3 Reasons We're NOT Sold on the Toyota Landcruiser 300 Series | V8 Fatality!

[@WildTouring]

More power, more torque, more gearing, better fuel economy, lighter, more payload, you can actually reach stuff in your boot now and the engine/trans combination is superb for towing straight out of the stealership. Literally my only complaint after 30,000kms of ownership is that the second row is tight (for me it might be a problem in a decades time when my kids are taller). Otherwise, they have so much potential as a tourer or tow rig!

[@BAWAutomotive]

Sounds like you’ve really found the perfect match with your 300! There’s a car for everyone, and it seems like this one ticks all the right boxes for you

[@WildTouring]

@@BAWAutomotive no cars perfect. But it’s a good one 👍🏼

[@thelonewolf666]

lol yeah

[@rob7385]

Bout time someone spoke the truth about modern day Toyotas! Hats off boys👌

[@BAWAutomotive]

Cheers mate, just expressing our first impressions

[@robertjennings9584]

I recently bought a 300 vx love it .Recently went down to mystery bay from Sydney with my son and grandson a boys week away caravan in tow and a heap of gear in the boot if that’s what you call the cargo space,had the two water tanks full 160 litres it’s only a single axle van but still 1.8 ton ,I was so impressed with the power hauling it fuel was pretty good to around 14 litres per 100 and wasn’t nursing it either . If we have any problems with it I’ll let you know so far so good .

[@BAWAutomotive]

Sounds like an awesome trip with the boys! The 300 VX sounds like it handled the load like a champ. Definitely let us know how it goes over time

[@rtt2634]

After having a 200 , sold it after 2 years due to steering issues ,Toyota was no help at all ,first car I have ever sold for 10 k more than I paid for it. now have a 300 , steers great , but ,same size outside as 200 , but only half the size inside , almost no rear leg room , rear seats will not fold forward unless you move the front seats forward first Unable to see out of the rear view mirror due to the second roe middle seat head rest completely blocking the view.have removed mine .keep it in the back for when needed , 3,rd roe seats are rubbish , tail gate and small fuel tanks a big step backwards, v6 is a lot noisier than the v8, v6 has good power above 2500 rpm but lacks power at low revs , very sluggish off the mark when towing even a small camper trailer Apart from better steering , big step backwards All in all you are correct in that it is just a over priced Prado with a long nose and a extra 2 cylinder added up front.

[@BAWAutomotive]

Doesn’t fill the boots of the legendary 200 series.

[@beaver528]

If you believe it's got no go below 2500rpm you're really not giving it enough right foot 😏

[@paulbarry1044]

Spot on,had a Disco 4 for 10yrs,now have had a LC200 for almost 4 yrs,both had a split tailgate,which we love.Bigger fuel tank,more room,middle row of seats moves,split sun visor,the 200 will be with us for a while.The 200 is also a proven package,there is not much to complain about.In our opinion,it is a better vehicle for what we need than the 300.The only real advantage of the 300 is more power,but a good tune of the 200 will sort that out.Fuel burn,difference is negligable,i think Toyota quote around 6%.

[@BAWAutomotive]

The split tailgate is definitely a game-changer, and all those extra features make the LC200 a solid choice.

[@jeffeinam7257]

Spent 1500km in a new one as a hire car in NQ. Bonnet shape makes it feel much bigger than it is with poor visibility over the front corners. Tailgate on the GXL with gas struts almost gave me an uppercut the first few times (the lock is up high and when you open it you almost can’t get out of the way quick enough without the bottom of the door clipping you under the chin. Leg room in the front is compromised by the left and right hand side trims (in gxl form) being hard plastic that conveniently stick out and dig into your knees. Thankfully the padded upmarket models don’t seem too bad. A bit rattly under low loads almost like a 4 cylinder Ute. Other than all than ride is better than my 200, seats are more supportive and the power delivery is leaps ahead of the 200. Will it last the test of time? For now I’m happy in love with my 200.

[@BAWAutomotive]

No one likes an unexpected uppercut! And yeah, visibility and legroom quirks can definitely be a pain. Only time will tell, if it can be as good as the 200 series.

[@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi]

Primary reason why Ive bought Lexus/Toytoas is they usually have larger displacement under tuned or de tuned engines, Therefore with a little bit of love and tlc they last forever. IF your running shit on the ragged edge all the time and its revving its guts off to throw all that weight around then yeah, its gunna wear out quicker than the slower older v8 or anything else.

[@BAWAutomotive]

Absolutely, mate! Lexus and Toyota know how to build engines that go the distance.

