Power boost: refreshed Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid revealed

Toyota has prepared a major update for the Land Cruiser 300 SUV, with its official debut for the Japanese market scheduled for September 16. The key highlight of the modernization is the abandonment of the pure gasoline V6 engine in favor of the powerful i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, borrowed from the related Lexus LX 700h SUV. The new electrified system makes the vehicle the most powerful representative in the model's history.

The hybrid unit pairs a 3.5-liter twin-turbo gasoline V6 with an electric motor integrated directly into a 10-speed automatic transmission. The total system output reaches 457 hp and 790 Nm of torque. The hybrid modification is available exclusively in the range-topping ZX and GR Sport trims with a seven-seat interior layout. Engineers managed to preserve the signature off-road capability: the wading depth is 700 mm thanks to the sealed design of the traction battery. At the same time, the vehicle's curb weight increased by 170 kg, and the fuel tank capacity decreased by 12 liters.

The gasoline engine has been completely dropped from the engine lineup, but the 3.3-liter V6 turbodiesel remains in the range and is now offered in a new entry-level five-seat GX version priced at around 6.3 million yen (approximately 39.5 thousand dollars). The hybrid Land Cruiser 300 ZX variant is priced at approximately 9.8 million yen (61.4 thousand dollars), while the flagship GR Sport trim will cost 10.2 million yen (around 63.9 thousand dollars).

The list of restyling updates also includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a multimedia system with a 12.3-inch display, electric power steering for the hybrids, and an expanded Toyota Safety Sense safety suite with Proactive Driving Assist. Similar improvements previously debuted in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Australia, and the Japanese launch concludes the global update cycle. European specifications will also receive similar hybrid and diesel engines.