Toyota has officially introduced the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser Prado globally but in North America, it gets the nametag of the Land Cruiser 250, positioning it just below the Land Cruiser 300. The fifth-gen Land Cruiser Prado carries forward the off-road legacy of the brand's longest-running Land Cruiser nameplate and is more affordable than the old 200 series.
Launched originally as the BJ on August 1, 1951, the Land Cruiser series is now 72 years old. The SUV is known for its capability, representing Toyota's core values of quality, durability, and reliability. It has been the best-selling Toyota in the U.S. for five consecutive years and has also ruled the Middle-Eastern and Australian automotive markets for decades. The iconic boxy design with solid axles and distinct "TOYOTA" grilles became a trademark. Over time, it evolved into larger station wagon models like the 55 and 60 Series, leading to the premium, full-size luxury off-road SUV we have today.
Technical Specs of the all-new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is globally introduced with five engine options including two petrol, a diesel, a petrol hybrid and a diesel hybrid powertrain, and gets the four-wheel-drive system as standard.
1. A 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 48-volt hybrid motor that produces 330 horsepower and 630Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is the most powerful engine in the line-up and is planned for North America, China, etc.
2. Another 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 281 horsepower and 430Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Planned for the Middle East, Eastern Europe, etc.
3. A 2.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine with a 48-volt hybrid motor that churns out 204 horsepower and 500Nm of torque with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Planned for Austria, Western Europe, etc.
4. Another 2.8-litre turbo four-cylinder diesel engine that makes 204 horsepower and 500Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Planned for Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan, the Middle East, etc.
5. A 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 163 horsepower and 246Nm of torque, mated with a six-speed Electronic Control transmission (ECT). It is the least powerful engine and is planned for Eastern Europe, Japan, etc.
The fifth-gen Land Cruiser Prado shares the same TNGA-F body-on-frame construction as its siblings, the Land Cruiser 300 and the 2024 Lexus GX. Like every Land Cruiser model, the 250 series also comes with a four-wheel drive system with a centre-locking differential and an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case with high/low range. It also gets vehicle stability control (VSC) and an automatic limited-slip differential (Auto LSD). Additionally, all Land Cruisers are fitted with a standard electronic locking rear differential, which distributes power equally between the rear wheels for enhanced traction when driving through challenging terrains.
Interior Details of the New Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
Toyota hasn't released many interior details, but the new Land Cruiser Prado in the USA will be available in three trims, the Land Cruiser 1958, Land Cruiser, and the limited-run Land Cruiser First Edition. The SUV will feature an 8-inch or a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, depending on the trim, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It gets an electric power steering and a fully digital display for the driver. The seats are comfortably spacious and available in either Black or Java colours.
The USA variant also gets an available premium package that adds a 14-speaker JBL audio system, a head-up display, power-heated and ventilated leather-trimmed seats with lumbar support, a digital rearview mirror, a moonroof, and other additional features.
Exterior Details of the New Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
The new Land Cruiser Prado boasts a boxy design and retro styling cues on the outside with a rugged and durable appearance that perfectly complements the SUV's personality. Toyota says, for designing the latest-gen Land Cruiser its design team focused on four key terms: authentic, reliable, timeless, and professional.
The Land Cruiser's squared body profile and flat roof resemble its older models, while the pushed-back A pillar not only complements the appearance but also enhances outward visibility on the trails and the reduced front overhang improves the vehicle's approach angle for better off-road capabilities. The 1958 trim in the U.S. features iconic round LED headlights with a “TOYOTA” heritage grille signature Land Cruiser look, while other trims are upgraded to sleek and rectangular headlights that resemble the FJ62.
The new model of the Land Cruiser Prado is equipped with a newly developed double-wishbone front suspension with twin-tube shocks which are paired with a multi-link rear suspension with coil springs. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels with 20-inch available as optional and gets 17-inch front as well as rear disc brake.
The 2024 Land Cruiser Prado is available in seven exterior colour options including Ice Cap, Wind Chill Pearl, Underground, Black, Meteor Shower, Trail Dust, and Heritage Blue. The two-tone Trail Dust and Heritage Blue exterior colours feature a Grayscape roof. The SUV also offers extensive customization with Toyota Genuine Accessories and Associated Accessory Products (AAP). Over 100 accessories are available, including off-road gear, storage rack brackets, and sporting equipment carriers, conveniently added to monthly payments for a seamless experience.
Off-road Capabilities of the New Land Cruiser 250
Being a legendary off-roader the Land Cruiser continues its heritage and performs even better than the older models. The new Land Cruiser Prado offers various features that enhance its off-road performance. Electric power steering (EPS) enhances off-road driving with improved control and manoeuvrability, the Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism (SDM) offers switch-operated adjustments for optimized performance on and off-road and the improved Multi-Terrain Monitor and Multi-Terrain Select provide enhanced off-road driving support.
The TNGA-F body-on-frame platform features a new ladder frame that provides enhanced chassis strength and improves both on and off-road driving. This model is 4.4 inches narrower and 1.2 inches shorter in dimensions, offering improved off-road capability compared to the 200 Series model.
The 250 series Prado comes with a ground clearance of up to 8.7 inches and has an approach angle of up to 31.0 degrees, a maximum departure angle of 22.0 degrees, and a break-over angle of 25.0 degrees. For added off-road protection, customers can opt for rock rails and full-coverage high-strength steel skid plates.
Availability and Pricing of the new Land Cruiser 250
The 2024 Land Cruiser Prado will be built in Toyota Motor Corporation’s Tahara and Hino plants in Japan, it will arrive in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2024. Toyota has confirmed the pricing for the new Land Cruiser Prado to start around the mid-$50,000 range in the USA, around AED 200,000. The exact price will be announced closer to its launch date.
Safety features on the new Land Cruiser
All 2024 Land Cruiser SUVs come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 which is the brand’s suite of active safety and convenience systems that includes advanced safety features like a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beams and Proactive Driving Assist.
In addition to the return of the Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota has also unveiled the Land Cruiser 70 Series.
