Toyota has had some of the longest waiting times in the industry as it has grappled with COVID-19-related shortages and semiconductor chip supply issues, and the LandCruiser 300 Series hasn’t been immune from this.
The good news? Average national wait times for the flagship SUV have come down.
The bad news? They’re still at around nine months.
So, what do you do if you want to get a new, full-sized SUV? Perhaps you go to a Nissan showroom and look at the LandCruiser’s arch rival, the V8-powered Patrol.
Wait times are shorter, but our data shows that on average you’re still looking at a 3-6 month wait to take delivery of a new Patrol.
What are some alternatives if you want something sooner, or if you’ve decided a LandCruiser or Patrol simply isn’t your cup of tea?
Anthony Crawford: Range Rover Sport
Right then (in a very sturdy Yorkshire accent), I’m going to go quite bonkers as some go you might think, and suggest the far more comfortable Range Rover Sport.
Some might think in jest, but believe you me, I’ve driven across flowing rivers (The Tweed on the Scottish Border Lands), and up almost-vertical river banks made entirely of mud in the previous Sport with complete and utter confidence. It’s astonishing just how capable this luxury SUV is – and it does it all so effortlessly. That’s what blows you away more than its off-road abilities.
Moreover, the Sport can tow up to 3500kg, with 350kg max tow-ball weight.
I’d also look at the top-spec Ineos Fieldmaster ($109,525). It looks tough, can pretty much go anywhere and is a lot less expensive considering its off-road focus and 3.0-litre turbo-diesel donk.
MORE: Buy a Range Rover Sport
Scott Collie: Land Rover Defender
The Toyota LandCruiser 300 is immensely capable, but it’s a bit… boring.
That’s not an accusation you could ever level at the Land Rover Defender. It’s excellent to look at, has a thoroughly modern interior, and is brilliant to drive on or off the road.
As we discovered during our 4WD Mega Test earlier this year, it’s also able to do pretty much everything well. It excelled in our towing test, was a weapon off road, and proved surprisingly fast in a straight line during our drag race.
Although the supercharged V8 is tempting, realistically the diesel inline-six is all the car you’d ever need.
MORE: Buy a Land Rover Defender
James Wong: Land Rover Discovery
The LandCruiser 300 is an icon and worthy of endless praise, but there are some great alternatives out there for similar or less money depending on the variant you choose.
Given the 300 Series is as much focused on comfort and luxury as it is on go-anywhere 4×4 ability, the Land Rover Discovery is my pick.
Like the LandCruiser, the Discovery name is synonymous with adventurous capability and luxurious comfort. Furthermore, the Disco has long offered better seating for seven than the 300 Series (or its predecessors) could dream of.
It’s easier to drive in town, offers better performance and efficiency, can tow 3.5 tonnes, and offers a heap of Land Rover’s well-honed 4×4 tech and features to get you where you want to go.
Perceived reliability niggles aside, the Discovery 5 is a left-field choice that arguably deserves to do better in 2023-24.
MORE: Buy a Land Rover Discovery
Jack Quick: Lexus LX
Depending on which version of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series you’re looking at and if you’re not willing to wait for one, I’d argue your next best port of call should be the Lexus LX.
The Lexus is essentially a revised version of the LandCruiser 300 which is wrapped up in a more luxurious package inside and out.
Sure the entry-level Lexus LX 500d currently starts at just a bit over $150,000 before on-road costs, but this is a hop skip and a jump from the flagship LandCruiser Sahara ZX which currently starts at $143,101 before on-roads.
Despite the luxe looks, the LX is offered with the same 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel as the LandCruiser 300 Series which produces a healthy 227kW of power and 700Nm of torque.
A 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with 305kW and 650Nm is also available if diesel isn’t your shtick.
There’s no denying the Lexus LX’s capability because it has up to seven seats and has a 3500kg braked towing capacity.
MORE: Buy a Lexus LX
William Stopford: Land Rover Discovery
My first thought was a Ford Everest, as like the LandCruiser 300 Series it packs a turbo-diesel V6, 3500kg braked towing capacity, and a good level of off-road ability. It’s cheaper, too, though it has less power and torque and a less appealing interior.
But, alas, the Everest is also experiencing a six-month wait according to our data.
If you’re after a LandCruiser, you’re probably after something with some off-road ability and some towing ability. That rules out most crossovers, while the four-cylinder body-on-frame SUVs a segment below the LandCruiser just don’t seem special enough.
I have a soft spot for the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, which can be had with low-range gearing and air suspension, but that’s a car in serious need of a price correction. While you’re at it, Jeep, how about a more powerful engine and better towing capacity?
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Not powerful enough: Jeep Grand Cherokee L -
Long wait times: Ford Everest -
Maybe: Land Rover Defender 130
So, what does that leave you with?
It’s no secret Land Rover doesn’t have quite the same vaunted reputation for reliability as Toyota, but its vehicles typically offer an impressive combination of competent on-road dynamics, off-road capability, and some lovely powertrains.
The Discovery and Defender 130 are both a bit goofy-looking in different ways, but offer greater third-row comfort than a LandCruiser. JLR’s ridiculously long option lists also mean you can customise them both to your heart’s content, including specifying equipment to improve their off-road ability. Both can also be had with a lovely turbo-diesel inline-six.
In the end, I’ll give the nod to the underdog Discovery as it’s a little bit more my style.
MORE: Buy a Land Rover Discovery
Jade Credentino: Lexus LX
The Lexus LX shares much with the LandCruiser including its turbo-diesel V6 and 3500kg braked towing capacity and, although it’s more expensive, there are more luxury features inside and out.
My pick would be the diesel-powered LX 500d.
MORE: Buy a Lexus LX
