Toyota Land Cruiser 300

The Land Cruiser nameplate has been synonymous with toughness and dependability for over seven decades now Globally, it’s the go-to SUV for governments, explorers, and overlanding enthusiasts who need something that can cross continents without breaking a sweat.

Now, the all-new Land Cruiser 300 has finally made its way to India, priced between Rs 2.16 crore and Rs 2.25 crore (ex-showroom). It replaces the older LC200 and is now updated with a new chassis, new diesel engine, and updated tech while still staying true to its legendary body-on-frame DNA.

But with luxury SUVs like the Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and BMW X7 offering far more features and comfort at similar or lower prices, does the LC300 still make sense for Indian buyers in 2025? Let’s find out!

Design & Quality

The Land Cruiser doesn’t need flashy lines or chrome-heavy styling to stand out; its presence alone does the talking. With its massive proportions, upright stance, and muscular front end, it’s less of a car and more of a moving wall of authority.

Up front, the square-edged bonnet, massive grille, and sleek LED headlights give it a mix of aggression and modernity. The large Toyota logo sits proudly in the middle, complemented by thick chrome slats that may not be to everyone’s tastein my honest opinion. I prefer the GR-S's less chrome and more rugged stance than the ZX.

When viewed from the side profile, it’s long, tall, and wide, and even dwarfs some full-size luxury SUVs. The squared wheel arches, 20-inch alloy wheels, and the not-so-aerodynamic design ensure that it seems ready to conquer all terrains.

The rear design is simple and functional, with slim LED tail lamps and a clean tailgate that hints at its utilitarian roots. There’s minimal badging, just “Land Cruiser” written across and why not? I guess the nameplate is enough to scare away people (just kidding...).

However, the colour options are surprisingly limited, restricted to just black and white for India, which might disappoint those looking for a more premium or customised appearance. Although our Indian politicians and business tycoons are already loving them!

Design & Quality

Step inside, and you’re greeted by a cabin that prioritises function over flashiness. The layout is clean, symmetrical, and refreshingly straightforward. Soft-touch leather covers the dashboard and door panels, while brushed aluminium inserts add just the right amount of modern touch.

It’s not ultra-luxurious like a GLS or Range Rover. While we usually expect that every surface would be built to last for decades, typical of Toyota craftsmanship, the 300 seems to be a little underwhelming in this department. I felt that there were some squeaky parts, especially the trims near the glovebox and the armrest, which is a let down. While the cabin feels good for a car that costs Rs 50-60 lakh, at over 4 times that price, this needs to be MUCH better.

Front Seats

The front seats are large, supportive, and finished in soft perforated leather. Both are electrically adjustable, heated, and ventilated. The commanding driving position offers excellent visibility all around, and the large mirrors make this 5-metre-long SUV surprisingly manageable.

Ingress and egress, however, require effort; the high floor and wide sill mean you’ll not only appreciate the sturdy side steps but need them.

Rear Seats

Rear seat comfort is far from the LC300’s strongest suit, especially when you consider its luxury SUV rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, and Range Rover. 

The high floor, a byproduct of its rugged ladder-frame construction and off-road hardware, eats into legroom, making the seating position feel a bit knees-up even for passengers of an average height but especially so for tall users.

While the seats themselves are plush and supportive, the elevated floor compromises overall comfort during long journeys.

The wide seats come with independent recline, individual climate controls, and rear entertainment screens. The upright window line makes it feel less airy when compared to the GLS or X7.

That said, the 300 is available only as a five-seater in India, so there’s no third row here. This limits flexibility for large families but leaves a huge boot behind.

Storage & Practicality

Practicality is top-notch. There are multiple storage bins, cup holders, a large cooled centre console that can be accessed by both driver and the co-passenger via a flip armrest, and two gloveboxes, one of which is a cooled unit. 

Door pockets easily swallow 1-litre bottles, and the boot can take everything from airport luggage to camping gear without fuss.

