2024 Toyota land cruiser 250 (LC 250): Redefining legendary heritage with modern comfort and style

Abhiyan Dahal Wednesday, December 25, 2024

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2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250(LC 250). Photo: Toyota Nepal

The world’s best-selling car, Toyota, has launched the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 (LC250) in Nepal. The Land Cruiser 250, or the LC 250 in short, is the latest addition from Toyota to the Land Cruiser lineup. Toyota’s Land Cruiser lineup is one of the most popular and well-loved SUVs worldwide. Toyota Nepal and the new LC 250 also include the Land Cruiser 70, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, and the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 (LC 300).

Toyota has a great history with the Land Cruiser name, starting in 1951 as the BJ, designed for Japan’s National Police Reserve. Over the years, it became known worldwide for its toughness and ability to handle rough roads. Early models like the 20 and 40 Series were strong and reliable, while later versions like the 50, 60, and 80 Series added more comfort. The 70 Series, still made today, is a favourite for off-road use. The Prado line, starting in 1990, gave lighter and smoother options. Luxury features were introduced in the 100, 200, and 300 Series. The newest 250 Series mixes a classic look with modern features, keeping the Land Cruiser’s reputation as a dependable, all-terrain vehicle.

The LC 250 has two design themes: a standard variant with a flat and boxy design language, whereas another is a special Heritage edition. The Heritage edition is not available in Nepal, whereas the standard variant is available in two trim options: Luxury and All-rounder. The trim options mostly differ on the features available and share the same performance features.

Let us see what the SUV delivers in terms of specifications.

Specifications of the Toyota LC 250

Dimensions	Length: 4925 mm Width: 1980 mm Height: 1935 mm
Weight	All Rounder: 3100 kg Luxury: 3150 kg
Ground clearance	230 mm
Wheelbase	2850 mm
Seats	7
Fuel tank	87 litres
Engine displacement	2755 cc
Engine type	16-Valve DOHC, Chain Drive, 4 cylinder, In-Line
Maximum power	150 kW @ 3000-3400 rpm
Maximum torque	500 nm @ 1600-2800 rpm
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic
Drive train	4WD
Fuel type	Diesel
Suspension	Front: Double-wishbone type Rear: 4 link with lateral rod
Brakes	Front: Ventilated Disc- 4 cylinder Rear: Ventilated disc -1 cylinder
Tyres	All rounder: 265/65R18 7.5J Luxury: 265/60R20 7.5J
Wheel	Aluminium Wheel
Minimum turning radius	6 metres
Colours	Avant-garde Bronze Metallic \| Platinum White Pearl Mica \| Attitude Black Mica
Price	All-rounder: Rs 33,200,000 Luxury: Rs 37,000,000

Design

The Toyota LC 250 blends modern ruggedness with refined elegance, providing a clean progression in both the all-rounder and luxury variants while retaining the historic appeal of previous models with the iconic Land Cruiser lineage.

Exterior

The Toyota Land Cruiser 250 has a bold exterior design, which combines rugged durability with modern design. It carries on the boxy Land Cruiser design, and its signature vertical grille has been updated with a slightly wider stance and a more striking mesh pattern. The redesigned headlights feature a sharper, angular shape with integrated LED lights and DRLs. The bumper has sharper lines and integrated fog lights along with a metal skid plate.

The side profile of the Toyota LC 250 displays a clean and bold design. It features sharp body lines, flared wheel arches, and a smooth roofline with integrated roof rails. The black aluminium alloy wheels and silver accents give it a modern yet rugged appearance. The high ground clearance of 230 mm reflects its off-road capability and urban style.

The rear profile of the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 continues the boxy design. It has vertical LED taillights, a clean tailgate with the “Toyota” badge and the Land Cruiser model branding, and a rear bumper.

In terms of the difference between the All-Rounder and Luxury trims, the All-Rounder trim has silver-painted elements on the grille and bumper, standard LED headlamps, and a practical top-shaded windscreen. The Luxury trim, on the other hand, has chrome and silver-painted grille accents, advanced features like acoustic windscreen glass, and a sunroof. It also includes rear fog lamps and memory functions for the outside rearview mirrors.

Interior

The interior design of the Toyota LC 250 doesn’t disappoint either. The front dashboard presents a clean and modern design, combining functionality with style. It blends modern functionality with retro design elements, reminiscent of the classic Land Cruiser dashboard, featuring touchscreens alongside physical buttons. The horizontal layout gives a spacious feel with soft materials. The dashboard houses a wide touchscreen display, neatly integrated air vents, and intuitive controls, making it both visually appealing and user-friendly.

