Toyota’s all-new Prado has embraced its LandCruiser heritage. And added some Land Rover design muscle. As it steps up its off-road credentials for its blast towards a lower emissions future.
Describing it as “back to the origin and essence of LandCruiser”, Toyota says the new Prado that arrives in 2024 is “returning to the origin of the LandCruiser”.
No doubt some who think the LandCruiser veered too far upmarket will be stoked to hear of the back-to-basics approach.
Replacing the 150-Series, the new Prado has a model code of 250-Series. It will be a very different beast to any Prado before it.
The latest fourth-generation Prado channels elements of the iconic FJ40, 60-Series, 70-Series and 80-Series LandCruisers. While adding modern tech and trinkets and the boldest design ever unleashed on Toyota’s family-focused off-roader.
It will also be the first Prado available with electric assistance as part of a shift towards more fuel-efficient drivetrains. All while retaining the legendary off-road ability that forms the backbone of Toyota’s ‘baby LandCruiser’.
LandCruiser DNA, Lexus thinking
Of course, the new Prado 250-Series shares its basic ladder frame architecture and rugged shape with the recently-revealed Lexus GX. A car that is confirmed to come to Australia in 2024 – but there is a stronger emphasis on design than the models before it.
The frame that underpins it is a version of the GA-F architecture under the LandCruiser 300-Series.
That’s serious hardware and means the Prado 250-Series gets the same 2850mm wheelbase of the Lexus GX and 300-Series.
At 4920mm long, 1988mm wide and 1860mm tall it’s nor far of the dimensions of a 300-Series (4980mm/1980mm/1950mm).
Smart yet rugged
Indeed, the new Prado has done a massive U-turn on design.
Instead of a generic Toyota look the company has dug deep on the retro touches and housed them in a far squarer stance that ramps up the boldness.
It’s a seriously good-looking rig and one that seems to channel some Defender and G-Wagen thinking in its boxy corners and bold features.
No doubt the aftermarket will appreciate the canvas they can build from.
There are two distinct front-end looks with the new Prado. One channels the FJ62 and 80-Series with its multi-element rectangular headlights. The other has hints of the 70-Series with circular LED headlights.
In either guise the new Prado is available with a white roof, channelling the popular FJ40 and newer FJ Cruiser that remains hugely popular as a used car.
There’s also no hiding the similarities with the Lexus GX with which the Prado shares many components.
Everything old…
There’s more LandCruiser in the new Prado than ever before. So much so that in America it will simply be called the LandCruiser 250-Series, a decision no doubt made easier because the 300-Series is currently not sold in the US.
That LandCruiser love is no doubt in part courtesy of a marketing department keen to leverage the 4WD might of the LandCruiser name.
But there’s also substance.
The design of the new Prado shares elements some of the most iconic LandCruisers ever created and for the first time in a Prado the Toyota name is spelled out across the grille.
Toyota Prado gets a hybrid, but very (very) mild
In Australia there will only be one engine offered initially in the new Prado.
The all-new Toyota Prado gets the same 48-Volt electric assistance system soon set to arrive in the upcoming Hilux SR5 and Rogue dual-cab models.
It utilises the now-familiar 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel but adds a 48V electrical system that can assist the engine to provide more grunt at lower revs.
The 1GD-FTV engine – which Toyota goes out of its way not to refer to as a mild hybrid – makes the same 150kW and 500Nm peaks of the same engine without the 48V system.
But it’s claimed to bring circa-10-per-cent reductions in fuel consumption and “enhanced on- and off-road performance”.
More potent hybrid engines, but not for Australia
Toyota has confirmed the LandCruiser 250-Series will be available with a range of other engines for overseas markets, but none will initially be offered in Australia.
They include a 207kW/430Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine and a hybrid version of the same engine, the latter upping outputs to 243kW and 630Nm.
The regular 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel that has been offered in the Hilux, Fortuner and Prado for years will also be offered in other markets.
Plus the 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine offered in the Hilux will also be available overseas.
Fuelling up
It’s unclear whether the Prado will still be available with a dual fuel tank setup that for many people has made it the weapon of choice for remote driving, adventuring and towing.
All images released so far have the spare wheel mounted underneath and a more traditional tailgate that raises up instead of swinging out.
That goes against the three previous generation Prados, which have had swing-out tailgates and the spare mounted on the tailgate to allow for an extra fuel tank underneath.
We’ll have to wait to see whether the new Prado will match the circa-1500km cruising potential of the outgoing model or whether that talent will rely on a larger aftermarket tank.
Either way, expect fuel economy improvements from the 7.9 litres per 100km claim of today’s car.
The addition of the 28V system will help there. Plus there are extra measures; Toyota has even ditched hydraulic power steering for an electric system.
Better off-road
Of course, we’re yet to test it. But Toyota is promising big things off-road with the new Prado.
Toyota says the new Prado has better wheel articulation. And it will be available with a “stabiliser bar control system. This allows the front stabiliser bar to be disconnected for excellent wheel articulation”.
The multi-terrain select system that adjusts parameters such as throttle response and traction control has also been improved.
Images of the interior also show it still has a proper low-range transfer case. It’s now selected by a toggle switch behind the gear selector. And will be available with a rear and centre locking differential for added traction.
More tech for new Prado
Inside, the new Prado gets a digital instrument cluster and a sizeable central infotainment screen integrated into the fascia.
There are also plenty of traditional buttons to make adjusting temperature and air flow easier.
And whereas the 300-Series shifted to buttons to adjust the audio volume, we’re cheering that the Prado has retained an easier-to-use dial.
Tell ’em the price
One big question with the Prado is how much it will cost.
It’s all but guaranteed to be a fair bit more than the car that is on sale today. Which is priced from $62,830 to $87,468 before on-road costs.
Toyota prices have been heading up over the past few years. The arrival of new or updated models has typically supercharged that.
The LandCruiser 300-Series was proof of that. In the upgrade from the 200-Series prices jumped by 10-11 per cent. Plus Toyota added two more models to the top of the range.
So we wouldn’t be expecting much change from $70,000 from the entry-level Prado. And it’s a fair bet one will surge into six figures. Especially in GR Sport guise (Toyota hasn’t said anything yet, but it’s pretty obvious there will be one).
