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Petrol-electric hybrid versions of Toyota's LandCruiser 300 Series are on the way with a boost in performance compared to the diesel, but don't expect huge fuel economy gains.
Toyota Australia’s LandCruiser will be available with a “no compromise” petrol-electric hybrid from March next year in the two highest-spec grades – Sahara ZX and GR Sport.
Differentiating it from the 227kW/700Nm 3.3-litre turbo-diesel version, Toyota will fit the LandCruiser Hybrid with the same 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 hybrid as the Tundra full-sized US pick-up.
In the Tundra, it produces 326kW/790Nm, but Toyota Australia is yet to confirm final outputs for the LandCruiser Hybrid as localisation and homologation is still underway.
Crucially, Toyota Australia is promising the petrol-hybrid version will match the diesel LandCruiser in towing capacity – a key criterion, according to the brand – which is rated at rated at 3500kg.
Speaking to media at a pre-production drive, Toyota Australia sales and marketing boss Sean Hanley said the LandCruiser Hybrid would not be offered locally it if could not be competitive in the space.
“The reason we’re launching this car [LandCruiser Hybrid] is because there is no compromise on towing performance,” Hanley said.
“That’s important because that’s the delineation between what we call these Efficiency Hybrids [as seen on the Camry, Kluger, and Corolla] and the Performance Hybrid [like on the Tundra and LandCruiser].
“By bringing the one-motor hybrid, or Performance Hybrid in, there is no compromise, that’s the important distinction.
“It’s a fit-for-purpose vehicle because the Australian people and the Australia market still has that requirement, and it’s not going to go away.”
The Japanese brand is remaining tight-lipped on pricing for now, but has confirmed the hybrid versions will carry a price premium over their diesel-powered counterparts.
“We think it’s aimed up as a premium product, it’ll be priced accordingly, so that’s the market it sits in,” Hanley said.
“Clearly, the Performance Hybrid will have a slight premium on it over a conventional hybrid and ICE [internal combustion engine], but having said that, it’s a really competitive market right now,” Hanley said.
“It’s a throwaway line to just say you can price up in a market that’s so ultra-competitive.
“There will be some premium on this in terms of pricing, that will be announced next year as we get closer to launch.”
This means figures north of the $146,910 before on-road costs and $146,160 for the Sahara ZX and GR Sport respectively.
The brand said it is too early to draw any conclusions on sales split at the moment, but expects the LandCruiser Hybrid to be a popular choice as it retains the characteristics of the diesel.
Specification is expected to match diesel versions of the LandCruiser 300, but the petrol-electric hybrid will be strictly a five-seater.
Already launched in the Middle East, key figures over there reveal a 341kW output, a fuel-tank capacity of 98 litres, and a fuel economy figure of 9.2 litres per 100km.
Whether Australian-spec cars are the same is still to be confirmed.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
