New Toyota Prado reportedly delayed to mid-2024

Previously due for a mid-2023 reveal, it seems Toyota has pushed the next-gen Prado’s introduction back to April 2024.

Many details remain unchanged, including its transition to a version of the 300 Series' TNGA-F frame platform, but a report from Japanese industry publication Magazine X now suggests a new petrol engine will feature at launch.

The report also suggests the car will change its official name from LandCruiser Prado to LandCruiser 250 Series in the Japanese market.

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Pictured is a speculative render of the next-gen Prado – what do you think?

In Japan, Prado's 2.7-litre ‘2TR-FE’ naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder is to be replaced by the 2.4-litre turbo-petrol from the Lexus NX and Toyota Kluger. Whether Toyota Australia would choose to offer petrol-power in the Prado remains to be seen.

The Prado's familiar 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder sounds like it will remain on the menu, though as suggested in previous reports two electric motors could enter the mix to both improve fuel economy and bolster its 150kW/500Nm outputs.

Others have prophesied the new Prado will pick up the Tundra ute’s powerful 3.5-litre V6 hybrid – though that sounds less likely for the junior LandCruiser. There's also the new Tacoma hybrid (also using TNGA-F platform), so there's no shortage of hybrid solutions in Toyota's arsenal.

John Law

The story to here

November 2022: New Prado rendered!

Following last week's latest developments in the news cycle (and rumour mill) for the new-gen 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado, we've commissioned a pair of speculative renderings to offer some idea of what we can all expect.

It's important to remember the new Prado has not yet been spied in testing of any sort – Toyota is famously good at keeping new models under wraps, thanks to its extensive private proving grounds.

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Therefore, our renderings here are based on existing new models in the Toyota range like the big new 300 Series, along with the familiar Prado design lineage and, of course, the below rendering from BestCarWeb in Japan. They're often fairly close in their renders, suggesting an inside source.

What do you think of our artist's speculative impression of the new Prado? It'll be interesting to see if the grille frame ends up being as big and bold as this!

Mike Stevens

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2024 Prado rendering via BestCarWeb Japan

November 9: The Toyota LandCruiser Prado update has been a long time in the making.

Initially anticipated for this year, its release has been pushed back. Reports are now suggesting we could see the new Prado as soon as mid-2023 with hybrid powertrains on board.

Typically, the smaller Prado would follow a year behind the full-size LandCruiser. That would’ve seen the new Prado debut this year, but supply and production issues have delayed its release.

By the time 2023 rolls around the fourth-gen 150 Series Prado will have been on-sale for 14 years. In that time, Prado was upgraded to a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder (2015) that got a grunt bump in 2020.

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Pictured here is last year's Prado Matte Black

Japanese outlet Best Car Web has reported the new Prado will pack the option of two hybrid powertrains, one petrol and one diesel.

Prado to go hybrid in 2023

Under the new Prado’s bonnet will be not just one, but the option of two hybrid powertrains – at least in Japan.

The report suggests the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder will get an electric boost from two motors drawing power from a lithium-ion battery. Whether it will get the RAV4’s eFour system that has a single motor driving the rear wheels is not confirmed.

We would expect power to climb above the current 150kW, and torque best 500Nm, especially given the Prado’s popularity for towing.

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There will also be a petrol-based hybrid, though information seems less locked in. The Prado could use a 2.5-litre engine, or the turbocharged 2.4-litre from the Lexus NX 350.

While the Prado is sold exclusively with a diesel engine in Australia, the current-gen car is offered with both fuel types at home and the Japanese prefer petrol Prados.

Given Prado and HiLux typically share powertrains, it’s possible this new pair of hybrids could land in Australia’s best-selling ute.

TNGA platform likely

Again details are sparse at the moment but like its 300 Series sibling the new Prado’s underpinnings may be revamped, and fall into the Global Architecture (TNGA).

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The Prado may adopt a modified version of the 300 Series/Tundra’s GA-F body-on frame platform, as the report notes Prado will retain its 2790mm wheelbase and 1585mm track width.

You may remember that the 300 Series retained its wheelbase and length from 200 Series, though Toyota assures us the GA-F platform it uses is all new.

More details, including power, platform and pricing will emerge soon.