2024 Toyota LandCruiser 250 Series revealed for USA; 'Prado' entry-level price confirmed

Following a two-year hiatus, the LandCruiser will return to the USA this year in the form of the 250 Series – or, as we know it, the Prado.

Unlike Aussie variants which will use old-school 2.8-litre diesel grunt paired with a 48-volt system when it lobs here later this year, US LandCruisers will be powered by a hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrain mated to a full-time 4WD system.

That hybrid powertrain links an electric motor to a 2.4-litre turbo-charged petrol engine and eight-speed automatic transmission to produce 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque – approximately 243kW and 630Nm. A substantial increase on the diesel-powered 2.8’s 150kW and 500Nm.

There is speculation local Prados could get the i-FORCE MAX powertrain in the future .. just don’t expect it this year.

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The three-model US line-up is expected to launch in US Spring 2024 (late March) with a price of US$55,950 (roughly AU$85,000) for the entry-level ‘LandCruiser 1958’ retro variant, distinguishable by its circular LED headlights. As with the more premium models in the line-up, it comes standard with full-time all-wheel drive, locking centre and rear differentials, a two-speed transfer case, CRAWL Control, and a 2400W AC inverter.

Standard equipment also includes heated cloth seats, blind-spot monitoring, automatic climate control, a seven-inch digital dash display, and an eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The mid-tier offering in the US will be known as the ‘Land Cruiser’ grade – confusing, we know. It drops the circular LEDs for rectangular units and adds heated front pews; a 12.3-inch full colour multi-information display; powered liftgate; a 12.3-inch touchscreen; and a 10-speaker sound system. To help off-road, it comes with a Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism (SDM), Multi-Terrain Select (MTS), and a Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system.

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A Premium package can be added to the ‘Land Cruiser’ grade, which nets the owner a bunch of goodies including leather-trimmed seats, powered moonroof and a centre console coolbox. The range-topping First Edition gets all that and more, including a roof rack, rock rails and a front skid plate.

The Australian five-model line-up will consist of a new off-road-focused Altitude variant, as well as the VX, Kakadu, GX and GXL. It’s expected to launch locally in May or June this year.