The 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series is the latest edition in the long line of these popular and rugged trucks. The 300 Series debuted in 2021 and was redesigned for weight reduction and increased rigidity, thanks to its body-on-frame (GA-F) platform. The new Land Cruiser is 441 pounds lighter than the 200 Series. Toyota also lowered the center of gravity and improved the suspension for a more powerful truck. If you’re interested in the Land Cruiser 100 Series, find out more here.
Is the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 sold in the US?
Unfortunately, it is not sold in the United States. Toyota announced the discontinuation of the Land Cruiser in the US markets after the 2021 Land Cruiser. Toyota pointed Land Cruiser lovers to the equivalent Lexus model, but LC fans weren’t interested. It only took a year before they reversed that decision, and the Land Cruiser will reappear on the market in the United States with the 2024 models.
While there were no 2023 Land Cruisers in North America, the Land Cruiser 300 was available in many other markets, especially Australia, where they are among the most popular vehicles.
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Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Price
Based on Australian prices, here are the 300 Series models and their price tags:
- GX: $94,301
- GXL: $106,101
- VX: $118,301
- Sahara: $135,501
- GR Sport: $142,101
- Sahara ZX: $142,101
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Specification of Toyota Land Cruiser 300
All six of the models are powered by a 3.3L diesel paired with a 10-speed automatic based on Aussie specs.
- Engine: 3.3L Turbo V6 Diesel
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic 4WD
- Fuel: Diesel
- Horsepower: 304 HP
- Torque: Up to 516.29 lb-ft
- Towing Capacity: Up to 7,716 lbs
- Built in Japan
| Model | Seating | Length/Width/Height inches |
|---|---|---|
| GX | 5 Passengers – Fabric | 196/79/77 |
| GLX | 7 Passengers – Fabric | 196/78/77 |
| VX | 7 Passengers – Synthetic | 196/78/77 |
| GR Sport | 5 Passengers – Leather Accented | 196/78/77 |
| Sahara | 7 Passengers – Leather Accented | 196/78/77 |
| Sahara ZX | 5 Passengers – Leather Accented | 196/78/77 |
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Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Performance
Even though Toyota took away the V8 when they brought out the 300 Series, the 3.3L V6 turbo cranks out enough power to keep you from missing a V8. With a new 10-speed automatic, you’ll experience the power being sent to all four wheels simultaneously. A low range and locking center differential (in all models but the GR Sport, which has a front and rear locking differential) gives you total control no matter what terrain you’re driving through or what you’re towing.
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Economy and Fuel Economy
Regardless of the model, the twin-turbo 3.3L diesel engine powers the Land Cruiser 300 Series to around 26 MPG with a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds braked and 1,653 pounds unbraked. Its 29-gallon fuel tank means you should be able to travel better than 750 miles a tank.
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Ride and handling of Toyota Land Cruiser 300
The GR Sport and Sahara ZX models have adaptive suspension, which means you’ll get better control over the handling when choosing a Sport or Sport+ mode; those modes firm up the damping and make the throttle more aggressive. The gearbox gives the engine the ability to keep lower gear ratios longer.
Even in the other models, the steering is responsive, and the ride is smooth. Toyota has quieted the cabin, so you don’t notice outside noises and 18-inch tires take the brunt of large bumps. It has unequal-length control arms in the front and trailing arms on a live axle in the rear.
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 interior
While the 9-inch screen is standard, an available 12.3-inch infotainment screen upgrade is available. You can see all four cameras – including the underside camera – from the screen with a glance. The mode select knob is a simple dial that gives you control over the drive mode, and the crawl control keeps you moving off-road. The 300 has a switch on the gear selector to put it in 4WD.
In upgraded models, the sound system consists of a 14-speaker JBL system, and there is an available console cooler to keep your drinks cold.
The GR Sport model features two-tone sport seats.
The 300 Series has a fold-flat third row instead of the being like the 200 Series where the seats are stored upright. You can flip the second row up to open up the maximum cargo space of 1,967L to the roofline. The legroom in the third row is spacious, but to achieve this, the second row has a little less legroom.
