2024 Toyota Prado: More efficient hybrid no closer to Australia

Australia’s favourite large SUV isn’t getting a hybrid option soon, despite it being offered overseas.

The all-new 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado is due Down Under imminently, with local versions to be exclusively powered by an updated version of the outgoing model’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel augmented by 48V mild-hybrid technology.

In markets like North America, where it’s known simply as the Land Cruiser, the Prado is available with a new 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain – but don’t expect to see it in local showrooms anytime soon, says Toyota Australia’s vice president for sales and marketing, Sean Hanley.

“Not right now,” Mr Hanley told CarExpert at the launch of the new C-HR crossover.

“Hybrid for us is mainstream, so we will certainly examine the hybrid drivetrain being used in the US to see whether it’s suitable.”

“We don’t have a confirmed position on it now, though,” Mr Hanley added.

That’s despite hybrids accounting for a huge chunk of sales in Toyota’s portfolio, with Mr Hanley quoting 33.5 per cent of the brand’s total Australian sales in 2023 were hybrids.

Their share has grown to 40.7 per cent during the first two months of 2024.

The new Prado is due here mid-2024, powered exclusively by a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system, producing 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque – identical outputs to the outgoing Prado, and the same powertrain that will be launched in the HiLux ute imminently.

This powertrain is mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, with drive sent through a full-time four-wheel drive system.

In other markets like North America, however, the new-generation SUV will be offered with an available ‘i-Force Max’ 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid with total outputs of 243kW and 630Nm.

In the US, the manufacturer-estimated combined cycle fuel economy figure for this powertrain is the equivalent of 8.7L/100km. Official US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) figures have yet to be announced.

Toyota Australia will launch its first new-generation Prado in almost 15 years in mid-2024, and recently confirmed preliminary details of the local range.

There will be five variants from launch, with the GX, GXL, VX and Kakadu nameplates continuing, while the Altitude grade returns for the first time since 2017, slotting between the two existing highest-spec models.

You can read our full breakdown of everything we know so far here.

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