Volkswagen California vs Toyota LandCruiser 300
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Volkswagen California
From $93,790
Camper Van
Diesel
2.0L TDI turbo-diesel
110kW
6.6 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Toyota LandCruiser 300
From $97,990
SUV
Diesel
Diesel Twin-Turbo V6
227kW
8.9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
700L
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Price Breakdown
The Volkswagen California starts from $93,790 before on-road costs, while the Toyota LandCruiser 300 opens at $97,990. That makes the Volkswagen California the more affordable entry point by $4,200.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $103,169 and $107,789 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Volkswagen California by roughly $3,280 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen California uses a 2.0L TDI turbo-diesel producing 110kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed dsg dual-clutch to a FWD layout.
The Toyota LandCruiser 300 responds with a Diesel Twin-Turbo V6 making 227kW and 700Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds.
The Toyota LandCruiser 300 has the clear power advantage at 227kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen California measures 4,904mm long on a 3,000mm wheelbase, 76mm shorter than the Toyota LandCruiser 300 at 4,980mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen California generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.8m diameter
Average
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,881/year for the Volkswagen California and $2,537/year for the Toyota LandCruiser 300. That is a $656 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen California.
Estimated annual total: $1,881 (Volkswagen California) vs $2,537 (Toyota LandCruiser 300). The Volkswagen California saves you roughly $656 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years (Volkswagen California) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota LandCruiser 300). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen California if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota LandCruiser 300 if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Volkswagen California and Toyota LandCruiser 300 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Volkswagen California will save you roughly $656 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Volkswagen California and Toyota LandCruiser 300?
The Volkswagen California is the cheapest at $93,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota LandCruiser 300 by $4,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen California uses the least fuel at 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Toyota LandCruiser 300 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota LandCruiser 300 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota LandCruiser 300 makes the most power at 227kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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