Toyota Land Cruiser 300: 2021–Present Guide
The Land Cruiser 300 Series is Toyota's full-size flagship 4×4, on sale since 2021 in Japan, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and other markets. It isn't sold in the US or Canada, so the years here are main-market years, and its closest US relative is the Lexus LX 600. Here's what changed, which engine to pick, the recalls to check and how it rates for safety.
Land Cruiser 300 Series at a Glance
Years 2021–present Global markets; not sold in the US
Platform GA-F About 200 kg lighter than the 200 Series
Engines Twin-turbo V6 3.3 diesel or 3.5 gas; hybrid from 2025
Power range 270–457 hp 4.0 V6 to the V6 hybrid
Gearbox 10-speed automatic 6-speed with the 4.0 V6
US relative Lexus LX 600 Same platform and gas V6
What Makes the Land Cruiser 300 Different
The 300 Series replaced the 200 in 2021, the Land Cruiser's 70th year. It moved to the new GA-F body-on-frame platform, and Toyota says it's about 200 kg lighter than the 200 Series, with a lower, more rearward center of gravity.
The big news was under the hood, because the V8 is gone. Instead, you get a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 diesel or a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 gas engine, both with a 10-speed automatic. The diesel makes 304 hp and 516 lb-ft, which is more torque than the old V8 diesel.
Toyota also added a GR Sport version for the first time, with front and rear locking differentials and the E-KDSS system that frees up the sway bars off-road. As a result, the 300 is both a luxury cruiser and a serious trail truck, depending on the trim.
- 304 hp3.3 diesel V6
- 516 lb-ftDiesel torque
- 409 hp3.5 gas V6
- 479 lb-ftGas torque
What we like
- Strong, smooth twin-turbo V6 engines
- Lighter and stiffer than the 200 Series
- GR Sport is a factory-locked off-roader
What to watch
- Not sold in North America
- Long waits and order freezes in some markets
- A high theft target in Japan
Land Cruiser 300 Series Engines and Power
Which engine you get depends on the market. Australia had only the diesel until the hybrid arrived in 2026, while Japan and the Middle East also get the gas V6.
| Engine | Years | Found in | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L twin-turbo V6 diesel (F33A-FTV) | 2021–present | Australia, Japan, Africa, others | 304 hp (227 kW) / 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) |
| 3.5L twin-turbo V6 gas (V35A-FTS) | 2021–present | Japan, Middle East, others | 409 hp (305 kW) / 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) |
| 4.0L V6 (1GR-FE) | 2021–present | Some Middle East markets | 270 hp (201 kW) |
| 3.5L twin-turbo V6 hybrid | 2025–present | Middle East; Australia from 2026 | 457 hp (341 kW) / 583 lb-ft (790 Nm) |
Long waits, small updates, then a hybrid
Land Cruiser 300 Changes by Year
The 300 Series hasn't had a full facelift yet. Instead, Toyota has made small tech and security updates, then added a hybrid with a new face.
- 2021 World premiere in June, with sales starting in the Middle East that month and in Japan in August. Australia followed in October. The GR Sport arrives as a new version.
- 2022 Demand far outran supply. Australian buyers faced waits of 18 to 24 months, partly because of chip shortages.
- 2024 Toyota Industries' engine certification irregularities briefly halted shipments of the diesel in January. Toyota said safety, emissions and outputs weren't affected.
- 2025 In Japan, a March update adds a 12.3-inch digital cluster, fingerprint start and other anti-theft features, plus cyclist detection for the automatic emergency braking. Later that year, the twin-turbo V6 hybrid debuts in the UAE with new front and rear bumpers.
- 2026 The hybrid reaches Australia in GR Sport and Sahara ZX trims, from A$156,060, while the diesel continues.
Our verdict: in Japan, a 2025-or-newer car gets the better anti-theft gear. In Australia, the diesel is still the tow and touring pick, while the hybrid suits buyers who want more power and lower fuel use.
Land Cruiser 300 Series Special Models
Trim names vary by market, but three versions stand out.
2021–present
GR Sport
Front and rear lockers E-KDSS Dakar class winner
The off-road pick, with locking front and rear differentials and E-KDSS. Toyota Auto Body's team raced a 300 GR Sport to Dakar's production-class win in 2025.
2021–present
ZX and Sahara ZX
Top luxury trim Diesel or gas Big wheels
The luxury flagship, called ZX in Japan and Sahara ZX in Australia, with the most comfort features and a road-focused setup.
2025–present
Hybrid
457 hp 790 Nm New bumpers
A twin-turbo V6 hybrid with a 10-speed automatic and a slightly restyled front and rear. In Australia, it comes as a GR Sport or Sahara ZX.
