Agreed
Purchasing a new ‘26 LCLC - Concerns
- Thread starter BMFS33
- Start date
We were the 1st group to get the LC in day 1 since 2024. At that moment, many of us had to pay $5k-$7K over window ticket price…Till today 10/2025, I still love her with all heart beats 
I bought my Premium LC 6 months ago and have 6.7K miles on it. Just returned from the trip to the North Maine woods and spent a week on many logging roads plus narrow trails. I have a feeling that truck made a great impression on 8 moose, because they always stopped and stared on me for minute or two...
Kidding aside, it is a great vehicle and I absolutely have no buyer's remorse. LC is roomy inside, great driver's position and visibility, enough power(much better than my previous 5 4Runners) and to be honest, I do not see a better alternative to it in this price range...
Kidding aside, it is a great vehicle and I absolutely have no buyer's remorse. LC is roomy inside, great driver's position and visibility, enough power(much better than my previous 5 4Runners) and to be honest, I do not see a better alternative to it in this price range...
Just put a deposit down on a '26 LC LC wind chill pearl. Super excited to take delivery, hopefully next month after it's built. I just registered today on the forum, after finding it, but wanted to contribute what I've learned about the Wireless Car Play issue mentioned multiple times.
THIS IS LONG WINDED, but it's the most succinct way I could think to share this.
I own a business that deals with outdoor wireless/Wi-Fi equipment and am around and programming/troubleshooting wireless and RF every day. Short version - this isn't really Toyota's or even Apple's fault or issue. It's really just a technology issue or limitation. See Wireless Car Play uses Bluetooth + Wi-Fi (2.4 or 5Ghz) to make a connection to between the phone and the head unit. Because it uses wireless, and especially with the Wi-Fi side of things, it's susceptible to interference from other wi-fi devices. There is far more Wi-Fi devices in the 5ghz and 2.4 ghz range than most people realize. It goes beyond just home Wi-Fi networks.
It's also important to know that when you hear 5Ghz Wi-Fi, there is a range of frequencies that a device can broadcast on (5.2 or 5200- 5.9 or 5900 generally in the US). Most devices will use something like 5200-5280 (80Mhz channel) or 5800-5840 (40Mhz channel) to communicate with each other. That means there is a number of different frequencies that other devices can use to communicate, ideally making it so that they don't interfere with each other. If they do interfere, think of it like the old CB radio days. If 2 people are trying to talk on channel 19 at the same time, neither one is really heard by each other. That's interference. With Wi-Fi it's the same concept, but often it just disconnects temporarily.
Businesses often use very directional, but powerful Wi-Fi to connect different buildings or properties together. Additionally Wireless ISPs (like us) have towers or other sites setup to allow customers to connect via 5Ghz Wi-Fi signals from their home to the tower/repeater location. These signals are typically very strong signals, but also relatively directional (say 30 degrees spread). Driving through the path of one of these can and absolutely does create interference problems for Wireless Car Play.
For example, I have an internet tower setup near my house, and I know that I have an antenna pointing in a specific direction which covers the highway I drive on daily. If the Wireless Car Play is trying to communicate on the same general frequency as the internet antenna, it will create interference that causes it to cut out or even disconnect all together. EVERY time I've seen it happen it's been in an area where I know I have equipment that can interfere. I've taken a Wi-Fi analyzer before and noticed that the Wireless Car play is using the same general frequencies as my antenna, confirming my suspicion.
I own or have owned (primarily for the business) 2x Tacoma's, 3x Tundra (2023-2024), 2x Chevy Silverado HDs and 1x F150. EVERY one of these vehicles has experienced the random temporary drops or disconnects. It is not specific to Land Cruiser, a year range or Toyota. Go rent a Jeep, Honda, Kia or any other vehicle and see if the same behavior exists, it will eventually have the same issues.
The only real solution, which I do often, is to use a cord and disable the wireless portion, or just simply live with it. I personally prefer to use a cable, as it will charge the phone faster than the Qi Charger, which I assume will be useless in the LC because of its slow charging speed.
en.wikipedia.org
Developing Wireless CarPlay Systems - WWDC17 - Videos - Apple Developer
(click on transcript, and go to 8:11 time stamp)
THIS IS LONG WINDED, but it's the most succinct way I could think to share this.
I own a business that deals with outdoor wireless/Wi-Fi equipment and am around and programming/troubleshooting wireless and RF every day. Short version - this isn't really Toyota's or even Apple's fault or issue. It's really just a technology issue or limitation. See Wireless Car Play uses Bluetooth + Wi-Fi (2.4 or 5Ghz) to make a connection to between the phone and the head unit. Because it uses wireless, and especially with the Wi-Fi side of things, it's susceptible to interference from other wi-fi devices. There is far more Wi-Fi devices in the 5ghz and 2.4 ghz range than most people realize. It goes beyond just home Wi-Fi networks.
