All Hail the King! We Drive the All New ‘King of Africa’ Land Cruiser 300
So, is the New Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Really the New King of Africa? Darn Sure It Is!
The new Toyota Land Cruiser may not be endemic to the United States, but there’s a very good reason why it’s known as the King of Africa. Among other far-flung terrains. Launched in South Africa last week, we had the perfect opportunity to drive the beast in its natural environment. But first, let’s catch up on why they call the ‘Cruiser the King of Africa.
First released 70 years ago in August 1951, Toyota’s powerful, four-wheel drive ‘Land Cruiser’ BJ was designed for military use. It soon earned an enviable go-anywhere reputation, spawning the arrival of the first civilian Land Cruiser as a Jeep and Land Rover rival in 1954. The ‘Cruiser brand has since built upon its rugged, reliable, durable off-road DNA as the range has grown to include pick-up, wagon, estate and luxury SUV variants.
Land Cruiser Has Earned its King of Africa Rep
That original was followed by the 1980s 60, the 80 of the ‘90s and the 100 that breached the new millennium. Before the most recent 200 took over. The more utilitarian 70 series has developed on the side as it has carved its niche as the ultimate working 4×4. Think of an African safari vehicle, the colonial farmer’s pick-up or even a desert rebel rocket launcher. You’re probably imagining it as a ‘Cruiser, right? Quite simply, that’s why it’s earned the rep of King of Africa.
The most recent of the upmarket Cruiser SUVs, the 200 served the brand well through two lifecycle enhancements in 2011 and ’15. It was time for an all-new one. And here we are. So, armed with the knowledge, and the experience of the King of Africa over the years, we set off on a little launch Safari to get to know the all-new Land Cruiser 300 a bit better across the splendid springtime South African Western Province.
Toyota promises that the all-new Land Cruiser 300 draws inspiration from its forefathers to deliver the highest possible caliber driving experience. Two memories while driving the new King of Africa, sum it up to a tee. First, I couldn’t help thinking that I was selecting Drive. But I activated the right turn signal instead. The Cruiser’s indicator stalk is where its Mercedes rival’s gear selector sits. I had to remind myself I wasn’t driving a Merc…
Matches a Mercedes GLS. Where it Matters
That’s a cool reverse compliment. I’ve driven all the Mercedes GLS models and rate them supremely. So subliminally believing I was driving a GLS is tribute enough to this fine Toyota. It plays brilliantly to those Mercedes strengths. While quietly also asserting its own. The other mistake I made a few times, was to try start the car while the engine was already running. Yes, it’s that quiet!
Unmistakably angular, Cruiser 300 is far more dynamic looking than the frumpy outgoing car. Yet it has more than a passing resemblance to its splendid ancestors. To keep that classic two-box look in tune with its splendid ancestry. Two prominent grille styles and sculpted rectangular headlamps blend seamlessly into under a signature Land Cruiser channel bonnet. Large trapezoidal taillights are complemented by subtler than expected Land Cruiser lettering and that Toyota badge at the back.
All-new from the ground up 300 is based on Toyota’s new ladder frame New Global Architecture. The new King of Africa also comes with a brand-new engine line-up. Petrol propulsion is via the velvety, strong, and powerful 410 HP 480 lb.-ft 3.5-litre biturbo Petrol V6 nicked from the Lexus LS500.
All-New Engines Bring Huge Improvements
Perhaps more significant in many of its markets including Australia and South Africa, the all-new 305 HP 3.3-litre bi-turbodiesel V6 has a stump-pulling 416 lb.-ft in a 43 HP power and 37 lb.-ft twist hike over the outgoing car. The petrol V6 produces peak torque from 2000 rpm, the diesel from 1600 to 2600 rpm. Both bring vastly improved efficiency, power, and torque versus the outgoing cars. And they’re mated to a slick-shifting new 10-speed automatic with a low-range 4×4 set-up.
