Toyota has confirmed first details and given us our first look at the new petrol-electric hybrid 300 Series Toyota LandCruiser testing ahead of its launch in Australia in the first half of 2026.
Dubbed a performance hybrid, the system will only be offered in the two top-spec ZX Sahara and GR Sport (the latter in these pics) models, so you can expect pricing in the $150,000 region or beyond.
The longitudinal system employs a single e-motor/generator, a 3.4-litre turbo-petrol V6 engine (marketed as a 3.5) and a small 1.87kWh nickel-metal hydride battery in a parallel hybrid arrangement.
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It will be the first time since 2019 when it dropped the V8 engine out of the 200 Series that Toyota has sold a petrol LandCruiser in Australia.
But Australia’s NVES CO2 emissions scheme is rapidly changing the line-up of new models being offered by car brands.
Toyota is convinced most LandCruiser 300 Series buyers still prefer diesel (which is why the petrol V8 was dropped in the first place), which helps explain the positioning of the hybrid so high up in the range.
We’re talking vehicles currently priced beyond $146,000 before on-road costs as 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesels.
The price could go higher with the petrol-electric powertrain. The performance hybrid system is already sold in Australia in the Tundra full-size pick-up and that is priced from $155,990 to $172,990 plus on-roads.
Of course, that is a special case because of the added cost of converting the Tundra to right-hand drive in Australia.
The Tundra specification is instructive for what the LandCruiser hybrid may deliver. It’s only our best guess because Toyota isn’t saying yet.
The system delivers a combined 326kW (290kW engine and 36kw e-motor) and 790Nm (649Nm engine 250Nm e-motor) and returns mid-teens fuel consumption (there’s no official rating because it’s a commercial vehicle).
The LandCruiser should have similar outputs but hopefully do better on economy because it’s smaller and lighter than the Tundra. It’s still bloody big and heavy of course. A photograph issued by Toyota (see below) showed the hybrid’s fuel gauge full and the range at 612km, which is shy of diesel territory.
Just for reference, a diesel 300 Series makes 227kW/700Nm and officially claims an 8.9L/100km average fuel consumption rate. So the hybrid should smoke it for straightline performance. Off-road capabilities and 3500kg towing? We’ll wait and see.
On the surface it’s hard to see where the emissions gain is here, but the hybrid can run as an EV up to 30km/h.
Above that speed the petrol engine is constantly engaged as well, which helps explain why Toyota calls this a performance hybrid.
The transverse hybrid system now exclusively used in nine Toyota soft-roader SUV and passenger cars is dubbed an efficiency system and can operate in both series and parallel. It can combine a petrol engine with up to three e-motors, one of which acts as an e-CVT transmission.
The Cruiser’s performance hybrid system retains the orthodox 10-speed automatic transmission to transfer drive to all four wheels via a permanent 4×4 system.
Switching between electric and petrol power, or a combination of both is controlled by the hybrid system’s power control unit.
The e-motor/generator is connected to a clutch that manages switching between power sources depending on the load and driver input
“Toyota has long been a pioneer in developing hybrid technology and we have driven its adoption in Australia for the past 24 years since we first launched the Prius here in 2001,” said Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley.
“Australian customers have fully embraced our efficiency hybrid system for its smooth refinement, substantial fuel savings, and lower CO2 tailpipe emissions, with sales of more than 570,000 Toyota hybrids since we launched the original Prius.
“With nine model ranges from the Yaris hatch to the seven-seat Kluger SUV now exclusively offered with our efficiency hybrid system, hybrids accounted for a record 48.9 per cent of our total 2024 sales.
“Now, with our performance hybrid system already powering the Tundra and soon, available in the LandCruiser 300 Series, Toyota is continuing to offer customers a hybrid solution that perfectly suits their needs and vehicle choice,” he said.
As electrification goes, this is a small but significant step for the LandCruiser away from orthodox diesel. A bigger step comes as soon as next year when a LandCruiser EV is expected to be globally revealed. Toyota will also launch its first plug-in hybrid next year in Australia when the next RAV4 medium SUV launches.
