If you consider Toyota, which mannequin do you consider? Corolla? HiLux? Toyota Australia reckons LandCruiser is the mannequin most synonymous with the Japanese model, the nameplate extra Aussies consider in terms of the world’s largest automaker.
Drive up the Hume Freeway from Melbourne to Sydney, and also you’ll see billboards declaring the areas you cross by as ‘LandCruiser nation’.
They’re not fallacious – the Toyota LandCruiser is as prolific as roadkill, gray gums and the screech of an offended cockatoo.
However occasions have modified for the reason that LandCruiser first arrived in Australia in 1958, when asbestos was plentiful, local weather change meant a vacation, and the nation’s first official skyscraper was accomplished.
Emissions rules all over the world have seen the axe fall on many iconic fashions – together with the V8-powered LandCruiser 70 Collection final 12 months, after the present 300 Collection was launched with out its predecessor’s V8 engine in late 2021.
The V8-powered Y62 Nissan Patrol has been breaking gross sales data following information that its successor will undertake a V6, too.
However tighter emissions legal guidelines have additionally introduced many new creations onto our roads – some higher, some worse – simply as lots of these these red-brick houses of the Nineteen Fifties and ’60s are actually both concrete-rendered or changed by nameless condominium blocks.
Now getting into the altering automotive panorama is the primary hybrid LandCruiser, which arrives with a ‘Efficiency Hybrid’ petrol-electric powertrain borrowed from the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup.
Toyota says the electrified V6 powertrain brings extra environment friendly motoring with out compromising any of the attributes for which the LandCruiser is legendary – a automobile seemingly too good to be true.
Towing, off-roading and substitute components availability are the core causes for the LandCruiser’s strong popularity right here, and whereas Toyota can be synonymous with environment friendly and dependable hybrid energy, the LC300 Efficiency Hybrid has rather a lot to dwell as much as alongside the prevailing twin-turbo diesel V6.
Toyota hasn’t confirmed a lot in regards to the LandCruiser hybrid, aside from the very fact it is going to be launched in Australia within the first half of 2026, accessible in two mannequin grades, and priced greater than the equal diesel variants (GR Sport and Sahara ZX).
And whereas its powertrain will probably be much like the Tundra’s, no native specs have but been introduced. However we’re not fully at nighttime, given the 300 Collection hybrid is already on sale within the Center East – and the carefully associated Lexus LX700h can be accessible there and within the US.
So is the long-awaited LandCruiser Hybrid a wise change with the occasions, or is it already yesterday’s hero – and outdated bloke with a contemporary haircut or a brand new hat, however the identical outdated cussed methods? We sampled a pre-production prototype model of the GR Sport Hybrid forward of its native launch to see if the mud sticks.
How a lot does the Toyota LandCruiser Efficiency Hybrid value?
We all know the Efficiency Hybrid will value greater than equal diesel-powered LandCruiser 300 Collection variants.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport | $146,160 |
| 2026 Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport Efficiency Hybrid | $155,000 (est) |
| 2026 Toyota LandCruiser Sahara ZX | $146,910 |
| 2026 Toyota LandCruiser Sahara ZX Efficiency Hybrid | $155,000 (est) |
Primarily based on at the moment’s pricing which means the most affordable model will value greater than the GR Sport diesel (at present $146,160 earlier than on-road prices) and the Sahara ZX hybrid will value greater than $146,910 plus on-roads, making it the most costly LandCruiser in showrooms.
It’s anticipated the pair will probably be comparable in worth to the most affordable Toyota Tundra ($155,990 earlier than on-roads), which makes use of the identical powertrain however is sourced from the US, whereas the LandCruiser comes from Japan.
That form of cash buys you the extra luxurious Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid ($158,100 plus ORCs) or you may spend much less to get into the associated Volkswagen Touareg R ($133,490 plus ORCs), one other barely smaller plug-in hybrid giant (versus extra-large) SUV that’s not so generally seen out the again of Bourke.
For extra context, a full-size Vary Rover will value you a minimum of $280,000 if you would like a plug-in hybrid powertrain, and the mild-hybrid diesel model nonetheless kicks off from just below $272,000 (each costs exclude on-road prices).
To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
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What’s the Toyota LandCruiser Efficiency Hybrid like on the within?
The LandCruiser Efficiency Hybrid’s cabin will probably be acquainted for present 300 Collection homeowners, so whereas last specs are but to be formally confirmed, the entry-level GR Sport Hybrid’s inside will carefully match the diesel model’s.
That at present consists of premium leather-based upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated and cooled entrance seats, and a cavernous centre console with woodgrain-like trims.
There’s a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with crisp, clear graphics for the panoramic view cameras, serving to in off-road conditions in addition to tight procuring centre carparks.
There’s a digital instrument cluster, GR Sport begin/cease button, and wi-fi smartphone charging, and for rear passengers there are air vents, heated and ventilated rear seats, a number of USB-C ports, and a 12V outlet.
