New Toyota Land Cruiser gets mild hybrid tech – and an £80k price tag
From the end of the year, the Toyota Land Cruiser will only be available with mild hybrid power...
On sale March 2026 Price from £80,740
The newest Toyota Land Cruiser is a hybrid in more ways than one: not only does it benefit from a diesel engine with mild hybrid power, but it also blends the two very different worlds of modern tech and the rugged outdoors.
Indeed, all Land Cruiser models will adopt Toyota’s mild hybrid system, combining its existing 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with a small electric motor and battery. When fully charged, the battery can send up to 12kW through the generator to give an extra boost to the car’s power. According to Toyota, the electric motor can recuperate energy under deceleration to help charge the battery.
It’s the same system that’s available with the Toyota Hilux pick-up, with a start-stop function that pauses the engine for longer periods. However, while that mild hybrid power should theoretically help bring your fuel bills down, it does the opposite on the Hilux. In fact, the mild hybrid Hilux is officially just less than 2mpg less efficient than its non-electrified equivalent. It’s an issue that likely pertains to the fuel-guzzling eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Still, despite its brand new electric power, Toyota affirms that the Land Cruiser is just as capable off-road as it was before. That is to say, it should still tackle the great outdoors with ease and haul itself through anything you might throw at it. That includes wading through water up to 700mm deep.
The Ineos Grenadier and Land Rover Defender are the Land Cruiser’s closest rivals in terms of their rugged ability. But while the latter offers a more luxurious experience and mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid engine options, the former is agricultural and doesn’t offer any kind of hybrid assistance.
As well as its off-roading prowess, the mild hybrid Land Cruiser will get everything the current model gets inside, which includes a fantastic driving position and an infotainment system made up of two 12.3in touchscreens (one for the driver’s display and one for infotainment functions), with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard.
Instead of the previous seven seats, there's now room for just five inside.
The Land Cruiser’s 20in alloy wheels also come equipped with Dunlop or Yokohama all-terrain tyres at no extra cost.
Just one trim level will be available: Invincible. It includes roof rails, a panoramic roof, leather upholstery inside, a head-up display and a 14-speaker sound system.
Also joining the lineup will be the Land Cruiser Commercial – essentially a version of the Land Cruiser with no rear seats, to turn it into a car-based van. That model will initially launch with a non-electrified engine, but it will later be available with mild hybrid power.
The mild hybrid Toyota Land Cruiser will arrive in showrooms next March. Prices start at around £80,740, which is more expensive than most versions of the Ineos Grenadier and Land Rover Defender.
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