It's also important to know that when you hear 5Ghz Wi-Fi, there is a range of frequencies that a device can broadcast on (5.2 or 5200- 5.9 or 5900 generally in the US). Most devices will use something like 5200-5280 (80Mhz channel) or 5800-5840 (40Mhz channel) to communicate with each other. That means there is a number of different frequencies that other devices can use to communicate, ideally making it so that they don't interfere with each other. If they do interfere, think of it like the old CB radio days. If 2 people are trying to talk on channel 19 at the same time, neither one is really heard by each other. That's interference. With Wi-Fi it's the same concept, but often it just disconnects temporarily.
Businesses often use very directional, but powerful Wi-Fi to connect different buildings or properties together. Additionally Wireless ISPs (like us) have towers or other sites setup to allow customers to connect via 5Ghz Wi-Fi signals from their home to the tower/repeater location. These signals are typically very strong signals, but also relatively directional (say 30 degrees spread). Driving through the path of one of these can and absolutely does create interference problems for Wireless Car Play.
For example, I have an internet tower setup near my house, and I know that I have an antenna pointing in a specific direction which covers the highway I drive on daily. If the Wireless Car Play is trying to communicate on the same general frequency as the internet antenna, it will create interference that causes it to cut out or even disconnect all together. EVERY time I've seen it happen it's been in an area where I know I have equipment that can interfere. I've taken a Wi-Fi analyzer before and noticed that the Wireless Car play is using the same general frequencies as my antenna, confirming my suspicion.
I own or have owned (primarily for the business) 2x Tacoma's, 3x Tundra (2023-2024), 2x Chevy Silverado HDs and 1x F150. EVERY one of these vehicles has experienced the random temporary drops or disconnects. It is not specific to Land Cruiser, a year range or Toyota. Go rent a Jeep, Honda, Kia or any other vehicle and see if the same behavior exists, it will eventually have the same issues.
The only real solution, which I do often, is to use a cord and disable the wireless portion, or just simply live with it. I personally prefer to use a cable, as it will charge the phone faster than the Qi Charger, which I assume will be useless in the LC because of its slow charging speed.
CarPlay - Wikipedia
(click on transcript, and go to 8:11 time stamp)
Hello, and we certainly will not roast you for taking your time in making a large financial decision, and reading all reviews, forums, etc for valuable insights.
I have had my First Edition for a little over a year. I love it more than I did on the day I got it. It is an amazing truck in my opinion. To me - the perfect blend of comfortable as hell road-trip worthy, near luxury feel, but also seriously off-road capable stock, and easy to modify into a beast of an off-roader if you desire.
For me your list is interesting because not any of them, with exception of the transmission, has given me a second thought. And the transmission is only because of some recent talk on this forum. **Note it is interesting that @TrailWhale #6 above, is actually in the middle of this issue, yet still seems to recommend the vehicle.
The popping of console applies - funny because only when I read your post did I recall this popping but only when I lean with most of my weight on the center console when I get into the truck. No idea what it is but never really thought about it. I consider it a nuance of the truck that gives it its character
.
I have same OEM roof rack and I feel like I will be able to use it for most anything - not worried.
Do not use apple play, no chips in windshield yet, my brakes do not squeak.
Good luck with your decision whatever it may be!
I have had my First Edition for a little over a year. I love it more than I did on the day I got it. It is an amazing truck in my opinion. To me - the perfect blend of comfortable as hell road-trip worthy, near luxury feel, but also seriously off-road capable stock, and easy to modify into a beast of an off-roader if you desire.
For me your list is interesting because not any of them, with exception of the transmission, has given me a second thought. And the transmission is only because of some recent talk on this forum. **Note it is interesting that @TrailWhale #6 above, is actually in the middle of this issue, yet still seems to recommend the vehicle.
The popping of console applies - funny because only when I read your post did I recall this popping but only when I lean with most of my weight on the center console when I get into the truck. No idea what it is but never really thought about it. I consider it a nuance of the truck that gives it its character
.I have same OEM roof rack and I feel like I will be able to use it for most anything - not worried.
Do not use apple play, no chips in windshield yet, my brakes do not squeak.
Good luck with your decision whatever it may be!
To be fair, I’ve had it back with the new transmission for 3 months now. So I’ve had time to come to terms with things and move past all the stages of grief. I might not have been so cheery when my cruiser was still in the shop!
