Toyota LandCruiser, Lexus LX hybrids a step closer to showrooms

Hybrid power is one step closer to the Lexus LX luxury four-wheel-drive – and its Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series twin – if a new trademark lodgement is a guide.

Spotted by members of the 4th Gen Toyota Tacoma forum, Toyota has filed a trademark for ‘LX700h’ in Canada – understood to be applied to a hybrid version of the latest Lexus LX.

It is not clear from the trademark alone if it would be a petrol or diesel hybrid, but the ‘700’ badge indicates it will be more powerful than the 305kW/650Nm 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 used in the current Lexus LX600, and overseas versions of the LandCruiser 300 Series.

Although plans for a Lexus LX hybrid do not confirm a Toyota LandCruiser Hybrid will follow, there are significant synergies between the two models – and they have shared their engine options since the first Lexus LX launched in 1995.

Toyota has previously said every model in its range – likely excluding Gazoo Racing performance cars – will be available with some form of hybrid or electric power by the end of this decade.

The most likely candidate for the Lexus LX750h hybrid is the package used in the Toyota Tundra Hybrid pick-up sold in the US, combining a version of the LX’s 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor for combined outputs of 326kW and 790Nm.

The modest outputs from the electric motor (36kW/250Nm) mean the Tundra Hybrid only reduces fuel consumption in mixed driving by about five per cent – or 10 per cent in the city – compared to a standard petrol version.

Toyota hybrid technology in its small cars and family SUVs can slash fuel use by about 50 per cent. It remains to be seen if the Tundra’s hybrid system is tuned differently for the Lexus LX and Toyota LandCruiser.

Reports out of Japan in 2021 claimed the Lexus LX would instead wear the LX750h badge, combining the twin-turbo petrol V6 and electric motor for outputs of 358kW and 871Nm.

If the LX700h trademark is indicative of an upcoming vehicle – rather than just a move to protect the badge for possible future use – the Lexus LX and Toyota LandCruiser hybrids may be timed to coincide with an upcoming facelift or model update.

In Australia, Toyota has aimed for 50 per cent of its sales by 2026 to be hybrid or electric – up from 31.5 per cent today.

As the HiLux ute, HiAce van, Coaster bus, and Fortuner, LandCruiser 70 Series, Prado and 300 Series 4WDs currently account for about 55 per cent of Toyota sales in Australia, it is likely at least one of these models would adopt hybrid technology by the deadline.

Drive has previously reported on top-secret plans for a hybrid version of the Toyota HiLux ute by 2025 – but the system will not be as substantial as other Toyota hybrid cars, which can cut fuel use in half.