Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series – What you need to know

Originally imported by Theiss Brothers for use by their contractors on the Snowy River Hydro scheme in the late 1950s, the LandCruiser welded the Toyota nameplate to Australia and it has been a part of our motoring landscape ever since.

In 2021, the new-from-the-ground-up Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series arrived with a new look and single powertrain: a twin-turbo 3.3-litre V6 linked to a 10-speed auto transmission, driving all four wheels.

The LandCruiser 300 Series comprises six model grades. The GX, Sahara ZX and GR Sport have five-seat accommodation, while the GXL, VX and Sahara offer seven seats over three rows. At the time of writing, prices ranged from $92,681 to $141,481 plus on-road costs.

The choice of features is extensive so let’s look at what goodies are offered on which models at what price.

The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series range kicks off five-seater GX that’s priced from $92,681 plus on-road costs and comes with the following equipment as standard:

• 9.0-inch infotainment colour touch-screen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
• Dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning
• 10 airbags
• Three selectable drive modes
• Reversing camera
• 17-inch steel wheels

Colour choice is the main Toyota LandCruiser option. On the GR Sport, seven hues are offered, with eight on the GX, nine on the GXL, VX and Sahara and 10 available on the Sahara ZX.

White and Ebony are standard colours, with the rest adding $675.

There are a host of Toyota genuine accessories available, covering bull bars, protective covers, weather shields, roof racks, cargo barriers, alloy wheel designs, towing-related items and more.

All Toyota LandCruiser models come with Toyota’s Safety Sense technology, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection.

Every LandCruiser has a reversing camera, 10 airbags for protection in the event of a collision, adaptive cruise control, crawl and trailer sway control, hill start and hill descent assist, automatic high beam headlights, lane departure alert with brake to steer and road speed sign assist.

Stepping up to the LandCruiser GXL adds a reversing camera with guide monitor, parking sensors at each end, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

The VX sees the addition of lane trace assist with steering wheel vibration, auto-levelling projector bi-LED headlights with washers, rain-sensing wipers and a four camera panoramic view monitor, providing a clearer view of what’s around the vehicle.

Adaptive headlights are only on the Sahara ZX or GR Sport variants, but all models get LED daytime running lights, front turn signals and door mirror turn indicators.

The LandCruiser 300 Series also has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Standard in all Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series variants is Toyota Connected Services through the myToyota Connect app. It provides tracking if the car is stolen, provides automatic collision notification and issues SOS emergency calls.

A 9.0-inch infotainment touch-screen is found in the Toyota LandCruiser GX and operates the Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and digital radio through six speakers.

There’s a single USB audio input, Bluetooth music and phone streaming and connectivity plus a 4.2-inch trip computer display, front and rear 12-volt outlets as well as a 220-volt accessory input.

If you go for the GXL you get five USB charging ports, one in the front and four in the rear, along with wireless phone charging.

Another step up the ladder to the VX sees a much larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen with sat-nav, a CD and DVD player, 10 speakers and a 7.0-inch driver’s display screen.

A dose of aircraft luxury awaits second-row occupants in the Sahara with twin TV monitors along with a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system. A head-up display also debuts on this variant.

The Toyota LandCruiser knows how to keep its occupants refreshed with six cup holders in the GX and GXL and eight in all other variants.

From the VX up you get an arm rest in the second row, and if you shoot for the Sahara and above a cool box in the centre console keeps food and drinks chilly.

How many seats do you want? This is probably one of the first decisions to make.

If seven is your answer, the GXL is the cheapest way to get them and your entree for privacy glass, auto-dimming and heated door mirrors, LED front fog lights and the convenience of side steps and roof rails. Painted lower door mouldings give it a polished look.

Do you want the third-row seats power-folding? If you’ve gone for the seven seats and want the third row power-operated, swing past the manually operated seats of the GXL and VX and head for the Sahara.

Is leather trim a deal-maker? While the GX and GXL make do with fabric trim and the VX has a synthetic material on its seats, leather-accented trim is used on the Sahara, Sahara ZX and GR Sport. Leather also adorns the transmission lever in the VX, Sahara, Sahara ZX and GR Sport.

Adjusting the seats in the GX and GXL is done manually, leaving the VX, Sahara, Sahara ZX and GR Sport with eight-way power front seats with power lumbar support and heating. If you want the front seats to cool you as well, along offering a memory function for the driver’s seat position, shimmy over to the Sahara as a minimum.

Accentuating the upmarket look of the VX and Sahara is woodgrain and synthetic trim in the cabin and the premium materials employed on the centre console and door trims.

How about a power-adjustable steering wheel? The VX is the starting point for this feature and if you want to add a heating function to the wheel, take one step up to the Sahara.

Tilt and slide sunroof? Again, the VX is the starting point for this popular feature, along with premium side steps, puddle lamps and a remote-opening window function that’s a great way to expel hot air from the cabin before you get in.

