2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 GX SUV REVIEW New Model Same Thinking

We’ve been waiting for Toyota’s all new Landcruiser 300 series as if we’ve been in labour for a decade. Perhaps it is this expectation that led to just a touch of disappointment. The new car looks almost exactly the same as the old one, and that’s not by accident. That shape is LandCruiser. It is what made the brand great, and kicked off the company’s sales in Australia.

LandCruiser helped build the Snowy Hyrdo scheme, is used on outback cattle stations and farms, and runs on construction sites world wide. It oozes a masculinity that translates to desirability.

There is so much in the 300 series to bring it into the next decade, and that includes technology.

A toyota spokesman told GayCarBoys that delivery issues are being experienced industry-wide and LandCruiser 300 is no different.

“Toyota Australia began deliveries of its highly popular LandCruiser 300 on December 6^th 2021. This vehicle is currently experiencing longer than expected wait times, due to a number of supply factors as previously announced. We are asking our customers to continue to contact their local dealer for updates on their individual orders.”

Above: This Week – 2022 Toyota LandCruiser GX SUV Review

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Outside:

LandCruiser has a “bold grille”, company speak for huge and overpowering. It is flanked by LED lights, with matrix on top models. Our GX is the bottom of the ladder and looks plain by comparison. Despite the modest embellishments, the exterior is impressive for its imposing bulk. LandCruiser’s bonnet comes mid torso height on a 6’ man, so if size is your thing, you are in luck.

Doors, bonnet, roof, and rear hatch, and parts of the suspension are fashioned from aluminium, for lightness and strength. Even so, GX weighs 2495kg There are no side steps on GX, side getting in means hoisting yourself up, but it is worth it.

The rear hatch is a single piece. Some won’t like it, but most won’t notice. The old two-piece rear gave punters places to perch, but it also made loading a little harder. You could pull up beside a Range Rover at the polo, and picnic without soiling your strides. It isn’t as posh, even in Sahara ZX guise, but then you’ll have saved more than a hundred grand in the process

Wheels are 17”, giving the tyres nice high sidewalls. GR Sport gets 20” wheels and although they look better, do nothing ride and off-road handling.

The chunky profile takes up to 7 seats, with plenty of space to stow stuff.

Get full Specifications list HERE: LC300_Online Brochure 20211029 LC300_Spec_Table Oct2021

Get the Brochure HERE:LC300_Online Brochure 20211029

Inside:

The cabin is all business.

Comfy seats are a throwback to the 80’s, and I love it. Cosy velour holds you better, isn’t cold in winter, but more importantly, doesn’t burn your bum in summer.

Although the driver’s seat is way up high, the instruments and controls are easy to use. The dash and console feel comfortingly familiar, even though it is all brand new.

GX has dual-zone climate control, and the 9” infotainment screen is flanked by physical buttons. Toyota has not followed the obsession to sweep switches into a menu. Instead, important functions have proper buttons that you can touch and feel. This is an almost-retro touch that some will love, and others will hate. I love it.

There is quite a lot of hard plastic that precludes the moniker “luxury” from being pulled from the dressing up box, at least in the entry level model. Fear not, all is not lost.

If space is the real luxury commodity, then LandCruiser has it in spades. You sit a long way from your co-pilot, as if in a first-class lounge. 5 passengers can stretch out, and top models have rear seat entertainment. As you cruise at open-road speeds, a feeling of serene comfort transforms the cabin ambience.

The Drive:

The old V8 was binned, along with the ancient 6-speed automatic. When this news broke, cries of “foul” echoed from the heavens. Bogans, up and down the land, took up pitchforks and torches, but much egg was left on their faces. None had so much as laid eyes on the 300 series and they missed the more powerful engine, and the vastly superior transmission. Needless to say, they were equally ignorant of the lengthy list of safety gadgets and driver assistants.

The ride is wafty and regal. While we didn’t try too much rough stuff, but GX was as at home on highways as she was around, just like the model it replaced.

Steering is slightly vague, but point the old, girl and that is where she heads. GX has a reversing camera and sensors to help you park, so at any speed has a can-do attitude.

Alas, GX misses out on the fabulous Shahara all-round cameras. Off-road, this view shows nasties that could end your trip in tears. It is the equivalent of having a hunky trail director, gesticulating like a demented windmill, to show you where to put your wheels.