[@beaver528]

All that weight, hang on the 300 is more than 100kgs lighter. Aluminium doors, bonnet, tailgate, front fenders etc

[@CaleWalton]

I see a big change of opinion in your future as you spend more time in a 300 series. I’ve got both a 200 and a 300 and the 300 is leaps and bounds a better vehicle.

[@BAWAutomotive]

We’d love to like the 300 series as much as we enjoyed the 200 series

[@deanriley5690]

It's horrible to have to work on electricaly compared to the 200

[@ryanhotrod5416]

Knee room is a issue for most. Toyota land cruisers has always had this problem.

[@benvisagie8844]

But yes, that v8 was lazy and heavy on gas. I agree my 300 petrol much better than V8 d

[@wilhelmhaupt267]

I have a 200 and a 300 diesel. I've had a 300 petrol... The drive train on a diesel 300 is only better than the 200 at full throttle. The lag is crap. Floor it and NOTHING happens for 4 second. The 200 is bigger, and built better. On dirt roads the rear bumper on the 300 gather all the dust making it impossible to get anything from the back without needing a shower. 300 is a great car. The 200 is a land cruiser.

[@davidanderson1025]

I’m keeping my manual 100 series!

[@BAWAutomotive]

Valid. I would too

[@followme4wd866]

Ive been in the business of 4wd training for over 30 years and have had the pleasure of owning from FJ55 to current LC wagons. My 2010 VX 200 did over 450km and it is still going strong with a mate who bought it. The 300 is another level above the 200, not only comfort but also capability. Yes there are things about the 200 i miss, Split tailgate, KDSS and the sound of the V8. My 200 goes like a cut cat and leaves my tuned 200 for dead. I have the pleasure of driving all types of vehicle in my business of 18yrs and as an instructor in any brands, i still love my 300.

[@BAWAutomotive]

There’s nothing quite like the roar of a V8 to make you feel alive. But hey, if your 300's leaving your tuned 200 in the dust, it sounds like it’s earned its stripes.

[@CaleWalton]

@@BAWAutomotive my tuned 300 absolutely smokes my tuned 200.

[@buzz9972]

Mines got steering rack issues after 60k and lots of corrugations. Waiting on verdict of Toyota examination

[@weebos2772]

Same unfortunately they replaced like a rubber thingy and they told me its going to be better the sound is less noticeable but still same vibrations from time to time and plenty of interior sounds from steering and everywhere. They are not built for rugged use anymore that what I thought after 74k of use

[@BAWAutomotive]

Hope Toyota gets it sorted out for you quickly and you’re back on the road soon

[@FishOutOfWater007]

When i first got the 300 i thought it felt like a soccer mum car and for the price i wanted more luxury like a full digital dash atleast. After dropping another 40k in mods it is a beast now, i look down on the 200 series when i see them now, no comparison

[@BAWAutomotive]

Stay tuned to see what we do with this 300 series!

[@garyjackson8196]

I'm finding the engine (stock) is better in every way. More power, torque, smoother, tows better, and the gearbox holds gears under load! Couldn't get this from my previous 200. All I'm hearing from performance upgrade mechanics is that its a better and stronger engine with a much higher breaking point and therefore scope to get higher performance. Lets face it - the V8 is 16 year old technology. The engine should not be a point of contention - unless you just love a V8 for sentimental reasons. Me I prefer a better power plant.

[@BAWAutomotive]

It's hard to argue with more power, torque, and smoother towing. Nostalgia for the V8 is strong, but it’s great to see the new tech delivering where it counts.

[@samueldudley-i2v]

Test drove one yesterday. Was surprised how “small” it felt inside. Also took a gx550 out and felt similar inside which means the new Prado will be the same. Patrol is a great car with some outdated features but was HUGE (but not nearly as comfortable) compared to the Toyota and Lexus 3:14

[@BAWAutomotive]

Yeah, the new Lexus GX550 is looking sharp! If the 300, GX550 and new Prado aren't too spacious and the Y63 still a ways off until 2026. The GMC Yukon might just fill that big-SUV gap nicely here in Australia. Should be a solid addition to the big SUV options

[@arifabdullah7142]

Toyota needs to produce a Long Wheel Base LC300. I also noticed the 2nd row passengers seat legroom is very small.

[@BAWAutomotive]

That would be kinda cool. That back is really only for kids.

[@lizbarber3473]

I was keen on the 300 , never driven a 200 but owned a 60 an 80 and 100 . I test drove a 300 vx , nice car but I drove a 200 first time and actually liked it better than the 300 ( I must be one of the few ) I ended up buying a 200 no regrets and it was way cheaper than the 300 .

[@BAWAutomotive]

Something about that proven Land Cruiser toughness you get with the 200. No regrets, just a solid 4WD!

[@davidjohnston7512]

Do they come with diff locks?

