New Toyota Land Cruiser Prado: Say Hello to the Highly-Anticipated Release

Toyota has officially unveiled the all-new Land Cruiser Prado, which will be sold in the US as the Land Cruiser 250. The SUV features two distinct front facias and is based on Toyota's body-on-frame TNGA-F platform. It measures 4,925 mm long and has been made 50% more rigid than its predecessor. The Prado will be available with a range of engine options, including a 2.7-litre petrol, a 2.4-litre turbo petrol and a 2.8-litre turbodiesel. The Land Cruiser Prado is expected to go on sale in South Africa in the first half of 2024.

Toyota has officially unveiled the all-new Land Cruiser Prado, marking its return to the United States as the Land Cruiser. The new Prado, internally referred to as the 250, is a redesigned version of the outgoing J150 Prado. It features two unique frontal designs: the First Edition with round LED headlights inspired by the 70-series, and the mainstay model with rectangular lights inspired by the 60-series, which will be the only version sold in the US. The Prado pays homage to both the 70-series and the 60-series, as well as its Lexus GX, which was inspired by the Land Cruiser 80-series.

The Prado is based on Toyota's body-on-frame TNGA-F platform, which also underpins the Land Cruiser 300 and LX, as well as the new Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia. It measures 4,925 mm long, 1,980 mm wide, and 1,870 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm. The Prado's new dimensions represent an increase in overall length, height, width, and wheelbase compared to its predecessor. It is said to be 50% more rigid on the frame front and 30% stiffer overall. The Prado also features a revised suspension for off-road usage, the ability to disconnect the stabilizer bar when going off-road, and electric power steering for the first time.

The Prado offers seating for five or seven, depending on the market. The interior has undergone a significant transformation, with influences from the 70-series and the Tacoma. It features a different steering wheel with FJ Cruiser inspired touches, round air conditioning vents, a redesigned center console, central air vents, relocation of the starter button to the center fascia, and a smaller 12.3-inch infotainment system. The Prado also benefits from a fully digital instrument cluster measuring 12.3 inches.

The Prado's engine options consist of all four-cylinder engines paired exclusively with automatic transmissions. The range starts with the 2.7-liter petrol engine, which produces 120 kW and 246 Nm of torque. The top-spec petrol engine is the T24A-FTS 2.4-liter turbo used in the Tacoma. It comes in two configurations, with the standard unit producing 207 kW and 430 Nm of torque, and the hybrid i-Force Max model producing 243 kW and 630 Nm of torque with the inclusion of a 1.87-kWh battery pack and 36 kW electric motor. The 2.8 GD-6 turbodiesel has also undergone hybridization with a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup. It produces 150 kW and 500 Nm of torque.

The Land Cruiser Prado is set to enter the US market with an estimated price tag of around $50,000. It has been approved for the South African market and is expected to arrive in the first half of 2024. The exact specifications for the South African model have yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to retain the diesel engine with or without the hybrid system, and potentially one of the 2.4-liter petrol engines as a replacement for the V6.

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