Charging Options

Two USB-C ports at the rear, two in the front, with a HDMI connectivity option for the entertainment screen, a wireless charging pad up front, and multiple 12V sockets make life easy for long-distance travellers.

Overall, the cabin isn’t opulent. It’s strong on functionality and comfort for the front occupants but falls very short of being impressive when it comes to the backseat experience, given the competition it faces.

Boot Space

The Toyota Land Cruiser 300 comes with a massive 1131 litres of boot space, and is practically ready for everything from airport hauls to full-blown overlanding journeys. You could pack for a month-long trip and still have room for souvenirs from every stop along the way.

Fold down the rear seats, and the LC300 transforms into something that could rival a small cargo van, wide, flat, and ready to swallow camping kits, toolboxes, or even a couple of mountain bikes. The powered tailgate makes access effortless, while the squared-off loading area ensures maximum usability.

The high floor (thanks to the 4WD hardware underneath) means you’ll have to lift luggage higher, but once inside, the sheer space on offer is remarkable.

The Land Cruiser 300 offers everything you need, but not everything you expect at this price. It is more about usability over indulgence.

The infotainment system is intuitive and smooth, although not as advanced or visually striking as those found in the German rivals. The JBL audio setup delivers strong bass and clear vocals, but lacks the richness and surround quality expected at this price point.

That said, Toyota has made conscious omissions in favour of long-term reliability. The LC300 notably misses features like panoramic sunroof (gets a single pane sunroof), massaging seats, soft-close doors, air suspension and an option to spec your own LC, would make it a more personal experience for its customer base.

Safety has always been a Land Cruiser trademark, and the LC300 continues that legacy with a comprehensive safety suite and ADAS features.

It is equipped with 10 airbags, ABS with EBD, Traction and Stability Control, Hill-start assist, Downhill assist, and a 360-degree camera.

It also comes equipped with Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0, which comprises features like Pre-Collision System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert, Adaptive High Beam, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. 

It has achieved a 5-star rating in both ASEAN NCAP and ANCAP crash tests, making it one of the safest full-size SUVs on sale globally.

Engine And Performance

In India, the LC300 is offered only with one powertrain option, which is a big mammoth of a twin-turbo V6 diesel guzzler.

*Torque Converter

City Performance

In urban conditions, the LC300 feels surprisingly easy to drive once you get used to its size. The steering is light at low speeds, visibility is excellent, and the diesel engine feels refined and effortless. The 10-speed auto is smooth and responsive, delivering quick upshifts and barely felt transitions.

Despite its bulk, it feels composed and confident, though parking remains a challenge due to its sheer footprint. We saw fuel efficiency figures around 6–8 kmpl.

Highway Performance

Out on the open road, the Land Cruiser truly shines. With 700 Nm of torque available from just 1,600 rpm, it surges forward effortlessly. Overtakes are seamless, and at 100 kmph, the engine hums at just 1,400 rpm, making it an excellent long-distance cruiser.

The refinement is good, road and wind noise are minimal, and you can easily cruise for hours without fatigue. However, the cabin insulation is a far cry vs comparable German or British luxury SUVs. Hard throttle inputs will have the occupants hearing a fair bit of the air intake and engine sounds. This will be appreciated by those who enjoy the old-world experience of classic SUVs but not so much by those who want the most sophisticated experience. We observed a highway fuel efficiency which hovered around 12–14 kmpl mark.

While we drove the diesel engine, there is no petrol option available for the Indian market and that limits its reach considering that it diesel vehicles can only be on roads for 10 years in Delhi-NCR.

Ride & Handling

Despite not offering air suspension, the ride quality is excellent. The double wishbone front and 4-link rear setup works exceptionally well to iron out potholes, undulations, and broken tarmac, giving it the sort of plushness you would expect from a ladder-frame SUV.

