2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 previews new-generation Prado for PH market

The covers are now off the next-gen 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250. This comes after weeks of teasers and previews for the all-new SUV. 

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is known as the "Land Cruiser" in the USA

Released as the “Land Cruiser” in the US, this full model change is the first all-new Prado since the previous one, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J150, came out 14 years ago. It previews the next-gen Prado that’s coming to the Philippines, and it is quite a departure from the outgoing model. As such, let’s get into detail about what the latest iteration of Toyota’s full-size SUV is offering to prospective buyers. 

Exterior

Appearance-wise, the 250 Prado assumes a straightforward but obviously retro-inspired boxy design that screams “function over form.” 

The front end gets a square-shaped grille which is then matched by a similarly shaped lower vent section. The bottom portion of the front gets a skid plate, while above the grille is a muscular hood. Lower and mid-spec trims of this SUV are kitted out with round headlamps, while the top-spec trim sports thinner and sharper LED headlamps. 

Specific trims, including the First Edition variant, get square-shaped LED headlamps

From the side, this all-new Toyota looks similar to the next-gen Lexus GX. Most of the details on this portion are straight lines, but the rear portion of the window line gets an upward kink, and the wheel wells are topped with bulging fender flares as well. 

The rear mirrors the retro-styled boxiness of the front. It gets square LED taillights, a sizable square-shaped rear window, and a chunky rear bumper. 

Overall, the Prado 250 looks like a dead-ringer for the classic 1990s-era J70. The brand even gave the latest generation a fully spelled “Toyota” badge as a nod to the Grandpa Prado. 

The all-new Prado from the rear

Other features found on the new Prado include a roof rack, rock rails, LED daytime running lamps, short overhangs, a relatively flat roof, and a total of 220mm of ground clearance. Most of these bits point to it being an off-road-oriented SUV. 

Interior

Step inside the next-gen Prado and you’ll be greeted by a modern cabin with a minimalist but utilitarian style. 

The dashboard, for instance, is mostly comprised of straight lines. It does get a multi-tiered look for added flavor, but many control surfaces use physical buttons and knobs. Both of its displays are digital. This includes the instrument cluster and the central touchscreen. 

The new Prado's cockpit

Unlike the J150 series Prado available locally, the newer 250 does not get a three-row, seven-seater cabin. Instead, it can only seat up to five via a two-row seating arrangement. 

Depending on the trim, it then comes with a moonroof, a digital rearview mirror, a heads-up display, ventilated leather seats, a center front cabin armrest, side knee pads, etc. 

Tech & Safety

Standard on all 2024 Land Cruise Prado variants is the latest version of the Toyota Safety Sense driver assistive suite. This includes a pre-collision system with the ability to detect pedestrians, a lane departure alert system with steer assist, dynamic radar cruise control, road sign assist, automatic high beams, and the new Proactive Driving Assist.

A closer look at the Prado's 12.3-inch touchscreen

The Proactive Drive is able to help a driver in dealing with curves or maintaining a good distance from another vehicle by providing gentle braking and steering interventions. 

Other safety bits on this ride include what you’d expect on a modern SUV. It also has blind-spot monitoring, hill-start assist, and rear-cross traffic alert. 

Entertainment aboard the next-gen Prado is provided by a 12.3-inch touchscreen that’s linked to a 10-piece JBL speaker system. Its wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are then paired with a Qi wireless smartphone charging pad. 

Engine 

There are multiple engine options for the next-gen Prado but it has ditched the old V6 mill that’s still present on the previous-gen J150.

For the North American version, it uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid gasoline four-banger that’s capable of producing 326 horsepower and 630 Nm of torque. A non-hybrid version meanwhile, can churn out up to 278 hp and 430 Nm. Both of these are linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. 

In the US, the Prado uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid mill

Other markets also have access to a 2.7-liter mill mated to a six-speed automatic. This setup, in turn, can make up to 161 hp and 246 Nm. 

For the next-gen Prado’s diesel engines, there’s a 2.8-liter turbodiesel making 201 hp and 500 Nm. This is the same 1GD-FTV oil burner that’s found on the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Fortuner. 

A mild hybrid version of the latter also exists and it will be released in Australia first. It makes the same output as the non-hybrid 1GD-FTV. Note that this is the same engine that was being tested by the brand in Africa using a Hilux. 

Underpinning the next-gen Prado is the Toyota New Global Architecture - F (TNGA-F) platform. It shares this with the new Toyota Land Cruiser LC300. 

Braking for the new model is handled by disc brakes for all four wheels. It also gets an electronic center-locking differential, a limited-slip differential, and a full-time four-wheel-drive system with high and low range. Ride comfort is ensured by a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. 

The US-spec First Edition variant

This is also the first-ever Toyota to feature a stabilizer disconnect feature. This provides more articulation for the front wheels for improved traction and clearance. 

For now, Toyota Motor Philippines is yet to say if this new model is launching for the local market. The Prado however, is a mainstay of the brand’s local lineup, so there’s a good chance that it’ll reach our shores. 

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