I Sold My American-Built Hybrid SUV For A Toyota Land Cruiser And It Is Already A Much Better Experience

The US has the most patriotic car buyers, which means they are more likely to drive off a dealership lot with a locally manufactured or at the very least, American model, without additional incentives. That said, patriotism can only reward you so much when you are looking for a reliable personal transport or, at the very least, an upgrade over your previous car. 

As I was scouting the group "Toyota Land Cruiser 2024 North America” on Facebook, I stumbled upon a post by Joshua Provence, who recently picked up a Toyota Land Cruiser First Edition from the showroom floor. 

What caught my attention was the car he traded in and his impressions from both SUV models. I think this is important as it gives us an idea of where car buyer preferences are and what certain manufacturers need to work on. Moreover, even the least powerful J250 Toyota Land Cruiser is able to dominate the off-road scene against some of the most popular SUVs from the US and Europe. Here's what Joshua says:

“Drove by for a test drive… you know how this ends. Loving it. Traded our Grand Cherokee 4xe.” 

Joshua is clearly on the hybrid SUV bandwagon, but even he is willing to trade all-electric range for a better, more reliable platform. The Grand Cherokee 4xE is capable of driving on electricity for up to 25 miles (almost 32 miles according to the WLTP cycle). The hybrid system of the American SUV is also more complex as it relies on a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and two electric motors to drive the rear wheels, and when necessary, send power to the front.  

Meanwhile, the 2.4-liter i-Force Max hybrid in the Land Cruiser provides permanent four-wheel drive, which results in impressive off-road capability, together with the body-on-frame structure. Meanwhile, the Grand Cherokee's unibody platform makes it better suited for the road, but many who have driven or owned one claim it isn't great on the road either.  

I found some owner testimonies as amusing as educational.

Stephen Boehme says: “Toyota actually knows how to build hybrids, so I would say that’s a massive improvement.” 

Joshua Provence also adds: “We really did love the plug in though. 25 miles of range was perfect to 95% of the situation. I barely consider the LC a hybrid compared to the 4XE. But yes, I agree, massive improvement in overall reliability.” 

Michael Muti says: “Traded mine 2023 Grand Cherokee Overland as well for the LC/LC. The GC could be the worst-made SUV on the road.” 

Unsurprisingly, the owner went to Toyota for reliability, despite the company's recent mishaps. While the twin-turbo V-6 had some issues initially, the 2.4-liter hybrid is holding up great so far. Despite that, more than a few owners have traded in their Land Cruiser after mere months. That said, reliability is still on Toyota's menu, especially when it comes to its J250 model. 

Joshua Provence adds more to his Grand Cherokee 4xE experience: “Hybrid drive errors every day, harsh ride, and even harsher seats. I pulled no less than 10 codes from the various modules in the car. After that, I said I’m done. Warranty or not.”  

One place where the Toyota Land Cruiser J250 beats the Grand Cherokee 4xE is in the price department. The PHEV variant of the Jeep has a starting MSRP of $62,485, while the Land Cruiser starts at $58,150. Moreover, dealerships seem to be churning out Land Cruisers for under MSRP, left and right, which is even more reason to go for the proven Japanese hybrid SUV. 

I am curious to hear what you think on the matter. I think the 2.0-liter unit in the hybrid Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE feels a bit strained when you attempt to access all of the power. While there are mixed opinions on the J250 Land Cruiser powertrain, it has proven to be the better setup so far, despite not having the ability to drive on electricity alone. Which one would you go for? The American-made PHEV from Jeep or the "barely-hybrid", but sturdy Land Cruiser? Let me know in the comment section below. 

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source: Joshua Provence / Facebook, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe/ Stellantis press kit