Toyota’s new hybrid-powered LandCruiser Prado can’t match the current diesel-powered model for combined cycle fuel efficiency, but it may best the LandCruiser 300 Series.
Initially reported by TFL Truck, Toyota’s US website lists a manufacturer-estimated combined cycle fuel economy figure of 27mpg (8.7L/100km) for the new Prado, which will be known there simply as the LandCruiser.
Official US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) figures have yet to be released for the hybrid SUV, which will come to Australia in mid-2024 with only a diesel engine.
For reference, Toyota’s claim makes the hybrid off-roader thirstier than a hybrid Highlander (Kluger), which has an official EPA fuel economy figure of 36mpg combined, or 6.53L/100km.
Due to differences with Australian Design Rules (ADR) fuel economy testing, the Kluger Hybrid has an even better claim of 5.6L/100km locally.
The LandCruiser 300 Series – which isn’t sold in the US – has an ADR claim of 8.9L/100km with its twin-turbo V6 diesel engine, and the outgoing four-cylinder diesel Prado has a claim of 7.9L/100km.
The new turbocharged 2.4-litre hybrid four-cylinder powertrain will be used in overseas versions of the new Prado, as well as in the closely related Lexus GX. It produces total system outputs of 243kW and 630Nm.
Compared to the thirsty petrol V8s under the bonnet of the LandCruiser 200 Series and outgoing GX these vehicles replace, the hybrid represents a huge improvement. The defunct 5.7-litre LandCruiser is rated at 14mpg (16.8L/100km), and the outgoing 4.6-litre GX is rated at 16mpg (14.7L/100km).
The new Prado, also known as the LandCruiser 250 in Japan, will share its TNGA-F architecture with the larger LandCruiser 300 Series, as well as the Tundra and Tacoma pickups.
At this stage the only powertrain confirmed for Australia is a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system producing 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque. This is the same mild-hybrid setup certain HiLux variants are set to receive next year.
Toyota Australia has yet to reveal fuel economy figures for the new Prado. The diesel may still have the edge over the hybrid in combined cycle fuel economy, though the unobtainable (for Australians) hybrid could potentially best it in urban driving.
The Australian-spec Prado’s diesel powertrain is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with drive sent through a full-time four-wheel drive system.
Other powertrains to be offered in this vehicle, depending on the market, include a 207kW/430Nm turbo 2.4-litre petrol four, a version of the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel without the mild-hybrid set-up, and a 120kW/246Nm naturally aspirated 2.7-litre petrol four.
The Lexus GX will justify its price premium with a unique 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6.
Toyota claims the body-on-frame LandCruiser Prado has a 50 per cent increase in frame rigidity, as well as a 30 per cent increase in overall rigidity. It’s also claimed to have improved wheel articulation.
The LandCruiser Prado has an electric power steering system which helps reduce loss of steering control when driving off-road, improves low-speed manoeuvrability, and allows Toyota to finally introduce Lane Tracing Assist to this model line.
Other features include a stabiliser disconnect mechanism – for the first time in a Toyota – and a Multi-Terrain monitor and Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, as well as a Crawl Control mode.
Compared to the outgoing LandCruiser Prado, the new SUV is 100mm longer at 4925mm, 95mm wider at 1980mm, and 20mm taller at 1870mm. It also has a 60mm longer wheelbase at 2850mm.
This makes it almost the same size as the LandCruiser 300. Their width and wheelbase length figures are identical.
The new LandCruiser Prado will be available locally in five- and seven-seat configurations.
Inside there will be a digital instrument cluster, a touchscreen infotainment system, as well as a number of physical switches for the climate control.
Toyota claims the new LandCruiser Prado will come with a “full suite” of active safety technologies.
Australian specification of the new Toyota LandCruiser Prado will be announced closer to its launch in mid-2024.
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