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Toyota

LandCruiser

J300 (300 Series)· 2021-2026 suv-4wd Top pick
Price (AUD)
$90k-$160k
Body styles
5-door wagon
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (Torsen centre diff, lockable; dual-range)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan

Overview

The J300 replaced the long-running 200 Series in Australia in mid-2022, dropping the old 4.5L V8 diesel for a lighter, twin-turbo 3.3L V6 diesel (F33A-FTV) on a new TNGA-F ladder chassis. Sold here as GX, GXL, VX, Sahara, GR Sport and Sahara ZX, all with full-time 4WD, a 10-speed automatic and 3500kg braked towing. Unlike many markets, Australia got the diesel only at launch - the 3.5L V35A twin-turbo petrol V6 was never sold here - with the i-FORCE MAX petrol-hybrid (3.4L twin-turbo V6 + electric motor, 341kW/790Nm) arriving mid-2026 on GR Sport and Sahara ZX only. Demand massively outstripped supply, creating multi-year waitlists and inflated used prices. Mechanically the F33A is proving robust, but it is a heavily emissions-laden modern diesel: watch the documented oil consumption, the heat-soak/intercooler limp-mode tendency in Australian summer, and a string of recalls (transmission control software, the exhaust fuel-addition injector 'soft recall' on 40,000+ cars, and a machining-debris engine campaign).

Engines & variants

3.3L F33A-FTV twin-turbo diesel

Engine
3.3L common-rail twin-turbo diesel V6 (DOHC, DPF + SCR/AdBlue, 'hot-vee')
Config
V6 twin-turbo
Displacement
3346cc
Power
227kW @ 4000rpm
Torque
700Nm @ 1600-2600rpm
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (Torsen, lockable; dual-range)
Economy
8.9-10.5 L/100km combined (ADR ~8.9, real-world 10-13 loaded/towing)
Tow (braked)
3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
10AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (one primary roller chain plus two secondary chains)

Pros

  • Lighter, far more powerful and torquier than the old 200 Series V8 diesel
  • 3500kg braked towing with strong, flexible mid-range
  • Chain-driven timing and structurally sound internals
  • Smooth 10-speed auto and genuine long-distance touring comfort
  • Excellent resale and enormous parts/accessory support

Cons

  • Heavily emissions-laden (DPF + SCR/AdBlue) - the usual modern-diesel complexity
  • Documented excessive oil consumption on some engines
  • Water-to-air intercooler can heat-soak and trigger limp mode in extreme heat/load
  • Multiple recalls (transmission software, fuel-addition injector, machining debris)
  • High purchase price and theft target

Known problems

medium
Excessive engine oil consumption
Some F33A engines consume noticeably more oil than expected - Toyota dealer guidance has acknowledged consumption up to roughly 1.7L between standard 10,000km services, attributed in part to the thin 0W-20 spec. Not universal but worth monitoring, especially when towing.
Fix: Check oil level regularly between services and keep records; raise consumption with Toyota under warranty as a baseline for any later claim. Severe cases investigated/rebuilt under warranty.
From Any (from early ownership) · ~$0-2000 (monitoring; dealer investigation under warranty)
medium
Heat-soak / intercooler limp mode (intake air temp)
The factory water-to-air intercooler and heat exchangers can struggle to control charge-air temps under sustained load in Australian summer heat, dropping the engine into limp mode to protect itself - worse when bull bars, lights or accessories block airflow to the front heat exchangers.
Fix: Keep the cooling stack clear; many tourers fit upgraded heat exchangers/intercooler cores. Avoid airflow-blocking accessory installs.
From Any (hot climate, sustained load) · ~$1500-4000 (aftermarket heat-exchanger/intercooler upgrade)
medium
Exhaust fuel-addition injector ('soft recall')
Toyota Australia ran a customer-service exercise on more than 40,000 LC300s to rectify a potential fault with the exhaust after-treatment fuel-addition injector used in the DPF/emissions system.
Fix: Confirm the campaign has been completed by a Toyota dealer; check the VIN against the campaign/recall record before purchase.
From Any (built Jul 2021 - Feb 2025) · ~$0 (Toyota customer-service campaign)
high
Machining-debris engine recall (bearings)
A recall covered LC300 (and Tundra/LX) engines where machining debris may not have been fully cleared in production; debris adhering to bearings under sustained high load can cause knocking, rough running, no-start or engine stall, and ultimately bearing failure.
Fix: Verify the engine recall has been actioned for the specific VIN; inspect/replace short engine where required under the campaign.
From Any (affected build dates) · ~$0 (recall) / $15000+ if out of warranty and failed
high
Transmission control (TCM/ECT-ECU) software recall
Safety recalls covered the 10-speed automatic: a TCM programming issue where the transmission could continue transmitting power in neutral, plus a later ECT-ECU software issue (~11,000 cars) where it could rev faster than intended causing loss of motive power and a fluid leak.
Fix: Confirm the transmission software recalls are completed for the VIN; reflash by a Toyota dealer at no cost.
From Any (2021-2025 builds) · ~$0 (safety recall - software reflash)
low
Low-speed transmission/DPF behaviour and towing heat
Owners report occasionally jerky low-speed engagement and slow kickdown from the 10-speed, and DPF regen quirks; transmission temps can climb when towing heavy.
Fix: Aftermarket transmission cooler for heavy towing; regular highway running helps DPF regen complete.
From Any · ~$300-900 (aftermarket trans cooler)

