2022 Toyota LandCruiser review

The Toyota LandCruiser has long reigned off-road, but is the new 300 Series a bit rich?

If automotive royalty were a thing, then surely Toyota’s LandCruiser would have a claim to the crown here.

Arriving in the 1950s and put straight to work on the Snowy Mountains Scheme, the LandCruiser has outlasted ‘Australia’s own’ Holden and assisted Toyota’s sales dominance for 18 consecutive years.

LandCruisers enjoy a long shelf life.

The 200 Series was launched back in 2007 and, bolstered by many revisions along the way, continued to sell strongly in 2020, with over 15,000 finding homes at mining sites, rural properties and suburban driveways.

It remains the fifth most popular model in Toyota’s portfolio.

Sahara ZX and GR Sport expand Toyota LandCruiser 2022 line-up 

This means its replacement, the 300 Series, has big shoes to fill.

The line-up has been expanded with two new additions – the luxury Sahara ZX and off-road focused GR Sport.

The 4.5-litre V8 makes way for a 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel engine that develops 227kW and 700Nm, an improvement of 13.5 per cent power and 7.7 per cent torque.

The diesel is matched to a new 10-speed automatic that Toyota says shifts twice as fast as the old six-speed, and the package delivers a 6.3 per cent improvement in fuel consumption.

While sharing similar dimensions with the old 200 Series, the body-on-frame chassis has a wider front and rear track to improve on- and off-road handling.

The previous 3500kg braked tow rating remains, with durability enhanced via strengthening around the tow bar mounting points.

A trailer wiring harness is now fitted as standard on all grades.

The suspension has been heavily revised with the front double wishbone setup featuring stiffer springs, while the front and rear dampers have extra travel and aluminium used in key components.

The turning circle remains at 11.8 metres.

How much does the 2022 Toyota LandCruiser cost?

On average, prices have gone up just shy of $9000 across the range, which starts at $89,990 for the GX.

At $101,790, the popular GXL exceeds $100k for the first time and the VX climbs to $113,990, with the Sahara $131,190 and the new GR Sport $137,790.

The range-topping Sahara ZX retails for $138,790. 

What are the features like in the 2022 Toyota LandCruiser?

Standard features on the VX (our test vehicle) include a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen with satellite navigation, 10-speaker Pioneer audio, self-levelling Bi-LED headlamps, leather-look synthetic seats, a tilt and slide sunroof, and premium 18-inch alloys.

Safety features for the GX include Toyota’s pre-collision safety system with pedestrian and cyclist protection, 10 airbags and lane departure alert.

The GXL gains blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, parking sensors and third-row curtain airbags, while the VX receives lane tracing assistance, emergency steering assistance and a four-camera multi-terrain monitor.

As though chiselled from a solid piece of granite, the 300 is a brutal looking beast.

The cabin has moved back, increasing the bonnet length.

The big grille and lower bumper, flanked by high-set slimline headlamps, create a large vertical plane.

Slab sides and 235mm of ground clearance exaggerate its height, and hoisting yourself into the driver’s seat reveals a commanding view of the road ahead.

The cosy interior, defined by the large centre console, seems at odds with the ample exterior proportions.

How does the 2022 Toyota LandCruiser drive?

On-road, the new platform delivers solid improvements.

The engine sits lower and further back, dropping the centre of gravity, and the revised position of the cabin and second-row seats improves weight distribution.

Steering remains light but more precise, and the revised suspension feels less spongy and pitchy.

The engine is a cracker, with loads of torque available at any speed, and it’s much quieter than the old V8.

Given its off-road pedigree, the only thing likely to stop the new LandCruiser is the driver’s lack of skill, although the price rise means owning one is becoming an expensive proposition.

2022 Toyota LandCruiser price and specs

• Engine: 3.3-litre V6 turbo diesel
• Transmission: 10-speed auto 
• Power: 227kW
• Torque: 700Nm
• Fuel consumption: 8.9L/100km (claimed)
• ANCAP: five stars
• Price: From $89,990 (plus ORC)