Off road

The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series Hybrid has been confirmed for Australia, with a 2026 launch locked in.Details revealed on United Arab Emirates spec vehicles, show the fitment of hybrid tech to the model's twin-turbo petrol V6 engine would make it one of the most powerful vehicles in Australia, with total system output a sizeable 340kW and 790Nm.Those numbers far outshine the outputs on offer from Australia's diesel LandCruiser, with its 3.3L twin-turbo V6 producing 227kW and 700Nm.According to Toyota in the UAE, the new model boasts "powerful performance, legendary capability, and reimagined efficiency to conquer what’s next."That engine remains paired with a 10-speed automatic, with Toyota in the UAE promising fuel use of 10.9L/100km. In the UAE, the LandCruiser Hybrid is offered both as a regular VXR model, but also as a GR Sport."For generations, the LandCruiser has mastered every terrain. Now, the legend has evolved to lead a new era," the brand said in a statement."Introducing the New Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid - boasting powerful performance, legendary capability, and reimagined efficiency to conquer what’s next."Under the hood, a 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid Engine delivers 457 horsepower and 790 Nm of torque. Inside, a cabin crafted for comfort and control surrounds you with advanced technology and refined detail."Toyota has also moved to quell fears that electrification will impact capability, saying in a statement:"The LandCruiser HEV’s hybrid system has been designed with true off-road reliability in mind. Even in the unlikely event of hybrid unit failure, the vehicle can continue operating solely on the combustion engine, ensuring peace of mind in remote areas. The hybrid battery area has been specially waterproofed to maintain the LandCruiser’s famed fording ability, allowing it to tackle rivers and water obstacles with confidence. Additionally, the vehicle also offers a third-row seat and cargo layout specifically optimised for the addition of the HEV system, ensuring no compromise in versatility or interior space."A hybrid LandCruiser has been of part of Toyota Australia's strategy to electrify its model lineup by 2030."There are no plans to announce today, but we have a goal and that is to reduce our carbon footprint by 90 per cent on 2010 levels. So, to achieve those types of results globally, we have to play a role, and of course at some point over the next decade all our models, well maybe not all, but the majority will have some form of electrification," Toyota Australia's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley, told CarsGuide previously.But the company executive has long-vowed that capability and dependability will remain at the core of the LandCruiser story, no matter what is powering it.“What I would say to our loyal LandCruiser owners is one thing they can be sure of whatever we do with LandCruiser in the future is we will make sure that car is every bit as capable and lives up to the legend that is LandCruiser in the future regardless of powertrain,” he said.“We will move as we have to move, but we will never bring a LandCruiser to market that is not capable of doing the things that people want it to do – because LandCruiser is an icon. One thing we’ve learnt is don’t mess with the LandCruiser.”

A mini 4WD revolution is underway with a wave of cut-price, cute and capable off-roaders in the works.

Jaguar has just confirmed its launching a special, final edition of the fire-breathing F-Pace SVR exclusively for Australia.

Mahindra has finally confirmed that the Jeep Wrangler-style body-on-frame Thar as we know it will not be imported to Australia.

Chery has detailed its first ‘global’ ute offering, the Rely 08 in China which seems destined for export markets like Australia.

Ford Australia has just launched the highly anticipated Ranger plug-in hybrid, with the Blue oval soon to boast two plug-in hybrid models in its commercial vehicle range.

I've recently had the battery in my 2014 Mazda BT-50 GT replaced due to it dying. The last time I got my car jumped from roadside assistance. After the car had been jump-started, the transmission light came on and none of my gears were working. I turned my car off and back on and then my transmission started working again. It’s happened today again, the first time driving it since I replaced my battery. Is it an electrical thing or most likely my transmission?

I have gear shift issues with first, second and fifth gear, all of which are loose in my 2023 JMC Vigus Pro.

The right hand indicator in my 2008 Ranger PJ stays on. Not only the in dashboard but also all three external indicators. They even remain on with the ignition turned off. Any clues as to the problem?

Although it was only introduced locally in 2024, GWM’s Tank 500 SUV has been on sale in China since 2022 and it has now been spied in an updated form.