Toyota South Africa Motors has expanded its Land Cruiser 300 line-up with the addition of a new petrol-electric derivative, placing the spotlight firmly on a powertrain that delivers 341 kW and 790 Nm of combined output. The 3,5-litre twin-turbo V6, paired with Toyota’s compact hybrid system and a 10-speed automatic gearbox, now becomes the headline act for the flagship ZX specification, which will be offered exclusively with this electrified unit from now on.
The hybrid system’s torque figure of 790 Nm is the key talking point, eclipsing the already substantial pulling power of the established 3,3-litre diesel variants while promising a claimed fuel consumption of 10 litres per 100 kilometres – a notable improvement over the non-hybrid petrol equivalents. The power delivery is described as immediate and linear, with the electric motor filling any low-rev gaps to make overtaking and highway cruising noticeably more effortless. Yet the engineers have ensured that the off-road hardware, including the full-time four-wheel-drive system and low-range transfer case, remain untouched, so the vehicle’s ability to crawl over rocks or wade through deep water is preserved.
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Available from now in the luxury-oriented ZX trim, the hybrid will also be offered in the adventure-focused GR-S grade later in the year. The GX-R and GR-S diesel options stay on the menu, giving buyers a clear choice between the new high-output petrol-hybrid and the torquier, longer-legged oil-burner. Beyond the powertrain, the range receives a refresh of its exterior palette, with Magnetite Black and Classic White joining the colour chart, while interior trim combinations have been adjusted across the board to lift the cabin ambience.
A practical addition is the waterproof AC inverter, housed beneath the centre console, which provides up to 1 500 W of external power – enough to run camping equipment, workshop tools or even serve as an emergency backup during outages. The hybrid battery and inverter have been packaged to avoid compromising boot space or passenger room, a key consideration for a vehicle often used for overland expeditions.
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Glenn Crompton, vice-president of marketing at TSAM, said the introduction of the hybrid powertrain allows customers to access modern electrified performance without sacrificing the ruggedness that has defined the Land Cruiser name for more than seven decades. He added that the move supports the company’s broader strategy of offering multiple technologies to suit different usage patterns, from daily commuting to cross-border haulage.
With the ZX now reserved for the hybrid alone, the message is clear: this powertrain is not an optional extra but the new standard for the top-tier model. The torque peak of 790 Nm arrives low in the rev range, making it particularly suited to towing heavy trailers or navigating sandy tracks where wheel spin needs to be kept in check. Meanwhile, the 341 kW peak power ensures that the big SUV can sprint to highway speeds with a composure that belies its mass.
The Land Cruiser 300 hybrid does not attempt to reinvent the formula; instead, it adds a layer of responsiveness and efficiency to a platform already renowned for its durability. The suspension, chassis bracing and braking system have been recalibrated to handle the extra heft of the hybrid components, but the core architecture remains the same ladder-frame construction that has proven itself from the Kalahari to the Kruger. For buyers who have been waiting for a petrol option that does not punish them at the fuel pump, this new model may well be the answer – provided they are prepared to pay the premium that comes with ZX specification.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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