LC 250 and LX 700h Compared

ricochet · Friday at 2:22 PM

I compared the new Lexus 700h Overtrail against my Land Cruiser First Edition on my trails. I was kind of surprised with how similar they were in terms of capability, comfort and driving. For all the hoopla about the 300-series (which we can't get in the USA, this Lexus is the closest thing) I kind of expected to be more impressed. This video was the result. Also, according to Toyota's numbers, the 250 has more cargo space and better approach angles compared to the 700h, even when its hydraulic suspension is at the highest setting.

RideWithYanu · Friday at 2:29 PM

Are you the guy? I love your videos!

ricochet · Friday at 2:51 PM

I am that guy. Thanks for watching.

Markarian421 · Friday at 3:14 PM

ricochet said:
I compared the new Lexus 700h Overtrail against my Land Cruiser First Edition on my trails. I was kind of surprised with how similar they were in terms of capability, comfort and driving. For all the hoopla about the 300-series (which we can't get in the USA, this Lexus is the closest thing) I kind of expected to be more impressed. This video was the result. Also, according to Toyota's numbers, the 250 has more cargo space and better approach angles compared to the 700h, even when its hydraulic suspension is at the highest setting.

(Another) great video, thanks for making it.

Area 51 · Friday at 3:15 PM

I though the 550GX was the Cruiser equiv?

ricochet · Friday at 3:17 PM

GX and LC are based on the global 250 Prado. The LX is based on the "larger and more robust" 300-series Land Cruiser. But at least here in the USA, there's not as much difference in a practical sense as I think some folks would like to think. It seems that the new generation (300 and 250) are a LOT closer in build than the 200 and 150 were. But I'd have to cut one apart or get a Toyota engineer to confess all their secrets to know for sure.

teghogh · Friday at 3:49 PM

love your in depth reviews and unique testing ground.

Area 51 · Friday at 6:23 PM

The suspension and motor/ hyb for the 700 are a massive difference you down play. The extended and optional reliability statements and intentions of the Lexus model is clear. I think you down play the more sophisticated adders and basic platform and intention of the Lexus. Lexus fuel tank of 18g is a joke, fully agree.

Area 51 · Friday at 6:33 PM

We focus way too much on the video comparisons vs who ya gonna call after you write the check?
The Dealer!
People need to be very clear that the dealer is a very important decision making item when buying any vehicle of the new highly sophisticated designs. In my case in NorCal both Lexus dealers can kiss my ass, I would not buy anything from those scalper operations. We have serval Toyota dealers in the area that are the same. However there is a shining star in Elk Grove. Large old style family owned Toyota dealer that does everything right, everything. With so many Ca drivers, spiteful and many many insane mentally ill and drugged up types out there, an overly pricey vehicle just doesn't make sense any more. a couple of Cruisers or even 4runners sure seems to make more sense?
The driver risk in CA is very very high theses days.

ricochet · Friday at 6:55 PM

And in spite of the fancy suspension it still manages to have a worse approach angle and it rubs its underside in all the same places as the LC.

t3lcfe · Friday at 7:00 PM

ricochet said:
I am that guy. Thanks for watching.

I am your subs

ptahkeem · Friday at 7:19 PM

ricochet said:
I compared the new Lexus 700h Overtrail against my Land Cruiser First Edition on my trails. I was kind of surprised with how similar they were in terms of capability, comfort and driving. For all the hoopla about the 300-series (which we can't get in the USA, this Lexus is the closest thing) I kind of expected to be more impressed. This video was the result. Also, according to Toyota's numbers, the 250 has more cargo space and better approach angles compared to the 700h, even when its hydraulic suspension is at the highest setting.

Great video Ryan! I really dislike all the negative press that the LC250 gets when it’s a “light duty” LC along with the 4Runner, Tacoma, GX And Hilux. For whatever reason those models don’t seem to get the same amount of “hate” as the 250…

Thanks for showing that it’s still a great platform and basically same but slightly different(better in some areas!) from the 300 series.

