New Land Cruiser: WHY does this cost $13K more than my GX460!? 

Hey everyone! Just a note for those of you saying that this is simply inflation, it’s far beyond that. Here are the facts: in 2009 when the GX460 launched, it started at just under $48K. In 2023 the starting price was just under to $59K. That increase means that the GX460 WAS ADJUSTING FOR INFLATION over its generational run (which is normal). What is NOT NORMAL is the ~20% increase we are seeing in A SINGLE MODEL YEAR from the 2023 GX460 to the 2024 GX550 (that 20% being the difference between two comparably equipped models such as my 2023 Premium Plus at $64K and a 2024 Luxury at $77K). Thus, the increase simply NOT all to blame on inflation. And thank you all for watching! The engagement and discussion here is so validating that my opinions are not out of line amongst actual Toyota SUV owners.

FINALLY so tired of all these media outlets acting like 57k is a reasonable or even expected price for a super base vehicle

After I heard that the the new Land Cruiser was coming out as a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder turbo. I went out looking for a 2019-2021 Land Cruiser, but those were already inflated selling for $80K-90K for 40k mile range, ridiculous! I went out and bought a 2019 LX570 for $58.k. Could not be happier!

Appreciate you keeping it real... a lot of car RU-vidrs get numb to these high prices. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should buy an over-priced vehicle. I was waiting on the GX550 but not I'm 99% sure I'll be buying a 2022 or 2023 GX460. Better value there IMO.

Thank you for calling out the new ”Land Cruiser” for what it is: a Land Cruiser Prado! Too many people are totally delusional about what they’re getting.

100% agree! On the other hand the money value is declining very rapidly ! Our neighbor just listed their house on the market for $890K which they paid 380K four years ago.

Oh boy, I can only imagine what the upcoming all new 4Runner is going to cost

Good job on this one! I bought my 3rd GX (2023) in October realizing the value as compared to the new GX550. Keep up the good work!

Thanks Josh. Love your content. Two things: 1) Thank you for validating my very recent purchase of a 22 GX460. Before buying, I wondered if we should just wait for the new Land Cruiser to become more available to buy. (I had already ruled out the GX 550 for price reasons). This video shows why I made the right move. There's no way I would have wanted to pay what the new Land Cruisers will cost. 2) As a designer, I applaud the excellent typography on your videos. You have a good eye sir.

Love your rant! You speak for many of us friend.

This channel needs a lot more subscribers and tons more views. This info and frustration needs to hit a boat load of more potential buyers of new Toyota truck and SUVs. Toyota is inflating prices because they know how loyal a lot of their customer. Great video! Keep them coming!

This!!! I 100% agree with you, and I love your rants. ;). I've been trying to ask everyone "in the know", on social media, if this new Land Cruiser is overbuilt like the previous LC 200. And of course, no one can say it is, because it's not! It's not the OG Land Cruiser like you said. TFL channel keeps saying how it's 50k cheaper than the outgoing 2021 model. Absolutely ridiculous. But what do I know? Not sure what I'm going to do this summer, I might just surprise everyone around me and keep my GX 460. 😎

Trim levels have really gotten absurd. Carmakers are essentially feature-tying midlevel trim features (eg: upgraded speakers) in super expensive packages, all but forcing you to buy the most expensive package to get the one or two things you actually want. Then you have companies like Kia who offer like 12 trim levels on certain vehicles, but most of them don't have the features you care about.

Thank you for making this video, I’m a loyal Toyota user, but I am now priced out of the market, not sure what I’m gonna do. Thank you for this video again.

Love this breakdown and I too was wondering why the prices have been shooting up so much!

This was an eye opener. Thank you!

Bravo 👏 Well said! RU-vid needs voice like you!!! Massively underrated video and channel! I’m from Canada, and I was excited for the new GX 550, then I found out the overtrail+ priced similarly as a well equipped Porsche cayenne! Now I’m cancelling my order not because I cannot afford it, but because the same reason you said in your video, I’m upset, maybe a little angry at Toyota/lexus. A longtime Toyota/lexus customer here.

Love the video man. Subbed. I agree with everything you said.

