Toyota's Most Rugged Off-Roader May Soon Feature a Charging Port | Carscoops

      A battery-electric Land Cruiser 300 may be in the works, potentially introducing its first experience of zero-emission driving capabilities.

      

       16 hours ago

      

       by Thanos Pappas

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      The premier Land Cruiser could soon feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain option.

      A plug-in hybrid enhances both power and range but may require some compromises in packaging.

      Currently, the Land Cruiser 300 is available with gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrains.

      The Land Cruiser has traditionally been associated with tough, reliable performance, but Toyota is now integrating electrification into its most established off-road vehicle. Following the introduction of a hybrid variant of the Land Cruiser 300 in the Middle East, a recent report from Japan suggests that this might just be the start.

      Speculation indicates that a plug-in hybrid could soon become part of the lineup, providing the SUV with true zero-emission capability for short distances.

      Launched in 2021 on the TNGA-F platform, the Land Cruiser 300 was initially offered with two V6 engines: a twin-turbo 3.5-liter gasoline motor and a 3.3-liter turbodiesel engine. In 2025, Toyota introduced a new self-charging hybrid version featuring a single electric motor, yielding a combined output of 457 hp (341 kW / 464 PS), making it the most powerful full-size Land Cruiser to date.

      Moreover, as of September 2025, Toyota has halted orders for the gasoline variant of the Land Cruiser in its domestic market and is reportedly limiting the availability of diesel models. Japanese publication Creative Trend has reported rumors of another powertrain being added to the local lineup.

      The most likely addition is the regular hybrid that has already been confirmed for broader markets beyond the Middle East, although there are speculations about a more ambitious plug-in hybrid system.

      Plug-In Potential

      The inaugural Land Cruiser PHEV could pair the 3.5-liter V6 with a more powerful electric motor, improving performance on both paved roads and off-road conditions. A larger battery pack would enable owners to manage daily tasks or urban commutes without using any gasoline, while the combustion engine would maintain the SUV's capabilities in remote locations with limited charging infrastructure.

      However, these advantages come with trade-offs. Additional components could increase weight and reduce space in the cabin or cargo area. Consequently, the PHEV may be limited to a five-seat configuration with less luggage capacity compared to its non-electrified counterparts.

      Furthermore, the fuel tank might be smaller compared to the standard model's 80 liters (21.1 gallons) and the hybrid’s 68 liters (18 gallons). For comparison, the gasoline version of the Toyota Alphard minivan has a fuel tank capacity of 75 liters (19.8 gallons), 60 liters (15.9 gallons) in the HEV, and just 47 liters (12.4 gallons) in the PHEV.

      Wider Family Hybrid Plans

      This is not the first instance of discussions surrounding a plug-in Land Cruiser. Back in 2023, it was reported that Toyota was considering plug-in, fully electric, and hydrogen drivetrains for the slightly smaller Land Cruiser 250 Series, known as the Prado in certain regions. This model, available in the US and other markets, currently offers a mix of gasoline, diesel, and mild-hybrid diesel options, indicating that Toyota has been targeting electrification across the Land Cruiser range for quite some time.