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Toyota has been churning out impressive models and it's not stopping. The Land Cruiser J250 turned out to be so popular that some people are trading in their American SUVs for it. If that wasn't enough, Toyota is coming up with a new FJ Cruiser, which promises to feature much of the J250's character, but in a more compact package.
That said, the Land Cruiser is not perfect, but that doesn't dissuade most people. Some Toyota SUV and truck owners complain about road and/ or wind noise, often pointing at subpar build quality or design fault. My latest find is from the Toyota Land Cruiser 2024 North America Facebook group, where one J250 owner decided to fix the problem in a simple way. But has it worked? Here's what he says:
“The windshield noise is bad on the highway. I found this on amazon, gave it a try, and it helps a lot. A lot cleaner looking than the DIY solutions others have tried.”
Yo Chao, the group member who posted this, is looking for a solution that both works, and looks OEM. Oftentimes, DIY solutions look like quick patch jobs as the fitment is not great, but this one seems to be working as the owner intended. One group member even asked the owner to take a better photo, because he didn't see where added the rubber trim seal was installed – a testimony to how subtle the modification is.
Road and wind-noise complaints are not uncommon
The Toyota Land Cruiser owner says that the windshield noise was more prevalent at speeds of 70 mph or higher. The rubber trim seal fits neatly in the gap between the windshield and factory trim and reportedly makes a difference. That said, Yo Chao notes that the rearview mirrors still create a ton of road noise – something other J250 owners complain about.
What else are Toyota Land Cruiser J250 owners complaining about?
Even in its less-powerful form, the J250 Toyota Land Cruiser smashes the competition off-road. That said, there are also some notable gripes owners have with their Japanese SUVs. Here are the most notable issues owners have with their J250:
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Engine performance – on paper, the hybrid i-Force-Max offers great performance and decent fuel economy. However, some owners are not pleased with how that performance is being delivered, as they claim the engine feels rough and unrefined. This includes vibrations, particularly at low RPMs. This has caused some owners to trade in their Land Cruisers for larger models with more cylinders.
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Interior quality – if anyone can get away with making a utilitarian interior nowadays, it's Toyota. Still, many owners claim that at nearly $60,000 base MSRP, the interior really should have been better.
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Road noise – related to the above-mentioned problem, many owners report excessive road/ wind noise, particularly from (but limited to) the side mirrors.
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Small fuel tank – while a 17.9-gallon fuel tank is normally for a car, it is mediocre at best for an SUV. With 23 MPG (22 city/ 25 highway) combined according to the EPA standard, the J250 Land Cruiser has a range of 416 miles with a full tank of gas. Granted, some owners report an average MPG in the high-26s to mid-27s.
Final thoughts
While some owners of Toyota's more recent SUV and truck models have complained about poor sound insulation and mediocre build quality, many are absolutely in love with their J250 Land Cruiser. This can also be chalked down to different perceptions. It also depends on what your previous vehicles were. As someone who daily drives a sports car, almost everything else feels comfortable by comparison.
What Yo Chao has done may just be an ingenious and cheap modification that improves the J250's comfort. I am curious to hear your experience with Toyota's more recent offerings. Do you agree with this owner and his solution for sorting out the noise problem? 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: 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser press release
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