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2026 Toyota LandCruiser Hybrid review: Quick drive

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Forget coastal drives. Trade the turquoise for terracotta. The Hume Highway, stretching between Melbourne and Sydney, isn’t just asphalt; it’s a gateway. Keep an eye out for a declaration bold billboards proclaiming "LandCruiser Country." You’re not just passing through; you’re entering the heartland.

The Toyota LandCruiser? Spotting one in the Outback is as predictable as a kangaroo hop, the scent of eucalyptus after rain, and the dawn chorus of squawking birds.

"The year was 1958. The LandCruiser landed in an Australia blissfully ignorant of tomorrow’s woes – a land where asbestos was cheap, climate change was a summer vacation, and the tallest building scraping the sky was a mere fledgling by today’s standards."

The automotive Grim Reaper has claimed another victim. Emission regulations have silenced the roar of iconic engines worldwide, most recently felling the V8-powered LandCruiser 70 Series. Its demise followed hard on the heels of the 300 Series’ debut in late 2021, a launch that cruelly omitted the V8 heart that defined its forebear.

The V8-powered Y62 Nissan Patrol has been breaking sales records following news that its successor will adopt a V6, too.

Tighter emissions laws haven’t just cleaned up our air; they’ve sparked an automotive Cambrian explosion. Some of these new road creatures are marvels, others…well, let’s just say they’re the automotive equivalent of those concrete-smothered or demolished mid-century homes, replaced by characterless stacks of apartments.

The legendary LandCruiser steps into a new era, electrifying its capability with its first-ever hybrid powertrain. Borrowing a potent "Performance Hybrid" system from the formidable Toyota Tundra, this isn’t just a hybrid; it’s a LandCruiser, amplified.

Toyota promises its electrified V6 LandCruiser will deliver guilt-free thrills, retaining the legendary toughness and capability that have made it a seemingly mythical beast of burden.

The Land Cruiser’s legendary status rests on three pillars: unstoppable towing power, relentless off-road capability, and readily available replacement parts. Now, Toyota, a name whispered in the same breath as hybrid efficiency and rock-solid reliability, introduces the LC300 Performance Hybrid. Can this electrified powerhouse uphold the Land Cruiser’s formidable legacy alongside its twin-turbo diesel V6 sibling?

Hold your horses, Land Cruiser fans! While details remain shrouded like a desert mirage, Toyota has confirmed a hybrid Land Cruiser is stampeding towards Australia in the first half of 2026. Prepare your wallets – this electrified beast will command a premium over its diesel counterparts (GR Sport and Sahara ZX trims), and arrive in two distinct model grades. The wait is on to see if it lives up to the legendary Land Cruiser nameplate.

While details remain shrouded in mystery, the new powertrain is expected to echo the Tundra’s formidable setup. For a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come, cast your gaze to the Middle East, where the 300 Series hybrid roams. Its cousin, the Lexus LX700h, also graces roads there and in the US, offering further clues to the power lurking beneath the hood.

The Land Cruiser Hybrid: a leap into the future, or a dinosaur in disguise? We wrestled a pre-production GR Sport Hybrid prototype ahead of its Australian debut to discover if this electrified icon is a genuine evolution, or just the same legendary stubbornness under a veneer of green. Does the mud cling to a legacy reborn, or simply reveal the cracks beneath the surface?

How much does the Toyota LandCruiser Performance Hybrid cost?

We know the Performance Hybrid will cost more than equivalent diesel-powered LandCruiser 300 Series variants.

| Model | Price before on-road costs | | — | — | | 2026 Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport | $146,160 | |2026 Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport Performance Hybrid|$155,000 (est)| | 2026 Toyota LandCruiser Sahara ZX | $146,910 | |2026 Toyota LandCruiser Sahara ZX Performance Hybrid|$155,000 (est)|

Prepare for a price surge: the entry-level model will eclipse the GR Sport diesel’s $146,160 (before on-road costs). Hold on tight, because the Sahara ZX hybrid is set to shatter records, exceeding its already hefty $146,910 plus on-roads tag. That’s right, get ready to meet the new king of the LandCruiser lineup – and its royal price tag.

"While the LandCruiser hails from Japan, its price tag is expected to mirror the entry-level Toyota Tundra (a cool $155,990 before you even hit the road). Both boast the same muscular powertrain, but the Tundra makes its entrance from the US, making you wonder if the origin story will impact the final price."