Is a powered tailgate on the wish list? It makes life easier when your hands are full, but you’ll have to stump up for a Sahara at least, and if you want a motion sensor to open the tailgate automatically, take another step up to the Sahara ZX.

Every Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series comes with air-conditioning. It’s dual-zone in the front of the GX and GXL while other variants have four-zone air-con.

Selectable drive modes? All 300 Series LandCruiser models have a Multi-Terrain Select system that automatically picks the best drive mode for the conditions, while crawl control enhances stability and traction on steep, rough and uneven surfaces.

Standard on the VX and upwards is all-wheel drive integrated management that improves driveability on-road and when travelling off-road.

Drive Mode Select lets you to engage three selectable drive modes on the GX, GXL, VX and Sahara and five on the Sahara ZX and GR Sport.

The Sahara ZX and GR Sport also have adaptive suspension, improving the ride and handling, and exclusive to the GR Sport are front and rear differential locks along with electronic kinetic dynamic suspension which automatically adjusts the stabiliser bars.

How can you pick each model? Giving the GX a more rugged look are its 17-inch steel wheels, snorkel and vinyl floor covering, with all other LandCruiser 300 variants having alloy wheels and carpet.

An auto-dimming rear-view mirror kills the glare of headlights and you only have to go as far as the GXL to have this feature, along with LED front interior lights, halogen door courtesy lamps and illuminated vanity mirrors.

Stepping up to the VX sees you gain LED door and interior lamps, and 18-inch premium alloy wheels, with the Sahara gaining rear footwell lighting.

The Sahara also wears 18-inch premium alloy wheels, along with sequential turn signals and chrome for the door mirrors and door handles.

The flagship Sahara ZX features 20-inch alloy wheels, illuminated side steps, a large and unique chrome grille and carbon-look accents on the steering wheel, console and door trims.

The GR Sport variant has its logo on the leather-clad steering wheel, front head restraints and starter button. Outside the logo appears on the unique black grille, front doors and tailgate.

Other clues the GR is the sporty one of the line-up are its black lower door and wheel-arch mouldings, unique bumpers, black door mirrors and door handles, black LandCruiser badge, black window surrounds and 18-inch black alloy wheels.

Just one engine is offered across the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series line up: a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel producing 227kW of power and 700Nm of torque.

Linked to it is a 10-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. All are full-time four-wheel drive and have a centre differential lock.

Claimed combined-cycle fuel economy is 8.9L/100km.

The Toyota LandCruiser measures 4980mm long with the GX, GXL, VX and Sahara, or 4995mm with GR Sport and 5015mm with Sahara ZX.

Width is 1980mm with GXL, VX, Sahara and Sahara ZX, 1990mm with GR Sport and 2000mm with GX.

All models have a 1950mm height and rest of a 2850mm wheelbase. Front and rear track measures 1667/1668mm on all models except GX (1687/1688mm). Front overhang varies from 920mm on GX, GLX, GX and Sahara to 935mm on GR Sport and 945mm on Sahara ZX; rear overhang is 1210mm on all except Sahara ZX (1220mm).

Ground clearance is 235mm across the range, the approach angle is 32 degrees on all models except the Sahara ZX (24 degrees) and the departure angle 25 degrees for all.

Interior length and width is 2755mm/1635mm respectively, while height is 1215mm for GX/GXL and 1150mm for all others (with sunroof).

With all seats in place, luggage volume is 1131 litres in five-seater models, reducing to 175L in seven-seater versions (based on VDA calculations to roofline). Lower the rear seats and the available space increases to a maximum 2052 litres in five-seat LC300s or, in the case of seven-seat models, 1004L with the third row folded or 1967L with the second row down too.

Maximum braked towing capacity is 3500kg across the range, or 750kg unbraked.

Kerb weight ranges from 2495kg to 2630kg, and payload from 650-785kg, depending on the variant, while gross vehicle mass is 3280kg across the board.

The main fuel tank holds 80 litres, while a sub-tank adds 30L, bringing total capacity to 110L.

Although the much-loved V8 disappeared with the move from 200 Series to 300 Series Toyota LandCruiser, the 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 tied to a 10-speed auto still delivers plenty of power and torque, making long-distance driving a breeze.

The LandCruiser has a feeling of being invincible on dirt tracks, taking hills, descents and rough surfaces in its stride.

At the lower end of the range, the GXL offers a decent raft of convenience, comfort and infotainment features and, more importantly, it comes with a good arsenal of safety and driver assist functions.

Loosening the purse strings a bit, the Sahara hits my sweet spot with its more upmarket interior and longer list of equipment.

And like the GXL and VX, the Sahara also gives me the option of seven seats to cart the troops around.

How much does the 2023 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series cost?
GX – $92,681
GXL – $104,481
VX – $116,681
Sahara – $133,881
GR Sport – $140,481
Sahara ZX – $141,418
*Prices exclude on-road costs