Meet Toyota’s Sexy New Landcruiser Prado at Last

Toyota’s uber-butch off-roading SUVs are transforming themselves into useful, family-oriented luxury country cruisers for the next decade, and Prado is the latest out of the closet.

Landcruiser Prado isn’t just having a “coming out” parade, its blowing the closet doors clean off their hinges. It is gorgeous, and unlike the bigger sister, the Landcruiser 300 series, Prado retains a slightly daintier repose. If like me, you were a huge FJ Cruiser fanboy, you’ll be wetting yourself trying to get into an all-new Prado. FJ Cruiser’s all to short life was based on the outgoing Prado. It gave the rather uninspiring baby Landcruiser a je ne sais quo it otherwise lacked.

If you squint really hard, there is the tiniest bit of FJ Cruiser buried deep in the thought processes behind exterior.

Apart from the sexy Tonka-toy look, the cabin has a traditional-yet-modern feel, and gets all the latest gear, a digital dash, and safety and driver aids.

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ABOVE: 2024 Toyota Landcruiser Prado

Prado shares LandCruiser 300’s TNGA-F platform, which Toyota says is stiffer, and better than ever. Stiff chassis on off-roaders is almost as important as the tough suspension and reliable drivetrain. The 48-volt mild hybrid technology has finally reached the  1GD-FTV 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine. It drives the fancy AWD system through an 8-speed automatic. Where’s the 10-speed from the LC 300?

The road experience over the long term should be easier to live with but there is no hiding the Prado’s desire to go to places where no humans live. Prado is going to be a mum’s taxi, but one that can do the school run, a snow run, a desert run, a mud run, then head to Maccer’s drive-through for a large special.

The mid-2024 arrival will see, “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.”

The Range:

GX, GXL, VX, and the luxury Kakadu. An additional model is called “Altitude”, and will take Prado further off-road.

GX:

• five-seats
• 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels
• upper grille with ‘TOYOTA’ lettering
• LED headlights and daytime running lights
• retractable body-coloured exterior mirrors
• darkened front and rear bumpers, side sills and wheelarches
• manual tailgate with glass hatch
• fabric seats with six-way manual driver adjustment
• 7.0-inch colour MID display
• automatic dual-zone climate control
• all-weather rubber floor mats
• 220V power outlet in the rear
• 12.3-inch multimedia system
• wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• satellite navigation with cloud function
• DAB+ digital radio
• Toyota Connected Services
• 10-speaker audio system

All Prado models get Toyota Safety Sense active safety:

• pre-collision safety system
• adaptive cruise control
• lane trace assist
• blind spot monitor
• rear parking support brake
• front and rear parking sensors
• panoramic view monitor
• nine airbags
• trailer sway control

As well, there is pre-wiring harness for the tow hitch.

Driving assistance includes:

• vehicle stability control
• active traction control
• downhill assist control
• crawl control with five selectable speed settings

GXL adds:

• roof rails
• rear privacy glass
• silver front and rear bumper trim
• powered tailgate.
• third row of seats
• synthetic leather-accented upholstery
• 50:50 split fold third row
• 8-way Power Front driver seat
• Seat heating and ventilation
• leather-accented steering wheel and shift knob
• auto-dimming rearview mirror.
• rear climate control
• wireless charging pad
• two additional USB-C charging ports (total six)

VX adds:

• 20-inch premium dark metallic alloy wheels
• body-coloured front and rear bumpers
• over-fender moulding and rear guard trim
• bi-LED headlamps with dynamic auto-leveling
• adaptive high-beam system
• leather-accented seats with driver seat power lumbar support and memory
• four-way front passenger power adjustment
• power-adjustable steering wheel
• carpet floor mats
• Refrigerated console box
• tyre pressure monitor
• 3-inch colour driver’s instruments
• premium 14-speaker JBL audio system,
• Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
• five-mode Drive Mode Select
• Multi-Terrain Select
• Multi-Terrain Monitor system (view of the vehicle’s underfloor and surrounds)

Altitude (5 seat only) adds or replaces with:

• 18-inch matte grey alloy wheels with Toyo Open Country all-terrain tyres
• rear locking differential,
• new stabiliser disconnect mechanism (replacing AVS)
• black door handles and tailgate garnish
• black over-fender moulding
• moon roof and the option of two-tone colourways
• digital rearview mirror
• heated steering wheel
• head-up display

Kakadu (7-seat) adds (over the VX):

• panoramic moon roof
• illuminated side steps
• heated and ventilated rear seats
• heated steering wheel
• adjustable driver’s seat thigh support
• digital rearview mirror
• head-up display
• rear torque-sensing limited-slip differential

Engine and drivetrain:

• 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder
• 48-volt technology,
• eight-speed automatic transmission.
• full-time all-wheel drive
• lockable torque-sensing Torsen centre differential and low-range gearing,
• 3,500kg braked towing capacity

Colours:

• eight exterior paint colours
• new Altitude-exclusive Tanami Taupe and Ningaloo Blue, optionally available with a white roof

Further LandCruiser Prado pricing and full specification will be revealed prior to the mid-2024 launch.