Toyota’s Most Powerful Land Cruiser Ever Makes America’s One Look Tame

Toyota’s Land Cruiser lineage goes all the way back to the 1950s, and the Japanese manufacturer has just revealed the most powerful Land Cruiser ever. Known as the Land Cruiser 300 Performance Hybrid, this off-road bruiser is based on the J300-series of the SUV sold in other markets. Producing 457 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, the new Performance Hybrid comprehensively outmuscles the J250-series Land Cruiser currently sold in North America. Think of the new 300 as a Nissan Armada Nismo rival, and you’ll get an idea of what this brawny SUV is all about.

The First Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid

Toyota has been gradually hybridizing its largest models over the last couple of years. After decades of thirsty V8s, models like the Tundra and Sequoia are now available with turbocharged V6 hybrids. It’s now the turn of the mighty Land Cruiser, which uses Toyota’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 paired with an electric motor. Maximum torque is now up by 20% over the non-hybrid Land Cruiser 300, which uses a 3.3-liter twin-turbo mill, and throttle response has been enhanced by 40%.

Toyota says the new 300 Performance Hybrid can run on electric power alone at speeds of up to 30 km/h (18.6 mph), which is perfect for creeping along in traffic or staying quiet on wildlife-watching expeditions. The SUV has a ten-speed automatic and a new electric power steering system. Its off-roading capabilities remain, with Toyota taking special care to waterproof the battery housing, keeping the SUV’s water-wading capabilities intact. A sporty GR Sport trim is also available, with exclusive styling features, much like the GR Sport version of the new RAV4.

North America’s Land Cruiser is the smaller J250-based model, a midsize SUV that also uses a hybrid. But, unlike the bigger 300, our one has a smaller 2.4-liter turbo-four. Together with the electric motors, it makes 326 hp combined. That’s strong, but nowhere near as powerful as the 457-hp 300.

Will The Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid Ever Come To America?

There’s virtually no chance of the most potent Land Cruiser ever coming to the United States. The previous J200 Land Cruiser struggled to sell here, as buyers with over $80,000 to spend preferred luxury models like the Lexus LX, which itself has been hybridized recently. That’s why Toyota chose to bring the smaller J250 to the U.S. market.

The J300 will continue to be sold in markets like Africa, East Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and the Pacific. In many of these regions, the more rugged Land Cruiser is preferred over unnecessarily opulent luxury SUVs; roads are often in a poorer condition, so a proper large SUV that can handle these conditions becomes a need, not just a want.

Related: America’s Toyota Land Cruiser Won’t Get the Gazoo Racing Treatment Yet

Add It To The Forbidden Fruit Bowl

The new Land Cruiser Performance Hybrid joins a lengthy list of cars not sold in America. While many of these decisions appear to be head-scratchers to enthusiasts, it typically comes down to demand: If Americans aren't buying it, automakers won't sell it.

The big Land Cruiser aside, we see the same happening in multiple segments. Kia just launched a sweet K4 Sportswagon with a manual, but Americans seem to have an aversion to manuals andwagons, so it will never be sold here. The regular (non-GTI/R) VW Golf is gone, joining a pile of cool hatchbacks that gradually fell out of favor here. Add the Sportback version of Audi's RS3 to that list. Finally, what about Suzuki's Jimny? The utilitarian 4x4 is a hit elsewhere, but its small size and lack of power will make most Americans wince.

Unless U.S. tastes suddenly change, these are just a few of the cars we'll have to admire from afar.

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