New Toyota Land Cruiser Prado: Australia Gets Unique VX And Kakadu Trims With Premium Features
by AutoExpert | 30 May, 2024
In Australia, the next-gen 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has made its debut. The Land Cruiser Series 250 is already available in Japan, Europe, and North America, and it looks almost the same everywhere. It may come as a surprise, but top-tier VX and Kakadu trims get preferential treatment for Australian purchasers.
These trims distinguish themselves from others with their wider grille, adorned with vertical slats, and polished finish. It has the iconic Toyota emblem instead of the Toyota lettering.
The revised design was incompatible with previous trims because it required changes to the lower fascia. The 20-inch alloy wheels and body-colored bumper cladding are further distinguishing features that contribute to the VX and Kakadu models' enhanced visual appeal.
None of the Prados Down Under have the retro-style circular headlights but instead have the leaner rectangular LED ones. The base GX comes equipped with a lot of useful amenities, and as you go up the trim levels, you get even more. This Kakadu model is available with a plethora of features, including an upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and a premium 14-speaker JBL audio system.
The most luxurious trim level comes standard with a panoramic sunroof, lighted side steps, heated and ventilated rear outer seats, a heated steering wheel, and an array of advanced driver assistance systems. Inside, you'll find seven seats in the GLX, seven in the VX, and seven in the Kakadu; in contrast, the entry-level GX and the off-road-oriented Altitude have five. A turbocharged 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine producing 201 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque is the only option available for the Land Cruiser Prado in Australia.
Toyota V-Active mild-hybrid 48V technology combines with this updated engine to further enhance fuel economy and responsiveness. In Europe, a comparable engine setup will likely replace the present non-electrified Prado model next year. An eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission distributes power to each of the four wheels.
Permanent four-wheel drive systems are standard on Toyota vehicles and include crawl control, a central differential, and low-range gears. Extras included on the Altitude model include a mechanism to disengage the stabilizer, a rear differential lock, and unique 18-inch alloy wheels shod with all-terrain Toyo Open Country tires.
At the same time, the Land Cruiser Prado Kakadu has a torque-sensing rear limited-slip differential, an adaptive variable suspension with a comfort emphasis, Drive Mode Select, and Multi-Terrain Select. Pricing for the latest generation Land Cruiser Prado in Australia begins at AU$72,500 (US$47,984) for the base GX trim and goes up to AU$99,990 (US$66,178) for the top-of-the-line Kakadu.
There is a more comprehensive standard equipment package included; however, the price is higher by AU$9,670–12,500 (US$6,398–8,272) than the outgoing model. In Australia, the base price of the larger V6-powered Land Cruiser 300 Series starts at 108,552 Australian dollars, which is approximately $71,818.