a stir here.
The cv design should have been shared with the lc

The first edition at 75k is more expensive than gx550 and inferior in most aspects

All lc trims are overpriced by 10k compared to competition and it is reflected in the poor 1 year resale value compared to gx

my biggest issue with this platform is the rather unrefined 4cyl engine that is shared with entry Toyota line up and terrible transmission tuning that seems to always be in the wrong gear and doesn’t downshift and tries to compensate with boost . This is the main culprit that makes the truck feel buggy and underpowered.

as for the 90-95 percent that claim the truck is never used offroad, the base gx premium msrp starts at 63-64k which matches lc lc and is an obvious pick over the lc

This platform with all its shortcomings should not have been priced upmarket as is today.

I have a 25. Don't know if they updated shift patterns, etc., but other than some clunkiness when coming to a stop when the transmission is cold, I find the shift tuning pretty darn good. I get very smooth shifts in both directions. My only real gripe is the lack of meaningful engine braking on slow steep descents.

I agree his points are valid as is the pricing issue, but as discussed, what are the real world implications for most? I'm one that doesnt want the twin turbo V6 from the Tundra in an SUV, and sorry, but I hate the front end on the GX.

Getting 23mp in the LC gives at least reasonable range and is better than the GX even with a slightly larger tank. But, yeah, the tank is too small..

I wonder if the transmission complaints some have might be resolved with a software update. I came from a Jeep GC, and despite concerns with overall quality and longevity, it had a silky smooth 8 speed drivetrain. The LC, to me, is not quite as smooth but pretty close.

 

[HammerTheWall]

Not At all. I bought mine for 50.5k and is perfect for that price. However I wouldn’t spend a dime more. I would however get buyers remorse if I paid 60+ and then drove the gx

I can appreciate that opinion, but that doesn't make the GX the "obvious choice". The sales numbers of the LC don't lie.

I wouldn't touch the GX if I was looking at a new LC LC vs a GX. GX has a higher price than anything other than the 1958, for 23 HP, 14 lb-ft of torque, worse gas mileage (using combined average, GX = 357 per tank, LC = 411.7), 3 degrees less approach, 1 degree more departure. The GX does have higher towing capacity, but if I remember correctly no rear climate controls.

Too many trade-offs to go for the GX vs the LC, but that's why they make options. But the GX front-end looks like it was made for a vehicle twice its size. To each their own.

 

[EOD Guy]

Getting kind of old.......... how much someone paid for their LC vs a different brand and/or model.....

Keep it, sell it, park it, give it away .......... but for the love of Pete, quit complaining about this vs that, could of, would of, should of etc.......

 

[Stage7]

I can appreciate that opinion, but that doesn't make the GX the "obvious choice". The sales numbers of the LC don't lie.

I wouldn't touch the GX if I was looking at a new LC LC vs a GX. GX has a higher price than anything other than the 1958, for 23 HP, 14 lb-ft of torque, worse gas mileage (using combined average, GX = 357 per tank, LC = 411.7), 3 degrees less approach, 1 degree more departure. The GX does have higher towing capacity, but if I remember correctly no rear climate controls.

Too many trade-offs to go for the GX vs the LC, but that's why they make options. But the GX front-end looks like it was made for a vehicle twice its size. To each their own.

LC with SBD articulation is better than GX as well.
I am in the same camp when it comes to LC vs. GX styling. I would buy a 1958 over a GX. I don't care for the front end on the GX one bit or the rear horizontal light bar.

 

[Stage7]

Getting kind of old.......... how much someone paid for their LC vs a different brand and/or model.....

Keep it, sell it, park it, give it away .......... but for the love of Pete, quit complaining about this vs that, could of, would of, should of etc.......

100%

 

[t3lcfe]

LC is one of the kinds that many people just dream about. It is the champion in its own field and winner in many other aspects.
Love her and make her happy every single day from now
I love and proud of her, don’t you?

and happy LC to all.
Please tell me all the love you have for yours …I want to hear them all

 

[LunarCruiser]

This review was just clickbait, and the points are just gripes. So many YouTubers love complaining about the LC 250 and not putting their money where their mouth is and buying an LC 300 instead. I get it, the GX550 could be overbuilt, but that is Lexus for you. I would expect premium parts for premium money, but I'm happy with my 1958 trim LC, and someday, a STABI bar disconnect can hit the aftermarkets.

 

[BILL]

Sold more units in 2024 alone, compared to all 200 series sold in the US. So Toyota couldn't care less about what randos over at youtube think.

Well as a Toyota guy since my 76 FJ55 to my 2005 LC and my 2021 LC I think the 2024 First Edition is not as tough as the first 3 that are still going strong. I wanted to try the technology and I have noticed that people who go on Off Road Trails are not really true tests of off roading. Not if you began your off road trips from London to Nairobi across the Sahara and Central Africa Congo etc into Uganda Kenya and Tanzania. The off road clubs are just trying to break their cars wheras people who live off road are more careful. They are not trying to break them. That said my last 3 cars live on a ranch and they both do well. The FJ55 has a new open body now and lives in Northern Kenya.