We all knew it was coming, but we did not expect it to just quietly slip through. Toyota Motor Philippines has officially launched the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser Prado albeit in a highly unexpected manner... quietly.
Ever since the LC250 a.k.a. Land Cruiser Prado was unveiled in August of last year, nearly every 4x4-loving market has awaited its launch. Here in the Philippines, Toyota Motor Philippines decided they’d just start selling it on their website, with price and details, the Monday after this year’s first Vios Cup weekend.
Overview and pricing
The 2024 Land Cruiser Prado enters the Philippine market with a starting price of ₱4.8-million. This price point places it within the premium SUV segment, above the midsize Fortuner but below the flagship Land Cruiser LC 300. It goes squarely against the new Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler Sport, and new Chinese competitors in the off-road segment. This positioning aims to attract buyers looking for a blend of luxury and good off-road capability without stepping up to the full-size Land Cruiser, which starts at ₱5.39 million for the lower-tier VX.
Design and features
The new Prado boasts a rugged yet refined exterior, with design cues that emphasize both style and functionality. It rides on the TNGA-F platform, shared with the larger Land Cruiser 300, ensuring improved rigidity and performance. The website only lists down one variant, the Land Cruiser Prado 2.4 Turbo A/T. This variant comes with a different grill from the US version, featuring vertical slats instead of a horizontal grille. There’s also the use of the oval Toyota logo instead of the word 'TOYOTA' emblazoned across the grille, which is what the US gets. The retro-modern Prado face, which features circular headlamps, is not available to us, but hopefully, TMP will bring in a retrofit kit.
Inside, the Prado offers a spacious and luxurious cabin designed to accommodate seven passengers comfortably. Leather-wrapped seats, door trims, and a leather steering wheel reinforce the premium feel one expects at this price range. From the photos provided, there do not seem to be interior accents, with black being the primary interior color. There are three exterior colors to choose from, namely: Avant-Garde Bronze, Platinum White Pearl Mica, and Attitude Black Mica.
Powertrain and performance
Under the hood, the Philippine-spec Prado gets just one engine option. The 2.4-liter turbo petrol T24A-FTSl engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivers a maximum output of 281-PS at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 430-Nm between 1,700-3,600 rpm.
Interior comfort and technology
Inside, the Prado offers a spacious and luxurious cabin designed to accommodate seven passengers comfortably. Leather-wrapped seats, door trims, and a leather steering wheel enhance the premium feel. The front seats are power-adjustable, with the driver’s seat featuring a 10-way power adjust and memory function, while the passenger seat offers a four-way power adjust. The second-row seats feature a 60:40 split, and the third-row seats are a 50:50 split with power recline and fold-flat capabilities.
Technological features include a 12.3-inch TFT color display in the instrument cluster, a dual auto climate control system with independent rear control, and a high-end audio system supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additionally, the Prado includes advanced safety features such as a pre-collision system, automatic high beam, lane-keeping system, dynamic radar cruise control, and multiple airbags, including knee airbags for both driver and passenger.
Off-road capable
For those who know how to get the most of its off-road capabilities, the Prado features a torque-sensing, rear limited-slip differential, active traction control, multi-terrain drive modes, and crawl control, paired up with a panoramic-view monitor and multi-terrain monitor. The Prado's off-road capabilities are further enhanced by features such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), and Downhill Assist Control (DAC).
We’re pretty sure TMP will launch this to the public with more fanfare soon, but in the meantime, those interested can now inquire with their Toyota dealerships for a reservation.