Prices for Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series to spike

The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series looks certain to nudge the $130,000 mark when the new-generation 4x4 off-roader touches down in Australia in 2021.

And that’s without a V8 engine – something arch-rival Nissan Patrol will continue to offer.

The outgoing Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series currently tops out at an eye-watering $124,396 plus on-road costs for the flagship Sahara turbo-diesel V8.

But a raft of factors including currency exchange rates are set to push up prices further with the new LC300 series, just as they have had a hand in other new models such as the latest Toyota HiLux and Toyota Yaris.

Factor in comprehensive powertrain, safety, technology and infotainment upgrades, and things begin to look ominous for the new LandCruiser’s bottom line.

The last of the turbo-diesel V8-powered LandCruiser 200 Series vehicles are priced at $80,996 for the five-seat GX model grade, but that entry point could push up towards $90K when the new series arrives.

An insider with knowledge of the project told carsales: “The general trend is that vehicle prices are heading north, and it’s likely LandCruiser prices will rise as well.”

New LandCruiser will be ‘truly spectacular’

Despite price hikes that could even edge towards $150K with the advent of (still-to-be-confirmed) locally-developed Rugged X and GR LandCruiser models, the LC300 will be a more advanced model that will match if not exceed the current 200 Series’ capabilities.

“I just say to the people who are watching this or reading this, be confident. LandCruiser is too important for us not to provide a very capable vehicle,” said Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s head of sales and marketing, earlier in the year.

“We know the legend of LandCruiser and we would never mess with it. People want the confidence it can do the things I want it to do, and maybe a little bit better.

“Be excited, because let me tell you, it’s truly spectacular.”

The new 300 Series will be completely renewed, with changes expected to every exterior panel and interior fitting.

As well as a full-scale redesign, the flagship 4x4 wagon will be offered with bigger and more numerous LCD screens inside, advanced connectivity and tech features, the latter for both the cabin and 4WD system.

The current LandCruiser 200 Series is based on technology and designs from 2007 which, in vehicle lifecycle terms, is ancient.

New platform, new engine coming soon

Hanley previously confirmed to carsales the new model will be on sale in Australia in 2021 and automotive website Best Car now reports that dealerships in Japan have been told it will launch in April.

Precise timing for when it will arrive in Australia is not yet clear, but planning is certainly underway at Toyota Australia.

The LandCruiser’s platform will switch to the much-talked-about but still-secret TNGA-F (or F1) architecture, which together with an all-new turbo-diesel V6 engine are two of the most expensive – and important – new elements of the new series.

The new platform will ‘future-proof’ LandCruiser for the next decade at least, with hybrid powertrains to be made available from 2025 (at the latest), while at launch the Japanese car-maker is expected to adopt a new V6 diesel engine displacing between 3.3 and 3.5 litres.

The new TNGA-F architecture will also underpin the next HiLux ute due from around 2024, and the Toyota Tundra full-size pick-up, which launches in North America next year and is on Toyota Australia’s radar for a local debut.

Despite axing the V8 diesel, Toyota insists the new LandCruiser’s six-cylinder engine will be a potent powertrain that matches (if not eclipses) the V8’s 200kW/650Nm and 3.5-tonne towing capacity.

With Kia and Hyundai gunning for the big LandCruiser with their own flagship 4x4 models, the pressure will be on Toyota to deliver a vehicle that pleases the current crop of buyers who want a reliable workhorse that’ll tow and go virtually anywhere, but also bring in new metro customers who want range-topping luxury and technology features.

Indeed, there’s a lot riding on the all-new Toyota LandCruiser but Hanley made it clear that it should not disappoint Australian buyers.

“I want to assure all of our loyal customers that we are playing a role right now in the local development of this car, and our Australian customers can be absolutely certain this will be every bit as capable if not more so than the current model, when it comes,” he said.