The All New 300 Series Land Cruiser

Details: By Shane Williams

Toyota (Global) finally updated the most historic vehicle in their lineup – for most markets around the world, but not for North America. Alas, even though we will not see the new 300 Series Land Cruiser in the US (perhaps as a new Lexus LX), this is an exciting update that will likely foreshadow many years of new platforms for the brand.

During the official 300 Series Launch, Toyota looked all the way back to 1951 when the original Toyota BJ debuted. The very first LC quickly gained a following for it’s outstanding performance and capability, especially after it reached the sixth checkpoint on Mount Fuji.

Over the past 70 years more than 300,000 Land Cruisers in 170 countries all over the world. Those that follow our magazine and the overland industry know that the LC is legendary. Even though it’s been sold as a luxury vehicle for the last two generations, the globally minded king of the SUV’s has proved it’s durability and performance thousands of times.

Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series

The redesigned 300 series continues as a station wagon (SUV) model, while other variants of the Land Cruiser (i.e. 70 Series) will continue to be available in a variety of configurations.

While the design, platform, and powertrains are all new for the latest generation, this vehicle has been created to maintain the legendary durability, reliability, and off-highway performance that Land Cruisers are famous for. Anyone in the world that uses the new LC will be at ease knowing that this rig will perform as expected.

Toyota adopted a new GA-F platform based on TNGA while keeping the frame structure, which is the foundation that protects the Land Cruiser's essence. They also redesigned the Land Cruiser's character by merging technologies accumulated over many years with the latest technologies. This has resulted in vehicle weight reduction (by 200kg/440lb), lowering the center of gravity, adopting a new powertrain, and exciting new interior and exterior designs.

Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series

To improve the traditional off-road performance even more, these new technologies have also been adopted:

Improvement in wheel articulation.
Improved road-holding performance through the adoption of an all-new E-KDSS (Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), the first in the world
Adoption of the Multi-Terrain Monitor, which instantly displays obstacles as viewed from the driver's viewpoint
Adoption of the Multi Terrain Select, which automatically judges the road surface and selects the best driving mode

For the available powertrain, a newly developed V6 twin-turbo engine (3.5-liter gasoline and 3.3-liter diesel) has been adopted for class-leading driving performance and drivability that surpass those of a conventional V8 engine. (NOTE: The 3.5-liter gas engine is expected to be in the 2022 Tundra, see page NN). Toyota is also aiming to globally reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 10% a year compared with the previous model by combining the newly developed Direct Shift-10AT (10-speed automatic transmission) with lighter body weight.

Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series interior

On the exterior, the new Land Cruiser features functional beauty in line with the Land Cruiser's heritage, including light positions and a bumper shape that are unlikely to be damaged during off-road driving. For the interior, a horizontal instrument panel easily captures the vehicle's position even during off-road driving. Additionally, Toyota added even more comfort by positioning switches that can be intuitively operated according to function, and using shape and color designs that improve operability.

The new Land Cruiser has also adopted the latest Toyota Safety Sense active safety package and adds even more advanced functions. Two functions have been added to the pre-collision system that helps avoid a collision or reduce damage by detecting pedestrians (daytime and nighttime) and cyclists (daytime). Also, the new Land Cruiser has adopted a new Parking Support Brake, which helps prevent accidents by recognizing obstacles in front and back of the vehicle in a parking lot, approaching vehicles when the vehicle is backing, and pedestrians.

Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series interior

The 200 Series Land Cruiser was launched in 2007 and has had a few updates over the years, now that this model will be available worldwide in the second half of 2021, we could not be more excited. We expect to cover many years of amazing adventures with the 300 Series Land Cruiser.

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