3.4L i-FORCE MAX petrol-hybrid

Engine
3.4L twin-turbo petrol V6 with single electric motor between engine and gearbox, 1.8kWh NiMH battery (hot-vee twin-turbo)
Config
V6 twin-turbo + electric motor
Displacement
3445cc
Power
341kW combined
Torque
790Nm combined
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (lockable/Torsen; dual-range)
Economy
~11-13 L/100km combined (petrol-hybrid, indicative)
Tow (braked)
3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
10AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven

Pros

  • Most powerful LandCruiser ever sold here (341kW/790Nm)
  • Strong, immediate torque with electric assist
  • Retains full-time 4WD, multi-terrain select and 3500kg towing
  • Avoids diesel DPF/AdBlue emissions complexity

Cons

  • Brand new to Australia (mid-2026) - no long-term reliability record yet
  • Petrol-hybrid will be thirstier than the diesel, especially towing
  • Only on top GR Sport and Sahara ZX grades at ~$156k+
  • 1.8kWh battery forces spare-wheel relocation; added hybrid complexity

Known problems

medium
Unproven long-term reliability (new powertrain)
The i-FORCE MAX hybrid only reaches Australian customers from mid-2026, so there is no local long-term durability data for the hybrid system, battery or the twin-turbo petrol V6 in heavy 4WD/towing use.
Fix: Buy with full Toyota warranty; let early-build data accumulate before relying on it for remote heavy-duty touring.
From Unknown (new model) · ~Unknown
low
Petrol-hybrid fuel use when loaded/towing
A 2.6-tonne 4WD on a turbo-petrol hybrid will use considerably more fuel than the diesel when towing 3500kg or loaded for touring - the hybrid helps around town, less so under sustained heavy load.
Fix: Accept higher fuel cost for heavy work, or choose the diesel for long-haul towing.
From Any · ~Running cost
low
Hybrid battery / electrical complexity
Added high-voltage battery, electric motor and (unlike the diesel) electric power steering introduce more electrical complexity into an otherwise rugged platform.
Fix: Service at Toyota; ensure hybrid system checks are part of scheduled servicing.
From Unknown · ~Unknown

Common problems (all variants)

high
Vehicle theft / keyless security flaw
The 300 Series is a prime target for organised theft, with reports of relay/keyfob-signal and ECU-based methods used to steal cars quickly. High value and overseas demand make it a magnet.
Fix: Fit an aftermarket immobiliser/GPS tracker, use a steering lock and a Faraday pouch for keys; park securely.
From Any · ~$300-1500 (aftermarket security)
low
Interior rattles and trim noise
Owners report dashboard, windscreen-moulding and rear-seat rattles - some trim uses plastic clips rather than fasteners - which can develop over corrugated outback roads.
Fix: Dealer rattle-rectification or DIY re-clipping/felt; note any rattles at pre-purchase inspection.
From Any · ~$0-400
low
Infotainment / CarPlay quirks (early cars)
Early LC300 infotainment can feel dated with sporadic wired/wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto dropouts before software updates.
Fix: Apply the latest infotainment software update at a Toyota dealer.
From Any (pre-update) · ~$0 (software update)
low
Brake and tyre wear (heavy vehicle, towing)
A ~2.6-tonne seven-seater chews brakes and tyres, especially when towing near the 3500kg limit or doing heavy touring.
Fix: Quality pads/rotors and tyres rated for the load; towing-spec pads if used for heavy towing.
From 40k+ km · ~$500-1200
low
Suspension / KDSS-E and AVS at higher km
Higher grades use E-KDSS (GR Sport) or adaptive variable suspension (Sahara ZX); like the older KDSS these hydraulic/adaptive systems can eventually weep or develop faults, and heavy off-road/towing use accelerates bush and damper wear.
Fix: Inspect suspension and any KDSS/AVS components pre-purchase and at higher km; reseal or replace as needed.
From 100k+ km · ~$500-2500