Welcome The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
In a vehicular sense, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is an icon. Since its launch in 1990, the series has pushed SUV innovation and technology while negotiating that fine intersection between off-road and on-road performance, toughness, comfort, and style. Over the decades, the Prado has represented the culmination of leading-edge tech, refinement, and ruggedness rolled into one versatile package.
And now in it’s 5th generation, the icon has returned bundling up all the lessons of its SUV ancestors, the latest tech and modern styling. The newest iteration of the Land Cruiser Prado is a nod to the SUV’s legendary roots, blending old-school charm with cutting-edge hybrid technology. The designers have somehow taken the square-jawed styling cues of old and amplified these elements to pay full homage to nostalgia while also giving a serious nod to the future.
But it’s not just a cosmetic facelift. Beneath that muscular hood is a 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine paired with a 48V hybrid electric system, delivering a chunky 150kW of power and a satisfying 500Nm of torque.
Toyota has also married this brute force with a modern, delicate touch. The 48V hybrid system, which charges the battery through regenerative braking, works in tandem with the engine for smoother acceleration, reduced emissions, and quicker throttle responses. Plus, with a new eight-speed automatic transmission (upgraded from the previous six-speed), the Prado shifts like butter on any terrain.
With a wading depth of 700mm and improved braked towing capacity now sitting at a whopping 3500kg, this beast can haul the chunkiest of loads. It’s actually a great excuse to get that luxury launch you’ve got on the vision board, too.
Toyota’s rolling out the Prado in four highly specced grades: GXL, VX, VX Limited, and Adventure. Each model caters to different tastes. For the outdoor purists, the Adventure model embraces Prado’s rough-and-tumble roots, featuring a rear differential lock and a front stabiliser disconnect mechanism for those times when wheel articulation is crucial. The VX Limited, meanwhile, is the gentler giant, complete with Adaptive Variable Suspension that stiffens suspension for improved handling in Sport S+ or softens it in Comfort mode.
The 2024 Prado is about confidence on the road and off it—an ideal blend for Kiwis who want a vehicle that’s as comfortable navigating their daily grind as it is embarking on a cross-country odyssey.
Inside the Prado’s new interior welcomes you with a marriage of toughness and tech. Toyota’s gone big with a 12.3-inch audio screen and heated/ventilated front seats, which are standard across all grades. The VX Limited turns it up to 11 with a panoramic roof and a 14-speaker JBL system. Need to navigate the unpredictable roads of Central Otago or the apocalyptic carparks of Auckland? The Prado’s multi-terrain monitor system on the VX and above has you covered, while the Adventure model’s tilt/slide moonroof will make it easy to keep an eye on that breathtaking view.
A 7-inch digital meter cluster on the base GXL gives way to a 12.3-inch version in the premium models, displaying everything from navigation to vehicle diagnostics in crisp, easy-to-read detail. Toyota isn’t holding back on the tech front either, packing in the latest iteration of Toyota Safety Sense—now featuring motorcycle detection, emergency driver stop systems, and even a driver monitor camera.
Looks-wise, the 2024 Prado means business. The clean, squared-off lines harken back to the rugged adventurers of yesteryear, while a heritage grille proudly spells out “TOYOTA” in bold, classic script. Alloy wheels range from 18-inchers on the GXL and Adventure models to premium 20-inch alloys on the VX and VX Limited. And those drool-worthy colours? Take your pick from an array of sleek tones, including two unique shades exclusive to the Adventure model: Sand and Smoky Blue, both of which can be paired with a two-tone light grey roof.
Toyota is launching the new Prado with a mission: to inspire Kiwis to get out there and explore New Zealand’s hidden gems. From the most scenic golf courses to the most challenging hiking trails and iconic surf spots, the Prado will be there, inviting you to push it to its limits.
