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

[Bad1975]

There are longfields that have been released for the 250, not cheap but these will likely make the diff or driveshaft the new weak point.

Install instructions make it sound like you are moving parts from old to new which I don;t believe is correct I think these come fully built?


Longfield IFS Axle Set for 2024+ Toyota Land Cruiser LC250

 

[LcAz]

I really like Tinkerers stuff, but this review has to be taken in context. It misses the mark for him because he wants to do really technical off-roading and “beef underneath”, and ground clearance are king. What do you suppose is going to happen to all the unwanted 1958’s in the next decade. They are going to be scooped up and HEaVILY modified to be killers at technical rock crawling. Just like every OEM vehicle is HEaVILY modified to be a rock crawler. Meanwhile Broncos will continue to sit on the lot because they are horrendous daily drivers, and LC will continue to sale because they are a great mix and hit the mark for 95% of drivers.

 

[teghogh]

Agree with his assessment on most of the points. This struggling 4 cyl does not belong in a 70k truck. Got an Uber ride in a Prius and I was shocked by the similar engine sound / cvt feel of the Landcruiser as it refuses to downshift that give it its buggy feeling. Ofcourse lack of decent tires from factory , smaller axles compared within other Toyota variants, and cheaper CVs are fair points as well.
Got a chance to test drive the gx OT over the weekend and it feels like a completely different truck. The engine sounds amazing, never stops pulling, the ride is compliant and not floaty. The GX is not in the same league of the LC and there should be 15-20k premium delta between the 2

 

[RideWithYanu]

“Struggling” 4-cylinder? It’s one of the most powerful engines ever offered in a Land Cruiser.

 

[gxsandiego]

Good technical review but it doesn’t take into consideration today’s technical, environmental as well as driving needs for today’s market. The FJ’s are great but for me not an everyday driver the GX 550 doesn’t get the milage and although there is some price overlap it’s still priced considerably higher. The analysis doesn’t hold up as well against the LC or 1958 trims. In my opinion

 

[TakaraLC]

Agree with his assessment on most of the points. This struggling 4 cyl does not belong in a 70k truck. Got an Uber ride in a Prius and I was shocked by the similar engine sound / cvt feel of the Landcruiser as it refuses to downshift that give it its buggy feeling. Ofcourse lack of decent tires from factory , smaller axles compared within other Toyota variants, and cheaper CVs are fair points as well.
Got a chance to test drive the gx OT over the weekend and it feels like a completely different truck. The engine sounds amazing, never stops pulling, the ride is compliant and not floaty. The GX is not in the same league of the LC and there should be 15-20k premium delta between the 2

GX550 "never stops pulling" but is somehow slower than the LC from 30-70MPH ...

 

[Blue Sky]

I have to stop watching YT videos, I love my LC. Can’t wait to do cool mods to it over the next few years.
As for the 4-cyl turbo hybrid, I like it. It runs up the passes just fine for me. I am curious about the comment @ricochet made on his last video comparing the LC to the 4Runner TRD PRO. He mentioned the engines sounded very different among other things.

 

[Truckee]

GX550 "never stops pulling" but is somehow slower than the LC from 30-70MPH ...

Was that a test somewhere? Would be interested to see.

 

[Winchester44]

I am beyond sick and tired of videos comparing the 250 to the FJ or 200 series or the 300 series. With click bait claims that they are the “true Land Cruiser” and the 250 is an imposter! Yawn.

I own a GX460 (rebadged 150 series). It’s an amazing vehicle I’ve taken it through some very rough stuff from high passes above timberline to deep mud.

Is the 250 better off road? Yes absolutely. And not it’s not blowing CV joints and differentials.

The fair comparison would be a comparison to the prior 150 series to the current 250 series.


If Toyota ever watered down Land Cruiser, it was the 200 series North American spec.
It was a Lexus and from the factory was “not fit for purpose” . If any version of deserved to have someone question whether it was a “real Land Cruiser”. It would be the North American 200 series. Here are just a few of the items that Toyota neglected to make available on the 200 series as sold in North America: Front locking differential, snorkel, steel wheels, roof rack, auxiliary battery support, heavy-duty tow and recovery points, secondary fuel tank, mud flaps, rubber floor mats. They’re probably probably 50 other things standard or easily optioned on 200 series cruisers sold in the rest of the world. Was it a real land cruiser underneath? Yes! However, they definitely short changed the North American market heavily on this specifications that truly matter off-road.

.

 

[teghogh]

GX550 "never stops pulling" but is somehow slower than the LC from 30-70MPH ...

Have you driven the gx ?

 

[Winchester44]

Have you driven the gx ?

I have. GX has great acceleration passing power once turbos spool it also burns a lot of gas. LC has better and easier to modulate low rpm torque like a diesel and substantially better fuel economy. LC has the far better powertrain to do LC things. Putting the 5.7 V-8 in 200 series was also not a good powertrain choice.

If you want acceleration go buy a Cayenne or X5 not a LC.