2024 Landcruiser Engine Performance

There's our answer.

Jesus, wonder how much the 6th gen ICE only will weigh versus the hybrid. Oof, not a good thing. Honestly for being a heavy truck, the 5th gen isn't that slow.

 

The curb weight of the Landcruiser is said to be ~5000 lbs whereas the 5th Gen 4Runner is said to be around 4400-4700lbs depending on trim level since some have full-time 4WD, some have locking differentials, 2WD etc. Before Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Edmunds all actually did instrumented tests with the Landcruiser, based on power to weight ratios commonly understood, extrapolated 0-60 MPH acceleration in the mid to low 6 seconds range. Just go look up "estimated 0-60 MPH" and you will see. If the car is legitimately 1000 lbs heavier, then yes, I understand it would negate a lot of the HP and Torque gain vs the 5th Gen V6, but the major car publications were also assuming it was gonna pull a lot harder and all basically said they were quite perplexed at just how vast the performance difference is between the GX550 and Landcruiser, as the former actually pulls as hard and quickly as they estimated before they ever got their hands on it based on power to weight ratio. I just find the new Landcruiser a disappointment.... so many more gears in the transmission, so much more HP and torque... yet doesn't really translate. Those same publications are also all saying the MPGs are undershooting by a lot in their observed testing. My 4Runner also gets about 21-22 MPGs when I ride steady state up to 70 MPH on the highway.... with a premium gas penalty of 21% over regular unleaded, the Landcruiser needs to do a lot better to make the fuel prices even out, but good thing it has triple zone climate control vs only dual in the TRD Pro 4Runner or even worse, single zone in the other trims.

 

Not only does this make sense, it would be wholly consistent with the feeling of lacking grunt off idle. Going into the test drive I wasn't expecting Tesla or Rivian like pickup off the line since this is hooked up to an actual geared transmission and 4WD drivetrain, but when you call it iForce Max and say "its not for fuel efficiency, its for power" I was definitely still expecting way more grunt off idle and dead stop.

 

@COTacoPro, so what's your verdict so far, you like it or missing the 4R?

 

Even if it’s the radiator fan. It’s a good sound. The engine itself sounds good too. Four bangers do sound like Civics.

 

I saw one today. I didn’t like it. Felt mommish. And that rear bulge for the tow, way too big and obnoxious.

 

lol they should just pipe throaty start up audio through the speakers then… that would satisfy you

 

That would still sound like a Civic.

 

Yeah that hitch bulge is weird lookin. Not sure what's going on there.

 

I’m sure the aftermarket will figure out something for it. Kind of like the 5th Gen SR5 OEM hitch plastic surround thing.

 

Verdict is, snap up or hold onto one of the last 5th Gen 4Runners… on balance, considering a variety of factors, including price, space, off-road capabilities, proven reliability and simplicity, it remains a super compelling car even as it’s being sunset.

 

They’re sunsetting a truck whose sales are through the roof. Dumb. They should keep it around alongside the new one. See which sells more.

 

EPA

 

It'll likely also simplify the supply chain and manufacturing greatly since it'll then be in-line with it's GX and LC siblings at the Tahara plant.

 

They could’ve kept this truck and given it a turbo 6 and made the EPA happy and left the rest of it alone.

 

Pretty happy with my limited so far. Sat in the new LC. It looked nice. Was shocked to see it wasnt more peppy driving, was thinking 0-60mph would be in the 6 second range not 8

 

Oh geeez. Already having problems.. not a good sign

 

Why do you think that? The GX550 get 17 mpg combined while the LC gets 23 mpg combined. That's huge for hitting those CAFE numbers. Well maybe the escalating CAFE requirements will be frozen again if Trump wins

The turbo 6 also has demonstrated reliability problems with its electronic wastegate and main bearing lubrication.

 

Then it can’t be EPA reasons otherwise they wouldn’t have built a new GX not meeting CAFE standards.

 

CAFE = Corporate Average Fuel Economy.

It's not based on each vehicle individually. It's based on the fleet as a whole.

 

I doubt it is about fuel economy. Toyota sells so many high mpg vehicles that this can’t matter for one SUV. It’s about streamlining production of their SUVs and trucks on a similar platform to maximize profits.

 

The GX and LX can be allowed to have low mpg because they sell in very low numbers. Toyota probably expected the LC (and 4R) to sell in high enough numbers to affect CAFE averages. This affects option mix allocations as well (xx% produced each year with airdam, yy% produced with tonneau cover for trucks). CAFE is an absolute boondoggle with as much behind the scenes data-fudging and gov't negotiations as aircraft certification.

 

From what I see the Lexus are the lab rats.

 

The 4Runner and Land Cruiser also share a platform with the GX, which has a turbo V6 in it.

If it is about anything other than fuel economy, it's probably more about distinguishing the GX from the Toyota models than anything else.

Although, I'm still betting that it's about fuel economy. EDIT: and/or emissions.

 

I am biased but the front end of 5th gen is just timeless. And new LC did nothing to sway me looks wise.

 

Then they can just put it in the existing 4Runner lol. But hey, they can do what they want? They literally axed a best seller and produced something uglier and subpar to the 5th gen. Again, they could’ve left it alone and dumped a modern engine in it if CAFE is what it is.

 

^The only thing you know about the 6th gen is it's uglier. There may be noticeably improved acceleration, ride, handling, NVH isolation, more headroom with sunroof, etc. (like there usually is with a redesign). But you won't know until you drive one.

I find the 5th gen acceptable because I paid the equivalent of $15k for it used. If I had to pay MSRP for a new 5th gen, I'd be severely disappointed with the turn-of-the-century ride & handling and ancient technology.

 

Not quite. There's a tremendous amount of engineering development and validation going into new features for Lexus models, which Toyota can justify because Lexus carries way higher profit margins. Then it takes 10-15 years for Toyota to figure out how to make the technology cheaper (not necessarily more reliable, just cheaper) so they can go into Toyotas. Take for example adaptive cruise control appearing in the Lexus LS430 in 2001, 19 years before the 4Runner got it. Or direct+port fuel injection appearing in the IS350 & GS350 in 2005, which the Tacoma got in 2016, and the 4Runner won't get until 2025, full two decades later.

 

Best seller? Not even close.

It's a 15 year old design.

I'll admit that I'm not super excited about the new design, either. But, the 5th gen was due for a change.

 

Plenty of used 5th gen models around, as, like you said, it was a hot seller for many years.

I don't like lots of cars; I don't go on their forums to bitch about it, I just don't buy them. Easy peasy.