All-new 3500kg tow rated Toyota Prado arriving soon

Another new heavy-duty tow vehicle will be on the menu soon for Aussie caravanners, with Toyota Australia locking in a mid-year release for the new-generation 2024 Toyota Prado.

The new five-variant line-up for the all-new large off-road SUV will feature a long-overdue 3500kg braked towing capacity, but pricing details remain a mystery for now.

Easily one of the most anticipated launches in recent memory, the 2024 Toyota Prado line-up will comprise the familiar GX, GXL, VX and Kakadu trims, in that hierarchy, along with the returning Altitude nameplate that will adorn the back of the range’s off-road hero.

The Altitude will be the penultimate offering beneath the Kakadu, just as the closely-related Lexus GX Overtrail is second to the Luxury Sports flagship.

Speaking of the GX, the announcement means the Prado and its Lexus cousin will be arriving Down Under around the same time, further complicating things for buyers torn between both models.

Every new-generation Prado will be powered by a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine featuring a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and developing an unchanged 150kW/500Nm (compared to the outgoing model), so the 48V system is there primarily to aid fuel economy.

Official fuel consumption figures haven’t been released yet, but every variant will come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission along with full-time 4x4, a locking centre differential and upgraded 3500kg braked towing capacity.

Each Prado trim level will don its own unique look to help distinguish itself from its stablemates.

The base GX for instance will wear dark grey 18-inch alloy wheels, ‘TOYOTA’ lettering across its upper grille, LED headlights and daytime running lights, and darkened front and rear bumpers, side sills and wheel-arches.

Inside the fleet-friendly five-seat Prado GX cabin you’ll find manual adjustment for the driver’s seat, cloth upholstery, a 7.0-inch colour driver’s display, dual-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch infotainment touch-screen with wireless smartphone projection, sat-nav and DAB+ digital radio, plus a 10-speaker audio system, all-weather rubber floor mats and a 220V power outlet.

The GXL adds roof rails, rear privacy glass, silver front and rear bumper trim and a powered tailgate to the exterior equation, as well as a pair of third-row seats, synthetic leather-accented upholstery, heated and cooled front seats with power adjustment for the driver, leather steering wheel and gear selector, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rear climate control, wireless charging pad and two extra USB-C charging ports.

The VX ups the ante further with 20-inch wheels, body-coloured front and rear bumpers, over-fender moulding and rear guard trim, plus auto-levelling bi-LED headlights, genuine leather upholstery, memory driver’s seat, power-adjustable front passenger seat, power-adjustable steering wheel, carpet floor mats, refrigerated console box, tyre pressure monitoring, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14-speaker JBL sound system.

Other upgrades include the Lexus GX’s Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) damping system, five drive modes, multi-terrain select and a brand-first multi-terrain monitor system – essentially a transparent bonnet and floor display.

Those looking to venture a long way off-road and tackle more hard-core obstacles will more than likely be inclined to select the new Altitude trim, which builds on the VX’s key specs with a much tougher look and more rugged hardware.

Rolling on matte-grey 18-inch alloys shod with Toyo Open Country all-terrain tyres, the Altitude will (as per the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail) only be offered as a five-seater and dons a series of black exterior design touches including for the door-handles, tailgate garnish and over-fender moulding.

The tough look is backed up by a rear differential lock and a new swaybar-disconnect mechanism (replacing AVS) that’s said to provide an extra 10 per cent of wheel articulation.

The new Prado Altitude also packs some more luxurious toys than the VX, specifically a moon roof, digital rear-view mirror, heated steering wheel and head-up display.

At the top of the tree, the Kakadu also builds on the VX’s standard kit with a panoramic moon roof, illuminated side steps, heated and ventilated rear seats, heated steering wheel, adjustable driver’s seat thigh support, digital rear-view mirror, head-up display and a limited-slip rear differential.

Every Prado will come with the full suite of Toyota Safety Sense active safety technologies including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, lane trace assist, blind spot monitor and rear parking support brake, as well as more passive features like parking sensors, a panoramic view monitor, nine airbags and trailer sway control.

“Over decades the Prado has become a favourite for Australians in need of an SUV able to transport the whole family during the week and go off the beaten path on the weekend, all with signature Toyota reliability,” said Toyota Australia sales, marketing and franchise operations vice-president Sean Hanley today.

“The new-generation Prado will continue the legacy forged by its predecessors when it arrives here later this year, with the addition of 48-volt technology and the new Altitude grade making it more appealing than ever.”

Given it’s underpinned by the same new GA-F ladder frame as the LandCruiser 300 Series, brings a mildly electrified powertrain and is substantially bigger and more advanced than its 15-year-old predecessor (from $62,830), it’s reasonable to expect the new Prado will be priced from above $65,000 (or even $70,000) when it arrives here mid-year.

This article first appeared on Carsales.