Would you forego hybrid if it was an option?

[Altitude]

If the Land Cruiser were offered with the V6 I probably would have chosen that.

Also, if it had been offered with a low-flake light grey paint I probably would have chosen that.

It was not offered with either, so I bought one that was on offer and now I focus on how the one I bought makes me happy and not on how I couldn’t have the one that doesn’t exist.

 

[dubel]

If foregoing the hybrid meant I get the less efficient V6 TT from the GX 550 and the cramped third row seats (which isn't offered on any of the offroad oriented 4Runner or GX550 trims) then yes, I would have passed on the hybrid. While I wouldn't use the third row often, probably just twice a year, it would save me from having to get a rental car for those rare occasions.

Toyota simply doesn't offer the combination of V6 TT, 3rd row, and Overtrail/Trailhunter off road oriented trims unless you move up to the larger Sequoia.

However, now that I have the less than graceful inline 4 turbo hybrid as my daily driver, I don't have regrets about it. It feels nimble enough for me, I like the 20A inverter, and the increased fuel efficiency is welcomed. Took me (and my Labrador) a bit to get used to the high floor in the trunk but I'm okay with it now.

I do wish the fuel tank held a couple more gallons... I barely get 300 miles from a tank!

 

[Strad]

In the UK we can only have the diesel engine. This is the same 2.8L 4-cylinder turbo diesel that the outgoing 150 series had and remains in the Hilux.
The engine is bulletproof and you know it will last forever if serviced correctly but it is quite noisy when pulling away / getting up to speed. It’s not quick but plenty fast enough and obviously I knew what I was signing up to and still went ahead and bought the new car - which I think is fantastic and such an improvement on the previous 150 series.
We will never get away with a V8 again but ideally there would have been a V6 diesel - Land Rover have the 3.0L V6 Diesel.
You’ll all be far too aware that the battery from hybrid unit eats up valuable boot space but here in the UK we can only get a 7-seater which I think takes up just about the same space. We rarely use the 3rd row seats as our kids are getting towards the end of school / uni so I would have loved a 5 seat option with a cavernous boot.
On balance, I don’t feel excited by the diesel engine but I do feel it will do everything you want and won’t ever let you down.

 

[DPM81]

If foregoing the hybrid meant I get the less efficient V6 TT from the GX 550 and the cramped third row seats (which isn't offered on any of the offroad oriented 4Runner or GX550 trims) then yes, I would have passed on the hybrid. While I wouldn't use the third row often, probably just twice a year, it would save me from having to get a rental car for those rare occasions.

Toyota simply doesn't offer the combination of V6 TT, 3rd row, and Overtrail/Trailhunter off road oriented trims unless you move up to the larger Sequoia.

However, now that I have the less than graceful inline 4 turbo hybrid as my daily driver, I don't have regrets about it. It feels nimble enough for me, I like the 20A inverter, and the increased fuel efficiency is welcomed. Took me (and my Labrador) a bit to get used to the high floor in the trunk but I'm okay with it now.

I do wish the fuel tank held a couple more gallons... I barely get 300 miles from a tank!

Ha - like so many posts and threads here, most people can live with the LC250, many of us love it, but we always seem to be 3-5 gallons short of perfection.

 

[PC3]

Only for a 6 cyl or diesel. I have my concerns with the interaction of the ICE, hybrid and turbo long term, but so far, I've been quite happy with it. It's a step up in acceleration from my prior 4Runner. W/r/to the non-hybrid , I would have concerns if it were just the 4 cyl ICE with Turbo pulling around such a heavy vehicle. Seems like a long-term recipe for disaster. But so far, seems to be working based on 4Runner videos I've watched, so we'll see. I opted out of a GX500 order after they started having main bearing problems with that engine in other vehicles. I like that car, but to get comparable LC offroad performance, you need to get to the Overtrail. Seems like there's a market for a LCLC premium v6 option.

 

[PDPete]

Short answer, no.

Longer answer... my initial journey into buying the Land Cruiser I currently have started when my interest was piqued by rumors that the new 6th generation 4Runner would come with a hybrid option. After having owned only ICE vehicles for 30 years, I had told myself that my next vehicle purchase would be a hybrid, specifically a Toyota hybrid...they've been perfecting the technology for quite some time, and I trust Toyota for reliability. I liked the idea of adding their proven hybrid tech into larger vehicles like the Tacoma and 4Runner, not only for fuel economy benefits, but also for the improved performance it could potentially bring. Also, assuming the rumors about the new hybrid 4Runner were true, it would also fall right in line with my plan to purchase my next vehicle in 2026.

