Posted in News
The fifth generation of Australia’s best-selling large SUV, Toyota LandCruiser Prado, will introduce comprehensive advances in performance, technology and features when it arrives at Motorama Toyota later this year.
Range-wide innovations or improvements include a new platform, re-engineered powertrain with Toyota’s efficient V-Active 48V technology, new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission, electric power steering and park brake, higher maximum towing capacity and advances in active safety and connectivity.
Equipment levels have been significantly increased for the familiar grade names, from the five-seat GX to the seven-seat GXL, VX and Kakadu, while the range will be expanded with the arrival of the off-road focused five-seat Altitude.
LandCruiser Prado Kakadu (Pre-production vehicle shown)
Beyond the range-wide advances, GX at $72,500 (RRP) (1) will debut a vast array of technologies and equipment that were previously unavailable or were fitted to higher-grade models only.
Opening the range, the GX sports a strong and purposeful exterior design shared with GXL and Altitude. It brings a modern and stylish edge to the new model’s LandCruiser DNA that is evident from the squared-off grille featuring ‘TOYOTA’ lettering.
GX gains LED headlamps with a washer, LED front foglamps and DRLs, rain-sensing wipers, side steps, and heated and power-retractable side mirrors. Also new are 18-inch dark-grey alloy wheels, body-coloured door handles and a new top-hinged tailgate with a separate-opening glass hatch.
Upgrades continue inside GX with automatic two-zone climate control with remote function. Its new fabric-covered seats include a six-way manual adjustment for the driver. Other popular features include smart entry and start, all-weather rubber floor mats and a 220V/100W power outlet in the cargo area.
Underpinning the GX and every LandCruiser Prado is a new platform, the body-on-frame Toyota New Global Architecture GA-F platform shared with the LandCruiser 300. It provides the foundation for excellent response, ride and handling – on and off-road. The frame’s torsional rigidity has increased by 50 per cent compared with the outgoing model.
Power comes from a re-engineered 1GD 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder diesel engine producing 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque. It is now combined with Toyota’s V-Active technology, incorporating a 48V electric motor-generator, a compact 48V lithium-ion battery and an idle-stop system.
As well as helping reduce fuel consumption for driving around town, V-Active technology delivers smoother, quieter and more responsive performance compared with the outgoing model while maintaining the vehicle’s ability to excel in tough driving conditions.
A new eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission offers closer gear ratios than the six-speed unit it replaces. GX now has three selectable drive modes.
Braked towing capacity has been increased by almost 17 per cent to 3,500kg (8). This is complemented by a new tow haul system that holds lower gears longer, gives better engine response during towing and provides engine braking to help slow the vehicle.
Off-roading ability is enhanced by the permanent 4WD driveline, low-range gearing, centre differential, downhill assist control and A-TRC traction control, with a combined 110-litre fuel capacity. GX also gains the crawl control (7) system from the LandCruiser 300 Series.
LandCruiser Prado Altitude (Pre-production vehicle shown)
LandCruiser Prado Altitude (Pre-production vehicle shown)
Significant improvements in connectivity including a new 12.3-inch touch screen paired with a 7.0-inch colour multi-information display, panoramic view monitor, 10-speaker audio system with DAB digital radio and four USB-C charging ports. Every grade is also newly equipped with cloud-based navigation (2), wireless Apple CarPlay® (3), wireless Android Auto™ (4), plus compatibility with Toyota Connected Services (5) through the myToyota Connect smartphone app6.
GX, like all variants in the new range, is fitted with Toyota’s latest active safety technologies, including a pre-collision system (7), all-speed adaptive cruise control (7) and lane trace assist (7).
Innovations include a new driver monitor camera and emergency driving stop system. If the system detects the driver is not attentive and does not respond to prompts to resume control of the vehicle, it can bring the vehicle to a stop under certain conditions.
Added protection for occupants and other road users comes from safe exit assist, which is linked to the blind-spot monitor sensors. It provides a visual and audible warning system that helps guard against a door being inadvertently opened into the path of vehicles and cyclists approaching from the rear.
