Land Cruiser 300 Series - What do I think?

Episode 14: In this video, we're taking a look at the 300 series Land Cruiser and some of the pros and cons after a few months of owning it.

00:00 - Intro
00:50 - Why the 300?
01:44 - Comfort
02:27 - Cost
02:59 - Accessories
03:33 - Tailgate
04:24 - So much beeping
05:04 - Lane Departure Assist
05:39 - Turbo flutter issue
06:28 - ABS Sensor Failure

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UHF Mounting Bracket (I'm not affiliated with Richard's Auto):

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ABS Sensor Failure Details:

We've experienced a really interesting fault today, hopefully just a fluke but may be worth knowing about (June built GX, stock standard). While driving some tracks comprising of some mud and sand, with the deepest water crossing being less than 300mm (rough guess), we got a list of errors that all seemed to relate to braking (anti-collision detection, cruise control, LDA, DAC). Tried disconnecting battery for 30 minutes to clear the code but no luck. Dealer in Port Lincoln (Peter Kittle Toyota) was fantastic and helped us at short notice. Despite clearing the errors themselves, and trying the same battery disconnect, the errors still showed on the dash. After contacting Toyota Australia for support, they reset all the sub-systems (the list was 20-strong) and clearing the ROB (record of behaviour) the dash errors finally cleared. The core issue was a loss of comms with one of the body ECUs for 3.6s at some point that faulted out all these systems. My guess is some water/mud got in where it wasn't meant to and caused a short or grounding issue.

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Basic weights (applies to GX 300 Series only)
Kerb Weight = 2495kg
GVM = 3280kg
Payload = 785kg
GCM = 6750kg
Austrack Tanami X15B GTM = 3000kg
Estimated tow ball weight = 300kg

Payload with trailer hitched = 485kg
GCM - (GVM + GTM) = 470kg
Estimated legal payload with 3800kg GVM upgrade = 955kg

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[simonhjc]

Im a toyota flipper. 30+years in the auction industry. Ive had 40, 60, 80, 100 70, 200, etc. youre spot on. I have a 300 as a company car and a dual cab 79 as my private car and “miss world fj45” done 110, 000 genuine klms.

Likes- gearbox, 9.1 litres per hundred fuel consumption, brakes better than 200, steers better, engine has heaps of grunt.

Dislikes- tailgate. I cant tell you how much i hate it. Beeps and dings, lane departure, cruise control is awful. It surges, runs over speed, over brakes etc. i know of water in airbox, the losition of the fuel filter….. i could go on. Got friends with them and they are having injector issues…. Im pleased its a company car and i didnt buy it. Im sure toyota will get it right. In the meantime i will stick to my 79.
Great review btw👍👍👍

[flyfishac]

Not having the split tailgate was a big miss. It’s one of the features that sets the LC apart from most others. When I purchased our 200, many of the reviews mentioned this feature and I thought it was a gimmick. Little did I know that it would save your back when lifting heavy items and it saves the bumper from scratches when loading. Of course there are many other benefits. For this reason alone, I would never consider the 300 unless this feature is brought back.

[baronvonaux]

One of the issues that exists is the myth and mystique of Toyota. We need more owners calling out the issues, it get the truth out there, but also hopefully keeps some pressure on Toyota to sort the issues.

[JavierCR]

So refreshing to see a Toyota owner speak honestly. Most fanboys are sooo set on keeping the reliability reputation intact they won’t say anything bad even if it’s something minor.

[veneratedmortal]

The v8 was a nice to have, very nice, but the split tailgate is what the landcruiser is. It's a deal breaker. I'll just get the ford ranger/Everest they are now a cheap landcruiser.

[chuanyong]

Toyota is at the level where ppl will complain bout their cars but still queue up to buy with their arms and legs. Thats legendary status.

[adamharris]

Put 15k on our LC300 with 8k towing a 3.5t van. the lane departure is down right dangerous towing. Toyota needs to have an option to turn off completely in the settings. We like our LC300 but don’t love it, compared to other new tow vehicles entering the market the technology in LC300 is average and dated. Engine, gearbox and ride are awesome. Anyone considering a LC300 I would recommend looking at a new Everest as well. The Everest seems to be a lot of car for money compared to LC300… 🤔

[Perspari]

Love your style, watched from start to finish (I don't do that very often, unless content and presentation is on point). Subbed!

[chandamusonda]

For the lane departure assist, I think in the next update they should put the steering system they have in the Twin brother LX 600, which is an electric steering system. I agree using the brakes to pulse the car back into its lane is extremely dangerous. Toyota should get have to consider changing that.

[gisjste]

Manual states turn off lane keeping assist and pre-collision system when towing.
Enjoyed the show. 😃

[nlcmlsv]

I don't think the tailgate would be a problem, but I don't like it is shaking when the road is bumpy, material feels cheap and the space is limit when the first row is at the very back position it is hard to fold down the second and third row seat , but I brought it because it is a land cruiser

[Birky]

Great summary of the issues. Omg that beeping… Havent had the abs issue thankfully

[ArbyCreations]

Great review. I see a bunch of these on the roads in South Africa lately. Im waiting until I get to Queensland before I buy one.

[iandibley]

The one piece rear tailgate wasn't a good move on Toyota's part, plus the lower rear axle capacity & gcm and reduced capacity fuel tank from the LC200 is also hard to understand the factory logic. The turbo location will certainly add a lot of heat under the bonnet during slow 4x4 travel in hot weather. First release of a complete new model is bound to have few issues, remember the 2007-08 200 series oil consumption etc personally wouldn't buy a 300 for a few years will stick with the LC 200.

[borisjohnson]

Yeah, the beeping. I have a D-Max SX. The seatbelt warning is annoying when offroad driving where you might not want a seatbelt on.

[chrisbest]

I resonate deeply with the beeping for everything. I own my fourth toyota and latest vehicle is a late 21 model camry hybrid. Previous early 21 hiace loved to let me know its issues it had although it didn't keep beeping constantly.

I find toyotas abs and traction control extremely sensitive to minor road imperfections of late.

[spudboy]

I am so with you, on the 'bongs' this thing does. We have a GXL. There needs to be a software value for how many warning bongs you want, like 0, 1, 5, 10 or 999. Drives me nuts that opening the door makes things go bong!

[milnerontheroad]

Wish my arb experience was as good as yours!

[markstemmett]

I have had none of the mechanical issues you refer to. Wonder if the SA spec is different. I have heard complaints of caravans swaying though

[TheTripleDubya]

Have a late model 200, It beeps enough to annoy me, more beeping would be a deal breaker. Drove an earlier 200 (no dpf), it doesn’t beep like the later one !