Well, as it turned out, I ended up buying a new vehicle about a year earlier than originally planned (don't need to tell that whole story here), but the Land Cruiser kinda swooped in and stole my attention from the new 4R... I preferred the styling of the LC, and once pricing was announced for the 6th gen 4R, and I knew I'd be paying comparable prices for the hybrid no matter which I choose, it was pretty easy for me to opt for the LC. (plus, while it wasn't a "must-have", I definitely prefer the full time 4WD of the LC over the RWD w/ part-time 4WD of most 4R models).

Many 4R reviewers who have done comparisons of both the hybrid and non-hybrid powertrains have noted the increase power of the former, and the fact that it's more enjoyable to drive. Sure, the actual impact on fuel economy of either doesn't seem too great, but for the increased HP and low-end torque alone, I'd opt for the hybrid every time.

If, instead of comparing the 4-cylinder iForceMax hybrid to the same engine in the iForce non-hybrid, we're comparing it to the twin-turbo V6 of the Lexus GX (for example), then I'm still opting for the hybrid of the LC, though this time primarily for fuel economy.

So no, no regrets here... I wanted a hybrid. I was interested in the Land Cruiser, in part, because it IS a hybrid. If the LC had only been offered with a different configuration without a hybrid, I would have probably waited for 6th gen hybrid 4Runner.

 

[HammerTheWall]

A no for me. The instant torque, performance, and better fuel economy of the hybrid in comparison to the Wrangler JLU I got rid of for it are what makes it great (among many other things.

 

[thognar]

Humorous, semi-related observation about this power train: It's too quiet in the McDonald's drive through! I sit there with my completely silent LC and they don't know I'm there. "Hello?" I've learned to leave the music/podcast playing a bit longer so they hear me pull up (I normally hit mute as I pull up to the mic/speaker). Oh, the misery.

I'm happy with this power train. Peppy for a brick. Lots of low end torque. Not completely hideous gas mileage.

 

[SerottaP]

I’m still kind of on the fence regarding how I feel about the hybrid powertrain. Would you go for the same powertrain sans the hybrid pieces, if that was an option?

Looking at Tacoma prices, I’m amazed at how little the hybrid option costs over the ICE version of the same trim level. Looks like less than a replacement hybrid battery alone would cost.

Nope, the hybrid is what got me to move on from my '86 Toyota pickup.
Our daily car is a Prius and it has been excellent in every way.

 

[Stan]

I have been very pleasantly surprised with how quick our 1958 is at the low end. I was worried that the LC would feel sluggish from a standstill when comparing it to our EV. Yes, it is not as quick but much quicker than expected for such a big vehicle. I think Toyota nailed it with the powertrain combo.
Took it off-roading last week in S. Oklahoma. Truck performed amazingly over inclines, rocks, etc (No mud as OK is in a drought right now...)
Question for the group: I saw a couple of references to the truck staying on electric-only as the motor breaks in and weather gets warmer... Is there any accuracy to this?

 

[ChrisMA1B]

No - I bought the LC because it is a hybrid. I had a 2015 4Runner, which was very capable on and off road, but sucked up the gas.

 

[Joseph503]

Like it or not diesel is almost completely dead for new light duty vehicles in the USA. The only ones available for MY25 are GM pickups the last time I checked. I thought SUVs /4x4s with 500+ mile cruising range were cool but the US market disagrees.

I purchased a 2021 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon with the 3.0 liter eco-diesel and I love the engine for what I use it for. That engine option was soon discontinued and I am happy to have snagged one. I would not have purchased that particular vehicle without a diesel. It is a true offroad machine that I modified to make the most out of the platform. The characteristics and dynamics between the eco-diesel and the 2.4 liter hybrid are similar in my opinion. The low-end torque is very good and that's what differentiates the hybrid from the 2.4 Liter option on 4R.

