Few names carry the weight of the Toyota Land Cruiser. In Australia especially, it’s more than a car. It’s a badge of honour, a trusted companion, and for many, part of the family. The 300 Series Sahara continues that lineage, blending serious off-road ability with genuine luxury. Whether you’re crossing the Simpson Desert, towing a horse float, or taking the kids to school, the LC300 Sahara wants to be the one car that does it all.

Price & Key Specs

Price: From $142,101 before on-roads (Australia)
Engine: 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel
Power/Torque: 227kW / 700Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic, full-time 4WD with low range
0–100km/h: ~8.9 seconds
Fuel Use: 8.9L/100km (claimed)
Towing Capacity: 3,500kg braked
Ground Clearance: 235mm
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km

Design

The LC300 isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t need to be. Its design screams functionality and presence. Upright, squared-off, and unmistakably Land Cruiser. In Sahara trim, chrome detailing and 18-inch alloys bring a touch of prestige, but it never strays into showy. LED headlights, a bold front grille, and pumped-up arches all underline that this is a 4WD with purpose.

Interior & Practical Features

Step inside the Sahara and you’re greeted with a mix of durability and luxury. Leather-appointed seats, heated and cooled up front, and soft-touch materials bring a premium feel, while the layout still feels tough enough for the bush. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen finally drags the Cruiser into the modern era, with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, sat nav, and a crisp JBL 14-speaker system.

Space is abundant. The Sahara is a true seven-seater, with even the third row offering decent comfort for adults on shorter trips. Storage cubbies, USB ports everywhere, a chilled centre console, and tri-zone climate keep the family happy. Boot space with all rows up is tight (around 175L), but fold the third row and you unlock a much larger 1,004L. Take it one step further and fold down the second row, and you’ll end up with 1967L of cargo space.

Driving Impressions

Fire up the 3.3 twin-turbo V6 and there’s a refined diesel thrum. Quieter than the old V8, but still purposeful. On the road, the Sahara feels smoother and more composed than ever. The 10-speed auto keeps the engine right in the fat of its torque band, delivering effortless shove whether you’re overtaking or towing a caravan.

Despite its size, the LC300 doesn’t feel unruly. The suspension soaks up rough country roads with ease, and there’s a surprising polish to the way it handles city bumps and potholes. Steering is light enough for daily driving but still gives you the sense of control you want in something this large. Cabin refinement has taken a big step up. Wind and road noise are hushed, making long highway drives genuinely relaxing.

Take it off-road, and the Sahara reminds you why the Land Cruiser name is sacred. Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, a locking centre diff, and serious suspension articulation mean this thing will clamber up, down, and across just about anything. Combine that with 235mm ground clearance and a wading depth of 700mm, and you’ve got an SUV that laughs at obstacles rivals would balk at.

Safety Tech

Toyota has stacked the LC300 with Toyota Safety Sense: adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection. A 360-degree camera system makes parking its size far easier, and with ANCAP’s 5-star rating, the big Cruiser ticks every box for family safety.

Ownership Experience

Toyota backs the LC300 with a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, extendable to 7 years for the powertrain with proper servicing. Fuel use hovers around 10–11L/100km in real-world conditions, which is impressive given the weight and size. Servicing is capped-price and intervals are every 6 months/10,000km — a bit frequent compared to some rivals, but part of Toyota’s play-it-safe philosophy.

Verdict

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Sahara isn’t just a car, it’s a statement. It combines unstoppable off-road ability with genuine luxury and daily usability. Whether you’re in the outback, towing a boat, or pulling into the valet line, the LC300 looks and feels right at home.

For the drivers? Absolutely. Just in a different sense. This isn’t about carving corners, it’s about commanding respect, conquering terrain, and knowing that no matter the destination, the Land Cruiser will get you there in comfort and confidence.