For so long as we care to recollect, Toyota’s LandCruiser has been generally referred to as the king of 4WDs. The 2025 providing has a controversially smaller engine, a Prado sibling with the identical wheelbase, and ever bettering competitors from different makes.
We took the 5-seat 300 Collection Sahara ZX, which now prices $145,791 plus on-roads, via metropolis and sand, to see if it nonetheless sits atop the throne. Examined right here in Eclipse Black, you may also go for one of many different seven choices, together with Merlot Pink or Dusty Bronze.
Constructing on earlier iterations of its nameplate, with out straying too removed from its core DNA, the newest model solutions a convincing sure to the query of whether or not it nonetheless instructions within the street presence stakes.
The entrance finish is unmistakably Toyota, with the big stacked grille and large emblem. The headlights flank that in a way more built-in means, with bi-LED headlights and LED DRLs. The trademark double scalloped bonnet is again too.
Across the sides, the mushy wheel flare ‘bulges’ are completed with a tidy crease, including refinement, with chunky chrome mirrors and door handles including to the sturdy “powerful across the edges” enchantment.
Massive illuminated sidesteps are readily available that can assist you climb out and in of the behemoth, with the sheer dimension of it even dwarfing the 20-inch alloy wheels. Their distinctive 12-spoke design is completed in black chrome, which completely balances with the paint scheme.
The again finish is the same story. Toyota have taken the identical fundamentals shapes of the tail lights and the decrease bumper, and refined them to swimsuit the extra modern, fashionable physique traces. Gone is the cut up tailgate seen on earlier fashions, in favour of single high hinged door.
Your complete vary is fitted with a wiring harness in case you need to add a tow bar, and haul all the best way to its braked towing capability of 3500kg. Inside, high quality has taken a leap ahead too, with supplies and finishes setting Toyota up for dearer rivals.
That is mirrored within the value too, however it’s nonetheless good too see the place the additional cash goes. The heated steering wheel has a sophisticated carbon look to match the centre console and door trims, that are set off properly by chrome accents.
The stability between buttons and the infotainment display right here can also be nice, they usually’re nicely positioned too. Behind the steering wheel are two analogue dials, separated by an data display. It too is nicely thought out.
Heading up the dashboard is a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s been properly built-in, in addition to scoring an improve in processing energy. Now quicker and crisper than ever earlier than, it helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Three USB-C charging ports (1x entrance, 2x rear) are additionally out there, with the 300 Collection Sahara ZX sporting a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system, in addition to DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth, and even a CD participant. The centre cubby is an odd design alternative although.
It’s a really deep cooler field, which might maintain drinks and snacks cool on lengthy journeys. That’s the great bit. What’s much less nice is the truth that it opens both left or proper. Whereas that sounds handy, we discover it unnecessarily awkward.
In a single constructive, it may be opened from the second row. Opening the rear doorways opens you as much as what can finest be described as a lounge room on wheels. Toyota may have used the additional area from the shortage of a 3rd row to push again the second, however haven’t executed so.
Finally, it’s not wanted as a result of there’s room aplenty for the pinnacle, shoulders, knees and toes. The seats are mushy and supportive, with a fold-down arm relaxation within the center. There are even rear LED studying lamps, do you have to fancy curling up with a e book.
Massive twin rear seat leisure screens full the look, guaranteeing passengers within the again are stored occupied on lengthy journeys. Holding this a 5-seater means a whopping 1,131-litres of bags area as commonplace. Drop row two and that grows to 2,052-litres.
The LandCruiser 300 Sahara ZX has a 5-star ANCAP security ranking due to Toyota’s Security Sense platform that gives pre-collision, pedestrian and daytime bicycle owner detection methods. Energetic cruise management, street signal help and lane departure alert are all commonplace.
The latter routinely applies the brakes on one aspect of the automobile to tug you again into the lane. It’s a neat occasion trick however it does really feel unnatural, and unsightly when the digicam system will get confused by a number of lane markings.
Encompass view cameras make parking a breeze, whereas blind spot monitoring and cross visitors alerts are useful when its time to get transferring. There are ten airbags and two ISOFIX anchor factors.
The smaller engine – a 3.3-litre V6 twin turbo diesel in our instance – is, the truth is, an improve over the earlier 4.5-litre V8 providing. Most outputs are greater at 227kW and 700Nm. The numbers don’t lie both, and it feels that means on the street.
Not as soon as did the massive physique ever really feel sluggish, as a substitute it was all the time sharp, punchy and succesful, whatever the situations we subjected it to. Its 10-speed automated transmission and full-time four-wheel drive work a deal with.
It all the time feels prefer it’s in the precise gear, whether or not readying for freeway overtaking, circling for a carpark, or mowing via mushy sand. Off-roading is made straightforward due to the adaptive variable suspension and a rear torque-sensing restricted slip diff.
Whereas we do admit this isn’t the primary alternative for a dedicated off roader (being the posh choice), we needed to at the least attempt it out. It dealt with primary trails simply and when it couldn’t, we had been capable of drag ourselves out of bogged conditions with out exterior help.
The engine has a pleasant notice too, and whereas quieter than the earlier providing, it’s actually extra refined. There are a number of drive modes, together with Consolation, which absorbs all of the bumps yow will discover.
Issues get regularly extra detailed as you scroll via Regular, Sport and Sport+, with exact steering an actual function. Thought of the vary topping non-performance variant, the 2025 LandCruiser 300 Collection Sahara ZX has probably outgrown its conventional consumers.
With a drive away value north of $155,000, it has additional widened the hole to its conventional nemesis, the Nissan Patrol. Providing a distinct segment mix of luxurious and off street prowess, time will inform in regard to attracting consumers from premium manufacturers.
You could find out extra on the Toyota Australia web site, or by speaking to your native dealership. To get a low fee finance quote, speak to Australia’s finest reviewed automobile finance dealer; Credit score One. To see a terrific vary of automobiles on the market, try OnlyCars.com.au.
Our check automobile was supplied by Toyota Australia for impartial overview functions. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to overview this automobile.
