Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Review: Buying Guide

At the top of the Land Cruiser tree sits the 300. It has a mix of luxury and go anywhere ability wrapped in Toyota dependability. The 300 VX is the entry point at $134,990, and  all variants use a 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel with a 10-speed auto and full-time four-wheel drive. The VX has multi-terrain select traction control for off-roading, there's a head-up display and you can link to wireless Car Play and Android Auto via a 12.3-inch colour screen. The VX Limited is $148,490 and it adds a few extras like 20-inch wheels, genuine leather interior, two 11-inch rear entertainment screens, a sunroof, JBL premium sounds and a heated steering wheel. Top of the range is the GR Sport at $154,490. Where the VX models offer seven seats, the Sport does without those in the boot. And it's designed more for off-road travel with its adaptive suspension, disconnecting roll bars and front and rear locking differentials. It also adopts a different look with a mesh grille design 18-inch alloys. 

The Land Cruiser 300 brought with it some significant upgrades when it debuted in 2021, but retained its legendary off-road DNA. Now powered by a more potent and efficient 3.3-litre V6 bi-turbodiesel engine and paired with a 10-speed automatic, it replaces the old V8 and improves on-road manners without compromising off-road ability. With permanent 4WD, locking diffs, low-range, and a rugged ladder-frame chassis, it remains true to its roots. 

The VX Limited is the most luxurious variant available locally. It rides on 20-inch wheels with all-terrain rubber and offers impressive comfort and refinement. Despite its 2630kg weight, it delivers solid performance and a refined, quiet cabin. Claimed fuel use is 8.9L/100km, though we saw higher figures in real-world driving.

Urban practicality is a mixed bag. At nearly 5 metres long and 2 metres wide, it's a challenge to park, and entry can require a bit of leg effort. But inside, the comfort is superb, with features such as heated/ventilated seats, a 14-speaker JBL audio system, a chilled centre console, and a panoramic camera system. Safety is covered with 10 airbags, trailer sway control, and crawl mode for tricky off-road conditions.

With seven seats and generous space, it serves well as a family hauler. The third row is powered, while the middle offers lounge-like comfort and entertainment screens. Compared to rivals like the Nissan Patrol, Land Rover Defender 130 and Hyundai Palisade, the LC300 sits at the more desirable end of the spectrum. 

The LC300 is a refined brute: supremely capable, luxuriously appointed, and built to last.

The Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport is the rugged, off-road-focused variant of Toyota’s iconic bruiser. Distinct from the chrome-laden Limited model, the GR wears desert-racer styling, a retro “Toyota” grille, and 18-inch off-road wheels. While it shares the same 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel (227kW/700Nm) and 10-speed auto, it gains adaptive dampers, active sway bars, and enhanced off-road hardware.

Inside, the GR blends rugged capability with a refined, premium cabin. There’s a mix of tech, like a large touchscreen and USB ports, alongside practicalities like a chilled centre bin. However, the GR is strictly a five-seater, trading rear passenger capacity for a large, high-set boot. It’s rated to tow 3500kg and does so effortlessly thanks to the torquey V6.

On-road, the GR is composed and quiet, with a smooth-shifting transmission and ample midrange grunt. Sport modes sharpen handling slightly, but it still understeers when pushed. At over 2.6 tonnes, this is no lithe machine, but it’s a proper 4x4 with confidence and control on road. Fuel use averaged around 11.2L/100km during testing, with its 110L tank offering a long touring range.

Off-road, the GR impresses with Multi-Terrain Select, low-range, front and rear locking diffs, and clever camera tech like “see-through bonnet” view. It tackles soft sand with ease and even allows some playful dune work. The turn-assist feature and crawl control further cement its serious off-road credentials.