2022 Toyota Landcruiser 300 GXL full review

For well over 4 decades, Toyota’s Landcruiser has ruled the roads, tracks, rocks, and sand. The 200 series, and her frumpy 70 series sister, consistently outstripped the rivals and many were sad to see it’s V8 engine go. Fear not, read on.

The 300 series was launched into a brave new world, one in which Covid and the semiconductor shortage has seen wait times as grow big as the great outdoors that Landcruiser crosses so effortlessly. Sales of the Landcruiser are half last year at this time, so rocky was the road.
Toyota is not alone, with the problem being industry-wide.
We recently reviewed the base model GX and loved it. It had the same pluck as the old model with a new look and new technology. GXL adds a few tasty extras, most notably MTS and a 3rd row of seats.
MTS (Multi Terrain System) adds extra programmes to the drive mode selections, and although Landcruiser is perfectly capable without them, adding Deep Snow brings a certain verisimilitude. The programmes off-road are helped along by the permanent AWD system with high/ow ranges, a 10-speed automatic, and a locking diff.
The looks are familiar, with 2 big boxes, clad in some fairly plain metalwork, strewn with some pretty LED lights. In fact, a casual observer may even find it hard to tell the difference between the 200 and 300s series. The same goes for the interior, and in many ways, that is what Landcruiser is, tough, functional, capable, long-lived, in an old-fashioned kind of way.
It is reassuring and feels like home. Sure, I’d have liked something ultra-modern, but then it wouldn’t be a Landcruiser would it?
GXL is a step up from the bottom rung, so gets a couple of aluminium side-steps tough enough to slide over unfriendly rocks. It’s not without consequence, but cheaper to replace your side steps than a body sill, right?
Tyres are on 18” rims, and although lighting is LED, you have to go another model up to get fancier LED headlights.
The engine and transmission combination is common throughout the range, with a 3.3L V6 twin turbo diesel, and 10-speed automatic.

[gregturner_awod]

A great deal of money to spend on something many might use for supermarket and school runs. A huge and very capable 4WD. I drove Land Cruisers decades ago in PNG. These new machines are superbly luxurious and well equipped by comparison. A good solid car that will take you most places easily and safely. Not for me anymore, but they surely have their market in Oz. Great review as always.

[WazzaG]

Well constructed review. Factory Bull bar a plus. Third row and luggage space behind a huge minus. Our old Odyssey does three rows, luggage space and leg room much better.
I wonder (when Toyota actually start selling them) how many will ever actually go off road?
Here on Sydney’s North Shore they seem to be simply used for school runs, shopping and intimidating us car owners.
Keep up these great reviews boys.

[glennstevenson]

Very nice guys. How does the Landcruiser compare to the Kluger around town?

[johnedds]

Impressive but not space efficient given its' external dimensions. The power and toque extracted from a 3.3. litre capacity may well test Toyota's reliability record in the years to come.

[SirGregory]

Overall, not a city vehicle, and surprisingly little leg room in the second row.

07:19 I’m confused. Are you talking about the feature that keeps the vehicle centred in the lane while RADAR cruise control is on, or the feature that stops you from wandering out of your lane? It should have both.

05:20 That infotainment system looks like the same ancient one on the 2021 Kluger and earlier. Also looks like it’s missing maps.

08:00 No auto wipers? How much does this thing cost again?

[robertceroli]

I understand it's a press car but why bother reviewing vehicles that Toyota can't supply in fact they have suspended orders indefinitely .Also they may as well make a 2wd version of it as the few I see in my suburb judging by the people that drive them pretty sure they never go off toad