{"id":70444,"date":"2025-09-21T14:22:23","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T18:22:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/toyota-land-cruiser-prado-shines-with-modern-interior-but-falls-short-on-power\/"},"modified":"2025-09-21T14:22:23","modified_gmt":"2025-09-21T18:22:23","slug":"toyota-land-cruiser-prado-shines-with-modern-interior-but-falls-short-on-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/toyota-land-cruiser-prado-shines-with-modern-interior-but-falls-short-on-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Shines with Modern Interior but Falls Short on Power"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Sets the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Apart for Australian Buyers?<\/p>\n

Australians have always had a soft spot for the Toyota Land Cruiser, and with good reason. Unlike their American counterparts, Aussies get a smorgasbord of Land Cruiser options: the full-sized 300 Series, the slightly smaller Prado, and the rugged 70 Series that\u2019s been chugging along since the \u201880s. The latest Prado, though, is turning more heads than ever before\u2014and not just for its boxy, retro-inspired looks.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in the market for a big, family-friendly SUV that can handle school runs, camping trips, and the occasional muddy trail, the new Prado is a compelling alternative to rivals like the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X. But what\u2019s it really like to live with? Let\u2019s dig in.<\/p>\n

How Does the New Prado\u2019s Engine Stack Up?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where things get interesting. Under the bonnet, the Aussie-spec Prado sticks with Toyota\u2019s tried-and-true 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder. It\u2019s the same workhorse you\u2019ll find in the Hilux and the 70 Series\u2014reliable, yes, but not exactly a fire-breather. You\u2019re looking at 201 horsepower (150 kW) and 368 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. That\u2019s a fair bit less than what you get in the American Land Cruiser (with its 326 hp hybrid setup) or the beefier LC300 (304 hp, 516 lb-ft).<\/p>\n

Toyota has added a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for a bit of extra efficiency and smoother stop-start operation. The electric motor chips in a modest 11 hp and 48 lb-ft, and the eight-speed automatic transmission is a welcome upgrade over the old six-speed. Still, don\u2019t expect neck-snapping acceleration\u20140 to 100 km\/h takes about 11 seconds. For context, the LC300 will do the same in the mid-7s, and the Ford Everest\u2019s V6 diesel feels noticeably punchier.<\/p>\n

Is the Interior Finally Up to Modern Standards?<\/p>\n

Absolutely. Step inside, and you\u2019ll notice the Prado\u2019s cabin is lightyears ahead of its predecessor. Dual 12.3-inch displays stretch across the dash, giving it a premium vibe that even the pricier 300 Series struggles to match. Physical climate controls, a chunky steering wheel, and a robust gear shifter remind you this is still a proper 4×4, but the overall design is refreshingly modern.<\/p>\n

Space-wise, the Prado isn\u2019t quite as cavernous as the LC300, but it\u2019s more than roomy enough for families. Perks like a wireless phone charger, a cool box for drinks, and wireless Apple CarPlay\/Android Auto add to the daily convenience. The only real letdown? Toyota\u2019s infotainment software remains basic\u2014functional, but not flashy.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the Real Story with the Seven-Seat Layout?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where the Prado\u2019s design stumbles a bit. While you can opt for five or seven seats, the third row in the seven-seat version is a mixed bag. It\u2019s fine for kids, but eats into cargo space\u2014just 182 litres with all seats up, compared to 311 litres in the Isuzu MU-X. Fold the third row down and you get 906 litres, but the seats don\u2019t fold flat due to the hybrid battery under the floor. In rivals like the Everest and MU-X, the third row tucks away neatly, making for a more versatile boot.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t absolutely need seven seats, the five-seater Prado is the smarter pick. You\u2019ll get more usable cargo space and avoid the awkward seat-folding compromise.<\/p>\n

How Does the Prado Drive on and Off the Road?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be honest: the Prado isn\u2019t going to win any drag races. The engine feels a bit underwhelming, especially when you\u2019re hauling a full load or overtaking on the highway. But once you settle into its rhythm, the Prado\u2019s strengths shine through. The new eight-speed auto keeps things smooth, always seeming to find the right gear without fuss.<\/p>\n

Toyota has switched to electric power steering, which is light and makes parking a breeze, but it\u2019s not exactly brimming with feedback. On twisty or icy roads, you might wish for a bit more connection to the front wheels. Still, the adaptive suspension (standard on VX and Kakadu trims) soaks up bumps beautifully, making long drives comfortable for everyone on board.<\/p>\n

Off-road? The Prado\u2019s reputation is well-earned. With multiple drive modes for different terrains, a locking centre diff, hill descent control, and low-range gearing, it\u2019s more than capable of tackling rough tracks. The Altitude trim even adds a locking rear diff for extra confidence. While this review didn\u2019t include hardcore off-roading, decades of Land Cruiser DNA mean the Prado is ready for whatever adventure you throw at it.<\/p>\n

How Does the Prado Compare on Price and Value?<\/p>\n

Pricing starts at AU$72,500 for the base GX and climbs to just under AU$100,000 for the top-spec Kakadu. The VX model tested here sits at AU$87,400 (about US$58,300). Compared to the US Land Cruiser, which starts at $57,200, the Prado offers a lot of bang for your buck\u2014especially when you factor in Toyota\u2019s reputation for reliability and strong resale values.<\/p>\n

Against rivals, the Prado\u2019s engine is a step behind in outright power, but the overall package\u2014interior quality, comfort, and off-road ability\u2014makes it a strong contender. If you value peace of mind and a go-anywhere attitude over outright speed, it\u2019s hard to go wrong.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the Bottom Line for Families and Adventurers?<\/p>\n

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is a big leap forward where it matters most: comfort, technology, and everyday usability. Sure, the engine could use a shot of espresso, and the seven-seat layout isn\u2019t perfect. But the Prado\u2019s blend of ruggedness, refinement, and reliability is tough to beat.<\/p>\n

The big takeaway? Choosing the right Prado isn\u2019t about perfection\u2014it\u2019s about smarter adjustments. Start with one change this week\u2014maybe test drive both five- and seven-seat versions\u2014and you\u2019ll likely spot the difference by month\u2019s end.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/div>\n

The latest LC Prado is still one of the best choices in the segment and would be even better with a mightier powertrain<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":70445,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1169,14,137,285,4226,499],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-70444","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-australia","8":"category-information-technology","9":"category-news","10":"category-reviews","11":"category-suv","12":"category-toyota"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70444"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70444\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}