Toyota has given us our best look yet at the expanded lineup of the new LandCruiser 300 Series but the new features come at the cost of a noticeable price bump.
The 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series will arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year with prices starting from $89,990 before on-road costs.
Available in a choice of six different grades, the previous LandCruiser GX, GXL, VX and Sahara grades will be offered alongside the new range-topping GR Sport and Sahara ZX.
UPDATE 7/10/21: we go in-depth with the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series with more stories:
Toyota offers a choice of five of seven seats but only in certain grades; with the former found in the GX, Sahara ZX and GR Sport while the latter is found in the GXL, VX and Sahara grades.
Prices have increased by around $7,000 to $10,700 depending on the grade, but history has shown buyers are willing to pay well above the RRP for the outgoing 200 Series, and those looking to snap up the new model will likely find themselves on the end of a very long line.
With a higher price, the LandCruiser will not only be competing with the aging Nissan Patrol but popular newcomers such as the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado full-size utes.
The 2022 LandCruiser sits on Toyota’s all-new TNGA body-on-frame platform that promises increased capability off road and comfort when travelling over long distances.
In place of the old 4.5L V8 turbodiesel engine is a newly designed twin-turbodiesel V6 engine with 3.3L of displacement making 227kW of power and 700Nm of torque.
It’s fed to a 10-speed automatic transmission which has lowered the fuel economy slightly to 8.9L in combined driving, and you’ll still have a huge 110L tank for travelling long distances.
Continuing its reputation as a strong towing vehicle, the LandCruiser has the ability to pull up to 3.5-tonnes braked and a trailer wiring harness comes preinstalled on all grades.
We’ve spoken previously about the external changes made to the 300 Series but Toyota says all grades will receive LED headlights to sharper the appearance along with niceties such as keyless entry, push-button start and automatic windows.
Toyota has armed the LandCruiser with a good list of safety features this generation, which most importantly begins with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection at day and night while cyclist detection is limited for during the day.
Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping are also standard but buyers will have to step up the VX grade for an all-encompassing lane-trace assist system that will keep the car within the line and vibrate the steering wheel if the Cruiser deviates.
On GXL grades and above the LandCruiser is fitted with rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring, while a reversing camera is standard across the range.
While these features are a nice touch it should be noted that these are standard on far cheaper vehicles such as the Hyundai Tucson that has a base price of $34,500 before on-road costs.
In order to modernise the LandCruiser, Toyota has fitted the GX and GXL grades with a larger 9.0-inch centre touchscreen while those opting for the VX and above receive a huge 12.3-inch display.
The LandCruiser GXL ($101,790) also receives a wireless charger and auto-dimming rear-view mirror along with multi-terrain select that adjusts the 4×4 system to maximize traction in a range of conditions.
Along with a bigger screen LandCruiser VX ($113,990) buyers receive a 10-speaker audio system, a 7.0-inch display in the instrument cluster, four-zone climate control, remote power windows and heated and cooled front seats.
As the previous flag bearer of the range, the LandCruiser Sahara ($131,190) is quite well equipped with a 14-speaker JBL sound system a heads up display and power-folding third-row seats.
Other niceties such as a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats in the second power and better ventilation will make it a nicer place to be in difficult weather conditions.
The LandCruiser GR Sport and Sahara ZX are priced at $137,790 and $138,7901 respectively and aims for two very different purposes.
Toyota has aimed the LandCruiser GR Sport at buyers who wants off road capability with no compromises and that starts with a more tough and functional exterior design.
Sitting at each corner are 18-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in chunky off road tyres, this is matched with black wheel arches, side steps, mirrors and an unpainted front and rear bumper.
As standard, the GR Sport comes with front and rear differential locks along with its newly developed e-KDSS suspension system which boasts better road-hold ability than the previous generation.
Inside, Toyota gives buyers a choice of two leather-accented interior trims in either a black and carbon or red and black designs.
Where the LandCruiser GR Sport opts for stealth, the Sahara ZX chooses to be bold with a huge chrome grille and variant-specific front bumper, headlights and taillights.
Buyers can choose from a leather interior trimmed in either black, beige or a combination of red and black. Heated and cooled seats in the front and second row along with a rear limited-slip differential are also included on this grade.
Toyota hasn’t yet told us everything there is to know about the new LandCruiser 300 Series but we expect to find out more when it comes to our shores towards the end of this year.
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
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