There’s one limitation right here: just like the diesel GR Sport, the Australian model of the LandCruiser Efficiency Hybrid will come strictly as a five-seater – regardless of a seven-seat model being supplied within the Center East
The Lexus LX700h – which is a extra luxurious model of the LandCruiser Hybrid – is likewise accessible with seven seats within the US.
Each the LX700h and LandCruiser Hybrid come from the identical Yoshiwara manufacturing unit in Japan, so it seems to not be a producing limitation, however maybe a self-imposed restriction to set the pricier Lexus aside.
The boot space is marginally smaller, too, though the ground stays flat and seems to be not a lot smaller than the diesel mannequin’s – though Toyota is but to reveal cargo capability.
Within the US, the Lexus LX700h has a 1777-litre boot as a five-seater, which is lower than the 2052L claimed for Australian LandCruiser 300 five-seaters.
| Dimensions | Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport Efficiency Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Size | 4995mm |
| Width | 1990mm |
| Top | 1950mm (estimated) |
| Wheelbase | 2850mm |
| Minimal floor clearance | 235mm (estimated) |
| Cargo capability | 1777L (estimated) |
To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What’s underneath the bonnet?
There’s one powertrain for the GR Sport Efficiency Hybrid: a twin-turbo petrol V6 with an electrical motor built-in into the 10-speed computerized, powered by a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack within the again.
| Specs | Toyota LandCruiser Efficiency Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L V6 twin-turbo petrol hybrid |
| Energy | 341kW at 5200rpm (abroad mannequin) |
| Torque | 790Nm at 2400-3600rpm (abroad mannequin) |
| Transmission | 10-speed auto |
| Drive kind | Half-time 4WD |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 10.9L/100km (mixed, abroad mannequin) |
| Gasoline financial system (as examined) | N/A |
| Gasoline tank | 98 litres (abroad mannequin) |
| Gasoline requirement | 95-octane premium unleaded |
| Weight | 2811kg (estimated) |
| Payload | 650-785kg (estimated) |
| Braked towing capability | 3629kg (estimated) |
| Gross automobile mass (GVM) | 3280kg (estimated) |
| Gross mixture mass (GCM) | 6750kg (estimated) |
Codenamed V35A-FTS, the powertrain can be discovered within the Tundra pickup, the place it’s branded because the ‘i-Drive Max’ Hybrid. Toyota says it’s designed for efficiency and functionality, not merely to be as economical as potential in any respect prices (therefore the Efficiency Hybrid moniker).
Australian specs are but to be introduced, however within the Tundra it delivers 326kW of energy and 790Nm of torque, whereas within the LandCruiser GR Sport Hybrid offered abroad it makes 341kW/790Nm.
The mixed gasoline consumption determine for the LandCruiser Hybrid offered abroad is 10.9L/100km, and the hybrid system provides round 181kg to the diesel powertrain. In Australia the GR Sport diesel weighs 2630kg.
Towing capability will stay at 3500kg, the claimed 0-100km/h acceleration determine is 6.4 seconds, and whereas the local-spec GR Sport diesel has 110 litres of complete gasoline capability, the hybrid model abroad has a smaller 98L tank.
To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How does the LandCruiser Efficiency Hybrid drive?
Our first style of the LandCruiser Hybrid got here at Toyota Australia’s Altona check monitor in Melbourne – however don’t name it a check monitor if HR personnel are close by, as they like the time period ‘driving expertise’.
Our very quick drive – in all probability shorter than many outback Australian driveways – began with a sealed-surface 0-100km/h standing-start run, which made Toyota’s hot-hatch like 6.4-second declare appear achievable in the true world.
There was no wheelspin from the 265mm-wide Dunlop Grandtrek AT30 tyres on 18-inch wheels – which have the identical design as these on the present GR Sport – and the Hybrid made no fuss of its full-throttle acceleration run.
It revealed the electrified V6 powertrain has a clean character and a good exhaust be aware underneath strain, and preliminary indications are that it must be a strong drivetrain.
The Tundra is already 172kg heavier than the Australian-market LandCruiser GR Sport diesel (2630kg), so we all know the powertrain can deal with the mass.
After all, the driving place within the giant, snug leather-clad seats is carried over, as is the wonderful all-round imaginative and prescient and spaciousness all through the cabin.
Subsequent we took the LandCruiser Hybrid up a steep hill with intermittent offset ruts – virtually like concrete baths buried into the hillside. After choosing low-range and locking the centre differential within the four-wheel drive system, the hybridised LC300 walked effortlessly up the obstacled slope.
On the best way down, the hill descent management system did precisely that, guaranteeing measured progress all the best way down the hill, earlier than we headed over to some grass ‘whoops’.
Once more, we took them at gradual velocity, however they didn’t hassle the 300 Collection hybrid in any respect. Likewise, the large electrified rig glided majestically via a 600mm water wading tub, identical to the diesel model would have.
Additionally as per each different LC300 we’ve pushed, the electrical steering is gentle sufficient but provides sufficient suggestions and accuracy to make minor changes, making it exhausting to sense any variations in chassis setup, a minimum of at low velocity.
