New GR Sport and hybrid versions of the big boy Land Cruiser kick off sales down yonder.For US Toyota Land Cruiser fans, it’s already tough enough that we don’t get the full-size model here in the States. Instead, Toyota sends us the smaller, more affordable Land Cruiser Prado, which is basically a junior Land Cruiser adapted for the North American market.But now, Toyota just gave us even more reason to wish we got the full-size Land Cruiser. Not too long ago, the Japanese giant revealed a GR Sport version of the Land Cruiser.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs a follow-up, Toyota revealed the model’s pricing and along with it, a new hybrid variant.Is this peak forbidden Land Cruiser fruit?The Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport is a model we most certainly wish we got. - Credit: Toyota AustraliaToyota revealed its hybrid Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport and Sahara ZX variants when it refreshed the 300 range back in 2024. Since then, the models have taken the titles of the most powerful Land Cruisers ever.Toyota treated the full-size Land Cruiser to the same 3.4-liter i-FORCE MAX twin-turbo V6 as our market Tundra and Sequoia. It’s all in an effort to meet the never-ending demand for lower fuel consumption.The full-size Land Cruiser is peak Land Cruiser for most. - Credit: Toyota AustraliaThe same engine powers the North American Tundra, pumping out around 437 total system horsepower and 583 pound-feet. In the Land Cruiser 300, however, it produces 457 horses with the same torque.AdvertisementAdvertisementToyota also touts it as being more powerful than the equivalent turbodiesel model with its 3.3-liter non-hybrid V6.To sweeten the deal for Aussies, Toyota packaged its most powerful Land Cruiser in the GR Sport and Sahara ZX trims. It’s all to cater to the diehard four-wheeling enthusiast with deep enough pockets to afford one.In 2024, Toyota revealed updated Land Cruiser 300 models, complete with a new twin-turbo gas-hybrid V6 powertrain. - Credit: Toyota AustraliaAdvertisementAdvertisement“Unlike our efficiency hybrids in vehicles like Camry and RAV4, this hybrid powertrain is all about improving performance – whether that’s for off-road adventures well beyond the tarmac or towing heavy loads such as caravans, horse floats or boats.,” Toyota Australia’s Vice President for Sales and Marketing, John Pappas, said.“As the most powerful Land Cruiser we have ever produced, the new performance hybrid GR Sport and Sahara ZX offer the ultimate performance in a premium 4WD SUV,” Pappas continued.Still wildly expensive and impressiveToyota dropped the full-size Land Cruiser from the American market due to slow sales, cost and limited production capacity. - Credit: Toyota AustraliaIf you’re still wondering why Toyota decided to give America the smaller Land Cruiser Prado, it’s all down to cost and production capacity. Prior to the arrival of the current generation, the full-size Land Cruiser saw woeful sales due its high asking price.Additionally, because Toyota’s production capacity for the Land Cruiser is limited, it can only produce so many models. That also led to an increase in the overall asking price.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs such, the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport starts at $156,060 AUD, which is equal to $113,227 USD. That’s a lot of dough for a big SUV and comfortably in Lexus territory.Even though we get the Land Cruiser Prado, it’s not the same as the full-size 300. - Credit: Toyota AustraliaThe Sahara ZX is slightly pricier at $156,810 AUD, or $113,772 USD. The Sahara ZX adds a standard rear Torsen limited-slip differential, geared more towards high-speed trail and desert running.The slightly cheaper GR Sport is aimed at more off-roading prowess, with its fully lockable front and rear differentials. The GR Sport also comes with electronically-controlled E-KDSS adaptive suspension.In comparison, the Land Cruiser 250 starts at $57,880 here in the States for the 1958 model. The second available trim starts at $62,725, both without destination.AdvertisementAdvertisementAbout the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.
