Toyota Biggest SUV Might Go Plug-In—But There’s a Catch
Toyota biggest SUV, the Land Cruiser, might go plug-in hybrid, according to a new report, marking a significant step in the brand’s electrification strategy for its flagship off-roader. However, there’s a catch: we’re talking about the full-size Land Cruiser 300 series, which is sold in international markets, not the smaller version available in the United States (known as the Land Cruiser Prado abroad). This move suggests Toyota’s increasing commitment to plug-in hybrid powertrains for its larger vehicles, following the success of models like the Prius and RAV4.
Plug-In Hybrid Reportedly In The Works for Land Cruiser 300 Series
Japanese publication Creative Trend reports that Toyota has halted orders for gasoline-powered Land Cruisers in its home market and is restricting the availability of diesel variants. This strategic shift is believed to be paving the way for more electrified powertrains. While Toyota already offers a Land Cruiser hybrid in the Middle East, the publication suggests that a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is also highly likely for the 300 series.
The 300 series Land Cruiser, which launched in 2021, initially offered two non-hybrid powertrains: a 3.3-liter turbodiesel V6 and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter gasoline V6 (replacing the previous naturally-aspirated V8). A hybrid version, combining a single electric motor with the gasoline V6, was added in 2025. This hybrid setup is similar to what’s used in the U.S.-market Lexus LX 700h, which is closely related to the 300 series Land Cruiser.
Creative Trend speculates that a Land Cruiser PHEV would also utilize the twin-turbo V6, likely coupled with a more powerful electric motor and a larger battery pack to provide a substantial all-electric driving range.
Will It Be Worth It? The Efficiency and Packaging Challenges
While Toyota’s U.S. plug-in hybrids have typically balanced increased power and performance with improved efficiency, achieving this balance in the larger, heavier Land Cruiser might prove more challenging.
The report highlights a critical concern: the added weight of a plug-in hybrid system could potentially negate any significant efficiency benefits. This has been observed with the Lexus LX hybrid, which offers only marginal fuel efficiency improvements over its non-hybrid counterparts.
Furthermore, packaging the larger battery pack for a PHEV could be difficult in the three-row Land Cruiser. The report notes that Toyota has faced similar challenges in the past, particularly with the third row of the Toyota Sequoia, which features a standard hybrid powertrain and shares the Land Cruiser’s TNGA-F platform. Ensuring adequate passenger and cargo space while integrating a large battery will be a key engineering hurdle.
All-Electric Model Also Rumored, Potentially for the U.S.
If the Land Cruiser PHEV does reach production, it’s highly improbable that it will arrive in the U.S., as Toyota has no current plans to bring any 300 series Land Cruiser models to the American market. However, the technology would make perfect sense for the Land Cruiser’s Lexus LX cousin, as Lexus already offers non-hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains in other utility vehicles like the NX and RX.
Interestingly, it’s also rumored that Toyota might skip the PHEV for the U.S. market and instead bring an all-electric Land Cruiser. Toyota has already teased this idea with the Compact Cruiser EV and Land Cruiser Se concepts in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The company has also confirmed plans for a three-row electric SUV to be produced in Kentucky starting in 2026. The question remains whether this upcoming electric SUV could eventually wear a Land Cruiser badge, potentially bringing an electrified version of the iconic nameplate to American shores after all.
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