You are absolutely right, totally agree with you

GREAT VIDEO!!! Long term owner here as well and while I was really excited about both vehicles I refuse to pay the inflated prices. Hopefully Toyota will get the message when they see we’re unwilling to pay, come to their senses, and lower the prices. Again, great video!

Preach brother, preach! When a car starts costing the same as a small home, we're in serious trouble. Basically all the car manufacturers are saying, 'bend over and say ah'.

Nice review. Thanks! I completely agree.

solid video boss somebody get this man a sponsor

I agree, Toyota has started to abuse it's reputation - ultimately to its detriment. I opted for an Isuzu Dmax which gives me comparable reliability with more features for $6k-$8k less!

Well said and discussed Josh. I for one along with my other friends could not be more agreeable with you! They have forgot what brought them on the map and possibly they feel that they are getting close to their dominancy of car market so, they behave the way they have.

Amazing down to earth view thanks for seeing reality.

I agree, Lexus and Toyota have become greedy in their pricing, and what was once an affordable vehicle has now become totally unaffordable and unacceptable. I am turning away from these once sought after brands.

Thank you saying the obvious. I was a huge Toyota fan boy for years but switched to a 2023 Nissan Titan for the value and i actually love over driving the new Tundra

Toyota has become greedy. A year ago, I brought my parents Highlander to aToyota Service Dealership for service, They told me the Highlander required a "special" battery costing $500. I asked, what made the battery so special?. They told me, because of the special electronics the Highlander is equipped with. I reported the service advisor when I was sent a survey. I bought the battery at Pep Boys.

Gouging will only stop when people stop paying it. 11:56 you hit the nail on the head here ! I agree 100%. Who cares about reliability when it costs you the cost of two engine replacements on any other vehicle? lol not to mention we absolutely do not know if the new turbo generation of Toyotas will even be reliable. Great video!

Liked and subscribed! Great perspective! Thank you!

I’m sorry but with that ridiculously high price for a 4-cylinder engine on the Land Cruiser, I’ll go get the Honda Pilot Trailsport. At least I can get a naturally aspirated V6 that I know could be dogged around like a workhorse. I can’t even fathom the idea of off-roading a $60k+ vehicle. Toyota is ridiculous! And the whole reliability of Toyota’s new lineup vehicles is questionable. A LOT of recalls have occurred on their new trucks and Lexus vehicles.

Great vid. Btw, care to hint at what you do for a living to be able to buy a 4Runner and GX in the last 5 years? No pressure though. Cheers!

I test drove a GX550 Premium and actually prefer the smoothness of my '17 GX460 Premium's drivetrain. I can def feel the turbo lag in the 550. My 460's 1URFE runs like a jet turbine at 128k miles. Interior still looks, feels, and works like new. I bought for a disgustingly low price, certified used, several years ago. You are so spot-on with this. My next vehicle will be a 200 series LX570 (likely 18-22). The 550 still doesn't feel or drive as luxuriously as the later 570's that I have driven.

Great show 😊 ! I just purchased a 2024 4Runner Limited, I traded in my trusty Ford F150 truck . I am so far pretty happy with the purchase and I like the 4Runner for its reliability and durability . Do you know if there is a new 4Runner coming out soon ?

Finally a voice of reason!

Spot on- again! I am so glad that I did not purchase the GX550 vice the previous GX460 model. Yes- the new Land Cruiser should be a $50-$65K vehicle at most and fully loaded at that price range.

Great video, and made some solid points. I agree, its tough to see the pricings on all of these Yotas and Lexus vehicles continue to skyrocket - and for what? I am an avid "fanboy" of Toyota products, but these prices are not making want to trade what I have. IMO.

That’s why I’m still hanging on to my J150 with the 1GR V6. While you still can save yourself and get the cousin, the 4Runner Limited in Pearl White. The end 😊 Josh spot on! I agree with what you said. You bringing out your toy Prado at the back brought a smile to my face haha!

I agree with you 100% we have bought 5 toyota and lexus but are now looking at Infinty qx60 and maybe the coming 2025 acura mdx what do you think?

Josh, just found your channel and really appreciate your thoughts. I'm looking to get a midsize SUV with AWD now, and am comparing a few options. Could you make a video about your thoughts on the pricing and comparison of the Mazda CX-50, Honda CR-V, Subaru Outback, and toyota RAV4?