I still have folks come up to me randomly and ask what I think of the new cruiser, my script has been updated a bit…
“Oh yeah it’s awesome! The gas tanks a little small and the fuel economy is pretty bad, but hey, it’s a Land Cruiser right? Oh and I had a complete transmission failure replaced under warranty… but other than that it’s been great!”
Rather than trying to speak to each of these items I’ll ask instead - do you have a better alternative that serves the purpose you described and doesn’t have the same types of potential issues? I’m not sure you could find a new vehicle out there that doesn’t have similar or worse quality issues pop up.
I have had mine only 1 month and done one long trip. It truly goes to work tomorrow night with a 375 mile trip. Prior to this LC, I had a 2021 Range Rover Westminster, a 2016 Range Rover Sport, 2011 BMW X5D and a 2008 BMW X5 3.0 si. The bar was set pretty high from my prior expeiences.
I will summarize by quickly saying those other vehicles were grossly (RR) overpriced or the Land Cruiser is one hell of a deal. Highway ride quality is excellent, it is VERY well put together both inside and out. I am not a trail offroader type, but my LC will live on the side of a mountain and deal with winter nastiness. I have already on a new vehicle under 500 miles gotten 19.9 mpg at 75/80 mph.....300+ mile range without trying, mileage doesn't phase me in the least. Very programmable, many different dash setups available and the touch screens make me realize how pathetic they were on my last RR. Find me another vehicle with this level of comfort and abilities in this price class. Sorry Bronco, too rugged, sorry Raptor, too friggin huge, etc The internet is the land of 0.1% ...............we have actually got the tranny down to .01% btw.
I will summarize by quickly saying those other vehicles were grossly (RR) overpriced or the Land Cruiser is one hell of a deal. Highway ride quality is excellent, it is VERY well put together both inside and out. I am not a trail offroader type, but my LC will live on the side of a mountain and deal with winter nastiness. I have already on a new vehicle under 500 miles gotten 19.9 mpg at 75/80 mph.....300+ mile range without trying, mileage doesn't phase me in the least. Very programmable, many different dash setups available and the touch screens make me realize how pathetic they were on my last RR. Find me another vehicle with this level of comfort and abilities in this price class. Sorry Bronco, too rugged, sorry Raptor, too friggin huge, etc The internet is the land of 0.1% ...............we have actually got the tranny down to .01% btw.
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I have a 2025 Purchased in Nov 2024.
So far,MPG for me is fine 22 23 on highway. If you push this truck to 80 +miles per hour you will get much less mileage, but that's true with any vehicle.
Gas tank, size not an issue. Premium gas, an issue as it's much more expensive, In CO I was paying as much as 5.00 a gallon, in Lake City and 4.75 in Ouray. I just don't want to put 85 or 87 in it and risk warranty issues. It's hard enough to get Toyota to stand up to issues in my experience.
Windshield., yup, it's near to straight up, and will get hit. I have the Xpel wind shield coating on mine. So far so good. But I know eventually I will have to replace it as there are way too many vehicles on the road now with no concern for others, i.e. uncovered haul trucks and trucks with way too wide a tire.
Paint, chips. no issues so far. My older 1992 cruiser was terrible with paint chips below the mid line of both doors. I am still running 20 " tires but have move to Toyos. Not going to push the tire width or height.
CARPLAY, net it sucks. My 2010 4-runner was also problematic with blue tooth. I have to reconnect about 50% of the time. And it's strange. I connect via the iPhone not the CarPlay icon as it wants a subscription. 50% of the time I have go back in and tell the iPhone to allow CarPlay and all is OK.
Headlights, surprised more don't complain on this. Not real happy with the illumination I have the premium version. Stock setting are too low and I am still trying to find a happy setting. Many have commented on the dip in illumination also which appears to be by design.
transmission, just hoping it will hold up. seems that there are some issues with this tranny, at least based on the number of posts here and on other forums. So far, no issues.
Availability of parts, no happy with other reports, having other wait 30 days for replacement tranny or engine parts and or windshields is unacceptable.
Would I purchase it again, yes.
Paul
So far,MPG for me is fine 22 23 on highway. If you push this truck to 80 +miles per hour you will get much less mileage, but that's true with any vehicle.
Gas tank, size not an issue. Premium gas, an issue as it's much more expensive, In CO I was paying as much as 5.00 a gallon, in Lake City and 4.75 in Ouray. I just don't want to put 85 or 87 in it and risk warranty issues. It's hard enough to get Toyota to stand up to issues in my experience.
Windshield., yup, it's near to straight up, and will get hit. I have the Xpel wind shield coating on mine. So far so good. But I know eventually I will have to replace it as there are way too many vehicles on the road now with no concern for others, i.e. uncovered haul trucks and trucks with way too wide a tire.
