- Updated Toyota Land Cruiser 300 will debut in Japan on Sept 16.
- Petrol engine will be replaced by a hybrid, while diesel remains.
- Similar updates landed in the Middle East, Europe, and Australia.
Japan is the last major market waiting on the updated 2027 Land Cruiser 300, which already went on sale in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Australia earlier this year. The ladder-frame SUV reportedly arrives at home on September 16.
According to Japanese outlet Creative Trend, the automaker will drop the non-electrified gasoline V6 engine in favor of a high-output self-charging hybrid setup while improving the equipment and expanding the diesel range with a new entry-level trim.
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The Land Cruiser 300 Series was introduced back in 2021, and received mild tech and infotainment enhancements in early 2025 making the this update the most comprehensive yet.
Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid (Europe)
The biggest news for the 2027 model year is the arrival of the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain in Japan, borrowed from the Lexus LX700h. This utilizes a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 and a single electric motor mounted in the ten-speed automatic gearbox, producing a combined 457 hp (336 kW / 457 PS) and 790 Nm (583 lb-ft) of torque which are the highest figures of any Land Cruiser to date.
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The addition of a battery under the cargo area reduces fuel capacity from 80 liters (21.1 gallons) to 68 liters (18.0 gallons), while the hybrid system increases weight by 170 kg (375 lbs) compared to the discontinued gasoline V6 it replaces. Still, Toyota managed to retain the 700 mm (27.6 inches) water wading depth by waterproofing the battery pack.
Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid (Middle East)
In Japan, the hybrid powertrain will be reserved for the ZX and GR Sport trims. The flagship ZX stands out thanks to the lower section of the front bumper with redesigned intakes and the 20-inch alloy wheels. The GR Sport retains the rugged bodykit and matte gray 18-inch wheels of its predecessor alongside the dual differential locks and E-KDSS suspension.
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Inside, both hybrid trims come standard with a three-row seven-seater configurations, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, a head-up display, JBL audio, heated and ventilated seats, and a 100V / 1,500W AC power outlet. Mechanically, the hybrid upgrades to Electric Power Steering (EPS) and the Toyota Safety Sense suite gains Proactive Driving Assist (PDA).
Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport Hybrid (Australia)
While the gasoline V6 is gone, the hybrid will be joined by a carry-over twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 diesel producing 304 hp (227 kW / 309 PS) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque.
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The interesting part of the diesel range is the new GX, which becomes the cheapest way into a Land Cruiser 300. It comes as a five-seater with fabric upholstery, a 7-inch digital cluster, an 8-inch infotainment screen, six speakers, and 18-inch alloys. Electric Power Steering stays exclusive to the hybrid.
Diesel buyers can also step up to ZX and GR Sport, though both come with five seats rather than seven. The diesel ZX keeps the old exterior look, leaving the restyled front end to the hybrid.
Japanese Pricing
According to leaked figures, the entry-level Land Cruiser 300 Series GX Diesel will start from ¥6,300,800 ($39,500) while the GR Sport with the same engine will top out at ¥9,150,900 ($57,300).
As for the hybrid, the Land Cruiser 300 HEV ZX is expected to cost ¥9,801,000 ( $61,400), representing an increase of ¥2.36 million ($14,800) over the discontinued non-electrified ZX. Finally, the most expensive trim of the SUV will be the HEV GR Sport starting at ¥10,200,300 ($63,900).
