For buyers who have been watching the 300 Series hybrid since Toyota first showed it to the Australian market last year, the missing piece was always the price. That gap is now filled. Toyota Australia has confirmed the Performance Hybrid will arrive mid-2026 at $156,060 for the GR Sport and $156,810 for the Sahara ZX, slotting both above the existing diesel line-up and marking a clear statement of intent from the brand.
The powertrain driving that premium is Toyota's i-FORCE MAX system, a twin-turbo 3.4-litre V6 petrol-electric unit producing 341kW and 790Nm combined. To put that in context, that is 114kW and 90Nm more than the current 3.3-litre turbo-diesel, and it represents the highest output ever seen in a LandCruiser sold in Australia. This is not the efficiency-focused hybrid familiar from the Camry or RAV4 stable. Toyota Australia's Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, John Pappas, was direct on that point at the announcement, describing the system as being designed around performance, whether the job is serious off-road work or hauling a caravan or horse float. The i-FORCE MAX unit is already proven in the Tundra in other markets, and Toyota is leaning on that track record as it brings the technology into the LandCruiser family.
At a Glance
- GR Sport priced from $156,060, Sahara ZX from $156,810, both arriving mid-2026
- i-FORCE MAX twin-turbo 3.4-litre V6 petrol-electric system produces 341kW and 790Nm combined
- 114kW and 90Nm more than the current turbo-diesel, making this the most powerful LandCruiser sold in Australia
- GR Sport gets front and rear diff locks plus electronically controlled E-KDSS suspension; Sahara ZX retains a rear Torsen LSD
- Both grades covered by Toyota's five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and capped-price servicing
What changes with the hybrid system
The switch to the i-FORCE MAX brings a handful of changes that go beyond the engine bay. Electric power steering replaces the hydraulic setup used in the diesel 300 Series, a move that will prompt some debate among off-road purists, though Toyota's broader engineering around the platform suggests the calibration has been worked hard. There is also a 200V/1500W rear auxiliary power outlet, a useful addition for anyone running camp accessories or tools in the field, and the rear seat has been revised to a 40/20/40 split configuration.
The core of what makes a 300 Series a 300 Series remains untouched. Full-time four-wheel drive, Multi-Terrain Select and adaptive variable suspension carry across to both hybrid grades. The GR Sport leans further into off-road capability with front and rear diff locks alongside the electronically controlled E-KDSS suspension, while the Sahara ZX takes a more road-biased approach with its rear Torsen limited-slip differential.
Inside and on the spec sheet
Neither variant is short on equipment. Both arrive with leather-accented trim, heated and ventilated front and outer rear seats, a 12.3-inch infotainment display and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. The Sahara ZX adds dual rear-seat entertainment screens, which will matter to families covering serious distances. Toyota's five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and capped-price servicing program apply to both models.
Where it sits in the market
The pricing places both hybrid variants firmly at the top of the 300 Series range, and above most of what the premium four-wheel drive segment currently offers. Whether buyers see the premium over the diesel as justified will depend largely on what they are using the vehicle for. For those who tow frequently or push the LandCruiser hard in challenging terrain, the step up in torque and power is a concrete argument. For those who do most of their kilometres on road and are happy with the diesel's output, the calculus is less clear-cut.
What Toyota has done is demonstrate that the next chapter for the LandCruiser nameplate is not a retreat from performance in the name of electrification. The 300 Series Performance Hybrid is the quickest, most capable LandCruiser Australia has seen, and the mid-year arrival date means the debate between diesel and hybrid in the showroom will be a very real one before the year is out.