Hi Josh. Love your videos! What do you think about the Subaru Wilderness Outlook? I’m a senior looking to buy a new car and the cars you critiqued were ones I was thinking of buying. But I cannot justify the price that is equivalent to a huge down payment of a house used for a car unless I will live in the car for the rest of my life.

Great commentary! You've hit the nail on the head, I think the pricing are "predatory". We all agree these new generation of vehicles are great, so in order to own them at reasonable price, a better strategy might be to wait and buy low mile used vehicles. You always see lease returns pop up with same year vehicles with less than 5k miles. You did a very great comparison showing the LACK of justification for the prices, I understand new vehicles comes with new mechanical tech, but the heated seats, JBL ect should not be costing that much, all of that stuff should be standard on these LCs and GX. I own both a 22 4Runner and 16 GX. Which btw our 22 4Runner cost 53k MSRP, I was shocked to hear your 19 was only 46! I bet there is very few changes in my 22 to justify 6k increases. It got blind-spot monitoring and Android Auto, that's probably it. I would still buy the new GX over the LC, just based on experiences with my vehicles. The Mark Levingston in Lexuses is a huge improvement, its an amazing system, that competes with other big name brands, JBL is simply trash, i'm sorry, its slightly better than stock speakers. And second biggest thing other than a V6 in the GX, is the Lexus dealer experience. I get the same treatment with my 16GX as I get at any BMW or Mercedes dealership bringing in 100k cars for service. Buying a 75k vehicle and not even getting a loaner car for an oil change is no-go, when Lexus tech bended over backwards to get me loaner new GX when I brought my 30k 2016 GX for an aligment. Combined with inflation, this reduces the buying power for customer. If you can afford to buy an 80K vehicle tomorrow you should be looking at something like BMW X5 with a TT V8 or 6cyl minimum under the hood or equivalent luxury SUVs, NOT and slightly bigger 4 runner with a 4cyl. Which is the risk Toyota might run onto, is that some loyalists will be looking else where to spend their 80k. A 600hp luxury German SUV sounds way better.

Josh, make sure to share your thoughts about upcoming mini landcruiser

You are 100 percent correct in your analysis. I've been saying this as well. Toyota has let their reliability record completely go to their head, and has now realized that we Toyota Truck and SUV fans will blindly buy anything they put out. I guess part of this, is the truck market in North America overall, the prices for Trucks, really across all Manufactures has become comical. F-150's, Rams ETC. for over 90-100k is bat shit insane. And people are buying them!! I think Toyota can latch on to this trend and make Gimmicky re-boots of classic vehicles, and people will salivate over them. But like you said, the new LC is just a 4runner with a Turbo 4 and some flashy new Infotainment. - Great videos BTW. love the channel!

Nar your completely right price for this is out of control I really really want one but can't justify the price either. I'll be doing what many of us Toyota owners are doing and keeping what I have, happily.

So glad you mentioned the ridiculous price of the base Land Cruiser over 55k. Like you said, you get a rental car version of the vehicle. It’s crazy and all the reviewers act like it’s a reasonable price

You are so correct in your assessment of the new LC and GX. We have a 18 LC and a 21 GX. Neither Toyota nor Lexus will tempt us to replace what we have with what they are now offering. Prior Toyotas a 2011 4Runner Trail and 2010 Highlander Limited 4wd with combined touble free 550K miles. Expect our LC and GX to duplicate if not double that number.

Great video. I totally agree. I just recently bought a 2023 Lexus GX460 Premium Plus. I love it. I am not paying that price for a new GX or Land Cruiser either.

I'm not sure if you seen the latest TFL video on the new Tacoma, but it looks like they blew the transfer case in mild trail riding... Certainly calls into question the TNGA platform that almost all of these vehicles will share in some capacity. Not only are they much more expensive, but is the quality of materials and MFG process even similar to the outgoing? Like you, I'm on my 7th new Toyota/Lexus vehicle I've bought new in the last decade. Starting to think the haydays may be passing us by with the LC200/GX460/5.7 Tundra and 4Runner V6. Might be wise to start finding low mileage, single owner samples with clear maintenance history vehicles and sit on them....

