Toyota Land Cruiser 300 First drive - Stately behemoth
Toyota has just unveiled its halo 4x4 model, the all-new 300 Series Land Cruiser. Packed with opulent fitment and technology that is ahead of the curve, the 300 Series is set to take on the wilds of Africa in the lap of luxury. We took the new 300 Series on a mini overland adventure across the Western Cape.
Stately Behemoth
The Land Cruiser nameplate has quite a storied history in South Africa. From the rugged and tough as nails 76 and 79 Series to the Prado and on to the 100 and 200 Series, the Land Cruiser has set the bar for off-road capability that incorporates a boot-full of luxury. The new 300 Series continues this story, but Toyota have turned up the wick and the new behemoth has raised that bar even higher.
Related: Toyota Land Cruiser 200 VX-R: Retro motoring in the modern era
The 300 is entirely new from the ground up, being built on a brand new TNGA platform that features a ladder chassis, a first for global architecture and sure to have offroaders everywhere smiling. The styling is a little more blocky than previous incarnations, but don't let its squared-off design fool you, it's as plush and luxurious inside as anything you'd find in a GLS Mercedes. Toyota may have dropped some naming designations, but it would seem that the entire range has grown somewhat due to the addition of GR-S livery and technical developments.
ZX Model
For those who will find themselves more city-bound, the ZX model is the plush, luxurious derivative that would not be out of place in a driveway in Sandton. Fitted with an ultra-soft and comfortable interior that features rear screens for passengers, heated and cooled seats all around as well as a choice of interior colour, the ZX comes in two engine options featuring either a petrol or diesel option. Buyers will have the choice of the 3.5l V6 twin-turbo petrol or the 3.3l V6 twin-turbo diesel.
The petrol option will deliver 305kW and 650Nm while the diesel will churn out 225kW and 700Nm. Consumption figures offered by Toyota indicate 12l/100km for the petrol and 8.9 for the diesel but as our trip unfolded we returned mid 13s for diesel and high 18s for the petrol.
GR-S Model
The new model derivatives on offer for the 300 series, namely GR-S, sees the cruiser get painted with the GR sports brush with the exterior and interior getting a splash of GR design products in the form of a model-specific front grille, GR badging, and GR branded interior gubbins. GR has also waved their wand over the mechanical bits and the GR model gets the new E-KDSS (Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System). This system can actively engage or disengage the front suspension points to allow greater suspension articulation while off-road or lock-up to stiffen up the front end while attacking your favourite twisty mountain pass.
Both these model derivatives receive Toyota's MTS (Multi-Terrain System) that allows the electronic brain to take control of the vehicle's traction while you tackle everything from smooth tar roads to rocky mountain trails and even beach sand.
Models and Pricing
| Landcruiser 300 GX-R | R 1 283 200 |
| Landcruiser 300 ZX Diesel | R 1 765 500 |
| Landcruiser 300 ZX Petrol | R 1 797 100 |
| Landcruiser 300 GR-S Diesel | R 1 811 900 |
| Landcruiser 300 GR-S Petrol | R 1 842 900 |
* Petrol ZX models will go on sale in early August with the diesel and GR-S derivatives following shortly thereafter.
* All LC300 models are sold with a 9-services / 90 000 km service plan with service intervals set at 12-months or 10 000 km (whichever occurs first). A 3-year/100 000 km Warranty is included across the board. Customers can also purchase service, maintenance plans and warranty extensions from their nearest Toyota dealer.
Verdict
The Land Cruiser 300 is nothing short of fantastic to drive and overly capable on any surface. It is incredibly comfortable to drive and even after almost 1000 km behind the wheel one doesn't feel tired. The new styling and engine options will appeal to a greater audience at a substantially completive price.
If this is the segment that you are shopping in and the likes of the Land Rover Defender 110 had you scratching your head or the unknowns of a Mercedes GLS 63 had you concerned, then the Land Cruiser 300 is the vehicle for you.
