The biggest member of the Land Cruiser lineup has benefited from mild upgrades in Japan
- The Toyota Land Cruiser 300 has received its first major upgrade since its debut back in 2021.
- Highlights include a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and enhanced anti-theft measures.
- Orders for the SUV have been suspended, with Toyota focusing on the existing waiting list.
Toyota has unveiled a slightly updated version of the Land Cruiser 300 Series in Japan. The SUV gains a new digital cockpit, enhanced anti-theft features, and other changes that allow it to comply with regulations. However, orders have been suspended, as the company prioritizes production for buyers who are already on the long waiting list.
The 2026MY Land Cruiser 300 doesn’t bring any styling updates compared to the original that was introduced in August 2021. Instead, Toyota focused on technological improvements.
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Inside, the highlight is a new 12.3-inch TFT digital instrument cluster with configurable graphics, which is standard on the mid-spec and high-spec trims (entry-level models feature a smaller 7-inch instrument cluster). This is combined with a standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, which can be optionally swapped for a larger 12.3-inch display.
The Land Cruiser is te most stolen vehicle in Japan, which is why Toyota has introduced additional anti-theft measures. The “My Car Start Lock” feature from the connected services allows owners to remotely lock the engine from their smartphones, preventing thieves from driving away. Furthermore, the fingerprint authentication startup button is now standard in all trims, and there is a system that detects whether the smart key is near the vehicle. These are combined with an alarm featuring a tilt sensor, and an immobilizer system.
In order to comply with the regulations in Japan, the Land Cruiser 300 has been upgraded with an enhanced collision damage mitigation braking function adding pre-crash safety for cyclists. It also gets an event data recorder and improved cybersecurity.
As with its predecessor, the Land Cruiser 300 remains available with non-electrified twin-turbo 3.6 V6 gasoline and 3.3-liter V6 diesel powertrains, which are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system. According to Toyota, the diesel now complies with the latest Japanese emission regulations.
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Pricing for the slightly updated Land Cruiser 300 starts at ¥5,252,500 ($35,100) for the entry-level gasoline GX trim, and climbs to ¥8,136,800 ($54,400) for the most expensive diesel GR Sport. Compared to the equivalent trims of the outgoing version, prices have been increased between ¥130,900-152,500 ($875-1,020).
Demand for the Land Cruiser 300 in Japan has always been greater than the available supply, resulting in years worth of waiting lists. This why Toyota doesn’t accept new orders until they satisfy the existing backlog. The company issued the following apology on its official website:
“Thank you for considering purchasing our vehicle. The Land Cruiser “300” has undergone some improvements to comply with regulations. We have suspended orders in order to prioritize production of vehicles for customers who continue to place orders and are waiting for delivery. We understand that many customers in Japan are waiting for their vehicles to be delivered, and we will do our utmost to maximize production and deliver these vehicles as quickly as possible. We apologize for the continued inconvenience, and appreciate your understanding.”