I agree .I own two Prado,s . Both petrol V6 models . Super reliable great cars . In my country the new one costs almost double what a Pajero Sport is .

Hi Josh, thank you for the courage of saying things aloud. Raising msrps 36% after Covid and putting a vehicle "average" buy price at $47k USD is absolutely ridiculous. I am in the second year of deciding among mazda cx50, Lexus NX350h and believe it or not Hundai Santacruz. Santacruz has to go as I cannot accept nonstop reliability issues, but is lexus worth 10_15k cad over Mazda is a big question. I was hoping Toyota Crown Signia will be a nice buy in summer. Scratching my head further...

Unfortunately it's not just Toyota, its the general attitude of entire automotive industry.

From the number of reactions it is quite visible that you are not alone. My thought process was quite similar than yours but when I saw the configurator I couldn't believe my eyes. A First Edition Toyota for 76 K! I did the exercise in building my Land Cruiser what I'd not consider top model and it came out around 70K. Then my decision going with a GX 460 2023 model seemed quite reasonable plus a V8 versus a 4 cylinder engine. A friend of mine said to this outrageous pricing: don't worry. There will be plenty of buyers who don't care...this US. There might some truth in that.

Thanks for being real!

I agree 110% with you Josh! I need to buy a new car next year (my younger son will inherit my car when he goes to college). I had wanted to buy a Lexus RX350, but between the price going through the roof and Lexus moving away from their traditional buyers who want luxury (following the general trend to placate car reviewers who - unlike you - generally rate cars on how sporty they are), I've decided to look elsewhere. It would be great if you reviewed some of the Genesis products, as I think they are aiming where Lexus used to be (and are a much better value - not so much cheaper, but you get more for your money). The other option I am seriously considering is foregoing a new car and actually going for a Mercedes 300D Turbodiesel wagon - I love the look, the luxury of the ride, the decent mileage and how virtually indestructible they are (no worries about having to replace hybrid batteries or screens that control everything in your car - cannot get anything analog today!). Thanks for your rant and listening to mine! 😃

Thanks for speaking up. THeyll eventually realize this pricing mistake

You are absolutely right. I have been buying new Toyotas for years. First time I am considering buying a used one due to inflated pricing and global shift to turbo engines.

Awesome video appreciate the raw honesty, spitting comparable facts that others are too afraid to say.

I was just thinking about the cost over time if I bought another brand. I could spend $10k on repairs and still pay less for a new Toyota. Great points in this video!

I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s very sad what Toyota and Lexus are doing. These types of pricing will definitely cause them to loose their loyal lexus base. As the owner of a 2018 GX 460 and a 2019 Es 300h, I will have to look elsewhere when considering to upgrade. It’s very very unfortunate and I hope that Lexus/Toyota and all the other car companies realize this, otherwise folks will just continue to keep their current vehicles. The car crash has already started to happen with Porsche and it’s a matter of time, before the same happens with Toyota and Lexus, unless they take a proactive and strategic approach to sell more new vehicles and keep their loyal fan base.

I agree with you. I have a 4runner but i am not going to pay these high prices for another one.

Great points… I’m a long time Toyota fan (vehicles and company) but I’ve been pretty disappointed in the rollout of the new 250 in the states

Enjoyed your commentary Josh! I largely agree , a margin grab for sure! I’m relatively new to the Toyota experience, I own a 21 Rav 4 Prime , and previously a base SR5 Tacoma 4x4. Previous to that Hondas, Chevys and run of the mill company cars . In Canada we have not yet got the pricing for the new Land Cruiser , but if I extrapolate and see the price differences (exchange) in Canada vs USA on the : 4 Runner, Tacoma , Lexus GX , Tundra …… …then I can estimate in Canada the 1958 Land Cruiser will be between $72-76 k CDN. Very high indeed! But I have to say the resale ,reliability ,and quality will likely keep me with the Toyota brands. Jeep Grand Cherokees plummet in value by comparison, and Stellantis is using a lot more Italian, French engineering components??? Keep up the great videos…..and if you really want to see overpricing, and under engineering ,check out new pontoon boats….70’s technology using : aluminum pontoons, plywood, Vinyl, with a 200 hp Merc hanging off the back for $100k CDN. 😮

I totally agree. I was just making many of these same points to my wife this morning. I even picked many of the same options on my dream new Land Cruiser. My only disagreement is with your wheel choice. I'm not a fan of large rims, especially when they are silver.