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Toyota Land Cruiser 300 exterior
When it comes to tough, the Land Cruiser 300 Series has no competition. It is still the work vehicle at heart, so it is designed to take you over the harshest ground. That means all of the exterior is built to face the elements head-on.
Owners say they miss the split tailgate of the 200, but the single tailgate in the 300 serves to keep the interior dust down. Power rear gates with a kick sensor are available in the Sahara and GR Sport models.
All models above the GX (17-inch steel wheels) have 18-inch wheels.
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Colors
| Model | Colors |
|---|---|
| GX | Glacier White, Silver Pearl, Graphite, Ebony, Merlot Red, Saturn Blue, Dusty Bronze, Eclipse Black |
| GLX | Glacier White, Crystal Pearl, Silver Pearl, Graphite, Ebony, Merlot Red, Saturn Blue, Dusty Bronze, Eclipse Black |
| VX | Glacier White, Crystal Pearl, Silver Pearl, Graphite, Ebony, Merlot Red, Saturn Blue, Dusty Bronze, Eclipse Black |
| GR Sport | Glacier White, Crystal Pearl, Artic White, Graphite, Ebony, Merlot Red, Eclipse Black |
| Sahara | Glacier White, Crystal Pearl, Silver Pearl, Graphite, Ebony, Merlot Red, Saturn Blue, Dusty Bronze, Eclipse Black |
| Sahara ZX | Glacier White, Crystal Pearl, Artic White, Silver Pearl, Graphite, Ebony, Merlot Red, Saturn Blue, Dusty Bronze, Eclipse Black |
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Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Comparison with similar cars
Range Rover and BMW XM
If you’re wondering about the difference between these three vehicles, we’ve compiled a key component comparison chart. Since they are all SUVs, the difference lies mainly in the price; although the Land Cruiser 300 Series is the smallest of the group, it is still taller than the other two.
| Land Cruiser | BMW XM | Range Rover SE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6 3.3L Diesel | Mild Hybrid V8 Petrol | 3.0 FV8 Diesel |
| Horsepower | 308 @ 4,000 | 483-577 @ 5,400 -7,200 | 350@ 4,000 |
| Torque | 516 @ 1,600 – 2,000 | 590 @ 1,600 – 5,000 | 516 @ 1,500 |
| Transmission | 10-speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic |
| Drive | AWD Integrated | 4WD | AWD |
| Turbo | Twin | – | – |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone | Adaptive M | Electric Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | 4-Link Rigid | Adaptive M | Electric Air Suspension |
| Length/Width/Height | 184/78/76 | 202/78/68 | 198/86/74 |
| 2023 Starting Price | GX – $94,301 | $159,00 | $122,8000 |
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Pros & Cons of Toyota Land Cruiser 300
Here are some pros and cons of the Toyota Land Cruiser 300:
Pros
- Powerful powertrain
- Improved performance
- Updated technology
- Spacious cargo area
- Off-road capabilities
- Towing capacity
- New body-on-frame architecture
- New engine and transmission
- Lighter and more fuel-efficient
- 5-Star ANCAP rating
- 83/100 reliability score
Cons
- Better options for the price
- Limited rear-seat room
- Not budget-friendly
- Lack of split tailgate
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Impressions of Toyota Land Cruiser 300
Overall, the 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series meets and exceeds the LC fan’s expectations. Australian enthusiasts have found that there is a wait time to get a new Land Cruiser. Some wait times exceed three years for the top-end models, but most waits are between 12-18 months.
If you’re wondering about the Aussie’s affection for the Land Cruiser, the following numbers speak volumes about their love affair with it. Since the first SUV hit their shores, they have made up 10.6% of the global sales of Land Cruisers. To put that in hard numbers, 1.065 million Land Cruisers were purchased.
Like Japan, North America, and all of the other international destinations, the Land Cruiser is sought after by Australians due to its durability, quality, and reliability. The 300 Series carries on that workhorse tradition, and we expect the North American 2024 Land Cruisers to do the same.
