Toyota just unveiled the newest iteration of the Land Cruiser Prado dubbed as the ‘250’. It sits on the same TNGA-F platform as the flagship 300 series that’s already available here in the country. It defines itself as a ‘core’ Land Cruiser model with modern amenities and features fused with retro styling inside and out. And before you check your banking app, there’s no pricing yet for this new LC.
The Land Cruiser 250 has a body reminiscent of the J60 from the 80s with its flat front face, huge rectangular shape, and that beltline that runs across from the headlights to the tail lights. It was mixed with FJ Cruiser cues starting with the body cladding on the lower portion, thick last pillar, side mirrors, and the rounded edges on the roof. The rear is also simple with its large glass, subtle contours, and taillights that have a rectangular LED outline. The units unveiled at the launch have different headlights – one rectangular and one circular, which could mean different markets may receive a different lighting package or they haven’t settled for a final piece yet.
The retro cues continue in the cabin where it’s mainly a mix of circles and horizontal lines giving off an old-school and simplified appeal. Unlike the LC300, the 250 doesn’t have many accents in its all-black interior and the few pieces that aren’t black are still dark metal pieces. There’s a digital gauge cluster, huge touchscreen, and Toyota goes against the grain by bringing back a lot of buttons on the center console, around the shifter.
While the design inside and out is a throwback to an earlier era, the performance sure is not. The Land Cruiser 250 has improvements under its metal sheets starting with the frame that’s 50% more rigid, suspension with better wheel articulation, enhanced functions of the Multi-Terrain Monitor and Multi-Terrain Select, Electronic Power Steering, and Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism that changes the front stabilizer to give comfort in off-road and handling stability when on paved roads.
Powering the Land Cruiser 250 are a slew of powertrain combinations depending on the market. There’s an entry level 2.7-liter gas engine with 163 PS and 246 Nm paired to a 6-speed Super ECT of Electronically Controlled Transmission. Next to that is a 2.4-liter turbo with Direct Shift 8-speed AT making 281 PS and 403 Nm of torque. There are two diesel mills courtesy of a 2.8-liter turbo diesel engine, but one has a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Despite that, they have the same power figures at 204PS and 500 Nm of torque. Finally there’s the 2.4-liter turbo hybrid mated to a Direct Shift 8-speed ‘matic producing 330 PS and 630 Nm of torque.
Of course, it won’t be a modern Land Cruiser without Toyota Safety Sense which is also fitted in this 250 series. That includes the Pre-Collision System, Adaptive High Beam, Lane Tracing Assist, and Adaptive Radar Cruise Control.
Since this is a global unveiling, there’s no word yet on how much this will cost and when it will arrive in the market. It’s also unsure if Toyota Motor Philippines will keep the ‘Prado’ name on the badge or drop it for a ‘250’.