It began in 1951, when the world was still recovering from war, and Toyota thought: “Why not build something so tough it could outlive cockroaches?” Thus, the Land Cruiser was born—a vehicle so indestructible that even Armageddon would need permission to scratch it.
Fast forward to 2025, and you’re looking at the 10th-generation version of this off-road overlord. Meet the Land Cruiser 300 GR-S, a diesel-powered luxury tank that costs a delightful ₹2.41 crore (ex-showroom), which is also the approximate GDP of a small Pacific island.
Now, don’t confuse this for a mall-crawling, grocery-fetching soft-roader. Oh no. This beast was engineered by Gazoo Racing Sport (GR-S), Toyota’s not-so-subtle way of saying, “Let’s make the already terrifying Land Cruiser… angrier.”
The GR-S is the meaner twin of the ‘regular’ ZX variant (₹2.31 crore), but what you really get here is extreme off-roading kit—longer suspension stroke, electronically locking differentials front and rear, E-KDSS (Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System that sounds more like a James Bond gadget than something under your car), and a Multi-Terrain Monitor that shows you what’s going on under the car, over the rocks, around the tree, and probably inside your soul.
Under that muscular 5-metre long bonnet lies a 3346cc twin-turbo V6 diesel, which churns out 304 horsepower and a freight-train-pulling 700 Nm of torque. It may do just 11 kmpl, but let’s be honest—you didn’t spend ₹2.4 crore to be frugal. You bought this because deep down, you want to cross a river during a thunderstorm just to get milk.
It’s all mounted on Toyota’s TNGA-F body-on-frame platform, which is shared with other no-nonsense vehicles like the Sequoia, Tundra, Prado, and the Lexus LX. And yes, it replaces the legendary V8 with a new-gen V6 diesel—a move that upset purists but thrilled the planet.
Exterior:
The GR-S looks like a military parade in a tuxedo. There’s a black gloss mesh grille with bold ‘TOYOTA’ lettering (because logos are too mainstream), sequential LED headlamps, adaptive high beams, headlamp washers, blacked-out wheel arches, and 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolander tyres that scream “I eat pebbles for breakfast.”
The lower bumper design is new, the fog lamps are LED, and there’s so much chrome delete, it might just trigger Instagram influencers. It’s 20mm shorter in length than the standard Land Cruiser but taller in presence—and yes, it weighs a casual 2620 kg, which is less of a kerb weight and more of a mobile fortress stat.
Interior:
Step inside, and it’s less ‘mud warrior’ and more ‘five-star war bunker’. Black leather upholstery (beige and red optional), power seats with heating and ventilation, two massive 11.6-inch rear entertainment screens, LED reading lights, a JBL 14-speaker sound system, wireless charger, 4-zone automatic climate control, illuminated Land Cruiser scuff plates and… a coolbox in the centre console. Because hydration is important when you’re crawling up the Himalayas.
And oh, let’s not forget the 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a fully digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control to ensure you conquer the highways as easily as the Himalayas. Also, there’s a 220-volt power socket, in case you want to charge your toaster mid-safari.
Off-Road Tech Galore:
If you’re the kind who dreams in incline angles, the Land Cruiser GR-S has more features than a Swiss army knife. Crawl Control with Turn Assist, Multi-Terrain Select with 6 driving modes (eco, comfort, sport, sport+, custom and normal), downhill assist, electronic differential locks, Active Traction Control, and A-TRAC (which sounds like a DJ but actually prevents wheelspin).
Then there’s VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management), which constantly calculates, adjusts and mutters “I got this” while handling sand dunes and snow banks. There’s also a variable gear ratio steering system that’s carbon-look wrapped, just in case the rock you just climbed wasn’t enough to impress your neighbor.
Safety & ADAS:
Toyota didn’t hold back here either. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 brings pre-collision alerts, lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring, and the kind of radar trickery that could land a spaceship. Ten airbags, hill assist, vehicle stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, and a 360-degree camera ensure that even if you try your worst, the Cruiser will do its best.
And should you manage to land yourself in trouble, the Toyota i-Connect app is ready with features like remote AC, vehicle tracking, collision notification, emergency calling, and more. Basically, this thing can survive a warzone and still schedule your next dentist appointment.
Practical Stuff:
It’s a 5-seater (sadly no 7-seat option in India), but what you lose in seats, you gain in luggage space—1131 litres worth. Fold the rear seats and you can fit a small army inside: 2052 litres. There’s a sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and an 80-litre fuel tank for those ‘I just want to disappear’ road trips.
And yes, the Aisin-sourced 10-speed automatic transmission (also used in the Lexus LS and Toyota Tundra) is buttery smooth but built to take a beating. It has a manual mode for when you want to pretend you’re doing something, but honestly, the Land Cruiser knows better.
Final Verdict:
The Land Cruiser GR-S is not just a car. It’s a legacy, a monument, and a mobile declaration of independence. It is for those who believe roads are mere suggestions, and luxury should come with locking differentials.
At ₹2.41 crore, it’s absurd, brilliant, intimidating, and oddly comforting—like being hugged by a rhino in a tuxedo.
You don’t drive a Land Cruiser. You command it.
And if you ever get stuck, well… you probably didn’t deserve to own one anyway.