Having said that, GX doesn’t feel like a stripped out LandCruiser unless you’ve had bum time in the top dog.

While highways and city work is a doddle, LandCruiser GX becomes a bit of a handful in tight high speed corners. She weighs almost 2,500kilos, and that is a bunch, in anyone’s language. There is a not-inconsiderable amount of lurching as tyres scream for mercy. Show some respect however, and LandCruiser rewards you with a sumptuous experience.

While the driver works for his supper on a long trip, passengers could happily settle in with throws and pillows for a proper luxury experience.

Finally, all LandCruisers get the skid-steer and Crawl functions, so off-road function is fairly close no matter what model you select.

As usual we took the big Toyota up the road a bit, and here is what the boys thought:

Alan-

LandCruiser is, and always has been a favourite. The AWD system is first class and to do any better means paying many more shekels. The main feature to pull you out of the poo, is “Crawl”. It is your last resort but it will save you a lot of time on your knees, that is, unless you actually want to be on your knees.

Performance from this new V6 is stellar and no one is more pleased than I to see the back of that wretched 6 speed auto. Fuel consumption is OK for a beast of such monumental proportions but as the rate of EV uptake gathers pace, we can expect this will be the last ICE powered LandCruiser.

As mentioned in the video, I have an extreme dislike for lane control using breaking. Most cars have electric steering, allowing a computer to partially take over in emergency situations. LandCruiser has hydraulic steering with an electric actuator, and when lane departure is detected, the front wheel opposite the line being crossed has braking applied. If you’re not ready for it, it can really take you by surprise. It is rather like AEB on a single while only. NO. GET.IN.THE.BIN.

Casper-

Can I get a Hallelujah up in here.

LandCruiser feels like it will climb walls. With 4 on board, it displays a generosity of spirit not only in space, but performance. I’ve been in less comfortable limousines, and with a few accessories is second to none.

Range Rovers feel luxurious, and they are. They cost a bomb and are no more capable than LandCruisers why pay more? Toyota is said to be reliable, and the parts are reasonably priced. The main factor though, is the massive dealer network. If you bugger you Cruiser, there is a bloke nearby with a big tool to bang you back in to shape.

Sahara ZX is an extra 40 grand. It’s a banging ride, and the boys in back can pick whatever movie floats their boats. With headphones on, we in the front wouldn’t have to listen to the moaning.

The drive is amazing off-road. We didn’t use the Crawl feature on this review, but it has saved our butts in the past.

Max-

The good thing about LandCruiser is it will outlast time, if you look after it. The interior design feels old fashioned, but like the old model which also felt old, even after 10 years it won’t feel any older. On the bright side, as long as you keep it clean, it will look after you for as long as you want it to.

LandCruiser is the cattle dog of cars. It is meant to be working hard all the time, and is built for tough conditions.

Ethan-

LandCruiser still feels posh, sort of. Maybe that’s just because it is new, but there is something luxurious about the capacious interior.

On our weekends away, one of us usually has a nap on-route and this time was no different.

We had to take a whole bunch of gear up to the cabins, so the trailer hitch came in handy.

I was really impressed with the sound system but only one of the front USBs connects to CarPlay. Alan’s music is a bit crap, but hey ho.

The garage at Drover’s Rest is pretty tight so the LandCruiser was left on the drive.

Conclusion:

After we re-watched the video, it sounded like we were way harsh. We pointed out some of the negatives and it might have seemed we thought less of the LandCruiser than we actually did. We all loved it.

It is hugely roomy, and beautifully comfortable on the road. Yes, it is expensive, but you get what you pay for. It is one of the very full 4WD SUVs on the road at this size and price. Not only that, there is a big dealer network should you run in to strife.

Toyota parts seem to be relatively reasonable and easily accessible.

As a side note: Toyota returned Job Keeper Payments in January (2021)

Price and Specs:

GX: $89,990
GXL: $101,790
VX: $113,990
Sahara: $131,190
GR Sport: $137,790
Sahara ZX: $138,790

Engine: 3.3L twin turbo diesel
Power: 227kw/700Nm
Trans: 10-speed automatic (torque converter-type) with drive modes
Drivetrain: Permanent AWD with Low Range
Econ: 8.9L/100k
Tank: 80L + 30L
CO2: 296g/km
Weight: (100kg lighters than old models) 2495kg to 2630kg

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