2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado evaluation

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

The fifth-generation Prado 250 Collection 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 Collection, Tundra, Sequoia, and Tacoma, in addition to the Lexus GX and LX.

Whereas a four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid powertrain is into account, from launch in Australia the 250 Collection might be accessible completely with a barely extra environment friendly model of the identical 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine that has powered the outgoing 150 Collection 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within the new Prado it’s mated to a brand new eight-speed computerized transmission (up from six-speed within the outdated mannequin).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 cut back CO2 emissions by helping acceleration, however doesn’t improve the engine’s claimed energy or torque outputs – the Prado 250 Collection is the primary Toyota in Australia to require AdBlue diesel exhaust fluid.

WATCH: Paul’s video evaluation of the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude

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 contemporary gross sales document in 2025, when it also needs to reclaim its title of top-selling massive SUV from the Ford Everest.

Regardless of the case, does the brand new Prado 250 Collection enhance on the tried-and-tested system made so standard by 4 ‘Son of LandCruiser’ generations courting 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 in opposition to equally sized automobiles.

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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 Collection vary, and aside from 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 in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability software

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

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

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

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

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

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

Forward of the driving force, the steering wheel is nice to carry and useful. There are many bodily buttons and so they’re clearly labelled so that you received’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 moderately frequent within the Prado’s entry-level opponents, although it instructions a better asking worth. The remainder of the vary, nonetheless, has a leather-wrapped wheel which feels significantly higher and extra premium.

Behind the steering wheel there’s a digital instrument cluster as commonplace throughout the vary, although relying on the variant its measurement varies. Within the GX and GXL it measures 7.0-inches and appears moderately 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 moderately high-tech.

Nonetheless, each the digital driver shows provide a number of completely different configurations, views and layouts, and look like high-resolution. While you change drive modes there are cool graphics that pop onto the display.

Transferring throughout, there’s a big 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system as commonplace throughout the vary. That is unbelievable because it appears to be like 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 straightforward to make use of because of the straightforward construction. It’s arduous to get misplaced on this system, and for those who do it isn’t arduous to seek out your approach again to the house display.

A frustration, nonetheless, is that like a variety of Japanese automobiles lots of the settings are locked while you begin driving. That is to stop you from wanting on the display for extended durations of time and Toyota desires you to maintain your eyes on the street as a lot as doable.

As commonplace, the whole 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 for those who’ve obtained no cellphone service you may nonetheless determine find out how to get house. There’s additionally stay site visitors knowledge and routing because of the embedded SIM card.

Prado GX and GXL variants include a 10-speaker sound system as commonplace, and it really punches above its weight even when the sound is a little 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.

Trying across the cabin, it’s stunning what number of soft-touch surfaces there are, even within the base GX. A whole lot of the dashboard is completed in squidgy soft-touch materials that feels moderately premium. Stepping as much as the GXL and above, you additionally get deliciously tender 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 satisfactory 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.

Transferring to the second row, it’s simple to hop in thanks as soon as once more to the aspect steps and seize handles. Youngsters shouldn’t battle 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 area behind my driving place. It’s value noting the second-row seats don’t slide backwards and forwards, however they do recline a good approach again to permit for extra consolation.

When it comes to 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, in addition to the GX and Altitude, include third-row seats, taking whole 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 secure to say the Prado’s third row is just not 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 moderately plasticky again there, however because of the stadium-style seating structure you may see a good bit of surroundings outdoors, which helps to alleviate carsickness.

Across the again, the 250 Collection is the primary Prado to have a top-hinging tailgate as a substitute of a side-hinged unit. That is rather more carpark-friendly, although it means it’s not able to carrying a spare wheel. All fashions in addition to the GX have an influence tailgate, which beeps moderately incessantly.

Like flat-tailgate variations of the outgoing 150 Collection, the 250 Collection comes with a rear window hatch that may open individually from the tailgate. That is nice for those who’re in a decent carpark and have to seize one thing from the boot, offered you’re tall sufficient to achieve 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 immediately below the boot ground.

Whereas that is typically superb in five-seat fashions because it solely raises the boot ground a little bit and there’s nonetheless loads of area, in seven-seat variants the third row is mounted on high of the boot ground. And in contrast to within the Prado 150 Collection, 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 quickly eliminated. In all equity, this couldn’t be accomplished within the Prado 150 Collection, 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.

But it surely does look moderately 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 lots of the variants come commonplace 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 might be a freeway and off-road tourer away from cities and cities, even when the spare wheel is now below the automobile as commonplace.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado stacks up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability software

What’s below the bonnet?

