2010 Toyota LandCruiser Prado revealed
September 14, 2009 by George Skentzos
To coincide with its international launch in Japan, Toyota Australia has today showcased a virtually hand-built pre-production version of the fourth generation LandCruiser Prado SUV.
Due to go on sale in Australia from November, the new Prado boasts revamped styling, improved performance and economy and a raft of driver assist technologies for both on and off road.
As Toyota’s fourth largest market for the Prado, a portion of the development work was carried out in Australia, with test mules disguised as the current generation Prado covering 100,000km on local roads – 70 per cent of which were unsealed.
With four models to choose from in Toyota’s 4WD and SUV fleet, Prado represents the first step into true off-road ability, meshing the qualities of a luxurious family SUV and capable off-roader.
In order to fulfil this reputation for the new generation model, Toyota has adapted many technologies from both the Lexus RX and LandCruiser 200 ranges.
While exact specifications are still being finalised, expect the new Prado to feature some of the electronic aids developed for passenger vehicles such as vehicle stability control and traction control as well as seven airbags as standard.
The current 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine gains dual VVT-i with power increased by more than 10 per cent, while a turbo-diesel variant will also be made available which will see fuel economy drop to less than 9.0-litres per 100km.
The design direction for the new Prado has been described as “intelligent modern” by chief engineer, Makoto Arimoto, forming a fresh yet familiar styling evolution for the nameplate.
The Prado is marginally bigger than its predecessor with an extra 80mm in length and 10mm in width, while a lower overall ride height of 15mm contributes to an improved drag coefficient of 0.35 – down from 0.37.
At the front, a new vertical grille echoes its predecessor, flanked on either side by cylindrical high-beams and projector low-beams with a three-dimensional profile of the clearance and turn signal lamps.
The door mirrors feature integrated LED indicators while the same technology is repeated in the read tail lamp clusters together with a body-coloured rear spoiler housing the rear wiper.
A full-size spare tyre cover blends the rear and also houses the built-in rear camera which works in tandem with front and side cameras to give a virtual surround view of the entire car on all but the base model.
The side profile is dominated by integrated fender flares which rise up from the tyres and shoot toward the rear with the sharply trimmed lower section of both the front and rear bumpers making the overhangs look shorter.
“LandCruiser Prado has continuously evolved to satisfy diverse customer needs – and fourth-generation Prado will accelerate that trend. It has a pedigree stretching back more than 50 years and is fundamental to Toyota’s reputation of quality, durability and reliability,” said Toyota Australia’s senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner.
The Prado has been Australia’s most popular medium SUV for more than a decade, with more than 148,000 sold since its introduction in 1996 – with Toyota expecting to reach the milestone 150,000 sales before the end of the year.
From this figure, the official fleet-private split is roughly 65:35 although a sizeable proportion of those fleet sales are novated.
Full specifications, pricing and driving impressions will be made available closer to the car’s official launch in November.
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Geez, I’m a bit surpirsed by all this banter as a person looking to enter the ‘real’ 4WD market for the first time. I’ve been looking at and researching a few of the big names for some time and when this new prado was announced I thought it was great. Looks ok to me – perhaps a bit Kluger-esque, but hey, they are very popular so perhaps that was deliberate?.
I didn’t like the folding-to-the-side 3rd row seats in the 09 model and it seems from comments above they may have rectified this which takes away one advantage Pajero had over the 09 model. I also liked the Pajero interior, but again the differnence seems to have been recrified. However, I couldn’t get past how close the front wheels of the Pajero are to the front of the car. Looks out of balance. And noisey too.
If I can afford a new Prado, I’d love to get one. Might have to settle for a decision between an 09 model pajero and prado tho…..
I have a 2008 model 6 speed manual diesel and wouldn’t trade it for this ugly duckling. What happened Toyota? you had it just right with the 120 series. Looks very nissan patrol inside and pajero outside.
Not a fan.
Ugly; looks like a rhino. What were they thinking?!
I think, Toyota has made a mixed up, it has released the model they were suppose to release in 2010 in 2003 & the 2003 model in 2010. Thank you toyota we had a better looking vehical in the second hand market much earlier.
bulky bulky ………….. why do they need bulkiness…?
buldging eyes, ass & the tyre cover looks crap………
prior version looks more cool……….
Well I think it is ugly, at this stage, same with the new cruiser. But I have had an 03 and 06 Prado and its is time agian for a new one. so I guess this is the only option for me. my resales on old prados have been fantastic
Like most people’s comments looks and feels not quite right. I have a current shap Prado and might be hanging onto it for a little while. I would think the new shape will have to grow on you. Disappointing from Toyota
Looks great, that’s progress. If your not happy then keep living in the past. Look around, nothing else compares in the market place.
I dont mind the vehicle but am reliably told that the Grande model will be over $90,000 and may even touch $95,000 (petrol) on the road, to me that’s pricy and getting within $10,000 TO $15,000 of the V8 Sahara.
