Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series Sahara ZX 2022 Review

LandCruiser Sahara ZX – Sahara has always been the name given to the top model in the LandCruiser range, but now there is one better the Sahara ZX.

 Aimed more at luxury transport with prodigious 4WD ability rather than more focused like the GR Sport.

I spent two weeks in the ZX Sahara and travelled some distance and I have to say it was simply easy to drive and I arrived feeling quite relaxed. I did two stints, Sydney to Albury and back and Sydney to Grafton and back.

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Big powerful V6 Diesel engine and 10 speed transmission makes for lazy highway cruising. Simply press the cruise control, settle in and away you go. The adaptive variable suspension soaked up pretty much everything the road threw at us.

On the way back from Albury it deluged rain all the way and the Sahara handled it with ease.

Heated seats and steering wheel on, permanent 4WD and excellent headlights all made the trip comfortable.

The Sahara ZX has the additional bling, such as illuminated side steps, front door scuff plates and 20 inch alloy wheels with massive 265/55R20 Bridgestone tyres.

Priced from a little under $139,000 plus the usual costs its expensive but I know quite a few people that have already ordered these sight unseen.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

Also Look At

• Nissan Patrol
• Land Rover Defender D300 SE
• Land Rover Discovery
• Toyota LandCruiser Prado

Some other LandCruiser Articles

• 1 – GR Sport Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series 2022 Review
• 2 – Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series first drive at launch
• 3 – Nissan Patrol TI-L vs Toyota LandCruiser 300 GX 2022 Motoring Minute Review
• 4 – Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series launched
• 5 – Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series Model details
• 6 – Toyota LandCruiser Sahara 4WD 2021 Radio Review
• 7 – Toyota LandCruiser Sahara trip to the Snow
• 8 – Toyota LandCruiser Sahara 2020 Video Review

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

*Towing and AWD Capability is compared to other similar vehicles in the same class.

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LandCruiser 300 Series SAHARA ZX – additional features over SAHARA

Find a complete model walk here

Mechanical

• Rear Torsen limited-slip differential
• Adaptive variable suspension
• 5-mode drive mode select

Exterior

• Unique 20-inch alloy wheels with 265/55R20 Bridgestonetyres
• Specific front & rear lower bumper design & wheelarch mouldings
• Different side step design
• Illuminated side step
• Unique rear mudguards
• Front door scuff plate ornamentation

Interior

• Unique ‘Advanced Carbon’ steering wheel, centre console & door trim
• Five seats

Safety

• Adaptive high beam system

Comfort and convenience

• Power rear hatch with kick sensor
• 1 Front USB-A port (for USB audio connection) & 3 USB-C ports (1x front row, 2x 2^ndrow)

More LandCruiser 300 Series SAHARA ZX thoughts

Exterior

The Sahara ZX has a big, bold appearance with large front grill and bonnet bulges. Its all chrome highlights along external mirrors, and window lines.

Large wheel arch bulges cover the 20-inch alloy wheels with 265/55R20 Bridgestone tyres. Roof rails and rear wind deflector complete the picture.

Interior

In a word comfortable

Front seats are like lounge chairs with multiple electronic adjustments. Both heated and cooled they are great for long distance driving.

The whole driver ergonomics are reasonable good. A thick rimmed leather steering wheel frames the instrument binnacle and is comfortable in the hands. Plenty of the expected controls on the central spokes and the control stalks are visible over them which is good.

There are a multitude of controls on the lower dash area in front of the driver. The problem is that they aren’t visible easily for the driver without taking eyes off the road.

Large central storage bin with multiple openings, twin cup holders and a charging tray all speak to a practical layout.

Along with the rear seat screens there is an optical drive in the central stack. Old school but in truth probably not necessary.

The central stack/screen area is where the most noticeable difference is in the new 300 series. Well laid out and reasonably intuitive it’s a major improvement over the 200 series. However I just can’t help the feeling that it will date quickly

Rear seats are spacious and well catered for with heating/AC for outer seats, USB ports, HDMI and 12V inputs as well as volume controls for the entertainment screens.

Speaking of them I would imagine that a slide out holder for an iPad etc. would be more appropriate these days as almost all kids, certainly from a family that can afford this vehicle, would have individual tablets and want to watch their individual entertainment.

Boot lid opens wide (in some ways I miss the split tailgate) and having only five seats means a cavernous boot area.

Engine and Drivetrain

Much has been spoken about the demise of the V8 diesel engine. However the new V6 diesel is more powerful, more responsive and more economical. Only time will tell if it is more reliable and robust.

3.3L V6 Cyl Twin Turbo diesel produces power of 227kW @ 4,000rpm and torque of 700Nm @ 1,600-2,600rpm running through a permanent 4WD system with dual range and a ten speed automatic transmission.

It all works particularly well together. There are no complaints from me. The engine does feel a little peaky surprisingly, especially when driven side by side with the Land Rover D300 SE.

Driver aids include a Lockable centre differential and a three-mode drive mode select function. All the controls for the 4WD system are within easy reach of the driver and intuitive to use.

Driving experience

As mentioned I drove some distance in the week I had the Sahara ZX and it afforded me the opportunity to really feel what it’s like to drive in many different circumstances.

As a highway cruiser it’s relaxed and comfortable. Apart from a little wind noise from the external mirrors it’s very quiet and smooth on the freeway. Cruise control works a treat.

Around town in comfort it wallows a little, especially on windy roads. Sport mode fixes that.

On the beach or dirt roads it’s a breeze. I took it on the sand but given the fact that it was howling wind and rain I dint get photos.

Dynamically the 300 series is much improved over the 200 series. The Sahara isn’t as good as the GR Sport, but it’s bought for a different purpose. Both are behind the Land Rover Defender though.

Towing is effortless.

Sahara ZX Final Thoughts

I believe that most buyers of this vehicle buy it for the size and comfort and luxury.

They will drive around the suburbs every day, take weekends away with the kids and snow trips and occasionally tow or head onto the beach. Long family driving holidays will be easy.

For these buyers there isn’t much better to buy.