Toyota · 1984–present

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

The Toyota Land Cruiser light-duty line, most commonly marketed as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Japanese: トヨタ・ランドクルーザープラド, Hepburn: Toyota Rando-Kurūzā Purado) is a full-size four-wheel drive vehicle in the Land Cruiser range produced by the Japanese automaker Toyota. The Land Cruiser Prado is referred to as a "light-duty" variation in the Land Cruiser range. "Prado" means meadow or field in Spanish and Portuguese. The Land Cruiser Prado may also be referred to as Land Cruiser LC70, LC90, LC120, LC150 and LC250 depending on the platform. In some markets, it is known simply as the Toyota Prado or the Toyota Land Cruiser. Up until the J150 model, the Land Cruiser Prado was not part of the Land Cruiser range in North America; the rebadged Lexus GX occupied the Prado's position in luxury trim. The Prado was then introduced there in 2023 and marketed simply as the "Land Cruiser". The Land Cruiser Prado has a ladder frame chassis, two-speed transfer boxes and a rear beam axle. The J70 platform has a front beam axle, while the J90, J120, J150 and J250 platforms have front independent suspension. As of 2025, the Land Cruiser Prado is available in most markets served by Toyota. Exceptions include Mexico, India, South Korea and some Southeast Asian and South American markets (where the less expensive Hilux-based Fortuner/SW4 is offered instead).

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

All Toyota Land Cruiser Prado data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Predecessor (J70; 1984)

First developed as a light-duty version of the 70 Series in November 1984. Referred to as the Land Cruiser II, Land Cruiser, or Bundera depending on the market it was sold in. They were available only in short body layouts with options for soft top, metal top, or FRP top. The Land Cruiser II uses a coil sprung suspension setup (opposed to the leaf sprung setup in the heavy-duty J70) and lighter-duty axles similar to those found in the 4Runner and Hilux. The Bundera was a short wheelbase—being 2,310 mm (90.9 in)—with two doors, a plastic top, and barn doors at the rear. There were four options for the engine, the 2.4 L (2,366 cc) 22R (carbureted) and 22R-E (EFI) petrol engines and the 2.4 L (2,446 cc) 2L and 2L-T diesel and turbocharged diesel engines. The transmission for the petrol engines is the G52 type while the diesels used the R150 and R151 types. These were the same engines and transmissions used in the 4Runner, in cooperation with Hino.

First generation (J70; 1990)

In April 1990, a new type, the Prado, was introduced, still largely based on the heavy-duty J70 with a redesigned front grille, front wings, engine bonnet, head lamps, and coil sprung suspension carried over from the previous generation Land Cruiser II. Despite being called Prado in Japan, the names Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser II were still used in other parts of the world. While the Prado used a body-on-frame design making it highly capable off-road, the vehicle was nonetheless marketed toward on-road users, unlike core J70 range. The rather underpowered RJ77 (four doors with the 22R carbureted engine) was only available in some Middle Eastern countries. In Japan, it came with a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. The only engine installed in home market cars was the 2.4 L turbocharged "EFI" 2L-TE diesel engine with 71 kW (97 PS; 95 hp) and 240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft). The lineup included 2-door and 4-door versions, available in SX, LX or EX (4-door only) grades of trim. The coil spring suspension was carried over from the previous generation Land Cruiser II to improve handling and comfort. The absorber stages could be switched electronically with a button inside. The 22R petrol engine was upgraded to the 22R-E (electronic fuel injection) engine, the diesel engines were replaced by the 2.8 L (2,776 cc) 3L engine, and the 2.4 L (2,446 cc) 2L-T turbocharged diesel engine was replaced by the electronically injected 2L-TE turbocharged diesel engine. In 1993, the 2L-TE turbocharged diesel engine was replaced by the 3.0 L (2,982 cc) 1KZ-TE turbocharged diesel engine with aluminium cylinder head. The 1KZ-TE was able to reduce NOx and soot. The dashboard was replaced with an updated design with minor changes to suspension, brakes and trim details. Gallery.

Second generation (J90; 1996)

The second-generation Prado was released on 8 May 1996 and sold in Japan through Toyota and Toyota Vista dealerships. Unlike the J70-based first generation, the J90 was an independent series, and Toyota describes the model change as the point at which the Prado was directed towards a more passenger-oriented four-wheel drive vehicle. Production took place at the company's Honsha and Tahara plants. Two body styles were offered: a three-door short wheelbase five-seater and a five-door long wheelbase eight-seater. Both were larger than their predecessors and fell into the Japanese "3-number" registration class. Toyota differentiated them visually through the front-end and headlamp treatment, giving the short-bodied car a sportier appearance and the long-bodied car a more rugged one. The drivetrain changed from part-time to full-time four-wheel drive, and the suspension was shared with the Hilux Surf, using independent double wishbones with coil springs at the front and a four-link coil-sprung live axle with a lateral rod at the rear. In Japan, three-door grades were designated with an initial R, ranging from RZ, RX and RS to RJ, while five-door grades used an initial T, from TZ, TX and TS to TJ. ABS and a Field Monitor showing an altimeter, a thermometer and pressure were fitted. Representative Japanese-market specifications at launch were as follows. Engines. At launch the range comprised a newly introduced 3.4-litre 5VZ-FE V6 DOHC petrol engine producing 136 kW (185 PS; 182 hp), and the 3.0-litre 1KZ-TE four-cylinder SOHC turbo-diesel carried over from the previous generation, whose output was raised to 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp) by the addition of an intercooler. A 2.7-litre 3RZ-FE four-cylinder DOHC petrol engine producing 110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) was added in April 1997. I

