Subtle but savage upgradation of Toyota Land Cruiser to the all-new 300 series has created a buzz across the globe. The total makeover of the vehicle now fitted with a pair of massive and blacked-out 21-inch wheels, either in gloss or matt black and including the major work on the front and rear spoilers giving the LC300 a unique look altogether. From the new-design headlamps, prominent grille, secondary U-shaped vent running along the edge of the grille, to fog lamps set low on the bumper, LC300 does not fail to impress at the very first look.

The LC300’s new 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo-diesel generates a massive 227kW and 700Nm which is quite impressive compared to its predecessors. Comparatively, the output is just as strong with the petrol version, where a new and powerful 3.5-litre V6 petrol produces 305kW and 650Nm. Toyota claims, “The Land Cruiser 300 is the new generation in a long line of legends. Like those before it, it is up for the challenge in the bush, the outback, the mountain pass and yet its build to take on the city.” Promising an all-purpose ride for anyone and everyone, enhancing the target market drastically. Promises of the new Land Cruiser 300 being, “…safest, smartest, and most luxurious Land Cruiser yet.”, quite a big, bold promise but when has Toyota ever disappointed us.

When it comes to feature upgrades, LC300 Series has permanent four-wheel drive with high and low-range modes with flagship models available with three locking differentials across the front, center, and rear – claimed to be unique to the segment. Up to five Multi-Terrain Select off-road drive modes are said to be an offer (when low range is engaged), catering to different driving environments: Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud and Deep Snow. They join a further six regular drive modes – Eco, Normal, Comfort, Sports, Sports+ and Custom which vary transmission programming, suspensive behaviour, engine response and, according to the walk-around, the behaviour of the climate control system (likely switching it off in Eco mode to save fuel). An off-road crawl control system – which can be varied between Low, Mild and High settings – allows the 300 Series to cross rough terrain both uphill and downhill at a fixed speed without the driver touching the pedals.

Other off-road features include the new Multi-Terrain Monitor that makes the vehicle ‘invisible’ to show objects normally out of the driver’s view – allowing for easier placement of the front wheels off-road – plus 360-degree cameras and individual tyre pressure monitors. Toyota has also integrated a tablet-style 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite navigation – a substantial upgrade over the 200 Series 9.0-inch unit, which offered satellite navigation but laced smartphone mirroring technology. Cheering the drivers by greeting them with a 7.0-inch digital display between two analog dials, along with a colour head-up display, with both sitting behind a leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment. Major seamless upgrade includes fingerprint reader built into the start-stop button, intended to reduce thefts by storing up to 10 different fingerprints, each able to be linked to a driver’s climate control preferences, seating position and favourite radio station. Below the screen sits a panel of metallic switches for the climate control system – which offers zones, matching the outgoing ‘Cruiser – and off-road controls, including a large Mode Select dial which can be switched between the six on-road drive modes and the five off-road Multi-Terrain Select profiles. Second-row passengers benefit from two of the four climate control zones, along with dual 11.6-inch entertainment screens mounted to the front seatbacks.

Other available features inside and outside include a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system, six USB ports (two up front, four in the rear), wireless smartphone charging, a cabin air ionizer, electric front seats, power-operated single-piece tailgate, and a household power outlet in the boot. An array of active safety systems is offered with the 300 Series, including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection and support for intersections, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, and low-speed rear autonomous emergency braking for car parks.

Do not miss out to check out the all-new 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6, sending 227kW and 700Nm through a 10-speed automatic transmission Land Cruiser 300 – replacing the outgoing 200kW/650Nm 4.5-litre twin-turbo V8 diesel. A twin-turbo petrol V6 will be offered in international markets, while a hybrid is due to arrive by 2025.