Upcoming Land Cruisers go retro

Dec 31, 2023

New Land Cruiser 250 Prado and 70 Series

Been waiting in line for the Land Cruiser 300? You might want to change that order to a 250 or 70. Toyota Motor Corporation has just unveiledthe new Land Cruiser 250 (Prado) Series to the world. The vehicle will first be launched in Japan in the first half of 2024. Also revealed was the heavy-duty Land Cruiser 70. Though the vehicle will be made available in Japan, we have yet to receive word if it will be offered in the Philippines.

Land Cruiser Prado

The new Land Cruiser Prado and 70 will be offered as more rugged alternatives in the Land Cruiser family. The Prado is built on the same GA-F platform as the 300 Series to dramatically improve its performance as an off-roader. It was created in pursuit of unique Land Cruiser characteristics, incorporating interior and exterior styling that fuses traditional and modern in a functional package. The aim was to create a next-generation Land Cruiser with improved ease of handling and comfort for both on- and off-road driving, while also delivering class-leading advanced safety performance.

Easily the most evident change is the more boxy design of the new Prado. It is unashamedly angular to help create a more rugged look. It also gets new LED headlights and taillights.

Inside, the same rugged look has been applied albeit asymmetrically with a hooded binnacle for the fully-digital instrument cluster and a dualcliff face dashboard on the passenger side. There are references to the classic design with round climate control vents.

The driver gets a fully-digital instrument cluster that integrates vital driving information with customizable displays to better deliver the information needed on demand. For entertainment, there’s a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It comes with modern tech features like a wireless charging pad, a 2400W AC inverter to charge or power larger devices, genuine leather seats, heated/ventilated front seats, and climate control.

As for safety, there’s the upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 which comes with features like adaptive cruise control, lane centering, automatic emergency braking, lane departure prevention, blind spot monitoring, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, automatic high beam, road sign assist, and rear-cross traffic alert.

The Prado will have a number of powertrain choices, among which is the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, made up of a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a 1.87 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. The result is a total system output of 330-PS and 630-Nm.

Though locally, what will likely be in-demand is the 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV diesel. It produces 204-PS with 500-Nm of torque and is paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. It also comes with a new 48V hybrid system.

Keeping it aloft over tough terrain is a set of double-wishbones in front with twin-tube shocks and a multi-link rear set with coil springs.

Land Cruiser 70

The practically immortal 70 series finally gets an update this year with a look that’s not so far from the form many have come to know and love. In fact, besides the switch from halogen to LED lights, there seems to be very little that has been changed. It’s still built on an original ladder frame for high durability and reliability, with improved on-road comfort while maintaining outstanding off-road driving performance.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise as the 70 will continue to fulfill its role as the most rugged of the Land Cruiser family. It may not receive much in the way of tech upgrades, but that’s likely the way its enthusiast fans like it. It’s powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

“The Land Cruiser should be a car that supports people's lives and local communities, so the Light Duty model must return to the true form that customers are looking for," said then-President Akio Toyoda when overseeing development of the two new Land Cruisers.

There’s still no word of when the new Land Cruiser Prado will arrive in the Philippines. However, based on its schedule for Japan, we can surmise that it may be offered mid-2024. The 70 Series is a bigger uncertainty as the sale of its predecessor has already been limited, and that is unlikely to change with the new model.