Paint, chips. no issues so far. My older 1992 cruiser was terrible with paint chips below the mid line of both doors. I am still running 20 " tires but have move to Toyos. Not going to push the tire width or height.
CARPLAY, net it sucks. My 2010 4-runner was also problematic with blue tooth. I have to reconnect about 50% of the time. And it's strange. I connect via the iPhone not the CarPlay icon as it wants a subscription. 50% of the time I have go back in and tell the iPhone to allow CarPlay and all is OK.
Headlights, surprised more don't complain on this. Not real happy with the illumination I have the premium version. Stock setting are too low and I am still trying to find a happy setting. Many have commented on the dip in illumination also which appears to be by design.
transmission, just hoping it will hold up. seems that there are some issues with this tranny, at least based on the number of posts here and on other forums. So far, no issues.
Availability of parts, no happy with other reports, having other wait 30 days for replacement tranny or engine parts and or windshields is unacceptable.
Would I purchase it again, yes.
Paul
It is encouraging to read these positive contributions. I too am 100% pleased with my 2025 Premium; 2 months and 5K kms. No issues that prompt a negative comment thus far. An occasional squeak from the brakes when backing up, but it's too minor to be an irritant.
Stock LCLC, 1 year/15k of daily school runs, job commute, road tripping in blazing heat, pouring rain and blizzards. We use android auto and a Yakima swing-away hitch system for cargo instead of the roof rack so can't comment on those related issues. Otherwise have not experienced any problems related to your list. We were up in T-ride a month ago for Blues and Brews and ran Last Dollar, Yankee Boy/Imogen and Black Bear. Trail traffic sucked but taking our time and being careful the truck did fine. The 360 cams are really nice for picking the right line to get yourself over/around obstacles with a minimum of scraping.
Catastrophic transmission failure clearly can happen but of the 5000 or so users on this forum we're talking maybe 5 or 10 cases (am open to being corrected on this if someone has made a comprehensive count but I'm pretty sure it's <1% of those on the forum)? As mentioned by others here I think many of the complaints about herky-jerky down shifts comes from misunderstanding the tech and your left foot unknowingly fighting the bots that assume anything closer than three or four car lengths ahead to be tailgating and you don't know how to drive. You can either defeat these drilling through the on-screen menus or adapt your driving, if inclined to do so. So if you're driving style is that of a white-knuckled, get the hell outta my way road warrior then this probably isn't the right vehicle but a calm disposition behind the wheel will be rewarded with a very comfortable ride and MPGs that are surprisingly good for a truck with the drag coefficient of an office tower.
Catastrophic transmission failure clearly can happen but of the 5000 or so users on this forum we're talking maybe 5 or 10 cases (am open to being corrected on this if someone has made a comprehensive count but I'm pretty sure it's <1% of those on the forum)? As mentioned by others here I think many of the complaints about herky-jerky down shifts comes from misunderstanding the tech and your left foot unknowingly fighting the bots that assume anything closer than three or four car lengths ahead to be tailgating and you don't know how to drive. You can either defeat these drilling through the on-screen menus or adapt your driving, if inclined to do so. So if you're driving style is that of a white-knuckled, get the hell outta my way road warrior then this probably isn't the right vehicle but a calm disposition behind the wheel will be rewarded with a very comfortable ride and MPGs that are surprisingly good for a truck with the drag coefficient of an office tower.
Good to do research B4 taking the big plunge...
Just got my 2025 LC last week. After getting over writing the check. Its been great.
Good luck !
Just got my 2025 LC last week. After getting over writing the check. Its been great.
Good luck !
I don't have much to add, but...
The only time I have problems with Apple CarPlay is when I remote start it. Other than that, it works every time. If I do a remote start, it will work normally the next time I start the car.
Brakes were fixed with a TSB. Non-issue
You'll have the same windscreen problems with almost all of LC's competitors. Cars that look like Legos are going to have rock and fuel problems. Get a Prius instead.
I will say, for the price point ($70k for me), I am disappointed with the build quality. The "popping" of the center console, my C pillar rattles from time to time, and my dashboard has recently started making noises (mostly just in the morning). But I got an early 2024 model, so I knew that could be an issue. Now that we are three model years in, maybe those problems have been fixed.
Overall, I'm very happy with my LC LC. It's a great blend of old-school feel, new technology, and luxury. I love how there are real buttons for everything and a normal gear shifter. Time will tell if they are "Toyota" reliable.
The only time I have problems with Apple CarPlay is when I remote start it. Other than that, it works every time. If I do a remote start, it will work normally the next time I start the car.
