Japan is the latest major market to receive the updated 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser 300, following rollouts in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Australia earlier this year. According to Japanese outlet Creative Trend, the update goes beyond a typical mid-cycle refresh, eliminating the non-electrified gasoline V6, adding a new entry-level diesel trim, and making the hybrid the flagship powertrain for the first time in the model’s history.
The Gas V6 Is Gone, Replaced by 457 Hybrid Horsepower
The i-Force Max hybrid system pairs a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with a single electric motor integrated into the 10-speed automatic transmission. The setup produces a combined 457 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque.
Those figures already drew attention when the same powertrain debuted in Australia at nearly Lexus LX 700h money. The hybrid system, however, brings some tradeoffs.
Adding the battery beneath the cargo area reduces fuel capacity from 21.1 gallons to 18 gallons, while the hybrid system adds 375 lbs compared with the outgoing gasoline V6. Toyota nevertheless preserved the SUV’s 27.6-inch water wading depth by waterproofing the battery pack, addressing one of the few complaints that has followed the powertrain since its first global launch.
A Cheaper Way Into the Land Cruiser 300 With Diesel
While the gasoline engine is being removed, the diesel lineup is expanding. The twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 diesel carries over with 304 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque and is now joined by a new entry-level GX trim.
The GX becomes the most affordable way into a Land Cruiser 300, offering a five-seat configuration, cloth upholstery, a 7-inch digital cluster, and 18-inch wheels.
Leaked Japanese pricing puts the GX Diesel at about $39,500, while the flagship HEV GR Sport reaches roughly $63,900. That creates a price gap of more than $24,000 within the same nameplate.
Still Nowhere Near America
None of the changes affect U.S. buyers. America has not sold the full-size Land Cruiser since the 200-series left after the 2021 model year.
Today’s U.S.-market “Land Cruiser” is the smaller 250-series, badged Prado everywhere else, and uses a 326-hp four-cylinder hybrid powertrain.
As the 300-series continues becoming more powerful, more diesel-friendly, and more extensively hybridized in markets outside the United States, the absence of the full-size model from the American lineup remains a familiar theme rather than a surprise.