For the price of admission to the elite Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid club (a cool $158,100 plus on-road costs), you could alternatively snag its understated cousin, the Volkswagen Touareg R ($133,490 plus ORCs). This slightly more compact plug-in hybrid SUV offers similar electrified thrills, all while remaining a rare sight on suburban streets. Forget seeing one out the back of Bourke, spotting one in your neighborhood is already something special.

Dreaming of a plug-in hybrid Range Rover? Prepare for a $280,000+ hit to your bank account. Even the mild-hybrid diesel version demands nearly $272,000 before you even hit the road.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

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What is the Toyota LandCruiser Performance Hybrid like on the inside?

LandCruiser loyalists will feel right at home in the new Performance Hybrid. Expect a familiar 300 Series aesthetic, especially within the GR Sport Hybrid. While official specs remain under wraps, insiders hint the interior will mirror its diesel counterpart, blending rugged capability with a touch of electrified refinement.

2025 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Sahara

2025 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Sahara

Sink into luxury with premium leather embracing you from head to toe: from the supple leather upholstery to the meticulously stitched, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Escape the elements with heated seats for frosty mornings and cooled seats for scorching afternoons. Stow away your essentials in the expansive center console, accented with elegant woodgrain-like trim that whispers sophistication.

Navigate tricky terrain and conquer crowded parking lots with ease, thanks to the stunning 12.3-inch central touchscreen. Its crystal-clear graphics bring the panoramic view cameras to life, transforming off-road obstacles and tight parking spots from daunting challenges into effortless maneuvers.

Slip into a world of digital delight with the instrument cluster, ignite your drive with the GR Sport start/stop button, and power up wirelessly. Backseat passengers, prepare for first-class treatment: personal climate control with air vents and heated/ventilated seats, a constellation of USB-C ports, and a trusty 12V outlet at your service.

Down Under, the LandCruiser Performance Hybrid arrives with a caveat: unlike its diesel GR Sport sibling, Aussies will only get a five-seat configuration. While seven-seat versions roam the dunes of the Middle East, Australian adventurers must pack lighter (or leave some friends behind).

Imagine a Land Cruiser Hybrid, then drape it in opulent luxury. That’s the Lexus LX700h, now offering seven-seat configuration stateside, blending rugged capability with unparalleled comfort.

Sharing a birthplace at Japan’s Yoshiwara factory, the LX700h and Land Cruiser Hybrid raise an intriguing question: Is the Lexus’ premium positioning deliberately enforced, rather than a constraint of production?

Cargo space takes a slight hit, but the boot floor remains conveniently flat. Eyeballing it, you’d be hard-pressed to notice a significant difference from the diesel version – though Toyota is keeping the official cargo volume figures under wraps for now.

Forget parallel parking! The Lexus LX700h in the US boasts a cavernous 1777-litre boot in its five-seat configuration. Sounds impressive, right? Hold that thought. Down Under, the Aussie LandCruiser 300 laughs from the Outback with a colossal 2052 litres of cargo space. So, while the LX700h offers ample room, its Aussie cousin simply dwarfs it.

| Dimensions | Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport Performance Hybrid | | — | — | |Length| 4995mm | |Width| 1990mm | |Height| 1950mm (estimated) | |Wheelbase| 2850mm | |Minimum ground clearance| 235mm (estimated) | |Cargo capacity| 1777L (estimated) |

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

Beneath the GR Sport Performance Hybrid’s sculpted hood lies a beast: a twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, seamlessly interwoven with an electric motor. This electrifying partnership channels its power through a 10-speed automatic transmission, drawing energy from a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack nestled discreetly at the rear, promising a surge of adrenaline with every press of the pedal.

| Specifications | Toyota LandCruiser Performance Hybrid | | — | — | |Engine| 3.5L V6 twin-turbo petrol hybrid | |Power| 341kW at 5200rpm (overseas model) | |Torque| 790Nm at 2400-3600rpm (overseas model) | |Transmission| 10-speed auto | |Drive type| Part-time 4WD | |Fuel economy (claimed)| 10.9L/100km (combined, overseas model) | |Fuel economy (as tested)| N/A | |Fuel tank| 98 litres (overseas model) | |Fuel requirement| 95-octane premium unleaded | |Weight| 2811kg (estimated) | |Payload| 650-785kg (estimated) | |Braked towing capacity| 3629kg (estimated) | |Gross vehicle mass (GVM)| 3280kg (estimated) | |Gross combination mass (GCM)| 6750kg (estimated) |

Beneath the hood, codenamed V35A-FTS, lies the heart of a beast. This isn’t your garden-variety hybrid striving solely for miles per gallon. Shared with the Tundra pickup as the ‘i-Force Max’ Hybrid, Toyota bills this powertrain as a ‘Performance Hybrid’ – prioritizing raw power and unwavering capability over squeezing out every last drop of fuel.