This video deserve more view

Excellent breakdown. There was a time in the world when businesses rewarded the consumer for their litalty with lower/stabilizeed pricing. Today, the inverse is true. Consumers are punished with higher prices as the product popularity goes up. We are living in a backwards universe. Only pragmatic, lucid, non-zombies will vote with their wallets. Great job.

This is all so true!

Love the humility!!! Yeah Toyota supersized the bill, much more than we ever imagined.

Totally agree. Just traded my 2015 4Runner for a new one for similar reasons. Wanted to get one of the last 5th gens before they strip it down to a turbo 4 while simultaneously raising the price.

I completely agree! Since 2019, the auto market has increased dramatically. During the covid times, car dealerships completely took advantage of car buyers in the used markets. Now, post covid, I feel auto manufacturers saw what had happened with used car prices, so now they’re taking advantage of new car buyers. What’s the answer, don’t buy them….i know, that maybe easier said than done for many. If you bought that same 4Runner TRD pro today, you would pay around $57,000. The 4 Runners haven’t changed much in the 15 years of the 5th generation. I’m really waiting to see what the pricing will be on the 6th gen 4Runners. The Tacoma prices are insane and not many seemed to be buying them. Time will tell…..might be time to look at a KIA Telluride…. Reliability matters, no doubt, but it matters more if I plan to keep it for more than 7 years, which I don’t usually do. Keep making your videos!

Right on, brother. I have a 2019 GX 460 too, and this kills me. I wanted to buy a new Land Cruiser, but now I think I'll just lift my GX and put some bumpers on to gain more ground clearance.

You are 💯 percent correct about this newest Land Cruiser.

Absolutely agree with everything mentioned here. The Land Cruiser is a perplexing purchase, and this is coming from a long-time fan of the car. I was shocked at the value the GX (both 460 and 550) seemed to provide in comparison.

Makes me even more happy that i have a 2022 FJ Cruiser.

This video is 100% spot on. Toyota doesn't really do web orders either. Tundra was a defect mess. When I think of Toyota now, I think "Customer last: OK Quality and High Dealer Markups". The damage is done.

Yes. New prices on another level. The used inventory is still good. Less gimmicky tech. Cheaper repairs. Ford 6.0 gang here. Excursion never dies.

Spot on. I just about choked when I started playing with the builder and realized... the build I would do for a Land Cruiser, put me squarely matched on price with a GX550 Overtrail. Holy sh*t! If you want another laugh, price out a 24 Tacoma Off Road with the faux leather seats and detachable swaybar. What I was gunning for hit $57k.... "TSRP". Frankly, I think Toyota lost its mind.

Hi Josh, I enjoy watching 14:20 your video. I agree with you totally. I am glad I purchased the 2023 GX460 in June. If I need to pay $75K plus market adjustment for the brand new toyota Land Cruiser, I’d rather to switch to another brand. With the new electronic gadget, it won’t be cheap to repair even for toyota. That is why I stick with the old school SuV

The Land Cruiser premium pack up here in Canda starts at 83.3k. And our tax is 13%. Even the Toyota sales guy shook his head wondering WTF. I was in the dealership to ask about the price of the Crown Signia. Now we get the pleasure to see the new 4Runner this week. I wonder what that is going to look like and how it's going to be priced.

I’m with you. I’ve owned many Toyotas, two 80 series LC. I currently have an FJ with about 80,000 miles. I’ve been tempted to trade it for Pro FourRunner but can’t get around pricing. Really don’t want the new turbo editions.

Keep in mind that the purpose of the new TNGA platform is simplification of the many platforms Toyota used to built. This will have a huge economic impact on the cost of building new vehicles under a simplified platform. Is that savings being passed on to the loyal consumer? No! On the contrary, a huge increase of more than 20% has been added to the final cost of these newly release model vehicles. So I gues I am keeping my 2020 4R TRD OR until I die. I paid $40,000.00 out the door for it. There is no way I could afford to pay dbl or more for a baby LC 250 let alone a GX 550 The "250" is so deceptive as it would indicate it is a bit better than the 200 LC but less than the 300 LC. Let's think about the prices for the upcoming 6th gen 4R. The problem is people will pay whatever Toyota ask for their vehicles so it leaves people like us that want to watch how we expend our hard earned money in a dificult situation. However, I would never buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I looked into buying one but relaiabily drove me to Toyota.

good talk 👍

100% agree!!

