Thanks so much, guys! My husband was complaining about the LR4 price so I thought I'd look at other options but it sounds like from seating position and view, the LR4 is really what I'm looking for.
I sat in a Landcruiser recently and didn't think it compared in terms of seating position - though it was better than some. (And is more $ than an LR4.) The only reason I'd go there is for the local dealership and if I found a great deal but I really, really adore the LR4 so if I'm spending that much $... Might as well get the car I love.
I also really prefer how much more narrow the LR4 is - (body is 76 wide, I believe) - LR now lists 80.5 but I think that's due to the new permanent side steps. Should be easier to park at all of the kids' busy school/activity parking lots than the wider Land cruiser (79), Volvo (79), Tahoe (81), etc.
Not to steer you away but for accuracy, the Land Cruiser is not "appreciably" wider than the LR4. I am pretty sure that it IS wider but not by much. I measured all aspects once so maybe I'll dig up those notes.
I think the seat itself, can be put into the same sort of positions but it's the shape of the windows and relative height of front dash that make the lr4 seem so easy to view out.
Also, to be sure you're comparing actual $ in reality, Land Cruiser lists for $82,000 and has NO "options" other than choosing your paint and interior colors. Now, the disregard the $82k. It "sells" for $71-$73k all the time even though the first time you go to most dealers they say "oh, that's not really common" etc. Well, of course most of them don't want to just lay down on the first meeting. Yet, some dealers, if you look online, are already advertising at $73k before haggling at all.
Now, a new lr4 with all the options except rear DVD comes in around $70k +/- a bit depending on several options to choose or leave off. To me, the LR4 and Land Cruiser are basically equal in price comparison. Sorry to say but the difference is that with the Land Cruiser, you probably won't actually visit the dealer more than for the oil change and routine checks.
What's actually better about a Land Cruiser? Well, both vehicles have pros and cons but the LC definitely has a few things that an objective person must agree are "better":
-build quality of the chassis and body and drive train components (why in only 100,000 miles do some lr3/4 need new differentials?)
-the LC chassis is rated for higher towing and payload
-ventilated seats in LC. Very nice in summer!
-wider usable cargo area and same height and longer. only problem is to fully utilize that one has to remove the 3rd row seats.
-sunroof opens fully, enough to crawl up through if you felt like it and has a solid sun blocking panel that just works, forever, not the "screens" that we all know pop open on some of our lr3/4.
-5.7 V8 made in japan
-simple 100% reliable steel springs rather than an air suspension.
-much better highway handling but the sway bars disconnect off road for great rugged use by way of the "KDSS" which is a different approach to how LR uses the "cross linked" air suspension. The LR design to me "works better" but it is an item that can fail, has failed, and will really leave you in an annoying situation IF it fails or has a computer glitch.
-resale value on LC is much higher and in perpetuity, so much so that it's not even in the same discussion really.
-Land Cruiser can use a wider variety of wheel and tire sizes with 17" factory being a choice but the LC comes with 18" putting it immediately into a better range of tire choices than the 19 or 20" wheels on the lr4. You can adapt 18" to the lr4 but only with spacers or with a set of $2500 wheels from the UK.
The LC however can use their own 17, 18 or 20 if you want to buy a 2nd set for winter tires. The spare fits under the rear but is accessible more easily.
-The LC automatically comes with a full size spare but LR4 requires the towing "option". LC has all those options as "standard". Full size spare, towing, heated seats and steering wheel, ventilated seats, rear dvd, nav, and some of that apps stuff but you can use an ipad instead these days.
-LC can fit a 33" tire without modifications. lr4 only 31" without any modifications. While you may not care about tire "size" right now, it at least is a future proof idea as well as allowing for a wider tire choice range.
-LC is made to allow running 87 octane fuel.
-Ok, lastly about $... LC is not a vehicle people say "oh, don't own one without a warranty" but LR is the one most people and mechanics say that about, unfortunately
LR4 will simply cost you more over 100,000 miles or over 10 years however you want to look at it. So, even if the up front cost on the two is different by $10,000, (like $63k vs $73k) I'd say that after 100,000, the LC is ahead for sure. It's quite possible though that the LC can be the same price up front and it's ahead from the start.
I think you need to drive a Land Cruiser. Since 2013 they are essentially the same so even a used one will give you the sense of how it drives.
