Toyota LandCruiser Sahara ZX 2024 Review

Early in 2024, Toyota Australia upped pricing on some models and the 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series was one of them.

Pricing now kicks off at just over $98K for the entry-level GX, however you’ll now have to fork out a whopping $146,876 plus on-road costs for the flagship Sahara ZX tested here. That’s a lot of money for a LandCruiser and that’s if you can even get one at all.

Toyota Australia says wait times for the LC300 range are currently around eight months, which is better than it has been, and it expects reduced wait times of around “3-5 months” by mid-2024.

But those keen on one should find the wait – and price – somewhat justified when you consider what’s included.

Standard gear includes 20-inch alloy wheels, projector bi-LED headlights, sequential indicators, chrome accents across the exterior, four-zone climate control, heated and ventilated outboard seats (including the second row), a cool box between the driver and front passenger and a big 12.3-inch colour touch-screen with navigation and smartphone mirroring.

Our tester’s metallic Saturn Blue paint job added $675 to the invoice, and in case you missed the memo, Toyota ditched the previous-gen model’s turbo-diesel V8, with all variations of the LC300 now employing a 227kW/700Nm 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 mated to a 10-speed automatic that sends power to all four corners.

From behind the wheel, it feels safe as houses, too, with Toyota’s Safety Sense suite bringing 10 airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, adaptive high beam, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.

While the luxurious 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Sahara ZX is built with an on-road focus, it still comes with decent off-road capability thanks to full-time four-wheel drive, a locking centre differential, Torsen limited-slip rear diff and low-range gearing.

And, as with the entire LC300 range, you get a 3500kg braked towing capacity and six multi-terrain select modes for off-roading, while the Sahara ZX also offers five on-road drive modes – Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport S and Sport S+ – so it feels like a solid all-rounder.

Hop inside and it feels like a big, luxurious bus, and in some ways, more deserving of a Lexus badge. The leather seats are plush, the headliner is finished in a soft, suede-like material and interior fit and finish is excellent. It still feels robust in the way you’d expect of a LandCruiser, just more swanky thanks to carbon-inspired dash inlays and our tester’s beige aesthetic.

For a big, ginormous brick, it’s also (unexpectedly) fun to drive and that’s mostly because the turbo-diesel V6 is a hoot. It’s responsive, smooth and relatively quiet under load, while the fitment of a new (and seamless) 10-speed automatic ensures the 3.3-litre donk is kept well within its torque band and ready to rumble.

For such a big vehicle – this thing weighs in at 2.61 tonnes – it moves off the line effortlessly and needs very little prodding to increase speed, if you need to perform an overtaking manoeuvre, for example. Even at highway speeds, put your foot down and the ’Cruiser knuckles down and takes off.

The driving modes are a welcome addition, even if two dedicated Sport modes are a little perplexing at first – it is a LandCruiser, after all – but it means there’s something to suit every taste.

Surprisingly, Sport S was the preferred drive mode for this reviewer, bringing sharpened steering, more potent throttle response and a ride that felt poised and engaging.

That powertrain also proved relatively frugal in our experience – again, considering its size and mass – where we managed to average 10.3L/100km, just a little over Toyota’s combined-cycle claim of 8.9L/100km.

The size. “Of course it’s big, it’s a bloody LandCruiser ya flaming galah!” you say. Yes, I hear you and yes, I know.

But for someone who doesn’t need a car the size of the 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Sahara ZX for everyday duties – that is, me and, let’s be honest, most people – it’s difficult to park, difficult to climb up in and out of, and challenging to navigate drive-thrus, narrow city streets and built-up suburban car parks.

At the same time, I’m cognisant of the fact that its obnoxiously large dimensions – 5015mm long, 1980mm wide and 1950mm high – are what also makes the LandCruiser appealing to many. It’s intimidating and humans generally like to feel protected and untouchable.

Something that also comes with that territory – and traditionally, the LandCruiser nameplate – is the ability to go just about anywhere. And, while the Sahara ZX certainly retains some 4x4 ability, it’s not as capable off-road as the more focused LC300 GR Sport, owing to a reduced 24-degree approach angle (compared to 32 degrees) and the fact it misses out on front and rear locking diffs.

Ground clearance is the same at 245mm across the board, however the Sahara ZX’s lessened approach angle is due to its fancy bespoke front bumper, while fatter side skirts are more suited to school drop-offs than rocky mountain climbing.

Speaking of school drop-offs, it’s worth noting – in case you missed it – that the Sahara ZX is only available as a five-seater, and it’s a rather cramped one at that. At least, in the second row, where those cool DVD screens take up a fair bit of real estate, and there’s no fore-aft seat base adjustment, meaning taller adults will be pinched for legroom, particularly if there are tall adults up front, too.

At least they’re treated to fantastic amenities – heated and cooled outboard seats, a HDMI port, temperature controls and plenty of storage options.

So, it’s not as rugged or flexible as other Cruisers and that might be fine for some, but it brings us to the next downer. Price.

When it landed in 2021, the top-spec Sahara ZX was priced from $138,790 plus on-road costs. A few price bumps later, you’ll now need to fork out more than $150K to get one on road.

As suave as it is, that’s a lot of coin for a LandCruiser designed mainly for paved roads.

Anyone willing to spend well into six figures on a 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series should have fairly high expectations and most of those will be met in the range-topping Sahara ZX.

It’s lovely to drive (for a vehicle this large), brings a luxuriously appointed cabin, will still carry and tow big loads and comes equipped with all the gear you’d expect when you’re spending this much money.

But the Sahara ZX is a niche proposition and if you’re not married to the LandCruiser badge there might be better options when it comes to a highly-specified large SUV with a dash of off-road prowess.

If luxury is the priority, the Lexus LX or Land Rover Defender might be more appealing. If it’s off-road capability, then the slightly more affordable LandCruiser GR Sport (or even an LC further down the tree) might tick the boxes.

2024 Toyota LandCruiser Sahara ZX at a glance:
Price: $146,876 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel
Output: 227kW/700Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 235g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)