The new Japanese model ” Land Cruiser 250 ” was finally released on April 18, 2024. Detailed specifications have been revealed, but there are some disappointing points. We have summarized these points in detail here, so we hope you will use this as a reference when purchasing.
Land Cruiser 250 (LAND CRUISER 250) – Points of concern that I find disappointing
I actually considered purchasing it and did some research, and have compiled a list of the things I am dissatisfied with.
1. Large body size
Some people who currently own the previous model, the Land Cruiser Prado 150, may find it difficult to upgrade to the Land Cruiser 250 due to its body size.
| Specifications |  Land Cruiser Prado |
 Land Cruiser 250 |
Land Cruiser Prado comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| full length | 4,825mm | 4,925mm | +100mm |
| Overall width | 1,885mm | 1,980mm | + 95mm |
| Overall height | 1,835mm 1,850mm |
1,870mm | + 20mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,790mm | 2,850mm | + 60mm |
| Approach angle | 31 degrees | 31 degrees | ±0 degrees |
| Departure Angle | 27-28 degrees | 23 degrees | -4 to 5 degrees |
| Ramp breakover angle |
22 degrees | 23 degrees | ±1 degree |
| ground clearance | 220mm | 220mm | ±0mm |
| Passenger capacity | 5 to 7 people | 5 to 7 people | same |
“Land Cruiser 250” and “Land Cruiser 300” exterior body size comparison
| Specifications |  Land Cruiser 300 |
Land Cruiser 250 |
Land Cruiser 300 comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| full length | 4,950mm | 4,925mm | -25mm |
| Overall width | 1,980mm | 1,980mm | ±0mm |
| Overall height | 1,925mm | 1,870mm | -55mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850mm | 2,850mm | ±0mm |
| Approach angle | 32 degrees | 31 degrees | ±0 degrees |
| Departure Angle | 26 degrees | 23 degrees | -4 to 5 degrees |
| Ramp breakover angle |
25 degrees | 23 degrees | ±1 degree |
| ground clearance | 220mm | 220mm | ±0mm |
| Passenger capacity | 5 to 7 people | 5 to 7 people | same |
In Japan, the larger body size means that you will need to be more careful when driving on narrow roads and finding a parking space. It’s best to think of the body size as being similar to the Land Cruiser 300, which is in a higher class.
When purchasing, you need to consider securing a parking space.
When choosing a mechanical parking lot for an apartment complex or parking area, you need to be careful with car types that are 1,850 mm or wider. This is because the pallet width is the biggest issue. Currently, the most common mechanical parking lots in Japan have tires with an outer width of 1,850 to 1,900 mm or less, and many cars do not fit into this. The pallet here is like the platform on which the car is actually placed in the mechanical parking lot.
Even if your car’s width is within the limit, if the pallet width is too small, you won’t be able to park it. Furthermore, if it’s too close, you may damage your tires or wheels. I’ve seen several friends of mine who have bought new cars that don’t fit on the pallet, and are now unable to use the parking lot they’ve been using, which is a problem.
2. Its price is higher than the previous Prado
The Land Cruiser 250 is a mid-range model in the Land Cruiser series. It is priced lower than the base price of the Land Cruiser 300, but there is almost no difference in price between the higher grades. Of course, it is highly likely that the 300 will increase in price in the future. When compared to the previous Prado, the price difference is huge. The price difference between the top grade 7-seater Land Cruiser Prado “TZ-G” and the base grade Land Cruiser 250 “GX” is not that different. Some people may consider purchasing this model but be unable to do so.
Land Cruiser 250 2024 model price and grade
Also, the grade structure feels a bit odd, especially when I first saw the lineup for the GX, which only has diesel models. Furthermore, the top grade “ZX” also only has diesel models, so you should fully understand the price structure before considering purchasing.
Land Cruiser 250
Land Cruiser 250 Special Edition ZX “First Edition”
| grade | engine | Drive system |
Price (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| VX | 2.7L inline 4-cylinder direct injection engine (2TR-FE) |
4WD | 5,450,000 yen |
| First Edition VX | 5,900,000 yen |
| grade | engine | Drive system |
Price (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GX | 2.8L inline 4 DOHC clean diesel engine (1GD-FTV) |
4WD | 5,200,000 yen |
| VX | 6,300,000 yen | ||
| ZX | 7,350,000 yen | ||
| First Edition VX | 7,000,000 yen | ||
| First Edition ZX | 7,850,000 yen |
Land Cruiser Prado 2022 model price and grade
If you look at the price of the Land Cruiser 250 (Land Cruiser 250) and then look at the price of the Land Cruiser Prado, you might mistakenly think it’s incredibly cheap.
| Model | engine | transmission |
Drive system |
Capacity | Price (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TX | 2.7 L inline 4-cylinder DOHC engine |
6 speed AT | 4WD | 5 people | 3,676,000 yen |
| TX | 7 people | 3,834,000 yen | |||
| TX “L Package” | 5 people | 4,179,000 yen | |||
| TX “L Package” | 7 people | 4,337,000 yen | |||
| TX “L Package Matte Black Edition” |
5 people | 4,300,000 yen | |||
| TX “L Package Matte Black Edition” |
7 people | 4,458,000 yen | |||
| TX | 2.8L inline 4-cylinder DOHC direct injection turbo diesel engine |
5 people | 4,330,000 yen | ||
| TX | 7 people | 4,488,000 yen | |||
| TX “L Package” | 5 people | 4,839,000 yen | |||
| TX “L Package” | 7 people | 4,997,000 yen | |||
| TZ-G | 7 people | 5,543,000 yen | |||
| TX “L Package Matte Black Edition” |
5 people | 4,960,000 yen | |||
| TX “L Package Matte Black Edition” |
7 people | 5,118,000 yen |
3. Round headlights are only available on the First Edition.
In fact, the official Japanese Land Cruiser 250 catalog only lists the square headlights. This is because the regular model is basically square headlights. Those who want the round headlights from the start will have no choice but to choose the First Edition. Alternatively, you will need to choose the regular VX model and have the “headlights” (round headlights) added as a dealer option for 187,000 yen (tax included) when they are released in June. Please note that this is only available on the VX grade, so those purchasing the regular model should be aware of this.
