2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado evaluation

Toyota Australia has lastly launched its first all-new LandCruiser Prado in 15 years and, because the substitute for Australia’s hottest massive SUV till earlier this yr when shares ran out, it has loads to reside as much as.

The fifth-generation Prado 250 Sequence is a radical departure from its 4 predecessors not solely by way of design, however chassis structure. For the primary time, it shares the identical ladder body as its bigger LandCruiser sibling, on this case the TNGA-F platform that additionally underpins the LandCruiser 300 Sequence, Tundra, Sequoia, and Tacoma, in addition to the Lexus GX and LX.

Whereas a four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid powertrain is into consideration, from launch in Australia the 250 Sequence shall be obtainable completely with a barely extra environment friendly model of the identical 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine that has powered the outgoing 150 Sequence since 2015, however now fitted with 48V mild-hybrid help.

This electrified four-cylinder turbo-diesel already powers some HiLux variants, however within the new Prado it’s mated to a brand new eight-speed computerized transmission (up from six-speed within the previous mannequin). Drive continues to be despatched by way of a full-time four-wheel drive system with two-speed switch case providing high- and low-range ratios.

Along with the mild-hybrid system – which is designed to scale back CO2 emissions by helping acceleration, however doesn’t improve the engine’s claimed energy or torque outputs – the Prado 250 Sequence is the primary Toyota in Australia to require AdBlue diesel exhaust fluid.

Over 17,000 orders have already been taken for the brand new Prado and Toyota has near 27,000 examples arriving in Australia over the primary 12 months of deliveries. That ensures most supply wait occasions of months not years, and will guarantee the brand new Prado will set a recent gross sales file in 2025, when it must also reclaim its title of top-selling massive SUV from the Ford Everest.

Regardless of the case, does the brand new Prado 250 Sequence enhance on the tried-and-tested components made so fashionable by 4 ‘Son of LandCruiser’ generations relationship again to 1990? We headed to the nationwide media launch within the Northern Territory to seek out out.

How does the Toyota LandCruiser Prado evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Toyota LandCruiser Prado towards equally sized autos.

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LandCruiser Prado

How a lot does the Toyota LandCruiser Prado value?

There are a complete of 5 variants within the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado 250 Sequence vary, and other than the addition of the brand new offroad-focussed Altitude variant, pricing is up by between $9670 and $12,522.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability device

What’s the Toyota LandCruiser Prado like on the within?

The Prado 250 Sequence has a blocky new design that stands out. It’s humorous how stylistic developments are cyclical as a result of the virtually retro styling is relatively FJ Cruiser and 40 Sequence LandCruiser-like.

Regardless of being such a big, high-riding wagon, it’s fairly simple to get into due to the facet steps and chunky seize handles. When you’re in there’s nice entrance and facet visibility. It’s significantly better than the previous-gen Prado 150 Sequence on this regard.

Relying on the trim stage the seats are upholstered in several supplies. Nearly all of the variants obtain both fake or real leather-based seat trim, however I’m an enormous fan of the bottom GX’s cloth upholstery.

Whatever the upholstery, the motive force’s seat in all Prados feels purpose-made for lengthy street journeys. It presents nice assist and bolstering, and from GXL up has electrical adjustment.

One other shocking function the entrance seats have from GXL stage up is each heating and air flow. The latter is uncommon to date down in a mannequin lineup, however was very appreciated within the sweltering warmth and humidity of Kakadu.

Forward of the motive force, the steering wheel is nice to carry and useful. There are many bodily buttons they usually’re clearly labelled so that you gained’t be confused or surprise what all of them do. That mentioned, it took me a second to seek out the button that units the cruise management.

The bottom GX has a plastic steering wheel which doesn’t really feel very good. That is relatively widespread within the Prado’s entry-level opponents, although it instructions a better asking worth. The remainder of the vary, nevertheless, has a leather-wrapped wheel which feels significantly higher and extra premium.

Behind the steering wheel there’s a digital instrument cluster as normal throughout the vary, although relying on the variant its dimension varies. Within the GX and GXL it measures 7.0-inches and appears relatively just like what the core Ford Everest and Ranger variants get.

The remainder of the Prado lineup will get a full-width 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that appears nicer and is relatively high-tech.

Nevertheless, each the digital driver shows provide plenty of completely different configurations, views and layouts, and seem like high-resolution. If you change drive modes there are cool graphics that pop onto the display.

