It's understood when Chinese car brands copy other foreign car brands’ products. But, it's quite shocking when the Japanese do it, that too the giant TOYOTA. Well, Toyota unveiled the new generation of the Prado after 14 years. And it was expected that it would look similar to the Lexus GX, as that's what has been happening between the two brands for a long time now. But, I wasn’t expecting it to have the Defender like grille. Let’s talk about this.

The Land Cruiser Prado sits below the Land Cruiser 300 and stands above the Fortuner. It had to get an update, as Toyota had been selling the same car for the past 14 years. And this update is quite significant, as it has run a long way from the old gen Prado.

What all has been unveiled?

Toyota unveiled a total of 2 new generations of 2 of its cars. The Land Cruiser 250, The Land Cruiser 1958 as a variant of the 2024 LC 250 and the Land Cruiser 70. 

The Land Cruiser 250 or the Land Cruiser Prado, which is what it will be called in almost all markets excluding North American. It is a new generation of the Land Cruiser Prado which was available in India, but unfortunately got discontinued in 2019. We will focus on this particular car, as it will be launched in India very soon.

The Land Cruiser 1958. It is a variant of the Land Cruiser 250 ( Land Cruiser Prado ). It is styled more in the retro theme with circular headlights just like the old Land Cruisers. Except for a few cosmetic changes, the rest all is the same. Unfortunately, it won’t make its way to Indian shores, so we won’t go deep into this one.

The Land Cruiser 70 has no chances of coming to India, so we won't dive much into it as well. Still a context about it - It is an older generation of the Land Cruiser named Land Cruiser 70. It is still on sale in markets like Australia. A facelift version has been introduced alongside the new LC Prado. It uses the same powertrain available in the Fortuner.

2024 Land Cruiser Prado -

Design -

It happens to be the twin of Lexus’ GX SUV. The Prado has been completely redesigned. The old Prado had some curved edges and chromed elements included, but this one has been kept raw in terms of its looks. Just like the Lexus GX, it has many straight lines running around and the typical boxy elements inserted to make it look like the new-age off-roading SUV.

The front grille which we talked about earlier, looks like the defender’s grille. The straight 90 degree posture of the grille and the boxy elements included in the central part of the grille makes it inspired from the Defender. Anyway, talking about the front, it gets a long metallic mesh grille which extends down till the metallic skid plate. Instead of this, the usual SUV bits which have plenty of boxy elements, can be seen up front. A rectangular compartment has been dedicated to the headlight section, including 3 LED beams which sit below the LED DRL bar. The bonet is exactly similar to the one in the GX, as it has got the popped up muscle design which goes down just before the A pillar.

The Side portion cannot be differentiated from the Lexus’ GX. Every design aspect has been kept as it is on the 2024 Prado, then you talk about the 18 inch wheels ( 21 inch optional ), the jutted out Octagonal wheel arches, same shoulder which runs till the tail lights and the same window line which inclines at the C pillar.

Though Toyota has managed to differ both the SUVs at the back. The 2024 LC Prado gets a 90 degree straight standing tailgate. It is splitted in two parts which is the rear windshield and the lower tailgate, as the windshield can be opened separately to have a more convenient access to the boot, instead of opening the long tailgate.

Interior -

The Interior of the 2024 Prado has been kept modern yet the most practical one in the segment. As it is very similar to the 2024 Lexus GX, the Chief Engineer at Lexus said that “The interior of the GX has been given the ‘Tazuna cockpit’ concept”, which means that it should be designed in a way, that it would lean more towards practicality then a visual appeal. The same has been carried forward in the 2024 Prado as well. As it can clearly be figured out by looking at the number of buttons in the central console and the side of their placement which is near the driver.

The 2024 Prado compared to the older generation has gone leaps apart in terms of Technology. A 12.3 inch touch screen display caters the driver as an Infotainment system providing all the essential information regarding the SUV. It also gets a digital driver’s display.

Engine -

It is said that it will be available in a total of 5 engine options. Though every market will get its own set of engine options, no market will get all of the 5 engines.

• 2.4 L Turbo - Hybrid Petrol Engine → 330 PS & 630 Nm of torque.

• A non-hybrid version of the same powertrain will be available → 281 PS & 430 Nm of Torque.

This engine is the most powerful unit of all other options. And with this engine equipped in the 2024 Prado, it can tow up to 3.5 tons. It will be offered as standard for the top variant in every market. Though it's quite confusing because its twin, the Lexus GX gets a much bigger 3.4 L Turbo - Hybrid engine producing 20 PS and 20 Nm more power than this one.

• 2.8 L Turbo - Hybrid Diesel engine → 204 PS & 500 Nm of Torque.

• A non-hybrid version of the same engine will also be offered, it will produce the same power figures.

This engine will be offered as standard in the base variants of the 2024 Prado in all the markets. This engine is the same non-hybrid unit used in the Fortuner.

• 2.4 L Turbo Petrol engine → 161 PS & 250 Nm of Torque

This engine will be offered only in the Japanese market. It is the same Petrol engine which is offered as an in the Fortuner.

Which one will make it to India & When?

Out of the 3 cars, the Land Cruiser 250 or the Land Cruiser Prado, will be launched in India.

We expect its launch in late 2024.

Price 

It is expected to be available between ₹ 1 Cr. to ₹ 1.5 Cr.