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Hybrid Toyota Land Cruiser 300 on the cards

A hybrid version of the popular Toyota Land Cruiser has been confirmed for the Australian market, and since their product often mirrors what we get locally, this could be a great sign of a new LC300 hybrid!

Automotive News1 min read

While Toyota Australia has officially confirmed the introduction of the LandCruiser 300 Series hybrid lineup for the first half of 2026, the vehicle's status for the South African market remains unconfirmed. We attended a Lexus event recently where the band confirmed this drivetrain to be coming in the GX, which is based on the Land Cruiser Prado. Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has expressed interest in the new model and has "requested" it from Japan, but is still awaiting final approval.

Related: Lexus reshaping its future in SA

Drivetrain ComponentDetails
EngineTwin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol
Electric MotorSingle electric motor positioned between the engine and gearbox
Transmission10-speed automatic
Combined Output341 kW / 790 Nm 
Towing Capacity3 500kg (braked)
Battery1.87 kWh nickel-metal hydride (NMH)
FunctionalityExtra torque for off-roading, towing, and overtaking. Low-speed (below 30 km/h) EV operation.

The confirmed Australian-spec vehicle will feature a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine and an electric motor. This "performance hybrid" system is expected to deliver more power and torque than the current diesel model while maintaining a 3.5-tonne towing capacity. It will be sold in the top-end GR Sport and Sahara ZX grades.

For South African enthusiasts, the potential for this potent new powertrain is an exciting prospect; however, until Toyota South Africa makes an official announcement, the diesel and petrol V6 variants of the Land Cruiser 300 will remain the only options available in the local market.

Author - Sean Nurse

Written by Sean Nurse

With a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.Read more

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