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Self-charging hybrid Toyota Land Cruiser 300 finally arrives, but…
Approved for Australia from 2026, for the moment, the hybrid is an unknown for South Africa.
Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid has been given a different frontal design from the normal petrol version. Image: Toyota Qatar
First reported six years ago as heading for the then still born Land Cruiser 300, Toyota has quietly introduced the long rumoured hybrid variant in select Middle Eastern markets only with plans of expanding availability elsewhere unknown at present.
Available in two trim levels in the United Arab Emirates, VX-R and GR Sport, and three in Qatar, VX, VX-R and GR Sport, the simply titled Land Cruiser HEV adopts a self-charging petrol-based setup rather than the diesel-electric combination mulled in 2019.
The same configuration as upscale Lexus brand's LX 700h, the hybrid Land Cruiser combines the familiar 3.5-litre badged 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor and battery for a total system output of 336kW/790Nm.
Down five kilowatts but up 140 Nm on the LX, the system is once again connected to a hybrid optimised 10-speed automatic, which sends the amount of twist to all four corners via the full-time four-wheel-drive system with the perennial low range transfer case included.
Besides the unique Gazoo Racing exterior changes that comes with the GR Sport, both the VX and VX-R, regardless of market, differ subtly from the regular Land Cruiser 300 by means of not only the HEV badges, but a restyled bumper, outer grille surround, a new lower air intake and different fog light bezels.
Inside, and bar hybrid specific readouts with the infotainment system and instrument cluster, the HEV appears otherwise identical to the normal Land Cruiser 300, which in the Middle East derives motivation from either the non-electrified twin-turbo V6, or the stalwart normally aspirated 4.0-litre V6. Unsurprisingly absent is the 3.3-litre turbodiesel V6.
Not yet approved
Reportedly approved for Australia from the first quarter of next, according to pricing in the UAE ranges from 389 900 (R1 910 379) to 409 900 dirham (R2 008 372), and from 385 000 (R1 898 235) to 405 000 riyal (R1 996 845) in Qatar.
As stands, no word about the Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid coming to South Africa has been made, although if approved, expect it to arrive possibly after the start of sales Down Under.
Presently, the five model Land Cruiser 300 range starts at R1 512 100 for the 3.3d GX-R and ends at R2 130 000 for the twin-turbo petrol V6 GR Sport.
NOW READ: Toyota Land Cruiser 300 heading the diesel/electric route?