Brakes were fixed with a TSB. Non-issue
You'll have the same windscreen problems with almost all of LC's competitors. Cars that look like Legos are going to have rock and fuel problems. Get a Prius instead.
I will say, for the price point ($70k for me), I am disappointed with the build quality. The "popping" of the center console, my C pillar rattles from time to time, and my dashboard has recently started making noises (mostly just in the morning). But I got an early 2024 model, so I knew that could be an issue. Now that we are three model years in, maybe those problems have been fixed.
Overall, I'm very happy with my LC LC. It's a great blend of old-school feel, new technology, and luxury. I love how there are real buttons for everything and a normal gear shifter. Time will tell if they are "Toyota" reliable.
We just took delivery of our 2026 premium. Still too new to comment but will report back in a few weeks if that helps with your purchase.
OP
OP
- Thread starter
- #36
Thanks, everyone. I sincerely appreciate you sharing your insights and experiences. I will be doing some off-roading for certain and it’s one of the reasons I decided on the Land Cruiser. I’m in CO
Oh no. Land Cruisers are not meant to be taken off road…..
OP
OP
- Thread starter
- #38
Thanks, everyone. I sincerely appreciate you sharing your insights and experiences. I will be doing some off-roading for certain and it’s one of the reasons I decided on the Land Cruiser. Ouray, Lake City, Telluride trails are one of the reasons I’m so interested and made the deposit. My F-150 is just too darn big and had become my “weekend ride” while driving my sedans most of the time. Perhaps I’m just getting too old to drive it as much as I did 10 years ago. I love it and I’ll miss it for sure. I never lacked for space in the bed or cab because it’s so damn big lol.
LC LC Premium in white pearl (I believe that is the name of it) paint is what I’ve ordered. 18 inch wheels will be fitted with Nokian Hakkapeliittas on the stock wheels since I’m taking delivery in November. I’ve always run them on my Audi sedans and they’re unbelievable in the snow. They are lousy when it warms up though because they are so darn soft on warm pavement so it’ll sit some in the winter as I decided to not put winters on more than one vehicle going forward. There are just too many warm winter days in the winter on the front range to burn off two sets of tires that are ridiculously expensive. Can’t beat em in the snow and ice though. I’ll move to Method bead grips in black with either Toyos AT3s or BFG KO3s. I had KO2s on the truck though and while they wear very well they were lousy on wet pavement. I’ll research this to death too (already have started lol). I want to size up one on the diameter of the tire and 265s. I almost had the dealer install a lift to protect the warranty but I want to ride it stick before making any changes to the suspension etc.
I’m buying it. I always loved LCs and my buddy once had one with the swing doors in the back in white and while I loved my ‘87 Toyota Truck, I was always envious of that vehicle. It’s been 20 years since I’ve been back in a Toyota. I’m pretty pumped for everything and I’m sure I’ll shed a tear when my ‘15 A6 leaves the driveway on Friday and when the truck keys get handed over to Toyota. But this LC has everything I want. Very capable off road and a solid highway and around town cruiser. I’m not looking forward to my signature on that check though lol!
Thanks again. I’ll be joining the family soon!
LC LC Premium in white pearl (I believe that is the name of it) paint is what I’ve ordered. 18 inch wheels will be fitted with Nokian Hakkapeliittas on the stock wheels since I’m taking delivery in November. I’ve always run them on my Audi sedans and they’re unbelievable in the snow. They are lousy when it warms up though because they are so darn soft on warm pavement so it’ll sit some in the winter as I decided to not put winters on more than one vehicle going forward. There are just too many warm winter days in the winter on the front range to burn off two sets of tires that are ridiculously expensive. Can’t beat em in the snow and ice though. I’ll move to Method bead grips in black with either Toyos AT3s or BFG KO3s. I had KO2s on the truck though and while they wear very well they were lousy on wet pavement. I’ll research this to death too (already have started lol). I want to size up one on the diameter of the tire and 265s. I almost had the dealer install a lift to protect the warranty but I want to ride it stick before making any changes to the suspension etc.
I’m buying it. I always loved LCs and my buddy once had one with the swing doors in the back in white and while I loved my ‘87 Toyota Truck, I was always envious of that vehicle. It’s been 20 years since I’ve been back in a Toyota. I’m pretty pumped for everything and I’m sure I’ll shed a tear when my ‘15 A6 leaves the driveway on Friday and when the truck keys get handed over to Toyota. But this LC has everything I want. Very capable off road and a solid highway and around town cruiser. I’m not looking forward to my signature on that check though lol!
Thanks again. I’ll be joining the family soon!
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