Toyota Australia will launch two dramatically contrasting flagship LandCruiser variants when the all-new 4WD range goes on sale in the fourth quarter of this year.
The dual strategy involves the introduction of GR Sport, offering distinctive off-road character and prowess, and Sahara ZX with a focus on luxury.
Sitting above the familiar LandCruiser GX, GXL, VX and Sahara, the LandCruiser GR Sport is priced at $137,790 plus on-road costs while the Sahara ZX costs $1,000 more at $138,790.
LandCruiser GR Sport
Developed as a base vehicle for the Dakar Rally, GR Sport delivers a deeper off-road and sporty character.
The spirit of the new GR Sport is conveyed through design elements and specific features that set it apart as the highest off-road grade in the LandCruiser line-up.
The bold front design features prominent TOYOTA lettering displayed across a gloss-black mesh grille. GR Sport badges adorn the grille, as well as the doors, tailgate, steering wheel, front-seat headrests, ignition button and within the multimedia screen at start-up.
Black 18-inch alloy wheels, dedicated to off-road performance and durability, sit within black wheel arches. Also black are the side steps, door handles, mirror casings and window line. The unpainted front bumper and lower rear bumper emphasise the model’s off-road capability.
GR Sport’s interior offers the choice of two leather-accented trims – a sporty black with carbon-like ornamentation for those who intend to undertake heavy off-road use, or a contrasting red-and-black treatment with black applied around the instrument panel.
Fittingly, the GR Sport comes standard with front and rear differential locks and the world-first e-KDSS (electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System).
It enables active control of the LandCruiser’s suspension by independently locking and freeing the front and rear stabiliser bars.
This results in two seemingly contradictory achievements: optimum road holding and wheel articulation in off-road environments combined with a smaller roll angle that delivers a higher level of on-road ride comfort and handling stability.
Equipment shared by the five-seat GR Sport and Sahara ZX includes five driving modes, adaptive variable suspension, adaptive high beam and carbon trim.
LandCruiser Sahara ZX
The Sahara features premium and refined details including the bold chrome grille, sleek headlights, new taillights and remodelled tailgate.
Sahara ZX is further distinguished by unique 20-inch alloy wheels, unique front bumper, body-coloured wheel-arch mouldings, illuminated side steps, front-door scuff plates, rear mudguards and chrome ornamentation on the thick rear bumper.
The leather-accented interior trim is offered in black, beige or red-and-black, as well as carbon-like highlights on the steering wheel, centre console and door trims.
Stand-out equipment includes four heated and ventilated seats, hands-free tailgate with a kick sensor, and a torque-sensing limited-slip differential on the rear axle.
New Equipment, Upgrades Across the Range
The entire range features a more rigid, yet lighter TNGA body-on-frame construction that promises better stability and ride comfort across all terrain.
The V8-beating, 227kW/700Nm twin-turbo diesel V6 engines, together with the new 10-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, are said to deliver high performance with enhanced fuel efficiency.
Newly developed independent front and four-link rear suspension systems make on-road dynamics smoother and more refined than before.
The latest Toyota Safety Sense package is standard across the range, including autonomous emergency braking as part of a pre-collision system that can detect pedestrians (day and night) and cyclists during the day.
It also features all-speed active cruise control, auto high beam and lane-keeping technology that steps up to lane-trace assist with steering-wheel vibration in VX variants and above.
Every LandCruiser is equipped with a trailer wiring harness and maximum 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, plus the security and safety of Toyota Connected Services with automatic collision notification, an SOS button, and stolen-vehicle tracking6.
Other new features include a 9-inch display screen on GX and GXL (was 6.1″), expanding to 12.3-inch on VX and above, smartphone integration, road-sign assist, dusk-sensing headlamps, electric park brake and downhill assist control.
The new range kicks off with the GX that is now fitted with a single-piece tailgate. It gains LED headlamps, keyless smart entry and ignition, two-zone automatic air-conditioning, steering-wheel controls, reversing camera and one-touch power windows for all doors. Pricing starts at $89,990 plus ORCs.
Moving up to the popular seven-seat GXL grade, newly expanded equipment levels include 18-inch alloy wheels, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitor, Qi wireless phone charger7 and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
Priced from $101,790 plus ORCs, GXL is equipped for the first time with multi-terrain select, which helps drivers tackle challenging road conditions with confidence by regulating wheelspin for improved traction.
For the $113,990 plus ORCs VX LandCruiser, premium features now include the 12.3-inch multimedia display screen, 10 speakers (+1), a 7-inch colour multi-info display (was 4.2″), four-zone automatic climate control (+2), eight cupholders (+2), remote power windows and features previously reserved for Sahara including power-adjustable steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats.
Further VX additions include rear parking support brake, panoramic view monitor and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management that links traction control, electronic stability control, electric steering and other systems to improve performance, responsiveness to driver input and safety.
At the top of the core grades, the new Sahara asks $131,190 plus ORCs and adds features specified for the first time in a LandCruiser including a 14-speaker premium JBL audio, head-up display, heated steering wheel, easy-access ventilation for the heated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, and easy-access seats.
2022 Toyota LandCruiser pricing (excluding on-road costs)
GX: $89,990
GXL: $101,790
VX: $113,990
SAHARA: $131,190
GR SPORT: $137,790
SAHARA ZX: $138,790