The 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado 250 Collection 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 Collection.

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

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

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado stacks up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability software

How does the Toyota LandCruiser Prado drive?

Beginning up the Prado 250 Collection, you get that traditional four-cylinder turbo-diesel grumble, however it’s really fairly arduous to listen to within the cabin because of the impeccable sound insulation.

Setting off, the venerable however electrified 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine provides 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 site visitors from the lights with no troubles in any respect, although for those who load up the automotive with a number 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 Collection).

Nonetheless, while you push the turbo-diesel engine, it doesn’t really feel prefer it has rather more to provide in on a regular basis driving situations. 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 at all times made me smile.

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

All of the gear adjustments are silky clean and preserve 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 cut back tailpipe emissions when stationary.

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

Surprisingly, nonetheless, not like the HiLux V-Lively’s cease/begin system, the Prado’s was very lively (geddit?) and eager to modify the engine off fairly ceaselessly 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 secure and safe. However it will be good to have a rear-wheel drive mode, as within the Everest, to additional cut back gasoline use.

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

You not want biceps of metal to do three-point turns or navigate tight carparks. As a substitute, the steering really feel is mild 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 commonplace, all Prado variants get entrance and rear parking sensors, plus a surround-view digicam with fairly first rate decision. That is key as a result of many patrons will seemingly use their automobiles as household chariots.

Like all Prados thus far, the 250 Collection has a suspension setup that’s unbelievable 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 probably the most 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 little bit too floaty over harsher bumps.

It’s value noting that no Prado will get air-sprung rear suspension just like the outgoing 150 Collection, which on some uneven surfaces may really feel a little bit ungainly. However the all-coil 250 Collection provides good street holding on all kinds 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 Collection, and even the 300 Collection, and the electrical steering dials up the resistance on the tiller.

Out on the open street, the four-pot turbo-diesel does should work more durable, 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 stunning simply how quiet the Prado is, even at these sorts of speeds, given the actual fact it’s basically a block on wheels. That is much more spectacular while you keep in mind 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 de facto user-friendly to drive approach from the black stuff.

It may deal with loads of obstacles with out even having to interact 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 have to activate 4L when the going will get correctly robust, all you’ll want to do is put the automotive into impartial and flick a change 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 commonplace, 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 spread 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 digicam feeds to provide 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 perform within the Altitude takes this to the subsequent stage, and it’s a disgrace different variants don’t get this helpful off-road {hardware}.

Different off-road goodies that make 250 Collection easy to drive off-road embrace downhill help management and crawl management. The latter is basically 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 recreation 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 received’t slam on the brakes if a automotive travelling barely quicker than you cuts in entrance.

One other profit is the Prado is able to travelling with common cruise management for those who 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 unbelievable, even on slender 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 can be overly lively.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado stacks up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability software

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, aspect sills, wheel arches
• Guide tailgate
• Cloth 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 pace 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 equipment 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 perform 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’ (instead of Adaptive Variable Suspension)
• Black door handles and tailgate trim
• Black wheel arch moulding
• Sunroof
• Two-tone colors accessible
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Heated steering wheel 
• Head-up show

Kakadu provides (over VX):

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

Is the Toyota LandCruiser Prado secure?

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

Normal security tools contains:

• 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 digicam

As well as, VX and Kakadu grades acquire 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 could be prolonged to seven years for those who service inside the Japanese model’s official supplier community on the required occasions.

Toyota has caught with shorter six-month, 10,000km service intervals for the 250 Collection, not like rivals which have 12-month, 15,000km intervals.

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado stacks up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability software

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 rather more fashionable than its predecessor.

On paper, it doesn’t appear to be the 250 Collection is an enormous enchancment on the previous-generation 150 Collection. It’s nonetheless solely accessible with a four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (with unchanged outputs), and regardless of being barely extra environment friendly it has a shorter driving vary because of its cut back gasoline capability (down from a most of 150 to 110 litres).

In apply, nonetheless, 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 rather more planted on-road, and it provides extra suspension articulation off-road.

Different main advantages over the outdated 150 Collection 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 aspect visibility from the driving force’s seat, and the multimedia and security applied sciences which can be significantly extra subtle however make it way more user-friendly.

I don’t know if the mild-hybrid system’s potential discount in real-world gasoline 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 appears to be like 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 among the finest and most comfy automobiles by which to traverse Australian highways and backroads, and makes off-road driving much more easy.

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

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

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

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