The gearbox is invisible — you barely notice the changes. Unless you listen too closely. Top end is 130 mph for both cars. The petrol version consumes a claimed 19.4 miles per gallon and the frugal diesel sips 26 mpg. We saw 16.8 per gallon in the petrol and 21.3 mpg in the diesel after a demanding 500-mile tar, dirt, and 4×4 run.
We were also more than comfortable in the serene Cruiser on the road. Wind noise is minimal. You must push it to hear either engine. But they roar bravely when really asked. Switch the chassis to Sport Plus and 300 delivers a splendid GR Yaris-like race car sensation on the road. Not bad for a literal block of flats.
The Gazoo Model Has a Cool Party Trick
Cruiser 300 improves or equals all the old 200’s vital statistics. It has a 27.5-inch wading depth, 9.25” ground clearance, 32-degree approach and 25-degree departure angles. The Gazoo model’s real party trick, however, is its ability to hydraulically decouple its suspension anti-roll bars and allow ultimate 4×4 vehicle control. Street cred enhancing rollbar stabilizers detached, the GR is left with excellent axle articulation and supple body-roll essential for supreme 4×4 ability and comfort. The best of both.
Available in three grades, the utility entry-level GX-R does not skimp. Above that, the range splits into ‘boulevard’ ZX and the new bush bashing GR Sport. They want for very little.
The utility-focused entry GX-R starts with LED daylight-running headlamps, keyless entry with auto-door-lock, park distance control, an electric parking brake, there’s also rear zone climate control, a power driver’s seat, multiple power outlets with charging port and more. It has an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Multi-Information Display, Crawl Control and Drive Mode Select, park distance control and an electric parking brake.
New 300 Range Splits Focus Between Bush and Boulevard
Above that, you need to choose between a city or an off-road get-up. If bundu-bashing is your thing, then the all-new Land Cruiser 300 GR-Sport is the one for you. It expands the Gazoo Racing brand into Land Cruiser territory for the first time with bespoke styling and cabin trim. Running on rugged 18″ alloy wheels, GR-Sport has the more butch look of the car in the images on this page with Toyota emblazoned in white across its black grille and an off-road spec list.
300 GR-S has a 12.3” screen Multi-Terrain Monitor with Panoramic View, JBL 14-speaker DVD playback audio, a wireless charger, and tire pressure monitoring. It also has a heated and wood-accented steering wheel and heated and ventilated first and second, and power-down third-row seats. And a hands-free power tailgate. The chassis gets additional drive mode select modes and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management. And that E-KDSS kit to maximize off-road capability.
GR-Sport also adds the full Toyota Safety Sense suite of autonomous driving active safety aids. That includes lane trace assist and all-speed radar cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure. And rear cross traffic alert with braking and adaptive high beam. That’s of course over and above standard vehicle stability, active traction, hill assist, trailer sway and downhill assist controls. And ABS, EBD, and assisted braking.
Cruiser 300 ZX For the More Image Focused
Billed alongside the GR-Sport, the ‘boulevard’ 300 ZX is the luxury Land Cruiser in a more image-focused persona. It gets unique 20″ alloys, a far more chromed grille above and more shiny detailing over the already supreme GR-Sport spec. ZX also adds a Wi-Fi enabled rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones.
Be aware that like all other new cars, the Cruiser 300 is being severely jeopardized by the global microchip supply dilemma and other lockdown challenges and supply remains restricted.
Also, the new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 is not planned for US release, but an even more luxury Lexus LX600 badged version is on the cards.
So, Is New Land Cruiser 300 the new King of Africa?
Throughout our time with the new 300, we benchmarked it against that Merc GLS. So much so that we were occasionally convinced we were driving one! That comparison alone is kudos enough to the new Toyota. In some ways, the Benz is better. In others, the Toyota is ahead.
Getting back to the matter at hand, is the new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 really the new King of Africa? Darn sure it is. Long hail the new King!
Images: Toyota