The steering wheel of the LC 250 is wrapped in high-quality leather, providing a premium feel and grip. It comes with tilt and telescopic adjustment. The steering wheel also includes integrated controls for audio, phone, and cruise functions for convenience and safety without distractions. The digital instrument cluster varies between a 7-inch or 12.3-inch TFT Optitron display, depending on the variant. It provides information like speed, fuel efficiency, and navigation in an easy-to-read format. The multi-information display is customisable, allowing drivers to access details relevant to their preferences, such as off-road data and real-time vehicle diagnostics.

At the centre of the LC250’s dashboard is a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It enables navigation, media control, and smartphone integration for a connected driving experience. The infotainment system is complemented by either a 6-speaker or a 10-speaker audio system, depending on the variant.

The climate control system of the LC 250 is dual-zone automatic, with physical control buttons that are simple and practical. They are neatly arranged in a horizontal row, making them easy to find and use. The buttons are well-sized and spaced, with clear labels for quick operation. It includes buttons like “AUTO” for automatic settings, “A/C” for air conditioning, and “MODE” for airflow direction, along with fan speed and dual temperature controls. Additional features include heated and ventilated seats, ensuring comfort and ease of use.

The centre console of the Toyota LC 250 is spacious, with the automatic gear selector prominently positioned, offering a traditional lever design or possibly a modern electronic shift-by-wire system. There are two well-placed cupholders and a spacious storage compartment in the armrest spot for smaller items like phones, wallets, or keys. Additionally, the console includes various controls for advanced features such as traction control or off-road driving modes, enhancing usability and versatility.

The seats on the Toyota LC 250 include premium leather, offering excellent comfort and support. At front, both seats come with heating and ventilation for a luxurious experience in all weather conditions. The driver’s seat is equipped with electrical adjustments to provide the best driving position.

In the middle row, passengers benefit from ample legroom and headroom, with seats designed for both comfort and functionality. The third row has an option for two seats or can be expanded for more cargo space. The third row of seats is designed to accommodate additional passengers when needed. It is slightly compact compared to the middle row; these seats are practical for short trips or for families requiring extra seating.

Performance

The Toyota LC 250 delivers impressive performance with its 2.8-litre diesel engine. It features a 16-valve DOHC, 4-cylinder in-line configuration with a chain drive. The engine delivers a maximum power output of 150 kW at 3000-3400 rpm and a peak torque of 500 Nm at 1600-2800 rpm, offering solid acceleration and strong low-end power. The 8-speed automatic transmission ensures smooth gear shifts, and the 4WD drivetrain provides excellent traction, making it suitable for various terrains.

The Toyota LC 250 is equipped with a durable suspension system, with a double-wishbone setup in the front and a 4-link with a lateral rod in the rear for good stability and comfort. The ventilated disc brakes on both the front and rear provide reliable stopping power. The LC 250 has a 265/65R18 size tyre on the All-rounder variant and a 265/60R20 tyre on the Luxury variant. The aluminium wheel construction and a minimum turning radius of just 6 meters give the LC 250 nice handling and good manoeuvrability for both urban and rugged driving conditions.

The Toyota LC 250 has great off-road capability with the high ground clearance and suspension system. Along with these, it also has a strong body-on-frame design for durability. Its 4WD system and powerful engine provide great traction and torque for rough terrain and heavy towing. It has features like KDSS and Crawl Control that help improve stability and control on challenging surfaces and off-road modes like Rock, Sand, and Mud and Sand.

Safety and Features

The Toyota LC 250 does not compromise in terms of safety features to ensure driver and passenger protection. Both the All-Rounder and Luxury variants are equipped with Vehicle Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Hill-start Assist Control. It also features Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Active Traction Control (A-TRC), and Trailer Sway Control (TSC) to improve safety while driving. Additionally, the Parking Sensor, Reverse Camera, and Multi-terrain Monitor (MTM) provide extra support when parking or driving in difficult conditions.

For added safety, the LC 250 includes multiple airbags for both the driver and passengers, along with seatbelts that feature pre-tensioners and force limiters. It also has child safety features like the Child Restraint System and ISOFIX anchors for secure child seat installation. Other features include an immobilizer, an anti-theft alarm, and a back monitor. The Luxury variant also adds side pre-tensioners and force limiters for extra protection for a safe and secure ride.

The features of the Toyota LC 250 are as follows;