Not seeing the benefits on the Hybrid? What am I missing?? (5 Viewers)

[GA Lexus]

I vote for the TTV6 H.
But , unfortunately, Lexus may just be getting the LC power train and doesn’t mind some customers to upgrading to GX from LC for another $10k. But offering a GX 600h (lux + and OT+), with additional soundproofing and other options standard, for $5-10k more makes sense, to me.

Third row delete, to reduce weight and free up trunk space in the config above, would be great.

 

[SFLGX]

I vote for the TTV6 H.
But , unfortunately, Lexus may just be getting the LC power train and doesn’t mind some customers to upgrading to GX from LC for another $10k. But offering a GX 600h (lux + and OT+), with additional soundproofing and other options standard, for $5-10k more makes sense, to me.

Third row delete, to reduce weight and free up trunk space in the config above, would be great.

You end up with the same amount of trunk space in the LC250 as the GX with third row give or take (42 vs 40, respectively) because the batteries go where the third row would be. The weight difference between the batteries and seats is probably negligible as well.

The Car Car Nut just did a video on the 26 LC, and while underhood looks like a wiring nightmare, as he was going through and explaining things it looks significantly easier to work on compared to the V35a. Like changing the spark plugs. The engine has also been around for a number of years without any major issues.

 

[doraifurai]

One advantage is that the base model of the Land Cruiser—the 1958 edition—that I drive was less expensive than the Lexus. The closest I’ll get to owning a Lexus is buying used OT wheels. The main thing for me is that I don't regret my purchase.

 

[rocksallday]

Toyota Hybrids are a very non-obvious tradeoff.
The Hybrid engines have a much easier life (as can be noted from the use of 0w8 oil) and so do the brakes. Regenerative breaking improves break pad and rotor life, also reducing heat.
You'll get a lot more mileage from a single tank. The fuel consumption won't change much on highways but city driving will improve significantly.
It'll also change the behavior of the gearbox, with many people noticing issues around the 1st/2nd gear of the 10 gear box, this definitely improves on that front.
As for the electronics - Toyota has the longest running and most reliable system but it is still an extra system. It does add more failure points, but it does reduce the likelihood of other failures (see above).

Minor note- the hybrids offer much beefier 110v outlets, like 2.4kW instead of the 100w/400w we currently have. Big deal for some.

If you're usually running heavy, full trunk / towing, I'm not sure a hybrid would be good. No experience there, but I imagine the hybrid battery won't last and the reduced trunk space would be annoying. If anyone has experience there, I'd like to hear about it.

If you're running light, the Hybrid can make this car feel a bit sportier, quieter and smoother (assuming they keep the same gas engine).

 

[Rocketmandb]

New GX 550 owner here. The primary reason I went with the GX over the LC was the fact that the LC did not have a standard engine option.

I'm not against hybrids by any stretch. I used to own a Prius and I loved it. Why not get one in the LC? Because the Prius was designed from the beginning to be a hybrid. The batteries are strategically placed as a part of the design. The fact that the batteries take up cargo space in the back of the LC was a non-starter for me.

Secondarily, I frequently take off road trips where I'm loaded down to the max. Carrying an extra 300lbs of batteries is not helpful.

Toyota screwed the pooch with the LC by limiting it to hybrid only - something the vehicle was not designed around to begin with.

 

[klakeman]

New GX 550 owner here. The primary reason I went with the GX over the LC was the fact that the LC did not have a standard engine option.

I'm not against hybrids by any stretch. I used to own a Prius and I loved it. Why not get one in the LC? Because the Prius was designed from the beginning to be a hybrid. The batteries are strategically placed as a part of the design. The fact that the batteries take up cargo space in the back of the LC was a non-starter for me.

Secondarily, I frequently take off road trips where I'm loaded down to the max. Carrying an extra 300lbs of batteries is not helpful.

Toyota screwed the pooch with the LC by limiting it to hybrid only - something the vehicle was not designed around to begin with.

The LC hybrid uses electric power to assist the weak, loud 4 cylinder for 0-30 acceleration and torque. Not for mpg. I had a new LC, and the mpg was virtually the same as my GX 550 OT that I bought to replace the LC. The loss of storage in the LC was a disappointment too. I can get my 29 inch wheel set MTB in my GX upright.

 

[oldseniu]

I guess people would love the LC250 to have the V35A engine and beefier suspension components, but Toyota may not like this idea....

 

[Ctprelude]

Toyota Hybrids are a very non-obvious tradeoff.
The Hybrid engines have a much easier life (as can be noted from the use of 0w8 oil) and so do the brakes. Regenerative breaking improves break pad and rotor life, also reducing heat.
You'll get a lot more mileage from a single tank. The fuel consumption won't change much on highways but city driving will improve significantly.
It'll also change the behavior of the gearbox, with many people noticing issues around the 1st/2nd gear of the 10 gear box, this definitely improves on that front.
As for the electronics - Toyota has the longest running and most reliable system but it is still an extra system. It does add more failure points, but it does reduce the likelihood of other failures (see above).

Minor note- the hybrids offer much beefier 110v outlets, like 2.4kW instead of the 100w/400w we currently have. Big deal for some.

If you're usually running heavy, full trunk / towing, I'm not sure a hybrid would be good. No experience there, but I imagine the hybrid battery won't last and the reduced trunk space would be annoying. If anyone has experience there, I'd like to hear about it.

If you're running light, the Hybrid can make this car feel a bit sportier, quieter and smoother (assuming they keep the same gas engine).

I have to disagree with a couple points here. The LC does get a bit better mileage than the GX for obvious reasons, but the hybrid system is performance oriented vs some of their other vehicles where they truly created efficiency. Actual total range on a tank is still terrible on an LC, partly because of the smaller gas tank and partly because it still just doesn't get good mileage at all.

I load up the cargo area a lot and tow pretty regularly as well and the GX is excellent at moderately heavy towing. And I'd have to disagree about the LC feeling sportier or smoother. Even though power specs are in the same ballpark, the GX is noticeably faster and at least in my 2026, the transmission is extremely smooth. The 4cyl just has zero top end and at least in my test drive and a complaint I've heard from quite a few people, there is some clunkiness between the hybrid to ICE power transfer that is annoying. I know one of the popular offroad guys did 0-60 tests on the 4Runner TRD Pro, LC, and GX and the LC was actually the slowest of them all with the GX easily winning, which shouldn't be too surprising.

I do think the LC wins in some areas though, as you mention the outlet benefits and some of the things you can do with the hybrid system, better creature comforts like 3rd climate zone in the premium vs none in my Overtrail. I just don't think the 4cyl hybrid makes any sense at all in the GX. At that point I'd 100% be buying the LC.

 

[Overlander]

A fool and his money are soon parted. I just sold my wife's 26 year old 2000 Land Cruiser which ran like a top. You would have replaced batteries 3 times in a hybrid with no resale value. Wonderful for the environment.