Toyota Australia has delayed the arrival of its V6 petrol-electric LandCruiser 300 Series, with the performance-focused hybrid now due in the second half of 2026, while plans for a turbo- petrol plug-in hybrid Prado appear to have been ruled out.

Toyota’s long-awaited electrified LandCruiser 300 Series has hit a timing setback, with Toyota Australia vice president of national sales, marketing and franchise operations John Pappas confirming a revised launch window.

“We're looking at just after the middle of the year, so just at the beginning of the third quarter for the performance hybrid LandCruiser. That's the plan,” he told carsales.

Originally set to arrive on Aussie terra firma in March or April, Pappas did not elaborate on why the vehicle’s local launch has slipped a few months.

When it does arrive, the new hybrid LC300 won’t be chasing outright efficiency – and won’t be a panacea for rising petrol prices either.

Instead, Toyota is positioning it as a ‘performance hybrid’, pairing a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with electric assistance.

The result is expected outputs of around 340kW/790Nm, comfortably eclipsing the current 3.3-litre turbo-diesel V6’s 227kW/700Nm.

Despite the added performance, Toyota is targeting fuel economy close to the diesel’s 8.9L/100km claim, while retaining the full 3500kg towing capacity.

However, the hybrid won’t replace the diesel LandCruiser outright.

Toyota has previously acknowledged Australia’s strong preference for diesel powertrains, particularly among 4x4 buyers, ensuring the oil-burner remains a core part of the LC300 line-up.

The new powertrain will also be positioned at the top end of the range.

At launch, it will be limited to the Sahara ZX and GR Sport variants, effectively making it a premium offering rather than a mainstream option. Pricing is expected to eclipse $150,000 for the new models.

The hybrid LC300 will also be sold exclusively as a five-seater, leaving the diesel as the only choice for buyers needing three-row capability.

Meanwhile, hopes of similar hybrid technology making its way into the LandCruiser Prado have been dashed.

While the US-market LandCruiser 250 Series (Prado) is available with Toyota’s 2.4-litre turbo-petrol i-FORCE MAX hybrid system (243kW/630Nm) that pumps out a lot more power and torque than the 2.8-litre diesel Aussies are offered, that petrol-electric powertrain is not locked in for Australia.

“At this stage, all we've got confirmed is the LandCruiser 300 performance hybrid,” Pappas said.

The decision comes despite a sharp decline in Prado sales, which are down more than 46 per cent locally.

With diesel prices rising and buyers increasingly considering electrified alternatives, the absence of a petrol-hybrid Prado leaves Toyota relying on its updated diesel with 48-volt technology for now.

Toyota’s hybrid push into its flagship 4x4 line-up is clearly performance-led rather than efficiency-focused, at least for the LandCruiser 300 Series.

While the delayed arrival may frustrate keen buyers, the combination of significantly increased outputs and familiar capability could make the hybrid an appealing high-end alternative to diesel.

As for the Prado, the lack of a confirmed petrol-electric option suggests Australian buyers may need to wait longer – or look elsewhere – for a more electrified family-friendly 4x4.

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