At low speeds, especially over sharp bumps, the ride can feel a bit firm, partly due to the 20-inch wheels that transmit some road imperfections into the cabin. But once you gather speed, the LC300 settles beautifully and glides over bad surfaces in a calm, planted manner. It manages to isolate passengers from most of what’s happening.

Handling, as expected, is typical of a big herculean SUV. There’s noticeable body roll when pushed into corners, which is understandable given its 3.3-tonne mass combined with the body-on-frame construction. The steering feels stable and predictable. On highways, it tracks straight and true, even at triple-digit speeds.

A weird thing we noticed over bad patches of road was that the LC300 felt more comfortable in Sport mode rather than the Comfort mode which it has. 

Toyota offers the Land Cruiser 300 in India in two fully loaded variants. Both are powered by the same 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 with 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The variants are:

ZX:

•  Luxury-focused

• 20-inch alloys

• Gets a wide chrome grille

GR-S (Gazoo Racing Sport):

• Off-road biased 

• Smaller 18-inch wheels

• Sportier suspension setup

• Black interior

• Contrasting grille with TOYOTA badging

• Contrasting door handles & ORVM covers

• Different alloy wheel design

• Gets GR badges around

The Toyota Land Cruiser 300 isn’t like a conventional luxury SUV; it's more of a purpose-built machine designed to serve rather than impress. This is a vehicle for people who value dependability over opulence, who want strength and capability, no matter where you go. This SUV will get you there, and more importantly, bring you back without breaking a sweat.

Yes, it doesn’t have the glittering gadgetry, massaging seats, or panoramic roof that its European rivals flaunt. And yes, its Rs 2-crore-plus price tag may feel steep when you measure features per rupee. 

But what you’re really buying here isn’t equipment but macho charisma, and mechanical trustworthiness that few SUVs on Earth can match. It’s also monumentally cheaper to service than any other new car at this price, with regular service bills stacking up to Rs 15,000-20,000* only (*subject to work carried out). A status symbol with a difference

If you’re looking for a luxury showpiece, you’ll find flashier options elsewhere. But if you’re looking for something that can outlast you, the Land Cruiser 300 is exactly that.

Other Cars To Consider Instead Of Toyota Land Cruiser 300

Land Rover Defender

Reasons to consider:

• Modern yet rugged design with immense street appeal

• Excellent balance between off-road prowess and on-road comfort

• Wide range of powertrains, including plug-in hybrid options

Reasons to ignore:

• Reliability concerns still linger

• Electronics can be temperamental off the beaten path

• Maintenance and repair costs are steep

Mercedes-Benz G-Class (G 400d / G 63)

Reasons to consider:

• Iconic and instantly recognisable design

• Ultra-luxurious interior with outstanding craftsmanship

• Great AMG-grade performance

Reasons to ignore:

• Expensive, even by LC300 standards

• Bulk and turning radius make it impractical in urban conditions

• Fuel economy is predictably poor

Mercedes-Benz GLS (GLS 450 / GLS 400d)

Reasons to consider:

• Offers proper three-row seating and limousine-like comfort

• Loaded with tech and features, including air suspension

• Smooth, composed ride quality ideal for urban and highway use

Reasons to ignore:

• More of a luxury cruiser than an off-roader

• Lacks the Land Cruiser’s go-anywhere character

• Long-term durability not as bulletproof as Toyota’s

BMW X7

Reasons to consider:

• Sportiest and most dynamic to drive in this segment

• Opulent cabin with ample tech and feel good features

• Air suspension delivers sublime comfort

Reasons to ignore:

• Prioritises on-road performance over off-road ability

• Complicated electronics may affect long-term reliability

• Expensive maintenance and spares compared to Toyota

Range Rover

Reasons to consider:

• The benchmark for luxury SUVs with supreme comfort

• Exceptional on-road refinement

• Availability of petrol and diesel powertrain

Reasons to ignore:

• Significantly more expensive to buy and maintain, even after recent localisation

• Not known to be as reliable as a Land Cruiser

• Tech-heavy nature can be intimidating for long-term ownership in remote areas