2024 Toyota Prado revealed, Australian timing confirmed

It has launched alongside a significant update for the venerable LandCruiser 70 Series ute and wagon, due in local showrooms later this year with an optional four-cylinder diesel and automatic transmission.

As expected, the latest ‘250 Series’ Prado is related to the new Lexus GX due in Australia next year, and closer than ever to the full-size LandCruiser 300 Series with an identical wheelbase.

The new Toyota Prado has formed the basis for the return of the LandCruiser in North America after the previous 200 Series was discontinued there in 2020.

In some markets, it will feature two design themes, with round headlights inspired by LandCruisers of generations past or a luxury-focused version with a modern grille and rectangular headlights.

Globally, it will wear LandCruiser 250 badging – but the Prado nameplate will live on in Australia, with the new model due here in mid-2024.

The current Toyota Prado available in showrooms today dates back to 2009 and is fitted with a 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel shared with the HiLux in Australia.

The latest 250 Series will launch with five powertrains globally, including two LandCruiser-first hybrids.

It will be matched to a new eight-speed torque-converter automatic, full-time four-wheel-drive, and a starter motor-generator for “improved actual fuel economy" and a “quiet engine startup and smooth initial take-off”.

In Australia, the first LandCruiser hybrid will be in the form of mild 48-volt assistance for the familiar 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel, also coming to select HiLux variants in 2024.

The addition of 48-volt technology is said to help improve fuel consumption in urban settings, while the transmission has shifted to an eight-speed torque-converter unit, up from six speeds.

It is the same unit in the new Toyota Tacoma, which features a single electric motor and a 1.87kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The Tacoma's hybrid system is more truck-like, with the electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission.

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Other powertrains available globally, but not for Australia, include a non-hybrid 2.8-litre diesel with six- or eight-speed automatics, a 207kW/430Nm non-hybrid turbo-petrol, and a 120kW/246Nm 2.7-litre naturally-aspirated petrol.

Under the skin, the Prado rides on Toyota’s latest TNGA-F body-on-frame platform shared with the LandCruiser 300, Lexus GX and LX, and the Tacoma and Tundra utes.

Toyota claims a 50 per cent increase in frame rigidity and a 30 per cent increase in overall rigidity compared to the current Prado, which is based on a HiLux platform.

It features an electronic locking rear differential and front a sway-bar disconnect system. Unlike hydraulically-actuated KDSS, the new system allows stabiliser-bar disconnection on demand via a button in the cabin. This should make for excellent articulation without sacrificing road-holding.

Electric power steering replaces the hydraulic system to increase steering feel, and it has improved wheel articulation to allow the wheels to stay on the ground.

Toyota said the functionality of the multi-terrain monitor and terrain mode selector is enhanced.

Improvements applied to the Prado’s twin-under-the-skin, the Lexus GX, are also expected, such as high-mount double-wishbone front suspension, a ‘finetuned’ coil spring rate, increased caster trail and minimised king pin offset for enhanced stability.

In addition, the GX features a four-link rigid axle with lateral control arms at the rear, and the front and rear suspension feature independent telescopic valves and friction control modules.

For the GX, towing capacity has increased to 3628 kilograms in North America, suggesting the Prado could feature an Everest and MU-X-matching 3500-kilogram capacity – up 500kg over the Prado’s current 3000kg limit.

Toyota has yet to confirm towing capacities for diesel Prado variants, but the turbo-petrol hybrid is limited to 2.7 tonnes in the United States.

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The latest Prado has a more-rugged body similar to a Land Rover off-road SUV, with a squared-off rear end, an upright A-pillar, and a higher bonnet line.

A simple rectangular grille sits proudly in the centre with a spelt-out Toyota badge, joining square LED headlights, slim LED fog lamps, and a prominent skid plate.

The chiselled bonnet – first introduced to Prado in 2017 – is widened to improve forward visibility.

Moving to the rear, the Prado again keeps it simple and retro, with new smaller tail lamps that hark back to the first Prado – instead of the taller units that have previously reached up the D-pillar.

The same body panels are used for the Lexus, but the tail lamps are split in half – with a filler panel beneath – and a light bar runs along the tailgate to connect the corner lights as one long signature design.

Measuring 4925mm long, 1980mm wide and 1870mm tall, the new Prado is 100mm longer, 95mm wider and 20mm taller than before.

It has an identical 2850-millimetre wheelbase to the LX and LandCruiser 300 – up 60mm over the current Prado.

The Prado’s characteristic barn door – offered with an external-mounted spare wheel or ‘flat’ tailgate – has made way for an electric lift-up tailgate similar to the LandCruiser 300 and other SUVs.

Note: Table scrolls horizontally to reveal more columns.

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Inside, the Prado has a more rugged appearance than the luxury-focused GX – but the fundamentals are similar.

It boasts a significant technological step forward over the current Prado, with a 12.3-inch infotainment system running Toyota’s latest software. It will feature wireless Apple CarPlay, over-the-air software updates, Connected Services, and USB-C ports.

As before, there will be seating for five or seven passengers, with a familiar line-up expected where the entry-level GX should have five seats, and all other variants will score seven.

Toyota has confirmed its latest active safety technology, including lane-trace assist, will be available.

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The new 2024 Toyota Prado will arrive in local showrooms mid-year, with more details – including specific timing, pricing and features – to be announced closer to its Australian launch.

"Australian customers appreciate the vast capability of the LandCruiser Prado, from use as a family vehicle, to off-roading, towing and long-distance touring, which is evidenced by its huge popularity," said Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley.

"The all-new Prado takes everything that customers love about the Prado to a new level, with even greater performance, capability and technology, as well as bold new styling inside and out."

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Jordan Hickey

With the official reveal still to come, this story will continue to develop through the day. Check back from around 11:30 for the first official details.

This is our first proper look at the new Prado. Toyota Australia had confirmed with Wheels Media last week that no details or images would be given under embargo – but, as always, the overseas media appear to have the details in advance. And, as often happens, it's come online early.

What do you think of the new-look Prado? It's been teased for months now, but it was the new Lexus GX – a more premium companion to the Prado, unveiled in early June – that gave buyers their first look at the Toyota version's styling.

As expected, the new Prado and GX share the same body panels through the profile, although the GX gets gloss body-coloured cladding in place of the Prado's harder-wearing unpainted pieces.

The big differences are at the front and rear, although it's the front end that bears the most distinctly different styling. For the GX, there's the familiar 'spindle' grille and slim headlights, terminating at a uniquely angled-off quarter panel for a sharper point.

In Prado form, there are two front-end designs, with rectangular and round headlight options – both featuring as a tasteful throwback to LandCruisers of generations past. A simple rectangular grille sits proud in the centre of both faces, along with minor cosmetic differences across the lower bar.

Moving to the rear, the Prado again keeps it simple and retro, with new smaller tail lamps that hark back to the first Prado – instead of the taller units that have previously reached up the D-pillar.

For the Lexus, the same body panels are used, but the tail lamps are split in half – with a filler panel beneath – and a light bar runs along the tailgate to connect the corner lights as one long signature design.

Moving inside reveals more significant changes, with the Lexus featuring a taller main display, along with a Lexus-specific steering wheel, dashboard design and centre console. The doors also appear to be different, although the Prado's door details are obscured in shadow for now.

Mike Stevens

With the official reveal still to come, this story will continue to develop through the day. Check back from around 11:30 for the first official details.

News

The fifth-gen 2024 Toyota Prado has debuted with a mild-hybrid diesel and an all-new larger body