Toyota has refreshed the Land Cruiser 300 Series for the Japanese market with the arrival of a newly developed powerful hybrid powertrain, a first for a domestic Land Cruiser. Announced in early September 2026, the tweaked models go on sale from 1 October bringing substantial improvements in performance and perceived quality while terminating the previous non-hybrid petrol engine.
The 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine has been paired with a parallel hybrid system that features an electric motor generator between the engine and the ten-speed automatic, creating combined 457 PS and 790 Nm, a figure eclipsing even the previous Land Cruiser’s power output. The resulting mixture of a petrol engine and electric motor offers superior acceleration on the road while improving low-speed agility on the trail, with the ability to operate in full electric mode under 30 km/h. A nickel-metal hydride battery has been tucked beneath the boot, and electric power steering has been added to the hybrid models for a better feel on varying surfaces. The previous pure petrol 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 has been cut from the Japanese offerings, and is now only hybrid available together with the ongoing 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel.
The hybrid powertrain has been fitted exclusively to the ZX and GR Sport grades. The ZX Hybrid has received tweaks to the exterior to help differentiate it from the rest of the range, while still retaining the Land Cruiser’s utilitarian image. The front bumper’s lower section has been reprofiled to take in larger side intakes that run out towards the skid plate, and the fog-light garnishes have been altered. Equipment levels have been increased on the updated models, with hybrid versions receiving upgrades to the audio system, convenience features such as wireless charging and cool boxes on the upper grades, and the latest safety and driver-assistance technology. In addition to the factory updates, a new Modellista package has been revealed to allow the owner to personalise their vehicle further. The kit has been created under the theme of refined presence, and the bodykit includes trapezoidal-inspired front and rear spoilers, over-fenders to emphasise the shape of the Sport, side steps, a discreet roof spoiler and special 20-inch forged alloy wheels. Blackout features and well-finished metallic details have been incorporated to create a more metropolitan feel while still retaining the vehicle’s toughness.
Pricing for the diesel models starts from approximately 6.3 million yen, while the ZX Hybrid has been placed at around 9.8 million yen, and the GR Sport Hybrid would cost over 10.2 million yen. Despite the increase in weight and a reduction in the size of the fuel-tank in comparison with the outgoing petrol version, the hybrid has retained the Land Cruiser’s 700 mm water-wading ability due to the waterproofing of the battery pack. With this update Toyota has boosted the kudos of the Land Cruiser 300’s performance credentials in its home market, and widened its appeal with increased efficiency and a more sophisticated exterior on the top hybrid grade, and the availability to personalise the vehicle further with Modellista.