I took one out for a test drive on Thursday last week (Cruiser trim; no premium package). Fit and finish was pretty nice overall, but definitely do not dig how the hybrid battery drastically affects the load floor height and overall cargo volume.

The other thing that really blew me away was just how slow it felt. Yes, you had instant hybrid torque up to maybe 35 mph, but for maneuvers like on-ramp merges (which we do a lot of out here in Arizona trying to get from 0 to about 75 mph as quick as possible unless you want to get killed), it felt anemic. Perhaps even slower than my 2020 4Runner when you flog it (and testing numbers by automotive publications seem to back this up). I imagine maybe it is the relatively wider spaced gearing of the 8 speed, but I don't think I would have ever expected something with 326 hp and 465 lb/ft of torque to feel so underwhelming to me.

Additionally, maybe due to less weight in combination with the tune to 362 hp/400 lb/ft of torque, the powertrain felt WAY beefier to me when I test drove a TX500H back in December 2023.

Long story short, I think I'm about to give up on the prospect of considering a Land Cruiser or a 2025 4Runner TRD Pro or Trailhunter. I still need to check out a GX550 Overtrail+ (these seem more scarce, at least here in Arizona), but am not sure if the big step up in price in conjunction with the bad fuel mileage is worth it to be honest.

I hate to say it, but I may really consider going back to Jeep and may even look at a Bronco out of curiosity. My heart also goes to Defenders even though my wallet and brain tells me to stay away from Rover after owning one. Based on the current mix of recalls and stop-sales for Toyota, it's pretty clear the company has jumped the shark on its reliability currently also, so I'm just not sure if the advantage you used to get out of them is going to hold moving forward.

Couldn't have said it better myself. The cargo room and floor height are terrible. Power was good between 20 mph and 50 mph but when you nail it it seems to make a lot of noise after 50 mph but not really do anything. I drove a first edition and 1958 and I actually prefer the 1958. Didn't think I would like those seats but they are very cozy and comfortable.
I got back in my 5th gen and it felt better to drive off in it. Still love the looks of the LC though.

The new 4Runner will be exactly the same.

When I was looking at pickups, I looked at a lot of RAMs. comparing the V6 etorque to the V8 hemi was the same. Id be worried about my wife having to pull out in traffic from a store to a main road or on a ramp up to high speed. TRying to accelerate to pass some one or not get cut off

5,000 pound curb weight is the problem. My 2003 2WD V6 is 4,035 pounds. Weight is the enemy. Why Toyota?

The most important part of that statement is "2-wheel drive". That's like a 200lb weight loss right there.

Would've been nice for weight if the new 4Runner didn't increase in length. I hate the embiggening of everything.

People are certainly buying the new Land Cruiser 250. Already 15,000 sold in the US this year. Sold 5-6k/month the last two months, each more than the YEARLY sales of any Land Cruiser since at least 2005.

Toyota Land Cruiser Sales Figures | GCBC

It sounds like you are not really sure of what you want and I might be thinking the same way on the new 4cyl turbo hybrid in both the Toyota's and the Lexus. All the other vehicles you mentioned are vehicles that have their own problems and resale values are questionable to being even close to Toyota products, plus higher maintenance cost over time. Since I won't be buying a new vehicle for probably the next two years, I'm glad I have time to see how this all works out with the new models and hopefully by then we will see what happens. The return of the V6 would be great, but I think for Toyota its gone and for many Lexus probably the same. It's going to be interesting to see how sales go on these 4cyl power plants.

I haven’t been on here much, lately, I bought a 1958 LC in September and spent a lot of time on the LC forums. Plus, I needed time to form an opinion before I said anything, and having to drive the ‘22 ORP to work last week while the glass guy filled a star on the LC really confirmed what I was already thinking.

I’m not sure how anyone can drive the fifth gen 4Runner and then drive a 2024+ Land Cruiser and say it’s not any quicker than the 4Runner. We’ve had six total 4Runners starting with 86 through 22 and I can definitely state that there is a world of difference between the two.

Let’s get this out of the way first—if you don’t want a turbo, then don’t get one. People make huge statements about the reliability of turbos and Toyota has a fairly good track record on them. Likewise, hybrid systems. I didn’t want either until my husband talked me into just test driving one because I was so happy when they announced the Land Cruiser was coming out with an affordable version. Our middle son has a 22 Tundra and Toyota is replacing his engine for free, he just has to make an appointment. Last weekend our service advisor said that he can drive it until 100k and then have them replace it. That’s the sort of thing that also made it easy to make my decision, and reinforce my choice to buy one.

I do not believe in any way that I got the only special LC that drives better than any other one, so it surprises me when people say it’s so slow, baby, your 4Runner is slow, and I know this for a fact. I live in a semi-rural area and have to drive about 25 miles either on I10 or through state route 87 to get up to the big city (Chandler/Mesa/Gilbert). I have to put myself in check when passing because I have caught myself hitting 90+ because I’m so used to mashing the pedal to get the speed I need to pass safely in the 4Runner. This LC has a lot of speed, and I’m already going 50 or 55 in a 65mph zone before I’ll pass, which means I’m getting a pretty zippy passing gear at that speed. Has it hesitated when I take off from a stoplight a time or two? Yep, but so has my 4Runner, I’m sure that has something to do with the design of the transmissions.

