- The flagship Land Cruiser may soon gain a plug in hybrid powertrain option.
- A plug in hybrid adds more power and range but faces packaging compromises.
- The Land Cruiser 300 is currently sold with gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrains.
The Land Cruiser has long been synonymous with rugged, no-nonsense dependability, but Toyota is now threading electrification into its most enduring off-roader. After launching a hybrid version of the Land Cruiser 300 in the Middle East, a new report from Japan hints that this may only be the beginning.
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Rumors suggest a plug-in hybrid could soon join the the range, giving the SUV genuine zero-emission capability for short trips.
Introduced in 2021 on the TNGA-F architecture, the Land Cruiser 300 was initially available with two V6s, a twin-turbo 3.5-liter gasoline unit and a 3.3-liter turbodiesel. In 2025, Toyota launched a new self-charging hybrid variant that adds a single electric motor for a combined 457 hp (341 kW / 464 PS), making it the most powerful full-size Land Cruiser yet.
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As of September 2025, Toyota has suspended orders for the gasoline-powered Land Cruiser in its home market and is reportedly limiting diesel availability. According to Japanese outlet Creative Trend, there are rumors of another powertrain joining the local lineup.
The likeliest addition is the regular hybrid already confirmed for wider markets beyond the Middle East, though speculation points to something more ambitious: a plug-in hybrid system.
Plug-In Potential
The first-ever Land Cruiser PHEV could combine the 3.5-liter V6 with a stronger electric motor, enhancing performance both on asphalt and over rough terrain. A larger battery pack would allow owners to handle daily errands or city commutes without touching a drop of fuel, while the combustion engine would keep the SUV capable in remote areas where chargers are few and far between.
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These benefits do not come without trade-offs. Extra hardware would increase weight and trim back space in the cabin or boot. As a result, the PHEV could be restricted to a five-seat configuration with reduced luggage capacity compared to its non-electrified siblings.
Furthermore, the fuel tank could be smaller than the 80 liters (21.1 gallons) of the standard model and the 68 liters (18 gallons) of the hybrid. For reference, the Toyota Alphard minivan carries 75 liters (19.8 gallons) in its gasoline version, 60 liters (15.9 gallons) in the HEV, and just 47 liters (12.4 gallons) in the PHEV
Wider Family Hybrid Plans
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This is not the first time talk of a plug-in Land Cruiser has surfaced. Back in 2023, Toyota was said to be evaluating plug-in, fully electric, and even hydrogen drivetrains for the slightly smaller Land Cruiser 250 Series, also known as the Prado in certain markets. That model, sold in the US and elsewhere, currently comes with a mix of gasoline, diesel, and mild-hybrid diesel options, depending on the market, suggesting that electrification across the Land Cruiser family has been in Toyota’s sights for some time.
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