Toyota details LandCruiser Prado for Oz

AFTER a run of 15 years for the current generation LandCruiser Prado, Toyota has announced the mid-year arrival of the new, gen’ five model replacing by far the most popular vehicle in the Large SUV segment with in excess of 20,000 sales last year.

That figure was down a tad on the previous year probably due to buyers waiting for the new Prado to arrive.

The nearest competitors by volume (and price) are the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, and Subaru Outback.

The current four model Prado line up, manufactured in Japan, is priced from $62,830 up to $87,468 all excluding on-road costs.

No price details are available for the new Prado line up which not only features rugged retro styling similar in some ways to the Toyota FJ Cruiser but also has a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain range-wide and offers a new off road focused variant.

Toyota says the new Prado continues a “rugged capability worthy of the LandCruiser name, with major improvements to driveability, technology and design.”

Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley said the all-new LandCruiser Prado will continue to resonate with Australian families and adventurers.

“Over decades the Prado has become a favourite for Australians in need of an SUV able to transport the whole family during the week and go off the beaten path on the weekend, all with signature Toyota reliability,” he said.

“The new-generation Prado will continue the legacy forged by its predecessors when it arrives here later this year, with the addition of 48-volt technology and the new Altitude grade making it more appealing than ever.”

For 2024, the new Prado will be available in familiar GX, GXL, VX and flagship Kakadu grades adding a new high-end Altitude variant aimed at adventure-focused customers looking to take their Prado further off-road.

Starting with the entry level five-seat GX grade, it is defined externally by 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels, an upper grille with ‘TOYOTA’ lettering, LED headlights and daytime running lights, retractable body-coloured exterior mirrors, darkened front and rear bumpers, side sills and wheel arches and a manual tailgate with glass hatch.

Inside, we find fabric seats with six-way manual driver adjustment, a 7.0-inch colour MID display, automatic dual-zone climate control, all-weather rubber floor mats and a 220V power outlet in the rear.

Multimedia to all variants is through a 12.3-inch multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, native sat nav with cloud function, DAB+ digital radio, Toyota Connected Services and on GX, a 10-speaker audio system.

A full suite of Toyota Safety Sense active safety technologies is available across the Prado range, including pre-collision safety system, adaptive cruise control, lane trace assist, blind spot monitor and rear parking support brake, as well as other welcome safety features including front and rear parking sensors, a panoramic view monitor, nine airbags, trailer sway control and a pre-wiring harness for the tow hitch.

Standard driving assistance (ADAS) technologies on all variants include vehicle stability control with active traction control, downhill assist control and crawl control with five selectable speed settings.

Next up the grade walk, the GXL adds roof rails, rear privacy glass, silver front and rear bumper trim and a powered tailgate and inside, a third row of seats for seven-seat capacity, with synthetic leather-accented upholstery and 50:50 split fold seat back for the third row.

Front seats in Prado GXL offer heating and ventilation with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, genuine leather-accented steering wheel and shift knob and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

Improved convenience features include rear climate control, a wireless charging pad and two additional USB-C charging ports for a total of six throughout the cabin.

Next cab off the Prado rank is the luxuriously specified VX identified by its 20-inch premium dark metallic alloy wheels, body-coloured front and rear bumpers, over-fender moulding and rear-guard trim, and bi-LED headlamps with dynamic auto-levelling and adaptive high-beam technology.

On the inside, Toyota says the VX provides greater amenity for customers with leather-accented seats with driver seat power lumbar support and memory, four-way front passenger power adjustment, power-adjustable steering wheel, carpet floor mats, a refrigerated console box and tyre pressure monitor.

A full 12.3-inch colour MID display has been added along with a premium 14-speaker JBL audio system, while additional driving assistance for both on and off-road includes Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and five-mode Drive Mode Select, Multi-Terrain Select, and in a first for Toyota, the Multi-Terrain Monitor system which provides a comprehensive view of the vehicle’s underfloor and surrounds when off-roading.

The new Altitude grade slots in between the VX and Kakadu and “makes full use of the LandCruiser Prado’s excellent fundamental off-road capability, introducing a number of exclusive features designed to tackle the toughest terrain the country has to offer,“ says Toyota.

It provides enhanced capability with 18-inch matte grey alloy wheels fitted with Toyo Open Country all-terrain tyres, a rear locking differential and a new stabiliser disconnect mechanism (replacing AVS) which provides an extra 10 per cent of wheel articulation to help maximise traction on uneven surfaces.

The LandCruiser Prado Altitude also sports a tougher exterior look to match its intent with black door handles and tailgate garnish, black over-fender moulding, a moon roof and the option of two-tone colourways.

But it will be available only in five-seat configuration building on VX specification adding a digital rear view mirror, heated steering wheel and head-up display.

Sitting atop the new Prado range is the seven-seat Kakadu which also adds features over the VX including a panoramic moon roof, illuminated side steps, heated and ventilated rear seats, heated steering wheel, adjustable driver’s seat thigh support, digital rear view mirror, head-up display and a rear torque-sensing limited-slip differential to enhance handling when cornering.

Power for all models comes from a 150kW/ 500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder powertrain with 48-volt technology paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Hilux gets something similar in the same arrival timeframe as Prado.

As expected, Prado has full-time all-wheel drive range wide with a lockable torque-sensing Torsen centre differential and low-range gearing along with a 3500kg braked towing capacity also across the line up.

It will be available with a choice of eight exterior colours including the new Altitude-exclusive Tanami Taupe and Ningaloo Blue, optionally available with a white roof.

GoAuto will keep you posted as to further Prado details as they become available.