I'm spending this week with a new 300 series land cruiser. Since not much is out there, thought I'd compare it with the 200 series I currently own.
In summary: Besides a few major faults, the 300 is better in almost every drive metric.
Longer explanation:
First, I have to say this is not a fair apples to apples comparison, as both vehicles are different trim levels for our market.
The 2020 200 series is considered the full option VX-R trim, with AHC and the 5.7 v8 engine, which was the biggest engine option.
The 2022 300 series is a GX-R trim, powered by the venerable 4.0 v6 1GR-FE (Non turbo version) which is the smaller engine version.
300 series Pros:
First thought in driving the 300, I was pleasantly surprised on how the vehicle picks up and go. Being a 5th gen 4Runner owner, and driving a Prado as a company vehicle (all same engines as the 300) I can only imagine that Toyota has tweaked it in a way to squeeze more midrange somehow. Acceleration was surprisingly good and smooth all they way to highway speeds. The weight savings are showing clearly here, and I'm sure the turbo version would be quite impressive.
Cockpit and buttons layout is nice and surrounds the driver.
Cabin is definitely better isolated than the 200, with less road noise despite both having large 20 inch wheels.
Bumps and road imperfections were absorbed effortlessly and quietly despite this being a normal suspension setup vs the complex, AHC in my 200 series. Although rear shocks seems to be a bit too soft on larger bumps.
Finally the 300 has an entertainment system that feels like a 2018 model vs the 2008 feeling unit from the 200 series. Will not win any awards, but more than adequate for modern use. Android auto and Apple carplay worked great.
New Offroad goodies: 300 now has standard rear locking diff and a revised crawl control with DAC as standard for this lower trim. The 200 series came with only one of either of the two options depending on the model year. My 200 series only has crawl control as standard.
Higher trim 300 series even get a front locking differential option. Good job Toyota!
I did a quick offroad session in the deep sand, and the 300 would really shine here with the weight savings. For dune bashing, I'd stick with the lower trim that doesn't get all the bumper aero bits and has smaller 18 inch wheels though.
300 series Cons:
Main problem: Driver seat knee area width and seat bottom width is HORRIBLE. Also steering wheel adjustment isn't great height wise. Feels much tighter than the 200 series and even feels more cramped than the smaller 150 series Prado I use for work. I'm 200lbs 5' 8 so can't imagine how a bigger guy would feel comfortable driving long distance in this seat space. I drove for an hour today and felt like I needed to stretch my legs from the cramped space.
Still trying to move the seat around to try and get used to it.. not working for me so far.
Smaller fuel tank. Yes I know it's weight savings, but overall range took a hit.
Shaky hood at highway speed. Yes it's only aesthetics, but don't expect to see this when I'm paying for the top dog Toyota.
A/C fan is a tiny bit weaker than the 200, but still very cold.
Although the vehicle is equipped with a GPS unit, there is no navigation map system. Silly step back from the 200 series. Why? No idea..
Overall my first impression is that the new 300 series version is 2 steps forward, one step back.. I still have a few days left with it, so will see if I can adjust better. The tight knee space is a real deal breaker so far for me. I ahd another family member test drive the 300 for a day and they had the exact same comment
In summary: Besides a few major faults, the 300 is better in almost every drive metric.
Longer explanation:
First, I have to say this is not a fair apples to apples comparison, as both vehicles are different trim levels for our market.
The 2020 200 series is considered the full option VX-R trim, with AHC and the 5.7 v8 engine, which was the biggest engine option.
The 2022 300 series is a GX-R trim, powered by the venerable 4.0 v6 1GR-FE (Non turbo version) which is the smaller engine version.
300 series Pros:
First thought in driving the 300, I was pleasantly surprised on how the vehicle picks up and go. Being a 5th gen 4Runner owner, and driving a Prado as a company vehicle (all same engines as the 300) I can only imagine that Toyota has tweaked it in a way to squeeze more midrange somehow. Acceleration was surprisingly good and smooth all they way to highway speeds. The weight savings are showing clearly here, and I'm sure the turbo version would be quite impressive.
Cockpit and buttons layout is nice and surrounds the driver.
Cabin is definitely better isolated than the 200, with less road noise despite both having large 20 inch wheels.
Bumps and road imperfections were absorbed effortlessly and quietly despite this being a normal suspension setup vs the complex, AHC in my 200 series. Although rear shocks seems to be a bit too soft on larger bumps.
Finally the 300 has an entertainment system that feels like a 2018 model vs the 2008 feeling unit from the 200 series. Will not win any awards, but more than adequate for modern use. Android auto and Apple carplay worked great.
New Offroad goodies: 300 now has standard rear locking diff and a revised crawl control with DAC as standard for this lower trim. The 200 series came with only one of either of the two options depending on the model year. My 200 series only has crawl control as standard.
Higher trim 300 series even get a front locking differential option. Good job Toyota!
I did a quick offroad session in the deep sand, and the 300 would really shine here with the weight savings. For dune bashing, I'd stick with the lower trim that doesn't get all the bumper aero bits and has smaller 18 inch wheels though.
300 series Cons:
Main problem: Driver seat knee area width and seat bottom width is HORRIBLE. Also steering wheel adjustment isn't great height wise. Feels much tighter than the 200 series and even feels more cramped than the smaller 150 series Prado I use for work. I'm 200lbs 5' 8 so can't imagine how a bigger guy would feel comfortable driving long distance in this seat space. I drove for an hour today and felt like I needed to stretch my legs from the cramped space.
Still trying to move the seat around to try and get used to it.. not working for me so far.
Smaller fuel tank. Yes I know it's weight savings, but overall range took a hit.
Shaky hood at highway speed. Yes it's only aesthetics, but don't expect to see this when I'm paying for the top dog Toyota.
A/C fan is a tiny bit weaker than the 200, but still very cold.
Although the vehicle is equipped with a GPS unit, there is no navigation map system. Silly step back from the 200 series. Why? No idea..
Overall my first impression is that the new 300 series version is 2 steps forward, one step back.. I still have a few days left with it, so will see if I can adjust better. The tight knee space is a real deal breaker so far for me. I ahd another family member test drive the 300 for a day and they had the exact same comment
