Land Cruiser Prado is back with a vengeance, ready to tackle overland adventures

The 2024 Land Cruiser Prado has landed in New Zealand with better off-roading capability and more than a passing resemblance to the Land Cruisers of the past.

Despite the chunky retro-cool styling of the new Land Cruiser Prado, there is nothing old-fashioned about the technology and capability of this entirely new and rugged off-roading Prado.

From the hybrid electric powertrain to the exceptional in-cabin control over the off-roading technology, the new 2024 Land Cruiser Prado has it all and is a welcome return to the Toyota New Zealand line-up of SUVs. Toyota has not offered a new Prado since 2009, so the launch of the 2024 Prado is a welcome milestone for the brand here.

Launched this week at Napoleon Hill on the West Coast of the South Island, one of the country’s finest 4WD circuits, the new Prado lived up to its reputation with ease, coping with a wide range of slippery, steep and rocky conditions.

Demonstration models of the new Prado are available for test drives at Toyota Stores throughout the country now, with the first customer deliveries currently taking place. Customer orders taken now are expected to land mid-2025.

Toyota New Zealand Assistant Vice President Albertus Mulder says the new Prado is far from a compromise between suburban SUV and off-roader.

“The chunky styling, increased rigidity, wheel articulation and multi-terrain controls are clear signals to the Prado’s capabilities. This is a vehicle that is designed to go on overland adventures. At the same time, it will be comfortable on the open road towing a boat or caravan. From the driver’s perspective the new Prado is a blend of luxury and proper utility,” he says.

Powered by a four-cylinder 2.8L Turbo Diesel 48V hybrid engine, the new Prado has plenty of power through an 8-speed auto transmission to get the job done. Rated at 150kW with 500Nm of torque, the vehicle returns fuel efficiency of 8.7L per 100km* in combined urban and highway use, and can tow 3,500kg braked. The electrified powertrain has been optimised to allow river crossings to a wading depth of 700mm, matching the wading depth of the previous generation.

Toyota New Zealand Vice President Andrew Davis says the addition of the Prado with a hybrid powertrain continues the strategy of offering hybrid powertrains across the Toyota portfolio, while at the same time introducing an exceptionally versatile vehicle to the local market.

“With the launch of the Prado hybrid diesel, we are getting very close to offering an electrified model in every segment of the broad vehicle market that we work in – from the Yaris hatchback to the RAV4, Highlander SUVs and now our commercial range with the the Hilux ute. Our goal is to reduce emissions from the vehicles we sell without compromising on the performance and utility that our customers really need,” Andrew says.

The hybrid system of the Prado consists of a 48V lithium battery, which is tucked away under the third-row seat. The extra battery adds 65Nm of torque assist at a low speed and powers electrical systems such as AC and the entertainment system while the engine is off, for example during the Stop & Start function, which greatly aids fuel efficiency.

In another move to improve the environmental impact of the diesel engine, the Land Cruiser Prado will be the first Toyota model in New Zealand to utilise the AdBlue engine additive. A small amount of AdBlue added to the hot exhaust gases treats harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) and converts it into harmless nitrogen and water vapour.

Andrew Davis says the decision to include AdBlue fits into Toyota’s commitment to making ever better cars and continuing our ambition to reduce its impact on the environment and society.

The new Land Cruiser Prado will have a reservoir of 17.4 litres of AdBlue when purchased; this will last around 15,000 kms of typical driving. Depending on driving conditions and distance travelled, the Prado’s AdBlue reservoir should only need refilling as part of the annual service check.

The 2024 Land Cruiser Prado is available in four variants: the GXL, VX, VX Limited and Adventure. All have the same powertrain, automatic transmission, rugged exterior styling and three rows of seating for seven passengers. Standard Drive modes for all variants are Eco, Normal and Sport. The VX and VX Limited have additional Drive Modes of Sport S, Sport S+, Custom and Comfort. VX Limited is a luxury option with Heads up display, a panoramic roof and Torsen ® rear LSD. Adventure maintains the luxury interior while increasing off-road capability with a stabiliser disconnect mechanism and rear differential lock.

Excluding the GXL, the Prado features a multi-terrain selection system that allows the driver to choose a setting for the terrain they are facing; this includes for dirt, sand, mud, deep snow and rock. For slippery or tricky situations, the Prado can also be put into CRAWL control with five speeds and a switch on the centre console selects between high ratio 4WD and low ratio 4WD.

Riding on 18” (GXL and Adventure) or 20” (VX and VX Limited) dark or matte grey alloys shod in Yokohama GEOLANDER tyres, the Land Cruiser Prado will be available in a range of exterior and interior colours depending on the variant. The Adventure will also be available in a two-tone exterior colour option with a Light Grey roof offsetting a Sand or Smoky Blue body.

Toyota has also confirmed two fast following additions to the Prado line-up as New Zealand customers will soon have the choice of a 5 seat GXL or Adventure grade, with customer deliveries from mid 2025.

Toyota Driveaway Pricing (7-Seater)
The Toyota Driveaway price includes all on road costs: WOF, registration, a full tank of fuel, the Toyota Service Advantage fixed price servicing package, floor mats, and a three year or 100,000 km warranty.

*Fuel consumption and emissions are based on testing under controlled conditions. The 3P-WLTP figures are for comparison purposes only and are converted NEDC test results.

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• Hybrid
• Prado
• Land Cruiser