The Land Cruiser has a completely different power train and getting used to it took a little time. I do feel that sometimes the transmission can be a little harsh when slowing down and the hybrid regenerative braking causes a little catch or lurch when engaging.

The inside of the truck is a little more roomy than the fifth gen, and, I wanted the 1958 because it had cloth seats. We have softex seats in the 4Runner and I’ve spent one too many Arizona summers with sweaty or burnt backs of thighs. Even putting cloth seat covers on the seats was just too hot.

The LC has a lot more body roll than our ORP with KDSS, so there’s that negative.

The hybrid battery has a ten year warranty on it. That’s a positive.

It has these cool round lights that no one…ok, everyone else has them (Bronco, Jeep, not arguing about who had them first, they all had round lights way back when).

And, it has the beep-beep horn that I find to be fun. Except, I’m sure no one takes it serious when I honk at them for almost hitting me while on their phone.

It’s full time four wheel drive. It does not have the sway-bar disconnect, it does not come on the 1958 since it is the base model. Truthfully, I’m not skilled enough off-road to care. Yes, the inside has plastic trimmed door panels, our ORP has soft touch panels. So far, we haven’t found that to make a difference, I’m not sure what would, maybe developing a habit to lean and rest on them while driving long distances?

What you do get for the base price of $57,600 (slightly less if you ask) is: a smoother ride, better steering, full time 4wheel drive with rear and center locking differentials, a quieter engine, wireless apple carplay—which I don’t care about, and, a bit better mileage—although the gas tank is only 17.9 gallons. We still drove up to Golden Valley without needing to fuel up, just about the same range as our 4Runner, (Golden Valley is about halfway between Kingman and Bullhead City in Arizona) and then had 23.1 mpg on the way back.

One thing I find funny is that people who drive 4Runners want them to be loud and want to get the TRD exhaust or some aftermarket exhausts, and then when they test drive or, in some cases, purchase and drive the Land Cruiser they cry about the loud engine in the LC. You know I’m not making that up.

My point of this long, rambling post is that the fifth gen 4Runner and the new Land Cruiser don’t really compare fairly with each other. Buy and drive whatever makes you feel good. I only write this to encourage people to have a look themselves, don’t rule it out because of some less than positive reviews by people who are happy with their current vehicle or vehicle type—no one has to justify why they love their 4Runner.

I totally agree with this. I have had three of the 5th Gen 4runners (one in FJ Cruiser form) and after test driving the new Tacoma and the 1958 Edition Landcruiser, I can attest to the fact that it has way more giddy up than the 5th Gen. I went to get on the interstate here in Nashville and I was about to floor it and realized I was already at 70mph, in my 5th Gen, I would have been revving at 4k RPMs and scraping 40mph. The ride quality is better. The updated electronics and interior is really nice. They had outfitted it with custom leather from a local shop and that looked nice. It does feel just about the same size interior wise as the 4Runner but the rear cargo interior feels bigger. Anyways, my two cents.

One thing to note about the new Land Cruiser peppiness, particularly if it's a 1958 trim, is that those come on new skinny 245 width 30.6" tires. Narrower, lighter, smaller than the 31.6" 5th gens comes on, and the 32.6" tires that higher trim LC250's come on. That'll add some speed/mpg until more appropriate tires get mounted.

For now I'm really happy with our 2021 Lexus RX350 and my 2024 4 Runner TRD Off Road vehicles. We are in our late 70's and we only drive some 5,000 miles per year. Both vehicles are V6's and both are what I would call "old style" and I'm pretty happy with them. As we drive so few miles per year today, I feel these vehicles are going to last us for many years and I see no reason to upgrade any time soon. For us the new 4-cylinder engines and the Hybrid models really wouldn't do too much for us as our driving demands wouldn't be worth the change to the newer models.

Yeah in your specific situation I wouldn't do anything other than drive what you currently have, that's what makes sense.

The 2025 LC 250 and 5th gen 4Runner have the same range of 0-60 times across multiple sources.

~7.5 - 8.0 seconds

Obviously 0-60 isn’t everything as it doesn’t emulate typical driving such as 20-40 or 30-60 etc..

The much higher low rpm torque from the traction motor and the turbo 4 oof the LC 250 should certainly result in it feeling peppier in typical driving scenarios.

However the LC 250 weighs anywhere from 200-600 lbs more than 5th gen 4Runner, but clearly has the gearing advantage with the 8 spd transmission.

At the end of the day they are slow trucks yet fast enough to not get run over, so I’d focus more on the other features and specs that are important to your purchase decision.

[QUOTE=Bmnorm2;3892353]The 2025 LC 250 and 5th gen 4Runner have the same range of 0-60 times across multiple sources.

~7.5 - 8.0 seconds

Obviously 0-60 isn’t everything as it doesn’t emulate typical driving such as 20-40 or 30-60 etc..

The much higher low rpm torque from the traction motor and the turbo 4 oof the LC 250 should certainly result in it feeling peppier in typical driving scenarios.

However the LC 250 weighs anywhere from 200-600 lbs more than 5th gen 4Runner, but clearly has the gearing advantage with the 8 spd transmission.

At the end of the day they are slow trucks yet fast enough to not get run over, so I’d focus more on the other features and specs that are important to your purchase decision.[/

You obviously haven’t driven one. Take a little time and go see what you’re missing.