Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series: Top four features

After months of leaks and speculation, the 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series was finally unveiled this week, confirming key details for one of the most hotly anticipated new model releases of 2021.

Ahead of its Australian release late this year, here’s our pick of the four highlights the all-new ’Cruiser will bring, based on official information and our best intel.

Yes, the big news under the bonnet is the switch from the 200 Series’ 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel V8 to a downsized 3.3-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder – Toyota’s first diesel V6.

But compare the specs and it’s likely the only thing we’ll miss about the old 1VD-FTV engine is its 90-degree V8 burble.

Toyota’s downsized oiler produces 227kW of power at 4000rpm and 700Nm of torque over 1600-2600rpm. That’s 27kW (13.5 per cent) more power and 50Nm (7.7 per cent) more torque than the 200 Series, which produced its peak power at a lower 3400rpm but max torque over the same rev range.

For now, Aussies won’t be offered the new 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 available in other markets. The biturbo V6 is a development of the Lexus LS 500 limousine’s engine and develops more power (305kW at 5200rpm) but less torque (650Nm over 2000-3600rpm).

Toyota says it will propel the big SUV to 100km/h in an impressive 6.7 seconds but, while fuel economy figures are yet to be revealed (Toyota says only that fuel consumption and emissions will be “noticeably lower”), it won’t match the diesel V6 for efficiency and therefore range.

Whether the 300 Series retains the 200 Series’ 138-litre dual-tank fuel capacity and 15,000km/12-month service intervals remains unknown. But the new LandCruiser diesel will use less fuel than its predecessor, which officially consumed 9.5L/100km for a theoretical 1450km range.

Both new V6s will be paired to a new 10-speed automatic transmission instead of the current six-speed unit, driving a full-time four-wheel drive system with high- and low-range gear ratios and, for flagship variants, switchable front, centre and rear diff-locks.

Towing capacity remains at 3500kg and a three-speed off-road crawl control system continues alongside a new Multi-Terrain Select system with five off-road modes (Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud and Deep Snow), in addition to six regular drive modes – Eco, Normal, Comfort, Sports, Sports+ and Custom.

By 2025 the petrol engine is expected to form the basis of the LandCruiser’s first hybrid powertrain, as seen in the Lexus LS 500h and LC 500h. In addition, a hydrogen fuel-cell electric powertrain option could join the 300 Series range within its lifecycle.

All 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series models ride on a new steel ladder frame named TNGA-F and are underpinned by new suspension all round, including a four-link rear-end.

Toyota says the new suspension structure delivers a “giant leap forward in 4WD performance” thanks to increased wheel articulation, making it “the most capable LandCruiser ever”.

Despite being roughly the same size as the 200 Series (4990mm long and 1980mm wide), the kerb weight of the new model has dropped by up to 200kg on some models in the Middle East, although Toyota Australia is claiming reductions of about 100kg across its diesel range.

This is despite the addition of a host of new technologies and likely due mostly to the new ladder frame and suspension structures, plus smaller engines that are much lighter than the 372kg V8 they replace.

What’s more, Toyota is claiming better weight distribution due to the lighter engines that are positioned lower and further back, and a lower centre of gravity thanks in part to an aluminium roof, along with improved body rigidity

Also improving performance both off-road and on, range-topping model grades will offer an upgraded version of the 200 Series’ KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), now called eKDSS.

The system ditches hydraulics for an electronic set-up that disconnects the vehicle’s sway bars to increase wheel articulation off-road and while maintaining on-road dynamics.

Expect base models to continue on 18-inch wheels with slightly narrower 265/65 R18 tyres, and top-spec variants to come with 20-inch alloys with 265/55 R20 rubber.

Likely to carry over are the 200 Series’ formidable off-road tech specs, including 230mm of ground clearance and a 32-degree approach angle, 24-degree departure angle, 21-degree breakover angle and 700mm wading depth.

Perhaps the most noticeable change for most buyers will be the 2022 Toyota LandCruiser’s all-new interior, which should be better packaged, lined with better quality materials and fitted with an array of new technologies.

Chief among them, at least on flagship variants, will be a new tablet-style 12.3-inch (up from 9.0-inch) infotainment touch-screen in the centre of the dash with satellite navigation and, for the first time, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, plus the Toyota Connected Services app.

In the centre of the instrument cluster is a 7.0-inch LCD info display, below a colour head-up display and behind a leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment.

A new start/stop button with inbuilt fingerprint reader will be able to store up to 10 different fingerprints and link them with each driver’s seating, audio and climate settings.

Also in premium models, middle-row occupants will enjoy Wi-Fi-enabled 11.6-inch entertainment screens on the front seatbacks, four-zone climate control, four USB outlets (in addition to two up front), a 14-speaker premium JBL sound system, woodgrain trim and a small in-car fridge.

Other new tech available in some models will be adaptive LED headlights, wireless smartphone charging, a cabin air ioniser, a power-operated single-piece tailgate and a 240-volt power outlet in the cargo area.

An array of new active safety systems will also be fitted, including lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.

Also for the first time in a LandCruiser, there will be autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with day and night pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist detection and intersection turning detection, plus 360-degree cameras and a 3D Multi-Terrain Monitor.

Toyota’s new GR Sport sub-brand will join the LandCruiser range for the first time with the new 300 Series, and the new sports variant is all but certain to be available in Australia.

It’s not yet clear what form the 2022 Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport will take Down Under, but it appeared at the LC300’s world debut in Dubai wearing a shorter front bumper with blacked-out and GR-badged grille, plus all-terrain tyres.

Together, they’re expected to increase the approach angle and perhaps also the ground clearance, but the GR Sport could also bring extra off-road drive modes and bespoke interior highlights.