Shifting throughout, there’s a big 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system as normal throughout the vary. That is incredible because it seems to be nice and seems to pack sufficient processing energy, making swiping by way of menus and opening new apps a breeze.

This infotainment system, like in lots of different newer Toyotas, is simple to make use of due to the straightforward construction. It’s exhausting to get misplaced on this system, and when you do it isn’t exhausting to seek out your manner again to the house display.

A frustration, nevertheless, is that like plenty of Japanese vehicles most of the settings are locked whenever you begin driving. That is to forestall you from wanting on the display for extended durations of time and Toyota needs you to maintain your eyes on the street as a lot as attainable.

As normal, the complete Prado vary comes with each wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Each look nice on the touchscreen and through our testing we didn’t expertise any main points.

Fortunately, there’s a satellite tv for pc navigation system constructed into the infotainment system, so when you’ve bought no cellphone service you may nonetheless determine tips on how to get house. There’s additionally reside visitors information and routing due to the embedded SIM card.

Prado GX and GXL variants include a 10-speaker sound system as normal, and it truly punches above its weight even when the sound is a bit front-biased. The remainder of the vary will get a 14-speaker JBL sound system that’s not overtly higher – it’s simply able to being louder.

Wanting across the cabin, it’s shocking what number of soft-touch surfaces there are, even within the base GX. Quite a lot of the dashboard is completed in squidgy soft-touch materials that feels relatively premium. Stepping as much as the GXL and above, you additionally get deliciously comfortable knee rests on the centre console and door panel.

Up entrance, there’s a beneficiant quantity of space for storing. together with two sizeable cupholders, massive door pockets, an ample glove field, and a centre console field that in some variants doubles as a cool field, plus loads of USB-C ports.

There’s additionally a wi-fi cellphone charger on the base of the centre stack, however it’s not flat and doesn’t have something to safe your cellphone from going flying when accelerating or off-roading.

Shifting to the second row, it’s simple to hop in thanks as soon as once more to the facet steps and seize handles. Youngsters shouldn’t wrestle an excessive amount of, although it’s a truthful hike from the bottom up into the cabin.

At a leggy 182cm, I had loads of house behind my driving place. It’s price noting the second-row seats don’t slide forwards and backwards, however they do recline a good manner again to permit for extra consolation.

By way of second-row facilities, there are USB-C ports, map pockets, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. All variants obtain air vents within the second row, although GXL and pricier grades get a devoted rear local weather management system with roof-mounted air vents.

There are additionally the requisite ISOFIX child-seat anchorage factors on the outboard second-row seats, plus top-tether factors for all three second-row seats.

Most Prado variants, moreover the GX and Altitude, include third-row seats, taking complete seating capability to seven. The second-row seats fold and tumble to permit for third-row entry, however it’s nonetheless a good bit of effort to get again there.

It’s protected to say the Prado’s third row will not be supposed for adults and is significantly better suited to kids. Though the backrest does recline, I struggled for headroom, my knees have been firmly digging into the second-row seats, and it felt like my legs have been very excessive.

Third-row facilities embrace USB-C ports, cupholders, and roof-mounted air vents. It’s relatively plasticky again there, however due to the stadium-style seating structure you may see a good bit of surroundings exterior, which helps to alleviate carsickness.

Across the again, the 250 Sequence is the primary Prado to have a top-hinging tailgate as an alternative of a side-hinged unit. That is way more carpark-friendly, although it means it’s not able to carrying a spare wheel. All fashions moreover the GX have an influence tailgate, which beeps relatively incessantly.

Like flat-tailgate variations of the outgoing 150 Sequence, the 250 Sequence comes with a rear window hatch that may open individually from the tailgate. That is nice when you’re in a good carpark and must seize one thing from the boot, offered you’re tall sufficient to succeed in in.

However opening the tailgate reveals the brand new Prado’s weak spot, as a result of the 48V battery for the mild-hybrid system is located instantly beneath the boot ground.

Whereas that is usually tremendous in five-seat fashions because it solely raises the boot ground a bit and there’s nonetheless loads of house, in seven-seat variants the third row is mounted on high of the boot ground. And in contrast to within the Prado 150 Sequence, the third-row seats don’t fold flat with the boot ground, in order that they stick up a substantial quantity.

The seats additionally can’t be briefly eliminated. In all equity, this couldn’t be finished within the Prado 150 Sequence, however a minimum of they folded flush with the boot ground.

