Is this a new Land Cruiser Prado?
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado VX-L is the new flagship in Toyota’s legendary Prado lineage, a name that has built durable, go-anywhere 4x4s for decades. This is based on the all-new generation (J250 series, GA-F platform), launched in Mzansi in mid 2024. It’s not just a facelift, but a ground-up rethink that keeps the rugged soul while adding modern polish and luxury.
It looks fantastic.
Right?! Toyota has refreshed the formula to make it even more appealing, and it is still aimed at those who want serious capability without sacrificing everyday comfort. The body-coloured accents (no black cladding here), bigger, black 20-inch alloys, and subtle upgrades give it a more premium, cohesive presence on the road. Rugged elegance rather than pure workhorse.
What else?
Step inside and the VX-L feels properly special. It’s a spacious 7-seater with premium leather upholstery across the seats, high-quality finishes, and thoughtful touches that make long trips feel effortless. There’s a panoramic sunroof flooding the cabin with light, heated and ventilated front seats for those chilly mornings or hot afternoons respectively, a digital rear-view mirror that gives unobstructed views even with the third row up or cargo piled high, and a booming 14-speaker JBL audio system.
Toyota has always been clever with storage, and here it’s no different. Plenty of cubbies for phones, keys, water bottles (the centre console opens to be a drinks cooler), and all those little bits that accumulate on family adventures or overland trips. The interior has that elevated ambiance with tactile materials and a sense of solidity that screams “built to last.”
I did struggle though, with the instrument panel toggles. It’s not as clean cut and easy to use as most of the other controls, and one has to keep fidgeting until one gets it right. The Android Auto is also not the friendliest to connect.
There are three rows of seats, giving it a 7-seat configuration. The last row of seats can be accessed via the second row or through the boot lid/ tailgate. There the electronic adjusters are absolutely easy to use. The two rear-most passengers, who cannot be taller than 1.7m, enjoy their own temperature settings among other features.
Is the diesel powertrain any good?
The heart is Toyota’s re-tuned 2.8-litre turbodiesel motor (1GD-FTV) with years of experience, pushing out 150kW and a meaty 500Nm of torque. Paired to an 8-speed automatic, it’s smooth and responsive, with very little diesel clatter. That torque makes light work of overtaking on highways or pulling away loaded up for a weekend escape. Fuel economy hovers around 7.9 L/100 km combined, giving a tested range of around 960km from the big tank, great for those long, remote drives where fuel stops are few and far between. It’s obviously not about outright speed, but about effortless cruising and pulling power that feels reassuring.
Prado is a name commonly associated with off-road driving.
Yes, and this is where the Prado VX-L truly shines. Full-time 4×4 with low-range transfer case, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and other advanced off-road tech make it extremely capable when the tarmac ends. Whether it’s rocky trails, sandy dunes, or muddy backroads, it tackles them with composure. On-road, the ride is supremely comfortable and composed; adaptive variable suspension soaks up imperfections while keeping things planted at speed. It’s the kind of dual-personality vehicle that feels at home cruising long-distance on the freeway, or conquering a tough 4×4 route.
Better than before then?
Absolutely. The previous Prado was already a legend, but this update elevates it with modern looks, better refinement, more luxury features, and that Toyota reputation for durability.
QUICK STATS
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER PRADO VX-L
ENGINE: 2.8-litre turbo diesel
POWER: 150kW
TORQUE: 500Nm
0 – 100KM/H: 10.7 seconds
GEARBOX: 8-speed automatic
DRIVE: Full-time 4×4 with low-range
TOP SPEED: 165km/h
FUEL AVERAGE: 7.9 L/100km
CO2 e: Around 209 g/km
PRICE: R1 513 300
NATURAL RIVALS: Ford Everest Platinum, GWM Tank 500 Black Edition, Isuzu MU-X, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Defender 130
FOR A SIMILAR PRICE: Audi RS Sportback, BMW X3 M50, GAC M8 Master, Land Rover Discovery Sport D200, Lexus RX350, Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI Elegance, Volvo ES90 Plus
BABY-MAGNETIC FACTOR: High
*A price rival falls within R200 000 or so of the subject’s price on either side of its price spectrum for cars over R1 500 000.
