Shootout: The new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ faces its toughest modern rivals

The Contenders

• Toyota Land Cruiser FJ 2.7 4x4 GX — R714 000

• Jetour T2 2.0T Odyssey XWD — R679 900

•  BAIC B30e 1.5T HEV Premium Adventure AWD — R689 900

•  GWM Tank 300 2.4T Super Luxury 4WD — R699 900

Quick Specifications Comparison

Exterior Design & Off-Road Dimensions

All four vehicles lean heavily into the trendy boxy, retro-lifestyle aesthetic, but their underpinnings vary wildly:

• Toyota Land Cruiser FJ: The most compact and nimble footprint (4 610 mm long). It features a massive 245 mm of ground clearance and a class-leading 38-degree departure angle, rolling on 17-inch alloy wheels with high-profile 265/65 rubber.

• Jetour T2: The widest stance of the lot (2 006 mm), built heavily for on-road presence. It fills its arches with large 19-inch wheels, prioritising a premium lifestyle look over pure rock-crawling.

• BAIC B30e: Features the longest wheelbase (2 820 mm), maximising interior passenger legroom. However, it sits the lowest to the ground (215 mm ground clearance) with a lower roofline, leaning more toward crossover territory.

• GWM Tank 300: The tallest vehicle here (1 903 mm). It splits the difference perfectly with 17-inch wheels (like the Toyota), a robust 224 mm ground clearance, and a traditional, muscular 4x4 stance.

Drivetrain & Performance Analysis

• The powerhouse: On paper, the BAIC B30e completely dominates the performance charts. Its hybrid setup belts out a massive 301 kW and 685 Nm.

• The overlander's pick: The Tank 300 uses a high-torque (480 Nm) 2.4-litre turbo-diesel unit mated to a 9-speed automatic—the preferred configuration for South African towers and cross-border overlanders.

• The traditionalist: The Toyota FJ opts for the ultra-reliable, albeit lazy, naturally aspirated 2.7-litre petrol engine (122 kW / 245 Nm). While it won't win any drag races, it promises the mechanical longevity Toyota is famous for.

• The cruiser: The Jetour T2 offers a punchy 180 kW turbo-petrol engine, which is quite thirsty, but offers good performance.

Off-Road Capability

True 4x4 vs. all-wheel drive:  If your primary goal is tackling the Botswana bush or navigating technical trail obstacles, the field immediately narrows down to two contenders.

• The real deal: The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ and GWM Tank 300 feature traditional, robust low-range transfer cases and mechanical/electronic rear differential locks. The Tank 300 adds an impressive 700 mm wading depth, while the FJ counters with superior ground clearance (245 mm) and tighter overhangs.

• The soft-roaders: The Jetour T2 (XWD) and BAIC B30e (AWD) utilise smart, automated all-wheel-drive systems. They will easily handle corrugated gravel roads, muddy farm tracks, and light sand, but lack the mechanical crawling hardware for extreme rock-hopping.

Interior Luxury, Tech & Comfort

While Toyota focuses squarely on utilitarian mechanical durability, the Chinese contenders (Jetour, BAIC, and GWM) throw the entire kitchen sink of technology at the interior.

• Cabin conveniences: Jetour, BAIC, and GWM all feature artificial leather upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats, and heated/ventilated front seating. The Toyota FJ keeps it old-school with standard cloth seats and manual adjustments.

• Infotainment & storage: All four vehicles feature digital instrument clusters, but the Jetour T2 and GWM Tank 300 feel significantly more premium, offering large central touchscreens and integrated cooled storage compartments (mini-fridges) in the armrests.

• Driver assistance (ADAS): Jetour, BAIC, and GWM boast comprehensive Level 2 autonomous safety nets, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and 360-degree surround-view cameras. The Toyota FJ focuses on the basics, utilising standard cruise control and a traditional rear-view camera.

Warranty & Peace of Mind

• Toyota Land Cruiser FJ: 3-year/100 000 km warranty. It shines with an expansive 9-service/90 000 km service plan and the undisputed footprint of Toyota's massive dealer network across Southern Africa.

• Jetour T2: Offers an impressive 7-year/200 000 km vehicle warranty, paired with a 10-year/1 000 000 km engine warranty for the first owner. Includes a 7-year/75 000 km service plan.

• BAIC B30e: Features a 7-year/200 000 km warranty, with explicit 7-year/150 000 km coverage for the hybrid battery system. Includes a 7-year/90,000 km service plan.

• GWM Tank 300: Backed by a strong local footprint, offering a 7-year/200 000 km warranty and a 7-year/75 000 km service plan.

Verdict

The overlander's choice: Toyota Land Cruiser FJ

At R714 000, you pay a slight premium for the Land Cruiser badge and mechanical simplicity. If your ultimate priority is absolute reliability in the middle of nowhere, mechanical low-range, and the best resale value in South Africa, the FJ is the undisputed choice.

The value & lifestyle choice: Jetour T2

At R679,900, it is the most affordable vehicle here but looks and feels like the most expensive. If you want unmatched road presence, an unbeatable engine warranty, a premium high-tech cabin, and you plan to stick mostly to tar and holiday gravel roads, this is the ultimate lifestyle buy.

The hybrid option: BAIC B30e

If you commute daily in traffic but want a vehicle for weekend getaways, the BAIC's 301 kW hybrid powertrain offers a good blend of performance and efficiency.

For diesel lovers: GWM Tank 300

For R699 900, the Tank 300 represents a good middle ground. It gives you the luxurious interior tech that the Toyota lacks, while retaining the heavy-duty diesel torque, low-range capabilities, and 1 000 km highway range required for deep South African touring.