The new generation of Toyota LandCruiser Prado is expected to be revealed in the coming months, with the smaller sibling to the LC300 expected to take the lead in hybridisation of the LandCrusier family.
Reports from Japanese media say the reveal date for the new LandCruiser Prado will fall in mid-2023, though what’s expected to power Toyota’s off-road-capable large SUV is still unclear.
Japanese magazine Best Car has, however, created a new render to show what it expects the new Prado to look like, after it learned from Toyota insiders there would be some inspiration from the 70 Series – mostly down to rounded headlights within its light clusters.
The rest of the changes expected for the next Prado, according to Best Car’s informed guess, appear to be mostly taken from the LandCruiser 300, while traditional Prado elements like the vertical grille arrangement are highly likely to stay.
When it comes to the mechanicals, however, it’s unclear what Australia will see in terms of options once the new Prado finally lands.
It’s expected the Prado will eventually shift to hybrid power thanks to the brand’s new Hybrid Max powertrain, which uses a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a rear-axle-mounted electric motor, and made its debut on the Toyota Crown that’s available in other markets outside Australia.
However, it’s unclear if that drivetrain will be available on the new Prado from launch, given the brand’s commitment to still use diesel engines in the rest of the LandCruiser family – the LC300 and the soon-to-be updated 70 Series.
As previously reported by CarsGuide, a strong shift to electrification for every model in the Toyota line-up is expected by the end of the decade, which excludes only the brand’s GR performance models.
“By 2030… we expect to have an electrified version of every model in our local range, excluding performance cars, and we will continue to evaluate all EVs for this market as they’re made available,” said Toyota Australia’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley at the start of 2023.
At another media event in 2022, Hanley more specifically called out the Prado among other models, and said to expect electrification much earlier than Toyota’s self-imposed deadline.
“It makes sense that the LandCruiser, the Prado, the HiLux and other commercial vehicles are going to have to adopt some sort of electrification as we get closer to that point.
“When we say by 2030, I don’t want people to interpret that as 2029 and 2030. On the journey to 2030 we’ll start making those arrangements.
“Acceleration of electrification right now is clear in this market – we’re seeing it. And as an agile company we need to be adaptable to those requirements.”
Expect more information about the next generation Prado to be confirmed closer to its mid-year reveal.
Keyword: Coming soon: 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado takes shape, but when will Australia get a hybrid version of the new 4x4?