Land Cruiser badge remains but underpinnings change.

Toyota’s popular Prado 4×4, in its current generation, has been on the market since 2009 and has always used a Land Cruiser platform as its base and carried the Land Cruiser badge with it. With the latest Land Cruiser 300 recently released, the Prado is the next model in sight of an overhaul.

Its latest update came in 202 where it received the updated 2.8 GD-6 turbodiesel engine that also serves purpose in the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Fortuner models.

> Read our launch review of the Land Cruiser 300 here

The Prado is traditionally the entry model of the Land Cruiser range but retains the off-road bias that Land Cruisers are renowned for. However, the next generation is likely to get different underpinnings to its Land Cruiser siblings.

Speaking to Andrew Kirby, president and CEO of Toyota South Africa, at the local Land Cruiser launch he spoke of the Prado using a different platform to the all-new TNGA-F Land Cruiser platform and that the new platform for Prado would likely be called TNGA-E. The platform hasn’t yet been revealed but the only other product that would use this platform (that we know of) will be the new Toyota Tundra set to be revealed in late September 2021.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra – America only pick-up truck.

The Tundra is a full-size American pick-up truck and easily one of Toyota’s best-looking models around the globe. Traditionally, American pick-up platforms haven’t been used globally as they tend to be ‘softer’ than what’s required for the rest of the world. In this case, the next generation Prado would likely use a modified, or global version of the Tundra platform. No specific reason for the change was mentioned although, considering the size difference between Land Cruiser 300 and Prado, a smaller platform may be better suited in a segment where on-road bias and road manners are favoured over outright off-road capability.

This does mean that the next Prado will retain a ladder frame chassis as has been the way since its introduction. It will still be the odd model out in a segment where the monocoque chassis rules the roost.

The Prado is unlikely to be shown soon and is still some way off, according to Kirby. Currently, the expected reveal date for Prado is towards the end of 2022, with products hitting showrooms sometime in 2023.

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