Land Cruiser 300 Series Recalls
Because the 300 isn't sold in the US, there are no NHTSA campaigns for it. These are the notable recalls in Australia, the UAE and South Africa. In the US, its Lexus LX 600 sibling was part of NHTSA campaign 24V-381 for machining debris in the V35A gas V6.
| Model years | Campaign | What's affected |
|---|---|---|
| Australia, built Jul 2021–Apr 2022 | REC-005409 (Toyota XGG22) | Stability control may not switch back on. Fixed with a software update. |
| Australia, built Jul 2021–Jan 2024 | REC-005908 (Toyota ZGG04) | The vehicle can creep forward in Neutral. Fixed with a transmission computer update. |
| Australia, 2025 diesel | REC-006549 (Toyota 6GG01) | A transmission software fault can over-rev the gearbox, causing loss of drive and a fluid leak that could catch fire. |
| UAE, 2021–2024 builds | Al-Futtaim, Oct 2026 | Three campaigns covering 29,774 vehicles: machining debris in the gas V6, gas V6 engine software, and 10-speed over-rev. |
| South Africa, sold Dec 2022–May 2024 | NCC product safety recall | Machining debris in the V35A gas V6 can damage the engine. Engines are inspected and replaced where needed. |
Land Cruiser 300 Series Safety Ratings by Region
The 300 Series has only been crash-tested in Australia. Most other programs never tested it because it isn't sold in their markets.
| Region | Program | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia, New Zealand | ANCAP | ★★★★★ (2022) | Adult occupant 89%, child occupant 88%, vulnerable road users 81%, safety assist 77%. The rating covers all versions except the GR Sport, which wasn't assessed, and it runs to December 2028. |
| Europe | Euro NCAP | Not rated | The 300 Series isn't sold in Europe. |
| Japan | JNCAP | Not rated | We found no published JNCAP result. |
| United States, Canada | NHTSA, IIHS | Not rated | The 300 Series isn't sold in North America. |
Buying a Used Land Cruiser 300 Series
The 300 Series is generally well regarded, although early cars have had software and transmission recalls, and some diesel owners report problems under heavy use.
- Recalls. Check the VIN for every local campaign, especially the transmission and V35A engine-debris recalls, and ask for proof of the software updates.
- Hard-worked diesels. Owners and mechanics report heat soak, oil use and towing hesitation on diesels used for heavy towing or sand driving. Ask about its history and check the oil level.
- Short trips. A diesel used mostly around town can clog its DPF and EGR system, so check for warning lights and how it was driven.
- Theft. Land Cruisers were Japan's most-stolen car in 2024, with 688 thefts. Look for the 2025 anti-theft update or an aftermarket immobilizer.
Our picks
- Best off-road: GR Sport
- Best for towing: 3.3 diesel
- Best performance: twin-turbo V6 hybrid
Think twice
- Cars with open recalls
- Ex-tow or sand-driven diesels with no records
- Paying over sticker without checking the wait list
Other Land Cruiser Generations
The 300 Series replaced the 200 Series and sells alongside the smaller 250. Jump to either, or see every Land Cruiser generation.
Land Cruiser 300 Series FAQ
Is the Land Cruiser 300 Series sold in the US?
No. Toyota doesn't sell the 300 Series in the US or Canada. The Lexus LX 600 is its US relative, and the Land Cruiser sold in the US since 2024 is the 250 Series.
What engines does the Land Cruiser 300 have?
A 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 diesel (304 hp), a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 gas engine (409 hp), a 4.0-liter V6 in some markets, and since 2025 a twin-turbo V6 hybrid.
Is the Land Cruiser 300 reliable?
It's generally well regarded. However, check for transmission and software recalls, the V35A debris recall on some 2021-2024 gas cars, and diesel heat and oil-use complaints under heavy use.
Is the Land Cruiser 300 safe?
ANCAP gave it five stars in 2022, covering every version except the GR Sport. Euro NCAP, IIHS and NHTSA never tested it.
Is there a Land Cruiser 300 hybrid?
Yes. It debuted in the UAE in 2025 and reached Australia in 2026 in GR Sport and Sahara ZX trims, with 457 hp by Toyota Australia's figures.
How much lighter is the 300 Series than the 200 Series?
About 200 kg, thanks to the new GA-F platform.
Sources
- Toyota Global: Land Cruiser 300 world premiere
- Toyota Global: Land Cruiser 300 Japan launch
- Wikipedia: Toyota Land Cruiser (J300)
- ANCAP: LandCruiser 300 rating
- Chasing Cars: 300 Series wait times
- Carscoops: 2025 Japan update
- WhichCar: 300 Series hybrid for Australia
- NRMA: 2026 LandCruiser 300 hybrid pricing
- Australian recalls: REC-006549
- Gulf News: UAE Land Cruiser 300 recalls
- NCC South Africa: LC300 and LX600 recall
- NHTSA: recall 24V-381 (Lexus LX 600)
- Unsealed 4×4: 300 Series owner problems
- Wapcar: Japan's most-stolen cars in 2024
Keep Exploring
See every Land Cruiser generation side by side, or head back to the full Toyota lineup.
Photo credits
- Header image: TTTNIS, CC0, cropped and resized.
- White Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport…: Firzafp, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Dashboard and center screen of a 2021…: Autosdeprimera, CC BY 3.0, cropped and resized.
- White 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 ZX…: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.