Area 51 · Friday at 8:13 PM

ptahkeem said:
Great video Ryan! I really dislike all the negative press that the LC250 gets when it’s a “light duty” LC along with the 4Runner, Tacoma, GX And Hilux. For whatever reason those models don’t seem to get the same amount of “hate” as the 250…

Thanks for showing that it’s still a great platform and basically same but slightly different(better in some areas!) from the 300 series.

Having been under and in all of the recent models, mid grade to top end, they are all very similar in capability and designs.
Its much more a situation of what any person wants, vs needs. The pimpers and marketing companies know this.
They are all good, with various features.

ptahkeem · Friday at 8:37 PM

Area 51 said:
Having been under and in all of the recent models, mid grade to top end, they are all very similar in capability and designs.
Its much more a situation of what any person wants, vs needs. The pimpers and marketing companies know this.
They are all good, with various features.

Exactly. People tend to focus on little things and get carried away with nitpicking… if the 250 was more heavy duty it would be a 300 and way more $$$. The thing that gets me the most though is that the 4Runner and Taco seem to get away from all the interweb hate that the 250 is getting…

LunarCruiser · Saturday at 6:07 AM

The line between light duty and heavy duty remains the same in terms of Towing numbers, it seems. To me, the 300 series looks bigger in size, but after watching your video, I am really surprised by that and how much smaller the rear cargo is. Maybe it has a bigger battery? Awesome video, I could see a V6 turbo option on the horizon for the 250. I am really surprised that the fuel tank is the same size! I have noticed when I fuel up my LC, and estimate mileage from E, it has an additional 40 more miles to go in real numbers compared to the computer calculation.

handy · Saturday at 7:03 AM

Love your videos also. Very informative and because of your Texas trip I have been to Hidden Falls twice now with a third trip coming up.

TakaraLC · Saturday at 8:36 AM

LunarCruiser said:
The line between light duty and heavy duty remains the same in terms of Towing numbers, it seems. To me, the 300 series looks bigger in size, but after watching your video, I am really surprised by that and how much smaller the rear cargo is. Maybe it has a bigger battery? Awesome video, I could see a V6 turbo option on the horizon for the 250. I am really surprised that the fuel tank is the same size! I have noticed when I fuel up my LC, and estimate mileage from E, it has an additional 40 more miles to go in real numbers compared to the computer calculation.

They are about the same size. LX is 6 inches longer but tha is mostly the bonnet.

AlexGates · Saturday at 9:46 AM

I'll consider one in a few years if 1.) I can actually get the 2Row version, 2.) The Lexus dealers aren't such #@%&'s. That interior though

I love the no-BS interior of the LC 250.

Truckee · Sunday at 1:22 AM

ricochet said:
GX and LC are based on the global 250 Prado. The LX is based on the "larger and more robust" 300-series Land Cruiser. But at least here in the USA, there's not as much difference in a practical sense as I think some folks would like to think. It seems that the new generation (300 and 250) are a LOT closer in build than the 200 and 150 were. But I'd have to cut one apart or get a Toyota engineer to confess all their secrets to know for sure.

There are differences between the 300 and 250 that most won't see nor notice. It might take 10-20 years of hard use for the differences to become apparent. Just really depends on personal use. If the 250 is kept relatively stock, not overloaded and not subjected to ten thousand miles of washboard roads, there is no need to pay extra nor bear the extra weight of the 300 (though the 300 uses a lot more aluminum in the body than the 250). More weight and you get less agility, more maintenance, higher repair costs, etc.

I can't find the original Japanese version of this video but much of the translation is similar to what I've heard and read elsewhere.

Area 51 · Sunday at 11:26 AM

For me it gets down to the dealer i have to end up working with, or not.
The 3 Lexus dealers are all too far away to make things convenient, especially if something really goes wrong. They also suck and have really bad attitudes.
The Toyota dealer is top rate and easily accessed.
Decision made, now and moving forward.