Blink and also you’ll miss the 2025 replace of the 300 Collection Toyota LandCruiser. Having launched 4 years in the past to an unsurprising quantity of fanfare and query marks alike, the enduring 4×4 has solely been given the minimal variety of tweaks for this 12 months.
There’s a longstanding hearsay that whereas different automobiles are solely constructed to final for 10-15 years, the LandCruiser is constructed to final for 25. Whereas there’s no official quote to again this up, there’s no denying the considering holds true.
The 200 Collection this changed was in manufacturing for 14 years, whereas the ‘Heavy Responsibility’ 70 Collection remains to be in manufacturing and on sale after 41. That’s maybe why there’s no reactionary updates or over-the-top trendy styling tweaks on present right here.
Certainly, within the case of the Sahara mannequin we’re testing, there are not any exterior visible adjustments in any respect. Costs for the 2025 mannequin begin at $97,990 earlier than on-roads for the bottom GX, though the Sahara is available in at $139,310.
The GXL and VX sit under, whereas the off street centered GR Sport and on-road centered Sahara ZX are each roughly $7k dearer. Whereas lower-spec’d variations have added among the security and comfort options of upper-rung variations, this car is basically unchanged.
An intensive options checklist contains leather-accented upholstery, heated and ventilated entrance and second-row outboard seats, heated steering wheel, twin rear-seat leisure system, 14-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a head-up show.
You’ll additionally discover power-folding third-row seats, and a ‘cool field’ within the centre console. Because of this, the few adjustments are very refined. Most notably, the LC300 now options Toyota’s newest 12.3-inch infotainment system with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Maybe the largest improve although is that whereas the outdated system built-in the local weather controls onto the display screen, 2025 fashions now function unbiased buttons and switches. We’re calling {that a} win for democracy.
The opposite notable tech improve is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which once more is acquainted to different fashions in Toyota’s line-up. This digital cluster has additionally been added to the VX mannequin for 2025.
Admittedly, it was good to nonetheless have bodily dials earlier than – notably for issues resembling oil strain – however there’s no denying the digital interface does assist the LandCruiser really feel a bit extra updated.
Most mercifully of all, now you can simply dismiss the persistent and fixed DPF regen notices that have been a frustration of early 300 Collection fashions. Additionally totally bringing it into 2025 is the deletion of the CD/DVD participant beforehand situated on the dashboard.
As a substitute, you’ll now discover HDMI and USB-C ports, together with a reasonably sizeable storage cubby. As you’d count on, the LandCruiser is exceptionally comfy inside, with seating that’s plush but nonetheless supportive.
The supplies all really feel top-notch, too, which you’d definitely hope for given the steep pricing. The best supply of controversy when the 300 Collection first launched was Toyota ditching the enduring ‘1VD’ twin-turbo diesel V8 in trade for a smaller six-cylinder.
That very same engine – a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel – carries over unchanged for 2025, that means it nonetheless serves up 227kW and 700Nm, each outputs that dwarf these of the outdated V8. Energy is channeled by means of a 10-speed automated transmission.
That’s paired to a full-time four-wheel drive system with dual-range and a locking centre differential. The Sahara does miss out on the Torsen torque-sensing rear limited-slip differential fitted to its ZX sibling, and the locking entrance and rear diff within the GR Sport.
Whereas there’s no denying the V6 presents spectacular energy and tempo even in a car that weighs round 2.6-tonnes, it has taken till now for it to develop on me. The outdated V8 had this sense of immense energy and sturdiness that made the V6 at first really feel a bit skinny.
Between my first drive of the 300 Collection again then and this up to date mannequin arriving now, having pushed most variants within the time between, I can’t deny having warmed to it. Once you lay into the throttle pedal, the LandCruiser serves up an enormous wave of torque.
It’s impressively easy. The ten-speed auto I as soon as discovered to be a bit too busy additionally feels smoother and extra intuitive now. Thoughts you, the instance examined right here was a box-fresh providing with a mere 32km on the odometer and a vendor sticker nonetheless on the rear window.
Gas consumption sat at 12.3-litres/100km after 646km of testing in a spread of driving situations, which regardless of this automotive’s new-ness is comparatively in-line with earlier testing of extra broken-in examples.
Though that determine ought be nearer to the 8.9-litres/100km declare when touring, the 300 Collection is a implausible car for lengthy distance driving in each different respect. The trip high quality is correctly plush, with it dealing with even the worst of Australian street situations with ease.
After all, it’s no ballerina when it comes to its nimbleness, however physique roll is respectably managed regardless of the Sahara lacking out on the adaptive variable suspension system of the Sahara ZX and GR Sport, together with the latter’s electronic-kinetic dynamic suspension.
In spite of everything, that is supposed to be an off-roader reasonably than a nook carver, and there’s no denying the 300 Collection can deal with its personal on the tough stuff. The four-wheel drive system is implausible, there’s loads of floor clearance, and it has an arsenal of social gathering methods.
All the things from crawl management (successfully low-speed off-road cruise management) to show help (which tightens the turning radius by locking up the within rear wheel) means it may well deal with just about any floor or scenario you throw it at.
Whereas driving the LandCruiser was definitely a pleasure, there was one minor difficulty which endured throughout this week of testing – on numerous events, the automotive’s alarm could be set off when utilizing keyless unlocking.
It definitely isn’t a great way to make an impression in your neighbours, and after conversations with fellow journalists from different media retailers, we will verify the problem wasn’t unique to our check car.
The 2025 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Sahara is backed by a 5-year limitless kilometre guarantee. Do observe that servicing is required each six months/10,000km, which is able to drive upkeep prices up. There’s no escaping how dear the automotive is to purchase both.
For as refined because the adjustments are for 2025, Toyota’s sluggish however fixed enchancment is what has helped each previous model of the LandCruiser keep market dominance for thus lengthy, properly into every era’s respective lifespan. It’s an icon for a motive, basically.
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 greatest reviewed automotive finance dealer; Credit score One. To see a terrific vary of automobiles on the market, take a look at OnlyCars.com.au.
Our check car was provided by Toyota Australia for unbiased overview functions. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to overview this car.
