How time flies . . .not! It’s been a full four years since the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series had the rule run over it by the maker. The last upheaval to the LC 300, which first made landfall Down Under in the Snowy River Scheme more than half a century ago, was in 2021.
Who’d have thought then that the premium Sahara would be knocked off its pedestal by, not only one but two claimants – the ZX and GR Sport – to the Cruiser crown? Slow forward to this year with the six-model five or seven-seat series taking on improved safety tech, upgraded multimedia system and more comfort and convenience.
Standard across the range from entry-level GX are lane trace assist, emergency steering assist and drive halt. Parking has been made easier by the addition of guidelines to the reversing camera. Price is up to $97,990, plus on-road costs.
The seven-seat GXL ($110,820) adds further safety features and cabin upgrades, while the luxury-plus VX boasts better seating, embedded satellite navigation and a new front HDMI port replacing the existing DVD/CD player.
Sitting above is the Sahara test vehicle, which remains unchanged in price ($139,310) and equipment. The top two, the off-road focused GR Sport, and super luxury Sahara ZX stop the ‘clock’ at $146,160 and $146,910, respectively.
All LandCruiser 300 Series models are covered by the Toyota Warranty Advantage for five years unlimited kilometres, with servicing capped for five years, 60,000 kilometres.
STYLING
Toyota opined when the new LandCruiser 300 Series arrived in 2021 that it could be easily identified by a strong trademark design making it at home in the stylish school car park or unforgiving outback.
For example, the LC 300 strong street stance hinges on understated chrome work of the radiator up front, which is underpinned by the first TNGA body-on-frame platform delivering overall weight reduction and increased body rigidity, ride comfort and stable handling in all conditions.
INTERIOR
The cabin includes new suede-like fabric upholstery, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, 40/20/40 split-fold second row seating and a second-row centre armrest.
Second-row seats tumble forward leaving an awkward entry to the third row, as is the leg room when in the back. There is also a remote release from the rear of the cabin. The third row is power folding. A USB-C outlet can be found on both sides.
Four-zone climate control air-con takes the place of a two-zone system, while storage is led by a stand-out centre console cool box. The rear cargo space adds up to 175 litres with all seat backs raised,1004 litres with third row folded and 1967 litres with second and third rows folded.
INFOTAINMENT
Toyota’s latest generation multimedia system has been taken up across the range and now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, together with DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth compatibility and voice recognition.
The company’s Connected Services has been expanded to include remote air-conditioning and cloud-based satellite navigation with live traffic updates, help with on and off-street parking options and points of interest for travellers.
Information can be brought to hand to the driver via a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, matching a similar-size multimedia touchscreen, while he or she can take advantage of power tilt-and-reach steering column to gain the perfect driving position.
A new front HDMI port takes the place of the existing DVD/CD player for media playback.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Across the range, the LandCruiser 300 Series is powered by a 3.3-litre twin-turbodiesel V6 engine stumping up 227kW of peak power and a terrific 700Nm of torque, mated with a ten-speed automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels via a full-time all-wheel drive system.
All feature a locking centre differential, low range transfer case, crawl control, descent assist and traction control. The Sahara also chips in with Multi-Terrain Select which adds assurance in rugged going. Braked rowing capacity is set at 3500kg
SAFETY
The LandCruiser 300 Series Sahara has earned a five-star safety rating at 2022 testing. As well as ten airbags, through Toyota’s own suite of active safety systems, include autonomous emergency braking, including pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist (brake-based), speed sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane trace assist (lane centring, reversing camera, Multi-Terrain Monitor with surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, rear parking support brake and trailer sway control.
DRIVING
Engine noise is well contained by ample cabin insulation. while the size of the big SUV is not unwieldy to navigate city streets or tight car parks.
Fuel consumption on the combined urban/highway cycle was claimed by the maker at 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres. During a week of to-ing-and-fro-ing, the test Sahara, at worst recorded 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres, at best on the motorway, clocked 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres.
Lane assistance systems are intrusive, with lane centring, called Lane Trace Assist, particularly jerky. Adaptive cruise control works well with the traffic sign recognition.
As for passing on information to the driver, it was as if too much information was never enough, with two crowded screens presenting, literally a jumble of letters and numbers, which took some time to become used to.
SUMMARY
Things move slowly but surely in Cruiser Land, which suits the Toyota legacy LC300 Series traditionalists down to the ground.
RATINGS
Looks – 7
Performance – 8
Safety – 7
Thirst – 8
Practicality – 8
Comfort – 6
Tech – 7
Value – 6
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
LandCruiser 300 GX $96,991
LandCruiser 300 GXL $108,791
LandCruiser 300 VX $120,991
LandCruiser 300 Sahara $138,191
LandCruiser 300 GR Sport $144,791
LandCruiser 300 Sahara ZX $145,791
Note: this price does not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your Toyota local dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Toyota LandCruiser 300 Sahara 3.3-litre twin turbocharged V6 diesel, 10sp auto 4WD SUV
ENGINE
Configuration: six cylinders in ‘V’
Maximum power 227kW @ 4000rpm
Maximum torque: 700Nm @ 1600-2600rpm
Fuel type: Diesel
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 8.9L/100km
CO2 emissions: ???g/km
DRIVELINE: Ten-speed automatic, 4WD
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4980mm
Width: 1980mm
Height: 1950mm
Wheelbase: 2850mm:
Turning circle: 15m
Kerb weight: 2200kg
Fuel tank: 80L (30L reserve)
BRAKES
Front: Disc
Rear: Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years / unlimited kilometres
Capped price servicing five years, 60,000km
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