Third generation (J120; 2002)

Appearing in 2002, the third generation Prado has revised front suspension to improve reliability. Development began in 1997 and design work in 1998, with the proposal originating from Lance Scott of the Toyota ED2 design studio in France in late 1999. Engines include the 2.7 L (2,693 cc) straight-4 3RZ-FE, 3.4 L (3,378 cc) V-6 5VZ-FE and 3.0 L (2,982 cc) straight-4 turbocharged diesel 1KZ-TE. In countries like China, a newly developed engine (1GR-FE V6) is available. The engine immobilizer became standard equipment in some markets. In August 2004, the 3RZ-FE engine was replaced by the 2.7 L (2,694 cc) 2TR-FE engine and in July of the same year, the 5VZ-FE engine was replaced by the 4.0 L (3,955 cc) V6 1GR-FE engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission available in late 2005. North America never received the Prado nameplate but it was sold as the Lexus GX 470 with the 4.7 L (4,663 cc) V8 2UZ-FE engine and full time four wheel drive. Diesel models have had the 1KZ-TE turbocharged diesel engine with maximum output rating at 96 kW (131 PS; 129 hp) as well as the 5L-E natural aspirated diesel engine rated at 70 kW (95 PS; 94 hp). In November 2006, Toyota introduced the 1KD-FTV turbocharged diesel D-4D engine to meet Euro IV emission standards. This engine delivers 127 kW (173 PS; 170 hp) of power and 410 N⋅m (302 lbf⋅ft) of torque. The upgrade to the D-4D engine was also matched with transmission upgrades to the diesel range, with the 5-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions added in line with the petrol powered range. From August 2007 the Prado received several equipment and safety upgrades. The car has won 3 awards for the best performance from an SUV-type vehicle in Australia and the US. The 120-series Land Cruiser Prado shares the same suspension parts as t

Fourth generation (J150; 2009)

The fourth generation has been available in some markets since October 2009. There are two base variants, five-door and three-door. The five-door variant in the general market is offered in TXL & VXL grades – which are much more option-packed. This generation of Prado features advanced 4WD and an array of electronic gadgets. This generation of the Prado is offered in the US badged as the 2010 model year Lexus GX 460 with luxury trim. Depending on the market, the fourth generation is available with an under-floor mounted or rear door mounted spare wheel. For example, UK vehicles have the spare wheel mounted under the floor, while in Argentina the spare wheel is mounted on the rear door, leaving space for an auxiliary fuel tank, which is desirable in countries where long journeys in isolated areas may be required. Australia offered both options. The fuel capacity of the dual tank series four is 150 L (33.0 imp gal; 39.6 US gal) (87 L [19.1 imp gal; 23.0 US gal] in the main tank, 63 L [13.9 imp gal; 16.6 US gal] in the auxiliary tank) compared to 179 L (39.4 imp gal; 47.3 US gal) of the series three. The removable third-row three-seaters of the J120 were replaced by fold-into-floor seats which seat only two people – which is also responsible for a loss of cargo capacity, the reduction in dual fuel capacity and usable height in the cargo compartment. In some markets a 3-door, short wheelbase variant referred to as the J155 was also offered. This could be equipped with most of the same features the 5-door came with. On the higher end Kakadu and three-door ZR models, there are six camera positions enabling viewing to the front and down, to the side both front and rear, and to the rear. The engine remained the same, although the automatic gear change points were altered for ma

Fifth generation (J250; 2023)

The J250 series Land Cruiser Prado was revealed on 2 August 2023. It is marketed as the Land Cruiser 250 in Japan and simply the Land Cruiser in North America and some European countries. Some other markets such as Australia, China, Philippines, and other European countries retain the Land Cruiser Prado nameplate. The design and engineering direction had shifted compared to the previous generation, now focusing on "practicality, durability and dependability" with the basic approach outlined by previous Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda. It results in a retro-inspired, boxy exterior styling inspired by the J60 model from the 1980s. The vehicle is based on the body-on-frame GA-F platform shared with the larger J300 series Land Cruiser. It is claimed to have a 50 per cent increase in frame rigidity, and a 30 per cent increase in overall rigidity. The model is also the first "Light Duty Series" Land Cruiser to use an electric power steering (EPS) system, which promises easier steering wheel handling during off-road conditions, improving maneuverability at low speed, and allows the lane tracing assist system to be implemented. The maximum approach and departure angle is 31.0 degrees and 22.0 degrees respectively, while breakover angle reaches 25 degrees. Ground clearance is rated at 221 mm (8.7 in). All models are equipped with a full-time four-wheel drive system with Torsen limited-slip centre differential and manual locking. An electronic two-speed transfer case with high/low range is also standard. Normal power distribution in straightline driving is 40/60 front-to-rear. An electronic locking rear differential is standard, which is able to split power 50/50 to the rear wheels for improved traction control on rough terrain. Gallery. === Markets === Africa. ===== South Africa ===== Th

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Specifications

name: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
Manufacturer: Toyota
aka: Toyota Land Cruiser (Europe; Taiwan; North America since 2024), Lexus GX
Production: 1984–present
Model years: 1985–present
Class: Full-size SUV
Body style: 3-door SUV (until J150 model), 5-door SUV
Layout: Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Predecessor: Toyota Land Cruiser II/Bundera <!--
Successor: Toyota Land Cruiser FJ (3-door models) -->