 

[Altitude]

I purchased a 2021 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon with the 3.0 liter eco-diesel and I love the engine for what I use it for. That engine option was soon discontinued and I am happy to have snagged one. I would not have purchased that particular vehicle without a diesel. It is a true offroad machine that I modified to make the most out of the platform. The characteristics and dynamics between the eco-diesel and the 2.4 liter hybrid are similar in my opinion. The low-end torque is very good and that's what differentiates the hybrid from the 2.4 Liter option on 4R.

I very much agree on the diesel comparison. That’s what this vehicle feels like, and nothing wrong with it at all.

Funny, my other car is a certain sports car that has entirely the opposite behavior. At low RPM the performance borders on disappointing, but the thing wakes up at 3500 RPM and does things between 5000 and 7000 RPM that should not be possible.

I find vehicle personalities to be interesting.

 

[Ike582]

I drove both the gas 4Runner and the Hybrid LC this week and much prefer the hybrid. It feels quicker when the light turns green, and I thought it was quieter. I have a naturally aspirated Wrangler Rubicon and the LC engine seemed to drive better than my Jeep or the 4R.

 

[ATbuckhunter]

If it would have came with an inline 6, I would have picked that option. Mainly its because of the space I lose with the hybrid battery, but also its less complex. That being said, I am happy with how the LC preforms. I came from an 09 Venza with 270k miles on it, so its a big improvement.

 

[Markarian421]

If it were an option I’d actually go the opposite direction — I wish the electric motor and battery were larger. Maybe even a plug in hybrid like our other car, although that’s a lot of battery to find space for. It’s nice to drive around town and never use gas. And like yesterday, it’s nice to be creeping along in the Land Cruiser on electric only so the chukars don’t all run away before you can get a photo.

 

[Ike582]

I'm with you on the plug-in hy

If it were an option I’d actually go the opposite direction — I wish the electric motor and battery were larger. Maybe even a plug in hybrid like our other car, although that’s a lot of battery to find space for. It’s nice to drive around town and never use gas. And like yesterday, it’s nice to be creeping along in the Land Cruiser on electric only so the chukars don’t all run away before you can get a photo.

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I'm with you on the plug in hybrid. If I could get 35-40 miles on a charge, that would cover 80% of my daily driving needs, and I'd have the gas engine for those days when I drive further. My gas requirements would be negligible.

 

[DPM81]

I have been very pleasantly surprised with how quick our 1958 is at the low end. I was worried that the LC would feel sluggish from a standstill when comparing it to our EV. Yes, it is not as quick but much quicker than expected for such a big vehicle. I think Toyota nailed it with the powertrain combo.
Took it off-roading last week in S. Oklahoma. Truck performed amazingly over inclines, rocks, etc (No mud as OK is in a drought right now...)
Question for the group: I saw a couple of references to the truck staying on electric-only as the motor breaks in and weather gets warmer... Is there any accuracy to this?

I’m in NJ and bought mine in February. For the first 1000 miles in cold weather I was running at about 16-17 mpg

Now I am 20-22 mpg most tanks. In fairness I don’t know if it’s the weather or break in as they coincided, I assume mostly break in.

In the very beginning I didn’t see much time in battery only, now if I have to go pick up a kid somewhere in town, i can go long stretches - half a mile or so, in battery only. I think this type of battery use is helping bring the overall average up into the 20s

 

[D-Train]

Humorous, semi-related observation about this power train: It's too quiet in the McDonald's drive through! I sit there with my completely silent LC and they don't know I'm there. "Hello?" I've learned to leave the music/podcast playing a bit longer so they hear me pull up (I normally hit mute as I pull up to the mic/speaker). Oh, the misery.

I'm happy with this power train. Peppy for a brick. Lots of low end torque. Not completely hideous gas mileage.

Had a similar non-drive thru experience last week.... driving up 11 mile canyon to get to the upper canyon to fly fish. Encountered an older group of folks hiking up the road (it was muddy/iced over/not great for cars), and they were taking up the entire road. As I approached I realized I was in 'hybrid mode' AKA.. silent mode. I didn't want to honk the horn, but I approached ever so slowly in the hopes they would hear the tires. I got within a few feet before a startled gentleman at the rear heard me and alerted the group to move over.

Cue forehead slap..... I should have had a V8

 

[n0m@d]

GX550 inferior AC (doesn't have roof vents . . .

Interestingly Australian GX550 Overtrail version has roof vents https://youtu.be/YLseWQ5dE-8?t=468
so, there is a little bit of hope that they'll bring them to US versions one day. . .