The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250 is now out in the US market as the “Land Cruiser.” This is a big development for the nameplate, as the new fifth-gen comes more than a decade after the previous fourth-gen or the Prado 150 was released.
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (US-spec First Edition variant)
So how does the new Prado 250 compare with the older Prado 150? Let’s find out by comparing the old and new Toyota SUVs side-by-side.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Old vs New: Exterior
Appearance-wise, the new Prado departs from the older model’s bulgy and curvy mid-2000s design.
The older fourth-generation Land Cruiser Prado
While the old Prado sports a more traditional-looking hexagonal grille with slats, the new one gets a square-shaped grille with a mesh. The lower air vent of the older model is also smaller compared to the 250. Plus, the 250 gets a shorter front overhang with a more generous approach angle due to its sleeker, more tucked in lower bumper.
The old model also came with bigger chunkier LED headlamps, while the new one gets either round or square-shaped headlamps. Both do get LED daytime running lights, but the ones on the new model are far sharper looking compared to the fourth-gen model.
The newer Prado 250 (US-spec "1958" variant)
From the side, the old Prado gets a set of more slanted window pillars, as well as less prominent character lines. The new one meanwhile, comes with more upright pillars and the body details on its side are more visible. The Prado 250 also gets black plastic claddings which are not present on the old Prado 150. Plus, the new model features more prominent fender flares.
The old model from the rear
Size-wise, the old Prado is 4,840mm long, 1,885mm wide, and 1,890mm in height. The new Prado on the other hand, is 4,920mm long, 1,980mm wide, and 1,859mm in height. This means that it is slightly larger but less tall than the older SUV.
The older model also rides on a larger set of 19-inch alloy wheels. The new Prado, at least the US version, then uses a set of 18-inch wheels.
The newer model from the rear
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Old vs New: Interior
The biggest change between the old and new Prado is how many people they can carry. The Prado 150 came with a three-row layout that can seat up to seven. The new Prado 250 meanwhile, gets a two-row cabin that can accommodate up to five.
Inside the new Land Cruiser Prado
The front cabin of the old model is the typical, mid-2000s SUV interior. The dashboard is a bit chunky, and it gets a combination of black plastic and soft-touch surfaces, wood trim, and beige pieces. The new one meanwhile, gets a sleeker dashboard that’s mostly black.
Both models do get physical controls for their automatic climate control systems, but the buttons on the new one appear to jut out more for better access. Also, the AC vents have changed from square-shaped to round.
The older Prado's cockpit
The older Prado 150 also came with a four-spoke steering wheel and an analog gauge cluster. The new model meanwhile, gets a more modern wheel and a digital cluster set.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Old vs New: Tech & Safety
The old Prado was kitted out with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is then linked to a six-piece speaker set. The new one meanwhile, gets a larger 12.3-inch screen as standard. The said screen also features wireless smartphone connectivity which was not present on the older Toyota. Plus, it gets a ten-piece speaker as well.
On top of those, keeping one’s phone powered up on the new Prado is easier thanks to a Qi wireless charging pad. The old one, in turn, relied on its USB ports and 12-volt accessory outlets.
A close look at the new Prado's central infotainment screen
For safety, both the old and new Prado does come with Toyota Safety Sense. Both have a pre-collision system, auto high beams, lane trace assist, lane departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Aboard the newer model though, the kit is further enhanced thanks to the addition of pedestrian detection, road sign assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and the Proactive Driving Assist system.
Adding further convenience for the new Prado is a multi-terrain monitor which is used to watch out for road obstacles and for keeping tabs on difficult paths while offroading.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Old vs New: Engine
Under the hood of the old Philippine-spec Prado 150 is a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine or a 4.0-liter V6. At maximum, the diesel option can make up to 201 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque, while the V6 can churn out 271 horsepower and 381 Nm of torque. Both engines are then linked to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
The hybrid engine of the US-spec model
The 2.8-liter turbodiesel mill makes a return to the new 2024 version depending on the region where the SUV is sold. Then again, the US market received a new hybrid 2.4-liter mill that can produce 326 horsepower and 630 Nm of torque. There’s also a non-hybrid version that can make 278 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque. Both are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The old Land Cruiser Prado
In summary, the gasoline version of the new Prado is more than a match against the old gasoline V6. Plus, the new transmission with one more gear might provide additional performance gains as well.
For suspensions, both the old and new still use a double wishbone for the front and a multi-link suspension for the rear. Both also use disc brakes for all four wheels, though the newer SUV has ditched the old hand-operated parking brake for an electronic parking brake.
The new Prado from the front (US-spec model)
Both also get a full-time 4x4 system, but the new model expands the nameplate’s offroad cred with its locking center differential, auto limited-slip differential, and its stabilizer disconnect feature. All these indicate that the new Prado might be more capable than the old version when it comes to dealing with rough terrain.
For more old vs new comparisons like this, keep it here on Philkotse.