Passive safety features include front and rear parking sensors and an additional two airbags for a total of nine.
New-generation LandCruiser Prado is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre Toyota Warranty Advantage (12), which can be extended to seven years on the engine and driveline (13).
Toyota capped-price servicing has been extended to the first five years/100,000km (whichever comes first) with six-month/10,000km service intervals. Pricing will be announced closer to launch (14).
The most popular grade in the LandCruiser Prado range is typically the seven-seat GXL, which incorporates premium technologies and features.
Priced from $79,990 (RRP) (1), the GXL includes many features that are above and beyond those found in GX as well as a vast array of technologies and equipment that were previously unavailable or were fitted to higher-grade models only.
A new parking support brake system is designed to detect obstacles behind the vehicle when moving at low speed. If it determines a collision is likely, it applies drive force control and enhanced braking power.
Additional new features on GXL include premium synthetic leather-accented seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat and front-row heating and ventilation, as well as a leather-accented steering wheel and shift knob.
Extra comfort and convenience are provided through the addition of rear-seat air-conditioning, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a wireless smartphone charger (9), two extra USB-C ports for third-row occupants and door-trim illumination.
GXL retains its roof rails, rear privacy glass and silver front and rear-guard trim.
LandCruiser Prado Altitude (Pre-production vehicle shown)
Also offered in a seven-seat layout is the VX specification priced from $87,400 (RRP) (1), which – along with the Kakadu grade – is clearly distinguished from the GXL by its unique grille with chrome slats.
The VX also gains high-grade bi-LED headlamps with adaptive high-beam (7), 20-inch dark metallic alloy wheels and body-coloured bumpers and mouldings.
Premium leather-accented upholstery provides increased comfort along with driver’s seat memory and lumbar support, a four-way power adjustable passenger seat, power-adjustable steering wheel, a refrigerated console box and carpet floor mats.
VX also features a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a premium 14-speaker JBL® (10) audio system.
Mechanical enhancements have also been made for the VX, including the adaptive variable suspension (AVS), five-mode Drive Mode Select, and a revised and improved Multi-Terrain Select traction control system and Multi-Terrain Monitor (7) that provide additional driver support when venturing off-road.
LandCruiser Prado Altitude (Pre-production vehicle shown)
LandCruiser Prado Altitude (Pre-production vehicle shown)
The LandCruiser Prado introduces the new Altitude dedicated off-road variant priced from $92,700 (RRP) (1), designed to maximise the Prado’s renowned rough-road capability.
The five-seat Altitude introduces unique 18-inch alloy wheels with Toyo® (10) Open Country all-terrain tyres, a moonroof and black exterior trim. Inside, it is equipped with a digital rearview mirror, heated steering wheel and head-up display.
Rather than employing the AVS from VX, the Altitude adopts a new stabiliser disconnect mechanism and rear differential lock for maximum traction on uneven surfaces.
Up to eight paint colours are available across the new LandCruiser Prado range (premium paint will add $675 to the vehicle's price), including the Altitude-exclusive two-tone Tanami Taupe and Ningaloo Blue, paired with a light-grey roof (11) available for an additional $1675.
LandCruiser Prado Kakadu (Pre-production vehicle shown)
LandCruiser Prado Kakadu (Pre-production vehicle shown)
The flagship of the LandCruiser Prado range continues to be the luxurious, seven-seat Kakadu variant at $99,990 plus on-roads (1).
Building on the VX specification, it adds a panoramic moon roof, illuminated side steps, heated and ventilated rear outer seats, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display and a digital rearview mirror.
A torque-sensing rear limited-slip differential is also fitted to help provide faithful handling inputs.
If you're keen to learn more about the trims available in the all-new LandCruiser Prado range and finding the right one to suit your needs, or would like to secure your spot on the waitlist, be sure to get in touch with the team at Motorama Toyota today.
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