Japanese reports suggest an updated LandCruiser Prado is coming mid next year packing hybrid power
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.
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!
Jump into the comments below to tell us what you think.
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.
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.
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).
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.