New Toyota Prado pricing goes for the doctor
BY PETER BARNWELL | 28th May 2024
WITH order books finally tipped to open in July or August this year but still no firm date for initial deliveries, Toyota has gone for the doctor on pricing with its fifth-generation (or 250 Series) LandCruiser Prado large 4x4, announcing a starting price of $72,500 excluding on-road costs for the entry-level five-seat GX.
That prices it close to 10 grand more than the outgoing GX that listed from $62,830 + ORC and is an increase reflected across the entire five-variant new Prado range that adds a penultimate Altitude variant into the mix above the familiar GXL and VX designations for mid-spec grades.
In range-topping Kakadu form, Toyota commands $99,990 + ORC which is $12.5K more than the old model.
A long-time favourite among large SUV buyers, the soon-to-be-superseded 150 Series Prado was long overdue for replacement having first seen the light of day back in 2009.
Not much is carried over into the new-generation model apart from the nameplate, although the 1GD 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder diesel engine producing 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque will be familiar to existing Prado owners albeit with the addition of mild-hybrid assistance and two more ratios in the automatic transmission.
The tough-looking new 250 Series Prado has few direct competitors but its pricing does overlap with the V8 petrol-powered Nissan Patrol from the next segment up, while the diesel Ford Everest 4x4 range spans $59,240-$81,115 (before on-road costs) and petrol-electric GWM Tank 500 is in the $66,590-$73,990 (drive-away) bracket.
Jeep’s recently discounted Grand Cherokee is also in the running with a price range of $64,450-$111,450 before on-road costs representing up to $28K off sticker. A Land Rover Defender 110 five-door D300 SE diesel starts at $106,720 + ORC.
Built on Toyota’s TNGA-F platform shared with the soon-to-be-released V6 petrol-powered Lexus GX range and the LandCruiser 300 Series, the new Prado features a re-engineered powertrain lifted from new HiLux with Toyota’s V-Active 48V technology, new eight-speed automatic transmission, electric power steering and park brake, higher maximum towing capacity and advances in active safety and connectivity.
Offsetting the hefty price increases, equipment levels have been “significantly” increased from the five-seat GX to the seven-seat GXL, VX and Kakadu. The new Altitude is an off-road-focused five-seat model with extensive standard equipment.
Toyota’s so-called V-Active technology is a mild hybrid setup incorporating a 48V belt-driven electric motor-generator, a compact 48V lithium-ion battery and an idle-stop system.
Although delivering no power or torque gains over the non-hybrid 1GD engine, the V-Active unit is claimed to help reduce fuel consumption for driving around town and delivers smoother, quieter, more responsive performance compared with the 1GD.
The new eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission offers closer gear ratios than the six-speed unit it replaces.
Braked towing capacity has been increased by almost 17 per cent to 3500kg. This is complemented by a new tow haul system that holds lower gears longer, gives better engine response during towing and provides engine braking to help slow the vehicle.
Off-roading ability is said to be enhanced by the permanent 4WD driveline, low-range gearing, centre differential, downhill assist control and multi-mode traction control, with a combined 110-litre fuel capacity.
Significant improvements have been made in connectivity including a new 12.3-inch touch screen paired with a 7.0-inch colour multi-information display, a panoramic view monitor, 10-speaker audio system with DAB+ digital radio and four USB-C charging ports.
Every grade is equipped with cloud-based navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto plus compatibility with Toyota Connected Services through the myToyota Connect smartphone app.
All variants in the new range are fitted with Toyota’s latest active safety technologies, including a pre-collision system, all-speed adaptive cruise control and lane trace assist.
2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado range walk:
LandCruiser Prado GX
In the GX we find shared squared off styling with the GXL and Altitude models including the large new grille.
The variant now has three selectable drive modes including the crawl control system from the LandCruiser 300 Series.
It hasLED headlamps with washer, LED front fog lamps and DRLs, rain-sensing wipers, side steps, and heated and power-retractable side mirrors. Also new are 18-inch dark-grey alloy wheels, body-coloured door handles and a new top-hinged tailgate with a separate-opening glass hatch.