[@BAWAutomotive]

No. If you’re after front and rear diff locks in the 300 Series, the GR Sport is the only model that comes with them from factory.

[@kdogauch]

Reviewers really need to get into the business of looking at data rather than ragging anything new. The 300 has by far the most torque at the ground than any other LC. Even the new 250 (in 600nm) has more than the 200. Calculate through gear ratios, diff and tire diameter. Add the lighter weights and torque at ground : weight is an even bigger gap. Add better articulation and suspension - 250 and 300 beat 200 in every respect except how it sounds. 200 is obsolete by two newer models.

[@BAWAutomotive]

There’s a charm to the old 200 that spreadsheets just can’t capture. It may be “obsolete,” but it’s still got that classic swagger.

[@kdogauch]

@@BAWAutomotive absolutely, but we can love the old while not overlooking the strengths of the new. We have until 2028 until new emissions laws will really start to hurt new 4x4 designs. 300 won’t qualify without mods that decrease reliability and power. Then, people will really miss the 300 as it is today.

[@S.S.Norton]

Agree with your comments. Was in the market for a 300 series, but for the same money got into a new defender. Much nicer car to drive than the 300. The main thing that got me across was not being able to get a 7 seat version of the top spec 300. Booooooo

[@BAWAutomotive]

The 7-seat setup is definitely a big win. Haven’t had the chance to drive the new Defender ourselves, maybe we should compare it to 300 series??

[@todddavis-mu3sc]

Don’t know where you guys are going from the 200 series not very different, just a lot more money. Could make it bigger . But where do you park it ? Like the USA boys anywhere that pisses people off ? But don’t go anywhere under cover cause you need three weeks to park the thing! I don’t think it’s a cruiser as it really takes a bit of boot to even move the thing , with the v 6 . The v 8 was slow but didn’t need a poke in the ribs to move it like v6 . The gearbox of the v6 is very slick but it is a modern engine it’s rough and not really great on fuel. A Ranger Rover lo405 diesel gets 8 litres around the city . The Toyota gets 10 at best. Plus Range Rover is 24ooo klms servicing to Toyota 6 months or 10 000 klms plus the DPF burn cuts in every Five Starts , Not great for the fuel or the really hot car when you shut it down mid burn , it smells like it’s on fire. But hey it makes it Environmentally nice.hmmmm?

[@BAWAutomotive]

Fair call-definitely some trade-offs with the newer models. It’s a game of pros and cons!

[@jeebus8612]

Tailgate is literally the worst thing about cruisers. 80 barn doors shit all over the tailgate setup

[@BAWAutomotive]

Ah, the barn doors vs tailgate debate! Gotta admit, the barn doors on the 80 are pretty slick.

[@bigfishfishing-111]

Interesting view. I definitely prefer the 200 myself.

[@BAWAutomotive]

The 200 series will also have a special place in our heart

[@jerryfrench2981]

Dinosaur.. :)

[@jewels211966]

A huge Cruiser buyer but don't want a 300... keep it Toyota

[@BAWAutomotive]

Fair enough, which Landcruiser is your favourite?

[@lukewarm2075]

Have they fixed the surge issue with the turbos and the motor blowing 😊

[@CaleWalton]

There is a fix for the surge, and the diesels don’t have the issues of the petrol v6’s and the bottom end failures.

[@simranbanga5467]

It’s a small to medium suv it rms calls it large to get more tax and rego from people and same goes for other small Utes like ranger, hilux and ranger raptor as rest are even smaller than them 3. All Japanese but Thai built are very cramped cab and bed for a Ute

[@BAWAutomotive]

Cue the big American trucks

[@Seaslayeradventue]

300 is leaps and bounds ahead of the 200 the 5 link setup is better it rides and handles better and the hot V setup is a ripper once tuned take a look at just auto’s video of it cleaning up supercharged y62 and the raptor.

[@BAWAutomotive]

It's definitely impressive and seems to have a lot of potential. Can't wait to see how it continues to perform.

[@billsingh75]

You have genuine concerns mate It’s very pricey vehicle

[@BAWAutomotive]

Appreciate it, thanks for watching!

[@jasonfields2793]

The looks tirn me off it just looks wrong proportionally to my eye its plain ugly.

[@BAWAutomotive]

Yeah! The bonnet is kinda long and the rear is tall.

[@brianmaclennan561]

Glad i bought a Y62

[@BAWAutomotive]

Was the V8 the deciding factor?

[@nnoddy8161]

Ineos Grenadier has a great opportunity.

[@BAWAutomotive]

Indeed. So does the GMC Yukon Denali coming next year.