4. The engine lineup is disappointing
In fact, the Land Cruiser 250 uses the same engine as the Prado, and although there are some differences in the transmission, the basics are the same. Therefore, due to the larger body size and weight, the new Land Cruiser 250 has worse WLTC mode fuel economy.
The overseas model Land Cruiser 250 has a different engine lineup than the Japanese model. The biggest difference with the Japanese model is the powertrain, which is a 2.4L 4-cylinder hybrid ( i-Force Max ) with a maximum output of 326hp.
The fact that it has the same engine as the Prado is a point of interest.
Land Cruiser 250 engine specifications
Both Japanese models use the same diesel engine , a 2.8L inline-four clean diesel engine , but the transmission is different as it uses a next-generation 8-speed AT (Direct Shift-8AT) . Both gasoline models use the same 2.7L inline-four direct-injection engine + 6-speed AT (Super-ECT) .
| Specifications | Land Cruiser 250 (gasoline) |
Land Cruiser 250 (Diesel) |
|---|---|---|
| engine | 2.7L inline 4-cylinder direct injection engine (2TR-FE) |
2.8L inline 4 clean diesel engine (1GD-FTV) |
| Maximum power | 120kW (163ps) / 5,200rpm |
150kW (204ps) / 3,400rpm |
| Maximum torque | 246Nm (25.1kgm) / 3,800rpm |
500Nm (51.0kgm) / 1,600-2,800rpm |
transmission |
6AT (6 Super ECT) |
8-speed AT (Direct Shift-8AT) |
| Drive system | 4WD | 4WD |
| WLTC mode fuel economy | 7.5km/L | 11.0km/L |
| Passenger capacity | 5-7 people | 5-7 people |
Land Cruiser Prado engine specifications
The Prado has better fuel economy.
| Specifications | Land Cruiser Prado (gasoline) |
Land Cruiser Prado (Diesel) |
|---|---|---|
| engine | 2.7L inline 4 DOHC gasoline engine |
2.8L inline 4 DOHC clean diesel engine |
| Maximum power | 120kW (163ps) / 5,200rpm |
150kW (204ps) / 3,400rpm |
| Maximum torque | 246Nm (25.1kgm) / 3,800rpm |
500Nm (51kgm) / 1,600-2,800rpm |
| transmission | 6AT | 6AT |
| Drive system | 4WD | 4WD |
| WLTC mode fuel economy | 8.3km/L | 11.2km/L |
| Passenger capacity | 5-7 people | 5-7 people |
5. Purchasing methods are strict
It is highly likely that many people will be selected by lottery. In fact, actual orders will be accepted from the afternoon of April 18th, the day of release. ( Some dealers will hold a lottery in advance and place actual orders based on the lottery results. ) As has been said on social media, it seems that some dealers will only accept orders with a regular loan or residual value loan, and not a lump sum .
https://twitter.com/LANDCRUISER_PRA/status/1775449219924623464
About the lottery sale
Starting April 10, 2024, the lottery for reservations for the Land Cruiser 250 began at some dealerships . There are various situations, such as some people already know the results and others who still don’t know. Some people have won the lottery for the first edition. Also, it seems that there are many sales that are conditional.
- Past purchase history available
- Residual credit required
- Maintenance Pack & Coating
- No transfer for 1 year
https://twitter.com/rotti_SP/status/1779170728132362628
If I don’t win the lottery or can’t participate, should I give up?
The question is whether those who lost out in the lottery this time, or those who were unable to participate in the lottery in the first place, should just give up, but in my personal opinion, you shouldn’t give up. Since the number of units allocated varies depending on each dealer, it might be a good idea to visit various dealers again around the release date. If you can find a dealer with a large allocation, you might have a chance to purchase one.
How many units will be produced in Japan?
- First edition: 8,000 units
- Monthly sales standard: 2,250 units (including First Edition)
The initial production run will last approximately two years, with 8,000 units of the First Edition and 59,000 units of other grades, for a total of 67,000 units. Anyone who can purchase this First Edition is truly lucky.
Finally, a word from the editorial team
This time, I’ve summarized various points of concern. I’m a little worried that Toyota might get angry, but these are my honest thoughts. Despite the above points, the Land Cruiser 250 is a model with many appealing features, such as its larger body size and powerful design.
Its large size ensures stable driving performance and a spacious interior. The adoption of the GA-F platform also improves its off-road performance. However, it also has disadvantages when driving and parking in urban areas. Therefore, it is important for users who primarily use the vehicle in urban areas or who are concerned about limited parking spaces to understand the size and difficulty of maneuvering of the Land Cruiser 250 before making their decision.
This model inherits the history and reliability of the Land Cruiser series while meeting modern needs. Its appeal is sure to continue to attract attention. We hope this information will be helpful when making your purchase.
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