Inside, the entry model features automatic two-zone climate control with remote function, new fabric-covered seats that include six-way manual adjustment for the driver and popular features such as smart entry and start, all-weather rubber floor mats and a 220V/100W power outlet in the cargo area.
There’s a new driver monitor camera and emergency driving stop system and added protection for occupants and other road users from safe exit assist, which is linked to the blind-spot monitor sensors.
Passive safety features include front and rear parking sensors and an additional two airbags for a total of nine.
LandCruiser Prado GXL
Historically the most popular Prado trim level, the seven-seat GXL has a new parking support brake system designed to detect and avoid obstacles behind the vehicle when moving at low speed.
Additional new features on GXL include premium synthetic leather-accented seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat and front-row heating and ventilation as well as a leather-accented steering wheel and shift knob.
It also gets rear-seat air-conditioning, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a wireless smartphone charger, two extra USB-C ports for third-row occupants and door-trim illumination.
Externally, GXL features defining roof rails, rear privacy glass and silver front and rear-guard trim.
LandCruiser Prado VX
The seven-seat Prado VX shares its chrome slat grille with the range-topping Kakadu variant and gets high-grade bi-LED headlamps with adaptive high-beam, 20-inch dark metallic alloy wheels and body-coloured bumpers and mouldings.
Inside, it features premium leather-accented upholstery said to provide increased comfort along with driver’s seat memory and lumbar support, four-way power adjustable passenger seat, power-adjustable steering wheel, a refrigerated console box and carpet floor mats.
The VX also features a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and premium 14-speaker JBL audio system while mechanical enhancements include adaptive variable suspension (AVS), five-mode Drive Mode Select and a revised and improved Multi-Terrain Select traction control system and Multi-Terrain Monitor that provide additional driver support when venturing off-road.
LandCruiser Prado Altitude
The five-seat Prado Altitude is a “dedicated” off-road variant designed to maximise the model’s rough-road capability. It has 18-inch alloy wheels with Toyo Open Country all-terrain tyres, a sunroof and black exterior trim.
Inside are a digital rearview mirror, heated steering wheel and head-up display.
But it differs from the VX adopting a new stabiliser disconnect mechanism and rear differential lock for maximum traction on uneven surfaces instead of the AVS system.
LandCruiser Prado Kakadu
The top-shelf seven-seat Kakadu builds on VX spec with a panoramic sunroof, illuminated side steps, heated and ventilated rear outer seats, a heated steering wheel, head-up display and digital rearview mirror.
Aiding traction is a torque-sensing rear limited-slip differential.
Options
Up to eight paint colours are available across the new Prado range, including the Altitude-exclusive two-tone Tanami Taupe and Ningaloo Blue, paired with a light-grey roof.
Premium paint costs $675, with two-tone finishes restricted to the Altitude for $1675 extra.
Warranty and servicing
Five-year/unlimited-kilometre coverage called Toyota Warranty Advantage can be extended to seven years on the engine and driveline.
Toyota capped-price servicing has been extended to the first five years/100,000km (whichever comes first) with six-month/10,000km service intervals.
2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Pricing*
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GX
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$72,500
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GXL
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$79,990
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VX
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$87,400
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Altitude
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$92,700
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Kakadu
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$99,990
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*excludes on-road costs
Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley said the comprehensive changes to LandCruiser Prado reflected customer demand for an extremely capable off-roader packed with premium features.
“Customers in this segment are continually upgrading their expectations and will appreciate the inherent value in the new range with its head-turning looks, impressive technologies, latest off-road features, optimum blend of performance and efficiency, and even greater creature comforts,” Mr Hanley said.
“The 2024 LandCruiser Prado will build on the model’s reputation as one of Australia’s best-loved vehicles, equally capable and comfortable whether taking owners across the outback or on the school run,” he added.
“Blending seven decades of LandCruiser off-road heritage with the modern utility and appointments of a luxury SUV, it is destined to be the most desirable generation yet."
