Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series goes green

One of Australia’s most popular cars is being given a massive makeover to meet the government’s controversial new emissions laws - a move that’s sure to polarise.

Toyota’s iconic LandCruiser four-wheel-drive is about to go hybrid.

It’s a natural shift for Toyota.

The brand’s hybrid numbers are impressive, having shifted more than 570,000 hybrids in Australia since the original Prius debuted in 2001.

Nearly half its sales last year were hybrids.

Toyota says the new LandCruiser 300 Series hybrid will be a “parallel performance” unit, rather than one intended to save fuel.

It merges a twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with a single electric motor sandwiched into a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The same set up is already in the US Tundra pick-up, which delivers 326kW of power and 790Nm of torque.

We can expect similar figures here, but the exact specification will be announced closer to the launch.

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The LandCruiser has long been a favourite in the bush - now it’s taking its first electrified step. Picture: Supplied

Toyota Australia senior product planning specialist Austin Ward said the system is designed to use different power sources depending on the conditions.

“Having two power sources that can operate in tandem or individually enables the performance hybrid system to deliver powerful, responsive and linear acceleration, high speed cruising, and strong performance under heavy load or when towing,” he said.

“The petrol engine is constantly in operation at speeds of over 30km/h. Under that speed, the performance hybrid can operate on electric power alone, which is also used to enhance acceleration at higher speeds or under heavy load.”

Toyota Australia’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said its hybrid LandCruiser won’t lose any of its brute appeal.

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Toyota says the hybrid LandCruiser will match diesel models for towing and off-road performance. Picture: Supplied

“Bringing the performance hybrid in, there is no compromising,” he said.

“Our hybrid system is a means of increasing performance without any significant penalties in fuel consumption or emissions.”

Toyota says performance, not just efficiency, was the inspiration for the LC300 hybrid.

Unlike passenger-focused hybrid systems that maximise time spent on electric power, Toyota’s “parallel hybrid” system is built for heavy-duty use.

Set to arrive in March 2026, pricing is yet to be confirmed; however, Hanley indicated there would be “a slight premium” in price, while emphasising that it would remain competitive.