How is it for long, fast road trips?

[Bajacruzzer]

Hello there, first post but long time reader. I come from owning 3 gen 5 4 runners, 2 of which my daughters drive now still. I’ve struggled between the Land Cruiser and the gx550, as many have. I prefer the interior of the Land Cruiser, but prefer the drivetrain of the GX, also pretty common. I will use the vehicle as a daily around town driver, but I will really be purchasing it for road trips across Nevada and Idaho up to Montana, as well as trips up to Tahoe from the Bay Area, and lots of trips up highway 5 to my duck property during the season. All these drives require sustained driving at 80 mph or even more. Tahoe is also a pretty good climb as well. How does the drivetrain perform in these situations? Is it struggling to hold speed or does it run smooth? I know the fuel capacity issue, and it sucks, but realistically the greater capacity of the Gx is offset by the poorer fuel economy, so basically the range is the same. I don’t care about mpg but range is an issue. I have ruled out the new 4runner, just don’t like it. I have been put off by the hybrid in the LC, but am beginning to accept it as an option, and really like the inverter part of it.
I know lots of reviews and info here, and I’ve read as much as possible. Hoping to get some specific feedback about my use case. Thanks
The availability of a Land Cruiser vs the gx also pushes me in this direction. Come on Toyota, give us a

 

[Bajacruzzer]

I drive back and forth from the Bay Area to Reno and couple times a month. I have a lead foot and drive at 80 mph. I think my 58 runs great at that speed, it’s pretty easy to go over 90 if you’re not paying attention!

 

[sf jakey]

I drive back and forth from the Bay Area to Reno and couple times a month. I have a lead foot and drive at 80 mph. I think my 58 runs great at that speed, it’s pretty easy to go over 90 if you’re not paying attention!

How bad is your mpg at those speeds?

 

[Bajacruzzer]

Combined up and back 22.3mpg, I just got back today. I find, that driving Highway 5 is better than Highway 80. 80 is a few miles shorter but 5 has less issues, and I set the cruise at 80…
My CHP buddy says 84 mph is the magic number to get pulled over.

 

[Blue Sky]

It just really kind of comes down to if you are ok with running a four cylinder turbo/hybrid. People on this forum have sold theirs because they are not.

Personally, I don’t care. Plenty of power and plenty of pull on both road trips and in the mountains, actually especially in the mountains with turbos vs. NA having the upper hand at higher altitudes.

BUT! You will be reminded it is a 4 cyl. turbo every time you give it the gas. I think of it as a gazoo kazoo when I hear it.
I don’t think after-market exhausts can fix that (maybe I am wrong?).

Heck. Head down to the local Toyota dealership and tell them you want to take one for a 10-20 mile test drive so you can get a good idea. Those little 1-2 mile text drive loops the dealer tries to keep you on probably won’t be enough to give you a real impression of an LC and if it is what you are looking for.

Good luck!

 

[kruising]

Two words: Approach angle. Also, everything is a compromise, but for me the LC is just what I need since it is very capable off-road yet very comfortable for long highway trips. The auto-steer and adaptive cruise control make these much less tiring at the end of the day. And I like how it easily and accurately stays within 1mph of the set speed up or down steep hills.