2025 Land Cruiser 300 GR-S vs 80 Series Comparo | New Boss vs Old Guard, Which is the Best? | autoX

The Land Cruiser has legendary off-road credentials — but which one wears the crown today? Shivank takes the latest LC300 GR-S to our favourite Off-Road Adventure Zone (ORAZ), Gurugram, and pits it against the 80 Series from the ’90s — a model many call the greatest Land Cruiser ever.

LC300 GR-S highlights

• 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel: 304bhp, 700Nm, 10-speed auto, full-time 4WD
• e-KDSS suspension (locks anti-roll bars on-road; disconnects off-road for articulation)
• Centre/front/rear diff locks, Multi-Terrain Select (Mud/Sand/Rock/Snow), Crawl Control
• Plush, tech-laden cabin: 12.3-inch touchscreen (wireless CarPlay/Android Auto), JBL audio, rear entertainment, four-zone climate control
• GR-S hardware intent: unpainted bumpers, chunky cladding, 18-inch wheels (vs 20-inch on standard LC300)

80 Series (1995 HDJ81) highlights

• 4.2-litre turbo-diesel: 164bhp, 361Nm, manual, full-time 4WD with lockable centre differential
• Solid axles front & rear; coil springs; analogue, old-school and mechanical
• Subtle mods on our car: Bilstein B6 shocks, OME steering damper, aftermarket head-unit with Apple CarPlay