Toyota Landcruiser LC300 2022 – first drive, specs, explanations

In May 2021 I was one of the first people outside of Toyota to drive the new Toyota MY2022 Landcruiser LC300. The video below is my drive impression, information gleaned from conversations with engineers, and a summary of what’s out in the public domain with explanations of how various systems work. And because there’s lots of questions, and even more detail to share, I’ve created this blog post.

My writeup for Pat Callinan Media can be found here.

https://mr4x4.com.au/toyota-lc300-landcruiser-2022-first-drive/

Here’s a summary of pricing (excluding on-roads) and specs. Note that this table will change as it’s not 100% clear which up-spec models inherit which features as there are now two top models, GR Sport and Sahara ZX. There’s a lot of acronyms in the table which I explain in the video.

	GX	GXL	VX	Sahara	GR Sport	Sahara ZX
Price (excl onroads)	$             89,990	$            101,790	$            113,990	$            131,190	$     137,790	$     138,790
Seats	5	7	7	7	5	5
Weight	2470	2505	2560	2560	2580	2560
Payload	810	775	720	720	700	720
Tyres	245/75/17	265/65/18	265/65/18	265/65/18	265/65/18	265/55/20
Centre diff lock	X	X	X	X	X	X
MTS		X	X	X	X	X
E-KDSS					X
Axle lockers f&r				X
Rear LSD						X
AVS					X	X
VDIM			X	X	X	X
Driving modes x 5				X	X
9″ display	X	X				X
12″ display			X	X	X	X
Rev camera	X	X	X	X	X	X
Keyless	X	X	X	X	X	X
Heat/cool front seats		X	X
10 speakers			X			X
14 speakers				X		X
HUD				X
Heat 2nd row				X		X
Power 3rd row				X		X
4-zone climate			X	X		X
360 view			X	X		X
Hands-free tailgate					X
RCTA		X	X	X		X
BSM		X	X	X		X
AHB					X	X

Questions and clarifications from the Landcruiser LC300 video

I’ll answer comments best as I can, but general themes that recur will be covered here:

1. The reason the 17s have a different offset is because the 245 width tyre is narrower and to maintain the same width the offset must push the wheel out a fraction further compared to the 265s. My tyre calculator is here.
2. Petrol option – Toyota used to offer petrol LC200, Prado, Hilux etc but no more. They just didn’t sell enough, so the petrols were withdrawn. Blame the buyers for preferring diesel, not Toyota who just reacted to the market. I personally would like to see the petrols come back. In the meantime, go buy a Y62.
3. The lockers are only on the GR Sport at this time as per specs above. I doubt you’ll be able to option it on other models as the point is to tempt people into buying more expensive models. This is typical of Toyota and indeed other carmakers.
4. As time goes on Toyota will change the trim levels and equipment, and generally tech will filter down the range, but that’s it for the time being. I expect more detail in the press launch.
5. Hot Vee – I actually thought I’ve covered this but on checking the video didn’t edit it in. Anyway, my view; BMW stuffed it up with their N63 engine as used in the X cars and the 7 Series. That was back in 2008, and the design concept itself is much older. The hot Vee has numerous advantages for efficiency/power per L and packaging, but heat dissipation is a disadvantage. So the question is; do you trust Toyota to have tested the vehcicle properly? How cautious are you about new tech (even if this isn’t new). If you want to be totally safe then go buy a 200 (secondhand so you don’t get a lemon), or better yet an 80 and the recondition it (and then test test test it), as any new vehicle carries an element of risk. However in this case I think Toyota should be given the benefit of the doubt given their testing to date, and there is a 5-year warranty although the last thing you’d want to do is use it when you’re somewhere remote!
6. I am 6ft tall plus boots so that gives you an idea of how tall the tailgate is. The ground was pretty flat.

Been sent the South African specs – here’s an analysis.

And here’s a recording of a reader/viewer (what do I call you people!) webinar. Use the links in the description to jump to the parts of interest.