While Australian specs remain a mystery, the Tundra roars with 326kW of power and a monstrous 790Nm of torque. Overseas, the LandCruiser GR Sport Hybrid takes that a step further, unleashing a staggering 341kW while maintaining that earth-shattering 790Nm. Prepare for a potential power surge Down Under.

Overseas, the LandCruiser Hybrid sips fuel at a rate of 10.9L/100km, a seemingly small price for progress. However, that eco-friendliness comes with a hefty addition: 181kg of hybrid hardware bolted onto the existing diesel engine. Back home in Australia, the GR Sport diesel already tips the scales at a formidable 2630kg. Is a slightly lighter footprint worth the added weight?

The towing capacity remains a steadfast 3500kg, launching from 0-100km/h in a brisk 6.4 seconds. Interestingly, while the Aussie GR Sport diesel boasts a hefty 110-litre fuel tank, its overseas hybrid counterpart sips fuel from a slightly smaller 98L reservoir.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

How does the LandCruiser Performance Hybrid drive?

We snagged our first glimpse of the LandCruiser Hybrid at Toyota Australia’s top-secret Altona proving grounds near Melbourne or, as HR insists, its "driving experience facility."

Forget endless desert highways. Our GR Yaris test began on a patch of tarmac barely longer than your neighbor’s walkway, but enough to unleash hell. We stomped on the gas, and the little firecracker bolted. Toyota claims 6.4 seconds to 100km/h? After that launch, we’re believers.

The 265mm Dunlop Grandtrek AT30 tires, wrapped around 18-inch wheels identical in design to the current GR Sport, clawed at the asphalt. Burying the throttle yielded no dramatic wheelspin, just a surge of seamless, fuss-free acceleration from the Hybrid.

The electrified V6 whispers promises of silk-smooth power, then roars with a surprisingly throaty exhaust note when pushed. Early signs suggest this powertrain isn’t just refined – it’s built to last.

Already outweighing the Australian LandCruiser GR Sport diesel by a hefty 172kg (tipping the scales at 2630kg), the Tundra’s robust powertrain is clearly built to shoulder some serious weight.

Settling into the massive, leather-lined captain’s chair feels instantly familiar. Command the road from your high perch, surrounded by a panoramic vista and enough elbow room to conduct an orchestra.

The LandCruiser Hybrid faced its trial: a merciless hill riddled with staggered, concrete-lined trenches. Low range engaged, center diff locked, the LC300 Hybrid, a silent predator, clawed its way up the brutal incline with unnerving ease.

"The hill descent control took the reins on the plummet, transforming a potential freefall into a confident, measured creep. Emerging from the steep slope, we charged into a playful series of grassy whoops, ready for the next challenge."

Even crawling at a snail’s pace, the 300 Series hybrid remained unfazed. Similarly, the electrified behemoth sliced through the 600mm water obstacle with the same regal grace as its diesel counterpart.

The LC300’s electric steering, consistent across models we’ve tested, strikes a delicate balance: feather-light to the touch, yet communicative enough for subtle course corrections. At lower speeds, this finely-tuned system masks any nuances in chassis setup, making them practically imperceptible.

The rock crawl transformed from an obstacle into a testament to raw power. Though Toyota Australia guards the 790Nm figure touted overseas for now, the ascent spoke volumes. With a twist of a dial, the dash summoned a symphony of crawling speeds, each conquering the terrain with relentless, measured force – a clear inheritance from the formidable 300 Series diesel.

The initial, carefully monitored run offered limited insights, but the Land Cruiser’s Performance Hybrid effortlessly conquered familiar challenges. Any concerns about the hybrid powertrain’s off-road prowess were quickly dismissed. Its Tundra-proven capabilities clearly translate to the iconic SUV.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

What do you get?

While official numbers remain a secret, expect the GR Sport Hybrid we put through its paces (and the top-tier ZX Sahara Hybrid) to mirror the diesel variant’s kit list – a seamless blend of eco-consciousness and rugged capability.

