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- Toyota has unveiled its latest-generation Land Cruiser Prado; the popular vehicle will launch locally in 2024.
- There's new styling and technology, which also shares underpinnings with the Land Cruiser 300.
- The current Land Cruiser Prado is priced from R1.1 million.
Toyota's latest generation Land Cruiser Prado made its global debut earlier in 2023 and will land in South Africa in 2024.
Since it arrived in the 1990s, the Prado has been one of South Africa's most revered large SUVs, thanks to its blend of capability, pleasantry and passenger-oriented comfort. More than a couple of decades later, the latest generation of the iconic nameplate has officially been unveiled.
The Land Cruiser was born 72 years ago as the 'Toyota BJ', on 1 August 1951, and alongside models like the Corolla and Hilux, it has made it one of Toyota's best-selling models, with 11.3 million sales to date, across more than 170 countries and regions.
There's much to unpack, from the bold new design language to the raft of mechanical upgrades.
Going back to its origins
The new Land Cruiser Prado shares its underpinnings with the Land Cruiser 300 (priced from R1.4 million in South Africa), based on the popular TNGA-F ladder-frame chassis that increases overall rigidity by 30%. These substantial increases contribute to improved responsiveness, handling and ride comfort.
READ | Why the fourth-generation Hilux remains Toyota's most iconic bakkie
In terms of dimensions, the new model is 4 920mm long, 1 988mm wide and has a wheelbase of 2 850mm, with the latter matching the length of the Land Cruiser 300.
The exterior is perhaps the most enticing, with its almost retro-looking design. The front section features a rectangular grille, tri-beam headlights and muscular wheel arches. At the rear, there's a vertically oriented tailgate and revised taillights, with silver lower bumpers at both the front and rear of the vehicle.
Based on the launch images, the interior features an intuitive layout, with dual digital screens for the instrument cluster and multimedia system, and an intuitive layout for the switches that group basic functions together.
Potential powertrain(s)
The Australian version uses a 2.8-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, with 48-volt technology that produces 150kW and 500Nm – the same power as the current 2.8-litre turbodiesel unit. Power is sent to all four wheels via a new Direct Shift eight-speed automatic transmission, replacing the existing six-speed unit.
It remains to be seen whether a bigger displacement option will be available for local customers. However, Toyota says the new Prado will employ a variety of turbocharged petrol and diesel-based powertrains, catering to the unique needs of various global markets and their operating conditions.
What is a Land Cruiser without a bit of off-roading? Toyota added electric power steering for on and off-road stints, along with active safety systems such as lane trace assist, multi-terrain select and a multi-terrain monitor. The modern and stiff platform allows for improved suspension performance with greater wheel articulation for off-roading and excellent handling and ride comfort on-road too.
The new model will likely also have a full suite of Toyota Safety Sense active safety technologies.
At this stage, no further details have been revealed about the model, but specifications and pricing will be available closer to the vehicle's local introduction in Q2 of 2024. As a bookmark, the current-generation Land Cruiser Prado is priced from R1.1 million.
