Land Cruiser 300 vs 200

[Mike Nel]

I managed to get my eyes on a 300 GX-R whilst our 200 went in for some TLC.

I had to look twice to make 100% sure that it was indeed the 300. That's how similar they look. Dimensions are almost identical.

The 300 I looked at had light grey seats and lots of plastic as is the case with our 200 GX. The center console and infotainment (if you can call it that) is also bland. Much like the 200's. The 300 does have buttons on the steering, whereas the 200 GX doesn't.

I could not drive it, so cannot comment on the new 3.3 V6, but I suspect I would be disappointed because of the lack of that V8 grunt.

I also suspect that the 300 would age very quickly and that Toyota might want to start thinking of a face lift very soon. The 300 doesn't look all that new compared to the 200.

I therefor also think that the 200 will hold value much better as per Wessel's thread.

Would I buy a 300? Definitely not.

[KurtG]

I also don’t think I would buy a 300.

[BushWacker]

I also don’t think I would buy a 300.

… as Ricoffy would say:
‘ We find Common Cause … ‘

[Mad Manny]

I dont understand Mike's comment about the 300 lacking the 200's V8 grunt.

The 300's twin turbo V6 produces much more grunt, all across the rev range.

By Grunt I mean power and torque at every rpm point....

That V8 4.5 producing only 190kW was old & cumbersome.

[Mad Manny]

Essentially all they did, wrt the motor, was:
Take the 4.5 liter V8.
Lob off two cylinders making it a 3.3 V6.
Then they changed the motor to a "Hot Vee" where the turbos and manifolds are now in the V rather than on the outside.
Then instead of having a turbo per bank, the Hot Vee allowed them to run the two turbos sequentially - each turbo serving all 6 cylinders, i.e. both banks...
So, you now have a more powerful, more efficient engine that weighs less... win win win.

[BushWacker]

… intuitively:
… if they’ve internalised the inlet and outlet manifold functions & turbocharging ,via (adjacent ? ) channeling to every cylinder the head will be subject to extreme and localised temperature gradients . Especially wrt the ‘exhausted’ gas routing.
... guess I may need to find a more detailed description of this motors anatomy and planned functioning than the the foregoing accounts !

[LesseW]

I could not wait for the 300’s release in SA and with all the hype I was ecstatic about it googling daily to see if “stolen” pictures were released into the public domain. When it was launched it was love at first sight although it looked weird, the sight of a 300 does not appeal to me anymore…. (Reminds me of my days in Hatfield when I picked up chicks and realised the next morning that they aren’t that pretty anymore).

I had the chance the other day to check the 300 inside out and I would not pay the extra Randelas (R1m) to upgrade from my 200 to the 300… Also I am broke after i bought the 200 and that’s the main excuse…. yes there are new features and gadgets on the 300 but are they worth an additional R1m? Definitely not!

The 200 is my 10 year car and I would be happy with it until then.

[Mike Nel]

I could not wait for the 300’s release in SA and with all the hype I was ecstatic about it googling daily to see if “stolen” pictures were released into the public domain. When it was launched it was love at first sight although it looked weird, the sight of a 300 does not appeal to me anymore…. (Reminds me of my days in Hatfield when I picked up chicks and realised the next morning that they aren’t that pretty anymore).

I had the chance the other day to check the 300 inside out and I would not pay the extra Randelas (R1m) to upgrade from my 200 to the 300… Also I am broke after i bought the 200 and that’s the main excuse…. yes there are new features and gadgets on the 300 but are they worth an additional R1m? Definitely not!

The 200 is my 10 year car and I would be happy with it until then.

The only thing I would change on the 200 that the 300 has, is the silent Crawl Control. And even that is much of a muchness.

The 300 is old already and it’s not even 6 months old.

Hopefully Nissan brings out a new Patrol.

[Mad Manny]

The 2022 Land Cruiser 300 GX-R is available at a Toyota dealer near you for the SAME prices as you paid for your 200 Wessel...

Here, from the holy scriptures at www.toyota.co.za are the prices.

LC 300 GX-R V6 3.3 diesel R1 283 200
LC 300 ZX V6 3.3 diesel R1 765 500
LC 300 ZX V6 3.5 Gasoline R1 797 100 - Petrol model costs more than diesel model???
LC 300 GR Sport V6 3.3 diesel R1 811 900
LC 300 GR Sport V6 3.5 Gasoline R1 842 900 Petrol model costs more than diesel model???

The GX-R is adequate, it has 7 airbags vs the 9 in the others, but it's more than satisfactory as replacement for the 200 VX...



Differences between the base GR-X & the top GR Sport:
GR Sport has 2 more airbags, front locker, KDSS (which I'd prefer NOT to have), both have SpeedoCruise but in the SR-Sports it's adaptive.
The GR-Sport has heated & ventilated seats, the passenger seat is powered & it has a few more steering buttons.
The GR-Sport has that multi terrain system (4x4 for idiots() & more camera (for idiots).
The Sport has a few other unnecessary niceties like blind spot monitoring, pre-crash safety, the 3rd row seats are powered (there's a function you'll use 3 or 4 times a year) etc.

To me & for me (& any serious Off-Roader/Overlander, the GX-R is perfect, maybe just add the front locker...,

[Mike-PS]

You’ll need to spend a bit more though - it’s bash plates or plastic, it’s side fenders are plastic - makes you wonder if the sales pitch was about weight savings or cost savings


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[Mike-PS]

Should have called it the tupper ware range


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[LesseW]

Manny, try order one from toyota? Rather try autotrader to see supply vs demand pricing and availability. Also I did not want a Gx irrespective if it is good enough

Here is the cheapest one on Autotrader, only 7 listed…





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[AndreasR]

I know these vehicles are not made for the SA market. Such a pity that it is covered in plastic that will rip/fall off. High tech crap emission controlled engines. Thousands of electronic bits and bobs. Huge cost. Even more cost to get that thing overland ready. I could never see myself spending that money on a new car and then handing over to some “figment guru” to install dual battery, bumpers, underbody protection, tyres etc. Overlanding options are becoming more and more limited.

[Mad Manny]

When the Land Cruiser 80 was replaced by the 100 people complained. Too big. Too soft.
When the 100 went IFS people complained. Too soft.
When the 200 replaced the 100 people said it was the end of the Land Cruiser as an overlander.
Now you are saying it about the 300.

Yes they get slightly softer.
Yes, legislation demands more and more tech.
Yes they go up in price.
But they can still do the job, albeit at ever increasing (relative) cost.

Don't like the march of time & tech creep in the Grosser Land Cruiser?

Toyota still sell the 70 series.

And what do the guys say about the 70 series?
Too hard.
Too rough.
Too basic.
Needs an Auto.
Needs more gears.
Needs more features.
Needs more tech.
Needs improved comfort (read: IFS).

There is just no pleasing you lot.

[AndreasR]

You wouldn’t know but it’s good to be grumpy.