However the rock crawl part we scaled did present there’s loads of low-down torque, even when Toyota Australia is staying mum on actual outputs for now – abroad fashions quote 790Nm. Just like the 300 Collection diesel, varied crawling speeds will be chosen by way of a dial on the sprint.
Due to this fact there wasn’t rather a lot to glean from our quick and extremely managed first run, the place the Efficiency Hybrid merely did LandCruiser issues, however had been can rule out any preliminary indications the hybrid powertrain isn’t as much as the tough stuff, which is not any shock given its strong functionality within the Tundra.
To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What do you get?
Official specs haven’t been launched, however the GR Sport Hybrid we examined (and the ZX Sahara Hybrid flagship) will virtually actually supply similar tools to its diesel-powered donor automobile.
2025 Toyota LandCruiser 300 GR Sport tools highlights:
- 18-inch black-finish alloy wheels
- Distinctive grille with Toyota wordmark
- LED headlights with handbook levelling
- Adaptive excessive beam
- Locking entrance and rear differentials
- Rear torque-sensing limited-slip differential
- Digital-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System.
- Carbon-look steering wheel, centre console and door trim
- Crawl management
- Hill descent management
- Proximity entry with push-button begin
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Toyota Linked Companies – 1yr subscription
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Material upholstery
- 60:40 break up/fold second-row seats
- Vinyl flooring
- Rubber flooring mats
- One-touch energy home windows (all doorways)
The Sahara ZX provides:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Illuminated facet steps
- Fingers-free energy tailgate
- Rear torque-sensing limited-slip differential
- Black and rose inside accessible
- Sequential flip alerts – entrance and rear
- Head-up show
- Heated steering wheel
- Black leather-based upholstery
- Beige accessible as no-cost choice
- Heated and ventilated outboard second-row seats
- Driver’s seat reminiscence
- Energy-folding third row
- 14-speaker JBL sound system
- Twin rear-seat leisure system
To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
Is the Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport Efficiency Hybrid protected?
Whereas the broader LandCruiser 300 vary has a five-star ANCAP security ranking, the GR Sport grade stays unrated. It’s unclear whether or not the brand new hybrid mannequin variants be independently crash examined.
| Class | Toyota LandCruiser 300 |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 89 per cent |
| Baby occupant safety | 88 per cent |
| Susceptible street consumer safety | 81 per cent |
| Security help | 77 per cent |
Commonplace security tools consists of:
- 10 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian detection
- Daytime bicycle owner detection
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep help (brake-based)
- Velocity signal recognition
- Blind-spot monitoring (GXL and up)
- Rear cross-traffic alert (GXL and up)
- Lane Hint Help (lane centring; VX and up)
- Reversing digital camera
- Multi-Terrain Monitor with surround-view digital camera (VX and up)
- Entrance and rear parking sensors (GXL and up)
- Rear parking assist brake (VX and up)
- Trailer sway management
To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Toyota LandCruiser Efficiency Hybrid value to run?
Toyota covers its wider vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre new automobile guarantee.
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| Servicing and Guarantee | Toyota LandCruiser 300 Collection |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres – commonplace As much as 7 years – conditional driveline guarantee As much as 10 years – conditional HV battery guarantee |
| Roadside help | 7 years |
| Service intervals | 6 months or 10,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years or 100,000km |
| Whole capped-price service value | $420 every |
The Japanese model will prolong the engine and driveline guarantee to seven years for those who follow your scheduled servicing intervals, whereas the traction battery in Toyota hybrids and EVs will be prolonged to 10 years with the identical circumstances round servicing.
We don’t know what the servicing prices for the LandCruiser Hybrid are but, however the identical powertrain within the Tundra is topic to six-month/10,000km service intervals.
That is additionally the identical as diesel-powered LandCruisers, for which scheduled providers are capped at $420, whereas the Tundra is capped at $450 per service. Anticipate the LandCruiser Efficiency Hybrid to land in the identical ballpark.
To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota LandCruiser Efficiency Hybrid
To declare the LandCruiser GR Sport Hybrid a winner is untimely, given our restricted time behind the wheel thus far – but it surely seems to be a promising addition to the native 300 Collection lineup, the place it’s going to arrive round March 2026.
It’s a mixture of spectacular and confirmed components: the Tundra’s grunty petrol-electric V6 powertrain and the tried and examined LandCruiser 300 Collection, together with its well-documented off-road functionality and class-leading options.
The anticipated circa-$150k worth shouldn’t be obscene in comparison with different giant plug-in hybrid SUVs available on the market, which require a step down in measurement or, if you would like a equally geared up full-size hybrid off-roader, a big step up in worth.
Even then, it’s debatable whether or not you’d get extra to your cash. After all, Toyota is not any stranger to hybrid tech, so that is removed from a risqué new set of untested parts for one among its most essential – maybe an important – nameplates.
We might lament the demise of the creamy V8, and now stump-pulling diesel energy can be trying down the barrel, however the LandCruiser Hybrid may effectively present there’s a couple of method to pores and skin a cat – or tow a caravan throughout this nice continent.
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