New Toyota Prado detailed for Australia! Mild-hybrid 2.8-litre diesel 4WD due in mid-2024

Toyota has released early details for the Australian specification of the new-generation Land Cruiser Prado 4WD wagon which is set to debut locally in mid-2024.

Unveiled in the US earlier today without the ‘Prado’ moniker, Toyota’s local 4WD wagon differs by offering a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine with mild-hybrid assistance, though the 2.4-litre turbo-petrol ‘full’ hybrid seen in The States could come down under at a later stage.

As before, the Prado will continue to be offered in both five- and seven-seat configurations in Australia.

Sitting on the same TNGA-F platform as the larger 300 Series, the new-generation Prado’s chassis is 50 percent more rigid than the outgoing model, bringing the total improvement to 30 percent for the vehicle as a whole. 

The 1GD-FTV 2.8-litre diesel unit, which was first previewed in the Hilux earlier this year, produces the same 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque as the current Prado though it’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission in place of the old six-speed.

Other key changes include the adoption of electric power steering which Toyota claims provides better low-speed manoeuvrability and feel when on the move, a change which also ties in with a raft of new active safety features.

While a regular and ‘retro’ appearance has been previewed in the US, the former bears the greatest resemblance to the model shared by Toyota Australia today. 

A side profile shot provided by the local press does show the ‘retro’ style front end with the rounded headlights so it’s unclear if both designs will make it to Australia. 

The majority of the rendered images show off the squared off LED headlight design with the Aussie Prado sitting on thick off road tyres wrapped in small alloy wheels.

Two grades appear to have been shown in the initial images, with the mustang-yellow Prado equipped with a two-tonne colour scheme and accessories such as side steps and roof rails.

Inside, Toyota Australia notes there are “dual digital screens” of an unspecified size but the centre screen looks to be around 12.3-inch in size, similar to the US model.

The screens dominate the interior focus but a proper shifter and separate climate controls have been retained, along with a button-heavy steering wheel in a win for traditionalists.

More details including price are expected to follow closer to the launch of the new Prado in mid-2024.