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News - Toyota - PradoPrado possibilities centre on customer demandToyota engineer says ‘anything is possible’ if LandCruiser Prado customers demand it18 Nov 2024 By MATT BROGAN HYPE around the fifth-generation Toyota LandCruiser Prado is palpable – and entirely understandable given the time Australian buyers have had to wait to get behind the wheel.
With the 250 Series Prado now officially on sale Down Under, it is time for some solid answers on just why Australian buyers miss out on some of the niceties found in other markets, if we will see a more diverse array of trim grades offered to five-seat Prado buyers given the vehicle’s vast demographic, and whether factory long-range fuel tanks or short-wheelbase versions are in the Prado’s future.
From the get-go, the Toyota 250 Series LandCruiser Prado range will be offered with an unusual grade walk where five-seat variants are offered only in lowest GX and penultimate Altitude trim.
Toyota says “buyer demand” was behind the decision to split the line-up as such, and that “buyer demand” will dictate any future changes to the range.
For reference, the new Prado range opens at $72,500 plus on-road costs for the GX and the Altitude starts from $92,700 + ORC, leaving GXL (from $79,990 + ORC) and VX (from $87,400 + ORC) grades available only to seven-seat buyers – as well as the flagship Kakadu, now from $99,990 + ORC.
Reading between the lines, it appears Toyota has already acknowledged a misjudgement in the Prado launch-line-up, so watch this space.
It is also apparent that Aussie buyers will go without the handsome retro-styled round-headlight Prado frontal treatment offered in other markets (including Europe, Japan, the UK and the USA).
As was the response to the possibility of a five-seat mid-grade Prado, it seems “buyer demand” will again dictate if Australian buyers will be offered the alternate fascia, with Toyota Australia senior product planner Harrison Schipke telling local media there has been “plenty of positive feedback on the round headlights”.
“This is a new-generation product, as we take on customer feedback, we can definitely leave the door open to the round headlights as well,” he said.
“That said, we are a nimble company that adjusts to its customers demands. If that demand exists, we’ll certainly look at the opportunities.”
Mr Schipke offered a similar response to questions surrounding the availability of a potential GR Sport variant – as seen in the 300 Series LandCruiser and HiLux ranges – saying that Toyota “can open the door to a GR Sport product”, but that “there is nothing to announced today.
Local media gathered for the launch of the fifth generation Prado was also quick to question the potential return of a three-door (short wheelbase) model to the range – returning an offering last seen in Australian showrooms between 2009 and 2013.
Attending the press conference via video chat from Japan, Toyota Motor Company chief engineer Keita Moritsu said that if customer demand was strong enough, then the model would indeed be considered.
“Currently, I can’t say the future product line-up, but if there is strong customer demand, I would like to consider (a three-door Prado) as part of the future line-up,” he remarked.
Discussing the potential for a 250 Series ‘shorty’, another Toyota employee mentioned a curiously specific minimum wheelbase measurement for the Prado platform.
It is also highly unlikely a long-range fuel tank will be offered directly from the factory, the secondary sub tank found in certain 150 Series variants a thing of the past (the unit offered an 83-litre main and 63-litre sub tank capacity for a total of 146 litres).
The decision – necessitated by the relocation of the spare wheel from the tailgate to beneath the cargo bay floor – means Prado buyers will either need to make do with the 110-litre standard unit available from Toyota or opt for an aftermarket alternative – two of which are understood by GoAuto to already be in development.
Finally, and as reported by GoAuto previously, the newest LandCruiser Prado will be offered exclusively with 48-volt assisted turbo-diesel power Down Under, leaving petrol power (as found in other markets) exclusively to Lexus GX buyers.
All Prado grades will be fitted with Toyota’s 1GD-series V-Active (electrically assisted) 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine familiar to the Toyota HiLux and previous generation LandCruiser Prado (from 2015 production).
The unit outputs 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque via an eight-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive with dual range transfer case.
It requires AdBlue exhaust fluid (held in a separate 17.4-litre tank) to operate and returns a claimed combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 7.6 litres per 100km.
Visit GoAuto again soon for more on the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado – including our local launch review from Kakadu National Park.  Read more6th of June 2024  Toyota LandCruiser Prado to remain dieselNo hybrid option for Prado; Toyota managing diesel wait lists, V8 LandCruiser 70 Series orders28th of May 2024  New Toyota Prado pricing goes for the doctorToyota’s 250 Series LandCruiser Prado at least $10K pricier than ancient predecessor18th of April 2024  New Prado gains regulatory approval in OzGovt approval documents provide key specifications for hotly anticipated LandCruiser Prado |
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