[@msmuaa2175]

Honest review ❤

[@BAWAutomotive]

Thanks mate. Just our first impressions

[@jamesm6341]

I think the new prado is the way forward with same wheel base as 300 but with better fuel economy.perhaps same space inside too.

[@BAWAutomotive]

Yeah, we’re keen to get our hands on one of those!!

[@BaileyEthanRawson]

The new Prado is smaller than the 300 inside, not much smaller, but it’s definitely noticeable - Lexus of Adelaide have two Lexus GX550s (luxury Prado) in the showroom, had a look at it the other week. Pretty cool vehicle!

[@jamesm6341]

@@BaileyEthanRawson thanks . I think new prado will be sales hit. Unless you are towing prado ticks all the boxes over 300.

[@BaileyEthanRawson]

@@jamesm6341 it will definitely be a sales hit, as with the old Prado, which is why they are way more common than both the LC200 and LC300. Bigger LC has always been the better option if you’re towing, and it’s the same story with the LC300. Prado is an easier vehicle to live with in town.

[@Meme4frogs]

It makes me wanna buy an FJ for no reason

[@BAWAutomotive]

Don’t do it!

[@kenwaugh203]

Love your 300 because none else does. Not worth the money

[@BAWAutomotive]

Fair enough. What 4x4 would you choose instead?

[@jasonsimpson1969]

Love my 300

[@BAWAutomotive]

We want to love it too. What’s your favourite feature?

[@markcecchi3072]

I heard of one guys turbo falling off and Toyota asking he if he’d been 4wd’ing it,that’s what it is isn’t it,this landcruiser doesn’t drive me home,as the advertisement says,hahaha

[@buzz9972]

Yes mine were loose. Toyota recall on turbo bolts that weren’t torqued correctly at factory.

[@BAWAutomotive]

That's right Toyota issued a recall to fix those loose turbo bolts

[@danielbrown4133]

I won't be selling my 2019 200 Series VX anytime soon.

[@BAWAutomotive]

Can’t blame you-solid choice to hang onto it!

[@250_life]

definitely more of a mum bus, lc 200 all the way

[@BAWAutomotive]

Can’t argue with that. The 200 can be a beast!

[@noctilucent7396]

No tailgate is a fail

[@BAWAutomotive]

Tailgate for life!!

[@kenwaugh203]

It's going to be a zd30 reply in the Toyota camp

[@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi]

Does it come in petrol V* cuz yeah we might get one in a couple of years, but not diesel. I wouldnt touch diesel ever again its just shit and for tractors and ag equipment not for cars.

[@BAWAutomotive]

Doubtful, V8 has been discontinued everywhere in the world.

[@thelonewolf666]

its why i bought a y62

[@BAWAutomotive]

Hard to say no to a V8!

[@robkay9227]

Spot on boys

[@BAWAutomotive]

Cheers mate

[@wa.gtrsoul]

I'm poor and so I'm going to comment by having a whinge about the 300 and justify it by saying that I prefer my old gutless POS FJ40!

[@BAWAutomotive]

Fair. Who doesn't love a FJ40?!

[@joshm2992]

Just been driving one around the Sunshine Coast for a few days what a disappointing car very glad it’s not mine

[@BAWAutomotive]

What did you not like about it?

[@ianpope7061]

Neighbour's got one....now that's enuf reason not to have one!!!

[@BAWAutomotive]

😂😂

[@FutureSystem738]

And now they’re doing big end bearings! Over priced and no longer reliable. You can have your Toyotas.

[@BAWAutomotive]

Fair point! No car’s perfect, but Toyota’s still got plenty of loyal fans for a reason.

[@GS-kh5se]

It doesnt feel that much better than a Prado

[@BAWAutomotive]

Agree on that! Is it the new mum bus?

[@GS-kh5se]

Not worth the money

[@BAWAutomotive]

What 4WD would you buy instead? There's a few options these days

[@liamneilson7521]

poor 300 series

[@BAWAutomotive]

To be fair to the 300, the 200 series is a hard act to follow.

[@liamneilson7521]

yes I agree, We have a 200 so we understand. Love your videos, thankyou.

[@Chundie]

This video is so stupid 😂 it is such a better car compared to the 200

[@BAWAutomotive]

Each to their own. That’s the beauty of 4x4’s, there’s one out there that suits everyone.

[@galacticnemesis366]

Yeah nah it’s shithouse.

[@BAWAutomotive]

It's definitely a polarizing one

[@rayweh-bfa4966]

Won't last will cost you a motsa and Toyota won't look after

[@BAWAutomotive]

Interesting...

[@rayweh-bfa4966]

They suck Toyota cheap and nasty at a huge price

[@BAWAutomotive]

What 4WD would you pick over the 300 Series?