It will be interesting to test the reaction of buyers if this price is right.
A very good article, however I don’t believe that the article covered all the models that are being released and was based on a model at the higher end of the range like the Grande or a speced up GXL. The GX can’t have camers as standard. I feel the biggest seller would be the GX and would have been more suitable for myself, anyway.
I love it. Good to see them go away from all the plastic and fibreglass flares that I have had nothing but problems with off road. As for all the comments about how ugly it is I recall the same comments about the 03 prado and 100 series landcruiser when they first came out, have a look at those models now, no-one wants to get rid of them without asking insane prices for them ($69000 for an 06 100 series come on it cost that much new). For all you knocker out there you can buy my 04 prado and I’ll go buy the new model. My only concern is that the prado was introduced as a smaller version of the landcruiser and more affordable because the cruiser was getting out of range for most, I fear the same is happening to the prado with the Rav4 becoming the more affordable version.
You are 100% correct Simon, this new model is being taken to a level above and beyond the LC200, the new ‘grande’ (will have a name change) will have such yuppy extras as 4 cameras (surround vision) and would you believe, an anti crash radar sysytem that actually detects the vehicle in front slowing down and automatically adjusts the speed and brakes your car accordingly (are these extras required by the true 4wd owner, I think not), plus there are several other technological advances as well.
The truth is, the Prado is now being aimed at the elite and yuppy market, not the standard ozzie 4wd owner.
I have a Grande and was seriously looking at a new one, now I am almost convinced to buy the Sahara for close to the same money.
The new Grande is to be called a KAKADU I believe.
the 4 camera’s are actually used for off road purposes if you check it out correctly. but in toyotas defence 80% of all prado drivers do not take their cars off road. but insaying that they have taken away the crappy flares that off road drivers were constantly having to replace so you will save money if you are a true 4×4 fan and they have added in alot more offroad capabilities or assist features i.e a new KDSS suspension thats been improved from the 200series as well as the 4x multi terrain camera’s crawl control all terrain abs and so on. this car only retails for mid 90’s and honestly after seeing all the kakadu features its worth the money. the only killer is our government with the 33% luxury car tax.
I saw 2 of them driving along the Western highway (in Victoria) yesterday. One silver, one dark grey metallic. For some reason with the type letters on the back and engine numbers on the side taped off.
Saw one coming up from behind and it’s immediately recognizable, even from 1k away, as a Prado, and I have to say they look a lot better in real life than on these pictures. I’m driving the current model as well and it’s still going strong, so no intention of changing, but I don’t mind the new model. Pricey, though.
I think the new model looks great and i was ready to buy but not at the sort of price tag that i have seen
i have a 2005 petrol grande and would not swap for quids have just done a 7500k trip to WA and it performed terrifically rides really nice, very comfortable and average 13.7l/100Ks which i found quite acceptable
Thats not bad economy Paul. How heavy was the van you were towing.
claims of the new t/d prado 8.5l/100ks combined. 7.1 for country long trips (apparently)
Toyugly Toyugly Toyugly, I have owned 2 100 series Crusers and a Prado and im in the market for a new one. But what is Toyota thinking the last few years they have lost the plot. These have to be the uglyest cars ever. Even though there the best 4 wd on the road it does not make up for looks. Come on Toyota get rid of your design team and hire someone with just a little style. Meanwile i think ill buy a Range Rover.
Very similar to the 200 LC, but not sure if I like it. Technology is getting more advanced in vehicles. Seems to me all the ruggedness of off-roading is no longer done by people, but by this new generation of SUVs with cameras and inclining/declining systems. This isn’t 4WDing. This vehicle is saying: find a mountain, sit back in comfort, and let the car do it all for you.
Viewed the Prado Kakadu this evening
It did not do it for me unfortunately – yet to drive though
It has lost rear head space due to drop away seats
The wood grain is very plastic looking – not sure why that has been brought back, the black onyx is more attractive
In my opinion it is not ugly, it is different and in time will probably grow on me
I have had my Grande Diesel for two years now and love it – so won’t change imminently
Interested to hear other’s view points now that Prado 2010 is here and in the flesh
i tell u what. I sell Toyotas and this is just a mini 200/ large Rav. Been driving it around for the past week. Uncontrollable, jerky, spongy braking just like the 200. Give me a real FWD any day. Don’t waste your hard earned money on this heap of ugliness. Whoever designs these new-gen Toyotas should get shot
Here I was thinking you work for Mitsubishi.
Gee Sarah you must be a great salesperson… telling people not to buy the product you are paid to sell… are you sure you dont actually sell Landrovers or Pajeros??????
I just don’t believe in some Toyotas anymore, most are still great cars, but I’d prefer to be selling Honda instead. Hmmm
http://www.niot.net/blog-image.....st-cla.jpg
http://www.tundraheadquarters......e-rust.jpg
Yeah, I know Toyota is really RUST.
Toyota do seem to rust quite quickly.