Same. Tempted to just go back and look for cream puff earlier models I enjoyed from before.

Perhaps the worst part is that Toyota can't correct prices nearly as much as they need to. Maybe knock a few thousand off next year and then hold steady. Otherwise they'll have an army of angry customers who paid this year's full price who are losing big on their resale value. Just like Tesla.

I suppose we are headed into toyota’s dark era (it was bound to happen) - and nobody seems to notice thanks to these vapid automotive journalists that just echo the same talking points about Toyota’s reliability, etc. I’m not sure why they seem to overshadow what is so glaringly obvious to long-time consumers as far as declining materials quality and the price gouging that isn’t appropriately adjusted for inflation. Moira’s scream was absolutely perfect lol

Absolute fucking truth! Thank you!

Here here Josh! Agree 100%

Josh, I have watch many of your videos since my interest (and now ownership) of the 2023 GX developed. And, I quickly noticed it seems you have owned many quite expensive vehicles in a short period of time. So, I was just wondering what you and your wife do for a living? I think it comes from my wife and I making a pretty good living, yet the new GX was a very real extreme luxury for us (mainly me), and considering I am a pretty old fart (66) I am trying to figure out if it is partly my frugal nature or you guys just make quite a bit more than we do. And I will add, I live in the part of the country (rural southeast) where the cost of living is probably as cheap as anywhere in the US.

Great video! I totally agree with you, Toyota is getting greedier with any new refresh on redesign!

Totally, I am with your comments about Toyota cars. Admittedly, these are great car, and that’s about it, don’t like the service and the jack up price, anyone paying 2,3 thousand above MSRP? With less money, I buy a locally built Honda.

Agree 💯, a Lexus GX550 Overtrail trim in Canada is over $100k CAD. The Landcruiser price hasn't been released up here, however I suspect it will start at $68k for the base 1958 edition.

pricing is bad for consumers :-( but good for toyota shareholders :-). Like it or not, toyota management’s number 1 priority is to maximize profit for shareholders. And if I had to guess, production capacity will be limited and toyota is simply pricing the land cruiser at the estimated point where they think the demand will equal supply. Having toyota remain financially strong also allows them to continue to invest in desirable future products.

I became a fan of Toyota in 2013 when I bought a CPO'd HS250h. Since then, I've bought many older Toyota/Lexus vehicles. The most recent Toyota vehicle my wife and I bought was a CPO'd 2019 NX300 in 2022. Ever since the supply chain fiasco and people were panic buying, human greed came out in the absolute worst way. Particularly Toyota corporate and their dealer networks. The Toyota tax isn't worth it. At least for me. It's pure hubris on their end. But what goes up, must come down/Law of diminishing returns.

Thankyou Josh! I feel the same way. Such a shame, because I love Toyota and lexus. I also believe the GX 460 and 5th gen 4runner provided amazing value for the $$. I purchased my 5th gen 24 trd pro 4runner bc I knew prices for the next 4runner would be stupid, and they would slap a 4cy in it and charge $75k. Same thing for the Tacoma, prices on the new ones are BONKERS, can’t fathom paying $50k+ for a TRD off-road or Trd sport when 3rd gen pros were $50k with options!

What do you think of the Nissan Armada or the upscale Infinity Qx80? I'm not too keen on the reliability of the Jeep products.

Completely agree

Spot on!!! I have owned Toyotas for over 11 years and I feel like we are losing the holistic value and pride that Toyota once represented as a buyer. I have a 4R Pro and a GX460. We will most likely just keep them and afterwards hesitantly move to another brand.

Hey men I totally agree with you, even our car journalist cant get this right. Basically, they saying the prado is the new landcruiser... when Jalopnik gets this wrong then Jesus take the wheel, I mean they know they can jack up prices and thats the reality of post covid cuz everyone can hike up anything nowdays.