2025 Toyota LandCruiser 300 GR Sport equipment highlights:

  • 18-inch black-finish alloy wheels
  • Unique grille with Toyota wordmark
  • LED headlights with manual levelling
  • Adaptive high beam
  • Locking front and rear differentials
  • Rear torque-sensing limited-slip differential
  • Electronic-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System.
  • Carbon-look steering wheel, centre console and door trim
  • Crawl control
  • Hill descent control
  • Proximity entry with push-button start
  • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
  • 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Toyota Connected Services – 1yr subscription
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Fabric upholstery
  • 60:40 split/fold second-row seats
  • Vinyl flooring
  • Rubber floor mats
  • One-touch power windows (all doors)

The Sahara ZX adds:

  • 20-inch alloy wheels
  • Illuminated side steps
  • Hands-free power tailgate
  • Rear torque-sensing limited-slip differential
  • Black and rose interior available
  • Sequential turn signals – front and rear
  • Head-up display
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Black leather upholstery
  • Beige available as no-cost option
  • Heated and ventilated outboard second-row seats
  • Driver’s seat memory
  • Power-folding third row
  • 14-speaker JBL sound system
  • Dual rear-seat entertainment system

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

Is the Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport Performance Hybrid safe?

The LandCruiser 300 boasts a five-star ANCAP safety rating – unless you’re eyeing the GR Sport. This rugged variant remains a safety enigma, still awaiting its official crash-test verdict. With the arrival of new hybrid models, a burning question emerges: will these electrified beasts face the same rigorous scrutiny?

| Category | Toyota LandCruiser 300 | | — | — | |Adult occupant protection| 89 per cent | |Child occupant protection| 88 per cent | |Vulnerable road user protection| 81 per cent | |Safety assist| 77 per cent |

Standard safety equipment includes:

  • 10 airbags
  • Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Daytime cyclist detection
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane-keep assist (brake-based)
  • Speed sign recognition
  • Blind-spot monitoring (GXL and up)
  • Rear cross-traffic alert (GXL and up)
  • Lane Trace Assist (lane centring; VX and up)
  • Reversing camera
  • Multi-Terrain Monitor with surround-view camera (VX and up)
  • Front and rear parking sensors (GXL and up)
  • Rear parking support brake (VX and up)
  • Trailer sway control

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

How much does the Toyota LandCruiser Performance Hybrid cost to run?

Toyota covers its wider range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty.

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| Servicing and Warranty | Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series | | — | — | | Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres – standard Up to 7 years – conditional driveline warranty Up to 10 years – conditional HV battery warranty | | Roadside assistance | 7 years | | Service intervals | 6 months or 10,000km | | Capped-price servicing | 5 years or 100,000km | | Total capped-price service cost | $420 each |

Keep your Toyota purring like new! Follow the service schedule and unlock a 7-year warranty for your engine and driveline. Own a hybrid or EV? Supercharge your peace of mind with a 10-year battery warranty by simply maintaining your scheduled services.

While the Land Cruiser Hybrid’s maintenance schedule remains shrouded in mystery, peeking under the hood of its Tundra sibling offers clues. Both share the same powerful hybrid heart, and the Tundra requires servicing every six months or 10,000 kilometers. Could the Land Cruiser be singing the same tune?

Think LandCruiser diesel servicing costs – around $420 a pop. Now picture the Tundra: a bit beefier at $450. The upcoming LandCruiser Performance Hybrid? Expect it to play in that same ballpark.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser 300 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Toyota LandCruiser Performance Hybrid

Verdict still out, but first impressions suggest Toyota might just be onto something special with the LandCruiser GR Sport Hybrid. Expect its arrival to shake up the 300 Series lineup around March 2026. Early signs point to a serious contender.

Imagine a Tundra, but amplified. That’s this beast. It marries the Tundra’s roaring hybrid V6 with the legendary LandCruiser 300 Series DNA. Think unstoppable off-road prowess and cutting-edge tech, fused into one formidable machine. This isn’t just capable; it’s a revolution on wheels.

For a plug-in hybrid SUV packing this much size and capability, the projected $150,000 price tag feels surprisingly grounded. You’ll either be forced to downsize considerably or climb a steep price ladder to find a similarly rugged, full-size hybrid.

Even so, squeezing more value from your dollar is a toss-up. Toyota’s hybrid pedigree is undeniable, so rest assured, they aren’t gambling with unproven tech on their flagship – arguably,theflagship – model.

The V8’s creamy rumble is fading, and the diesel’s mighty grunt is under threat, but fear not! The LandCruiser Hybrid arrives, proving there’s more than one way to conquer the outback or haul your home-on-wheels across this vast land.

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