To counter the uneven, split-level boot ground, Toyota has fitted a detachable plastic storage field that’s stage with the peak of third row when stowed. It’s an identical answer to what Suzuki has employed with its three-door Jimny.

However it does look relatively foolish and low cost. It’s disappointing Toyota hasn’t packaged the third-row higher so the boot isn’t so compromised, particularly as a result of so most of the variants come normal with seven seats.

Lastly, we respect the actual fact the Prado nonetheless comes with a full-size spare wheel, given it’s a automobile that for many individuals shall be a freeway and off-road tourer away from cities and cities, even when the spare wheel is now beneath the automobile as normal.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability device

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado 250 Sequence is just being supplied from launch with a barely extra environment friendly model of the two.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel fitted to the earlier Prado 150 Sequence.

It options 48V mild-hybrid help, just like the HiLux V-Lively Know-how, in addition to AdBlue diesel exhaust after-treatment to scale back CO2 emissions. Regardless of this, the engine continues to be solely Euro 5 emissions-compliant, although Toyota has confirmed it’s able to being reworked to succeed in Euro 6 requirements.

A 2.4-litre ‘i-Drive Max’ petrol-electric hybrid powertrain is offered in different markets, however it hasn’t been confirmed for Australia but.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability device

How does the Toyota LandCruiser Prado drive?

Beginning up the Prado 250 Sequence, you get that traditional four-cylinder turbo-diesel grumble, however it’s truly fairly exhausting to listen to within the cabin due to the impeccable sound insulation.

Setting off, the venerable however electrified 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine presents a great quantity of energy, and the small belt-driven motor generator that’s a part of the 48V mild-hybrid system does noticeably enhance acceleration off the mark. It additionally helps to clean out any turbo lag.

You’ll be maintaining with visitors from the lights with no troubles in any respect, although when you load up the automotive with plenty of folks or tow a heavy trailer, development will clearly be a bit slower. Though we didn’t get an opportunity to tow throughout our media drive program, the Prado is now rated to tow as much as 3500kg (up from 3000kg within the 150 Sequence).

Nevertheless, whenever you push the turbo-diesel engine, it doesn’t really feel prefer it has way more to present in on a regular basis driving eventualities. It doesn’t blow you away just like the Ford Everest turbo-diesel V6 or the Lexus GX turbo-petrol V6, although the Prado’s noticeable turbo whistle when it comes onto increase all the time made me smile.

A spotlight of the Prado 250 Sequence is its new eight-speed computerized transmission. It’s up two ratios in comparison with the Prado 150 Sequence and that is very obvious.

All of the gear adjustments are silky clean and hold the engine firmly inside its torque band. This implies the automotive isn’t revving out fairly as a lot in on a regular basis driving, making it extra peaceable within the cabin.

Along with helping with acceleration, the belt-driven motor generator additionally powers the engine idle cease/begin system, which helps scale back tailpipe emissions when stationary.

Just like the HiLux V-Lively, it’s virtually imperceptible when the engine switches again on as a result of it makes use of the motor generator as an alternative of a standard starter motor. It’s way more seamless than different non-mild-hybrid autos which have a much less subtle idle-stop system.

Surprisingly, nevertheless, in contrast to the HiLux V-Lively’s cease/begin system, the Prado’s was very energetic (geddit?) and eager to modify the engine off fairly continuously when stationary, even with the air-con completely cranking.

When driving on-road, the Prado’s full-time four-wheel drive system makes it really feel steady and safe. However it might be good to have a rear-wheel drive mode, as within the Everest, to additional scale back gas use.

One other spotlight of the Prado 250 Sequence is it now has an electrical power-assisted steering system, as an alternative of the hydraulic energy steering system within the Prado 150 Sequence. The distinction it supplies in low-speed driving drastically improves how manoeuvrable the automotive is.

You now not want biceps of metal to do three-point turns or navigate tight carparks. As a substitute, the steering really feel is gentle and fully manageable with out ever breaking a sweat. This profit can also be felt throughout tight and twisty off-road tracks, the place there’s additionally much less kickback by way of the wheel.

As normal, all Prado variants get entrance and rear parking sensors, plus a surround-view digital camera with fairly respectable decision. That is key as a result of many patrons will seemingly use their vehicles as household chariots.

Like all Prados so far, the 250 Sequence has a suspension setup that’s incredible at rounding off and softening harsh impacts in order that they don’t transmit into the cabin. It’s an ideal setup for long-distance freeway cruising.

