2025 Toyota Prado review
It’s been 15 years since this Aussie crowd favourite landed with a new model and 20,000 car lovers have already forked out for it. But it’s very much a mixed bag.
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Months late and 15 years after its predecessor, the new Toyota Prado has finally arrived Down Under, bringing with it new underpinnings, improved off-road credentials and the ability to tow 3.5 tonnes.
While the fourth generation of Toyota’s smaller LandCruiser follows a familiar formula of pairing a ladder frame architecture with a large five-door body, the new model brings a fuel saving 48V electrical assistance system and delves into the brand’s heritage with some retro-infused styling for added boxiness.
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The 250-Series Prado is also the first in the lineage with a lift-up tailgate following the relocation of the spare wheel under the back of the car for all models, something that reduces the maximum fuel tank capacity to 110 litres, in turn reducing range between refills.
As before, the Prado is available as a GX, GXL, VX and Kakadu with prices jumping almost $10K to now range from about $78,000 drive-away to almost $109,000. The volume-selling GXL is about $87,000 drive-away.
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Sandwiched between the top two luxury focused models is a new Altitude ($100,000) that ups off-road credentials with hardier all-terrain tyres and a front stabiliser bar disconnect system to improve wheel articulation.
All Prados get a carry-over 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo now paired to a 48V assistance system.
Unlike fully-fledged hybrids, the Prado system offers minimal fuel savings.
But it allows the stop-start system to operate more frequently, in turn reducing fuel use around town.
It means the bigger Prado uses a claimed average 7.6 litres per 100km, 0.3L/100km less than its predecessor.
The difference is more dramatic around town, lowering fuel use by about 8 per cent to 8.8L/100km.
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The Prado is also the first Toyota that requires AdBlue, a fuel additive to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
Inside there’s a generic layout with a pair of cupholders and some useful hidey holes but nothing overly innovative.
While it shares its underpinnings with the bigger LandCruiser, the Prado doesn’t feel particularly spacious.
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It’s fine upfront, but fixed middle row seats have modest legroom and the middle row occupant has a sizeable hump on the floor.
A high boot floor on five-seat GX and Altitude models robs valuable luggage space, even if the 954-litre capacity seems generous.
On seven-seat variants the third row sits clunkily above that floor and includes a plasticky storage container at the rear of the load area to match the height of the seats.
If you’re using all seven seats there’s a ludicrously slim space that’ll take a small bag or two at best.
Aa 12.3-inch infotainment screen with a digital instrument cluster (GX and GXL models get a smaller display).
Under way the Prado shines.
New electric power steering transforms the drive, with lighter steering at slow speeds, added meat when cruising and a stable on-centre feel.
The new eight-speed auto also hooks up more assertively helping making the most of the honest but uninspiring engine.
It’s also quieter and more refined, making for easy touring.
While it can tow up to 3500kg, the payload drops to as little as 230kg if you’re lugging the maximum.
The weighty body shudders into larger bumps but is nicely controlled.
Adaptive dampers paired with 20-inch tyres on VX and Kakadu models add terseness in the Sport/Sport+ drive modes and are spongy in Comfort.
Prados on 18-inch wheels with passive suspension seem a better mix.
Off-road the driving equation gets better.
The new Prado is more capable than ever, with terrific rear wheel articulation and nicely calibrated traction control.
It’s swift to select low-range gears and the electronic aids – including traction control and Crawl Control (off-road cruise control) – are excellent in the way they step in swiftly and almost imperceptibly.
All of which makes for a convincing new entrant, with caveats.
The latest Prado looks the business, is ludicrously capable off-road and steps up the everyday comfort.
But below par interior packaging and some fussiness in the switchgear and infotainment robs it of excellence some may be expecting given the hefty price rises.
Verdict: More of the same done a lot better, especially for those heading off-road. But the clunky boot layout and occasional infotainment oversight is indicative of a lack of attention to details
Star rating: 4
TOYOTA PRADO GXL
Price: From about $87,000 drive-away
Warranty/servicing: 5 yrs/unlimited km, $3900 for 5 yrs/100,000km
Safety: 9 airbags, auto emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, rear auto braking, driver monitoring, exit warning, speed sign recognition, child presence detection
Engine: 2.8-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 150kW/500Nm
Thirst: 7.6L/100km
Spare: Full-size
Boot: 906L
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Originally published as 2025 Toyota Prado review
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