Which Should You Buy? 2025 Land Cruiser vs. 2025 4Runner TRD Off-Road -- Verdict: 4Runner is Clear Winner

[imac90]

326hp and 465lbs torque and it was sluggish? I know they are not light vehicles but this is very surprising.

 

[andim]

Did you switch them into sport mode or was it eco mode? I have test driven a few and found them ok. Not as sporty as a BMW X1 or X3 but quite good for a vehicle of that size and on par with most SUV's of that size unless you go for a M50 or such. I actually liked very much how it drives. I can't imagine the 4Runner will be substantially different, as they have the same engine and are about the same weight. It's certainly not a "sport"-SUV but fast enough for anything in the US. In germany on the autobahn it would be a different story altogether........

 

[ncrunner]

Correct. The 1958 LC. Dealers are at 8% off MSRP right now on that model before any negotiating. As you suggested, I might just see what the first 4r non-hybrid units are like and perhaps LC pricing will come down even further by then since the gap between 4r model years will start to be filled. Thanks!!!

They are advertising 8% below MSRP on the LC 1958 already?

 

[ncrunner]

The 4Runner is only superficially different to the Land Cruiser. Whatever critiques there are of the Land Cruiser's powertrain are going to carry right across to the 4Runner. The added power and torque of the 400 pound hybrid battery system is not worth the added cost, complexity and weight for most buyers. THe 4Runner is underpowered across the lineup and for the kind of money you are spending, you really should be getting a turbo V-6.

 

[ncrunner]

A year ago I walked into my local Toyota dealer and put 500$ down to get in line for a Land Cruiser. I just assumed it would be a discount Lexus and I was excited about it being a hybrid. However, driving reviews have not been great. It's heavy and under powered and cheap. I called my salesman and I told him I would wait for a non-hybrid 4Runner. Then the pricing details came out and I was disappointed again. It's overpriced for what it is. Ford also disappointed me by taking the V-6 away from the two-door Bronco for 2025. I think the market is just unable to offer compelling vehicles anymore. Toyota can easily fix it by plugging their V-6 into the 4Runner. I'd pay 4Runner prices for that. I am pretty sure I will be asking for my 500$ to be refunded this week. I may get into a new Bronco instead but not certain of that either. I have no desire to spend 70k+ on the Lexus GX.

 

[andim]

There was also a interesting comparison by "ben hardy" (youtube channel) who compared a previous 8cyl Landcruiser, the 6 cal Ineos Grenadier and the new Landcruiser 4cyl Hybrid. He mainly criticizes that the LC needs to rev up quite a bit while the other two vehicles had a much wider power band and were much smoother. He didn't like the 4cyl hybrid very much. He drives all three in the last 5 min of the video and comments on their engines. I can only say when I test-drove the LC's they felt much smoother than my Jeep 3.2L 6cyl turbo with a miserable 9 speed transmission. So for me the LC felt actually quite OK and speedy enough for everything. I have no concerns. It's not a BMW but that's ok.

 

[qtb007]

Was the vehicle warmed up? Toyota doesn’t give you full boost until it is warmed up. My GR Corolla is limited to like 8lbs of boost until the oil temp is up to around 150°.

 

[qtb007]

It does matter because if it isn’t making full boost, it can’t make full power. They do it to save people from damaging the engine. I expect that the GX will do the same thing if you mash it while the engine is cold. High combustion pressure + below temp metal bits = short life.

 

[CrispyTacoLover]

I can’t wait to hear you whine about the 4Runner.