There’s a double wishbone with stabiliser bar up entrance, together with a four-link inflexible axle with stabiliser bar on the rear. With the smaller 18-inch wheels on the GX, GXL and Altitude, it’s some of the comfy rides in a mainstream automotive.

VX and Kakadu variants choose up adaptive dampers that unlock extra driving modes. Within the regular drive mode it’s not fairly as settled because of the bigger 20-inch alloy wheels, and within the consolation drive mode it will get a bit too floaty over harsher bumps.

It’s price noting that no Prado will get air-sprung rear suspension just like the outgoing 150 Sequence, which on some uneven surfaces may really feel a bit ungainly. However the all-coil 250 Sequence presents good street holding on all varieties of bitumen roads.

That mentioned, like all off-roaders, the brand new Prado has its dynamic limits on-road. It will get a lean up within the bends, although it’ll fortunately lean on the outward rear wheel to most energy to the bottom. It doesn’t really feel prefer it’s going to fall over fairly as a lot because the 150 Sequence, and even the 300 Sequence, and the electrical steering dials up the resistance on the tiller.

Out on the open street, the four-pot turbo-diesel does need to work tougher, although it nonetheless has sufficient within the tank to conduct overtakes with assured. It’ll fortunately sit on the authorized restrict of 130km/h within the Northern Territory at round 2000rpm in high gear.

It’s shocking simply how quiet the Prado is, even at these sorts of speeds, given the actual fact it’s primarily a block on wheels. That is much more spectacular whenever you take into consideration the Altitude variant comes with all-terrain tyres.

However you’ve waited lengthy sufficient, and now it’s time to speak about the way it goes off-road. Because of all of the clearly labelled bodily switchgear within the cabin, the Prado is admittedly user-friendly to drive manner from the black stuff.

It may possibly sort out loads of obstacles with out even having to have interaction 4L, is as a result of the eight-speed computerized and full-time four-wheel drive system are each very succesful straight our of the field.

For those who do must activate 4L when the going will get correctly robust, all you should do is put the automotive into impartial and flick a swap on the centre console. It’s so easy and doesn’t take a lot thought in any respect.

All Prado variants get a centre diff lock as normal, however the offroad-centric Altitude provides an digital rear diff lock, and the Kakadu scores a torque-sensing Torsen limited-slip rear diff.

From VX stage and up, there’s a variety of multi-terrain choose drive modes that change the traction management traits. There’s additionally a multi-terrain monitor that makes use of the surround-view digital camera feeds to present you a transparent image of what’s taking place across the automotive whereas off-roading.

A key enchancment with Toyota basing the Prado on the modular TNGA-F platform is that it improves articulation. The entrance stabiliser disconnect operate within the Altitude takes this to the following stage, and it’s a disgrace different variants don’t get this useful off-road {hardware}.

Different off-road goodies that make 250 Sequence easy to drive off-road embrace downhill help management and crawl management. The latter is actually an off-road cruise management system that takes management of braking and accelerating for you at low speeds. It’s hardly a brand new system for Toyota, however it’s a sport changer for novice off-roaders.

On the security entrance, the Prado is absolutely loaded. The adaptive cruise management is nice at maintaining an applicable distance between you and a automotive forward. It additionally gained’t slam on the brakes if a automotive travelling barely sooner than you cuts in entrance.

One other profit is the Prado is able to travelling with common cruise management when you completely despise adaptive cruise management.

There’s lane-keep help that doesn’t intervene except completely required, and the lane centring that works as a part of the adaptive cruise management system is incredible, even on slim and/or winding roads.

Lastly, the Prado has a driver consideration monitoring system, however all through our testing the system didn’t throw up any warnings in any respect, making it significantly better than others which are overly energetic.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability device

What do you get?

The are a complete of 5 variants within the 2025 Toyota Prado lineup.

