Goodbye Toyota Landcruiser 200 Sahara, Hello Landcruiser 300

We’ve driven Landcruiser 200 many times, and each time, fell a little more in love with it. Why?

Quite simply, it is the best, and here’s the reason:

The 200 series built on Landcruisers of over 6 decades.

For over 4 decades the Landcruiser 70 has been produced and remains on sale today, but the story starts way back in the early 50’s. The Japanese weren’t going to take the wartime Jeeps lying down, oh no. Then there were the Brits who had created the Land Rover, another pretender to the all-terrain throne, and further slap in the face to Japan. So, it only seemed natural that the land of the rising sun could take the best bits, and build something better. After all, the Japanese are nothing of not ingenious.

Moving forward, FJ models became a world favourite as a continent crosser. It was simple but reliable. Above all, it was competent off-road, which won the hearts and minds of the hard-core dirt set.

Thus, the persistence of the 70 Series, but this shockingly uncomfortable dray is only suitable for peasants.

Above: This Week 2021 Goodbye Toyota Landcruiser 200 Sahara, Hello Landcruiser 300

FULL Review

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2015 Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series VX

ABOVE: Landcruiser 200, and 70 series

If you want to feel like a king, drive the King off-the-road

The 200 series, aka the J200, was born in 2007. 2021 sees the 200 series superseded by the 300 Series, something that brought a tear to my eye.

Many happy hours have been spent venturing far and wide, on all kinds of terrain. If I could snag a Sahara, then so much the better. It had all the bells and whistles, and a muscular 200kw/650Nm turbo diesel. It rumbled quietly as the 2740kg SUV was propelled at an indecent rate, hurtling headlong down the freeway into the sunset.

She is not a svelte lassie, but nor is Landcruiser a ball breaker.

Off-road, you’d need to spend many more shekels for something that is no more capable or comfortable. Kinetic suspension allows crazy wheel angles, as articulation bends it like Beckham. Then there is the terrain control: Landcruiser uses a low-speed cruise control system called “Crawl”. It has a cat-like ability to conquer all but vertical walls of rock. Everything else is fair game.

Not only will Crawl pull Landcruiser from a mire up to the axels, and Sand past the side step, but the fancy footwork can manage tight spaces. Should you need to make a near 90 turn, Steer assist will lock the inner rear wheel, skidding along like a dog scratching its bum on the grass.

On the road, Landcruiser treats you like a queen.

There are seats for 7, with heating and cooling for 1st row, and heating for 1st and 2nd row outboard seats. The 2nd rowers have large screens for movies, and 2 climate zones with half a dozen vents. The cinema experience includes sound through headphones that have the crispness of a spring evening.  Sadly, it is a DVD system, thus the need for a remote control. When was the last time you saw a DVD? You’d be better off gluing your iPad to the front seatback! Bah humbug. There is an HDMI input, if you can figure out how it works. It didn’t seem to work for us.

Ignoring this minor transgression, the experience of wafting regally from A to B is akin to being transported by on a carpet, held aloft by tiny gusts of air.

The cabin is quiet too. That is something you can’t say about the somewhat paupered 70 Series.

Will the LC300 Tread well in the LC200’s laudable tracks?

LC200 Sahara may cost a small fortune, but it is the value for money that is the question. On that criterion, the 14-year-old 200 Series is unquestionably unsurpassed. So, will the lighter, nimbler, more efficient LC300 will be better?

From all reports, yes. The twin turbo V6 engines will pull a body that is 200kg lighter. There is more power too. The engine range starts at 227kW/700Nm, through a 10-speed automatic, and goes up from there.  The AWD management system integrates and simplifies Steering Assist, brake and throttle control, shift pattern and drive torque distribution for handling and stability with the precision of a surgeon.

Toyota Safety Sense includes AEB, and the other mod cons, driver aids, and comfort features you see in even the most modest Toyota.

Infotainment is a 12.3” screen, and there is a part-digital dash with a 7” LCD screen. Further more, there is: Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 14 speakers, an HUD, easy-access ventilation for the heated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, and easy-access seats.

Pricing starts at $131,1901.

Conclusion:

I sat, staring soporifically into my soup, lamenting the passing of LC200 into the annuls of history. But it seems I may have been hasty. The 300 Series Land Cruiser is a handsome brute stuffed for of gear.

Put simply, LandCruiser 300 will be better in every way, so, so-long Landcruiser 200. Thanks for the memories, BYE-BYE please, BYE-BYE.

Price: $123,590 ($132,310 on road NSW)

Engine: 4.5L turbo Diesel

Power: 200kw/650Nm

Economy: 9.5L/100k

CO2: 250g/k, Euro 5

Tank: 138L (93L + 45L)

Transmission: 6 speed automatic

Weight: 2740kg

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