GX highlights:

• 5 seats
• 18-inch darkish gray alloy wheels
• Entrance grille with ‘TOYOTA’ lettering
• LED headlights
• LED daytime working lights
• Folding body-coloured mirrors
• Darkened entrance and rear bumpers, facet sills, wheel arches
• Handbook tailgate
• Material upholstery
• Rubber ground mats
• Six-way guide driver’s seat adjustment
• 7.0-inch multi-function instrument show
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 10-speaker sound system
• Wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• 4 USB-C ports
• Embedded satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Toyota related companies
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Downhill help management
• Crawl management with 5 velocity settings

GXL provides:

• Seven-seat capability
• Roof rails
• Rear privateness glass
• Silver entrance and rear bumper trim
• Energy tailgate
• Artificial leather-based upholstery
• Heated and ventilated entrance seats
• Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Leather-based-accented steering wheel and kit knob
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Wi-fi charging pad
• Rear local weather management
• Two further USB-C charging ports

VX provides:

• 20-inch darkish metallic alloy wheels
• Lux grade entrance grille
• Bi-LED headlights with dynamic auto-levelling
• Adaptive high-beam help
• Physique-coloured entrance and rear bumpers
• Over-fender (wheel arch) moulding
• Rear guard trim
• Leather-based-accented seats
• Energy lumbar and reminiscence operate for driver’s seat
• 4-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat
• Energy-adjustable steering wheel
• Carpet ground mats
• Refrigerated centre console
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14-speaker JBL sound system
• Adaptive Variable Suspension
• 5 drive modes
• Multi-terrain choose
• Multi-terrain monitor

Altitude provides:

• Entrance grille with ‘TOYOTA’ lettering
• 5 seats
• 18-inch matte gray alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres
• Locking rear differential
• ‘Stabiliser disconnect mechanism’ (rather than Adaptive Variable Suspension)
• Black door handles and tailgate trim
• Black wheel arch moulding
• Sunroof
• Two-tone colors obtainable
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Heated steering wheel 
• Head-up show

Kakadu provides (over VX):

• Panoramic sunroof
• Illuminated facet steps
• Heated and ventilated rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Adjustable driver’s seat thigh assist
• Torsen limited-slip rear differential

Is the Toyota LandCruiser Prado protected?

The 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado is but to obtain an ANCAP security ranking.

Commonplace security tools consists of:

• 9 airbags
• Entrance and rear autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Adaptive cruise management
• Lane hint help (lane centring)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Trailer sway management
• Trailer pre-wiring harness
• 360-degree digital camera

As well as, VX and Kakadu grades achieve tyre stress warning.

How a lot does the Toyota LandCruiser Prado value to run?

The 2025 Prado is roofed by Toyota Australia’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee. Protection for the engine and driveline will be prolonged to seven years when you service throughout the Japanese model’s official seller community on the required occasions.

Toyota has caught with shorter six-month, 10,000km service intervals for the 250 Sequence, in contrast to rivals which have 12-month, 15,000km intervals.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado stacks up towards its rivals, try our comparability device

CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota LandCruiser Prado

The brand new Toyota Prado brings again the LandCruiser’s boxy, retro design cues in a package deal that’s way more fashionable than its predecessor.

On paper, it doesn’t seem to be the 250 Sequence is a large enchancment on the previous-generation 150 Sequence. It’s nonetheless solely obtainable with a four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (with unchanged outputs), and regardless of being barely extra environment friendly it has a shorter driving vary due to its scale back gas capability (down from a most of 150 to 110 litres).

In apply, nevertheless, the brand new Prado is significantly better than the sum of its elements, that are significantly upgraded. The TNGA-F platform makes it really feel way more planted on-road, and it presents extra suspension articulation off-road.

Different main advantages over the previous 150 Sequence are the electrical power-assisted steering that’s a lot much less fatiguing than the hydraulic system it replaces, the 2 further gear ratios that make on a regular basis driving extra seamless, the improved entrance and facet visibility from the motive force’s seat, and the multimedia and security applied sciences which are significantly extra subtle however make it much more user-friendly.

I don’t know if the mild-hybrid system’s potential discount in real-world gas consumption is well worth the compromises it calls for on boot capability and payload, and it’s disappointing that Toyota has fumbled the packaging of the third-row seats, as a result of the detachable container answer seems to be a bit ridiculous and might’t deal with a lot weight on high.

Regardless of this, the brand new Prado simply eclipses its forebear as probably the greatest and most comfy autos wherein to traverse Australian highways and backroads, and makes off-road driving much more easy.

However there’s additionally the worth to contemplate. You definitely pay the Toyota tax over different notable rivals, together with the very achieved Everest. A mid-range Prado GXL will value across the identical as a flagship Everest Platinum V6.

Whether or not it’s price paying extra for the brand new Prado over an equal Everest is a tough query, nevertheless, and one which’s prone to require some intensive back-to-back testing to reply.

Fascinated with shopping for a Toyota LandCruiser Prado? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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