What is the towing capacity of the new Prado?

The all-new 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado has finally been revealed, and one of the most burning questions is whether it'll tow more than the outgoing model's 3000kg rating.

JUMP AHEAD

• What you need to know about the new Prado
• How much can the new Prado tow?
• How does it compare to its rivals?

As a popular model for weekend adventuring, the Prado in Australia is frequently seen linked to a boat or caravan – and Toyota is well across this.

"Australian customers appreciate the vast capability of the LandCruiser Prado, from use as a family vehicle, to off-roading, towing and long-distance touring," Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said when announcing the Prado this week.

The newest '250 Series' Prado is a mechanical and design twin to the upcoming Lexus GX, set to arrive in Australia next year. It now shares the same wheelbase with the larger LandCruiser 300 Series.

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What we know about the new Prado for Australia

Underneath, the all-new Prado will share Toyota’s latest TNGA-F platform with the brand's other off-road models such as the LandCruiser 300, and the upcoming Tundra ute.

In fact, it's also the same platform underpinning Lexus’s SUV counterparts the GX and LX.

In Australia, the new Prado will be offered with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder mild-hybrid engine producing 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque. This is the same 48-volt system going into upcoming Hilux models next year.

Power is sent to the wheels through a new 'Direct Shift 8AT' eight-speed automatic transmission, and launch with the choice of five or seven seats.

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Prioritising cabin comfort, the new family off-roader now matches the wheelbase of the huge LandCruiser 300 series, but it will be 70mm shorter and 95mm wider overall than the outgoing Prado.

Launching slightly earlier in 2024 will be the Prado's luxury twin, the Lexus GX, making its debut here after having skipped the first-generation model not offered in Australia.

It won't be hard to spot the similarities between the incoming GX and Prado models when both are available in showrooms next year, similar to the relationship between Toyota's popular LandCruiser 300 and its family member the Lexus LX.

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Image: Toyota | Modified, Wheels Media

How much can the 2024 Toyota Prado tow?

In its previous generation, the refreshed 2018 Prado grew its braked tow rating to 3000kg for all automatic models – up from 2500kg – matching the capability of key competitors at the time.

Toyota has yet to confirm towing capability for the 2024 Prado in Australia, but we do know the V6-powered Lexus GX's towing capacity has been increased to 3628kg for North America – up 680kg from the current GX.

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The Lexus GX equipped with off-roading package.

Toyota North America's 2.4-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain will only tow up to 2722kg (6000lb).

However, we are expecting the Australian Prado to offer a braked towing capacity of up to 3500kg rating – matching one of its key rivals, the Wheels COTY-winning Ford Everest.

This is based on European specifications of the new Prado, which quotes "up to 3500kg" for the 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine. The Prado for this market will use the same drivetrain, albeit with the addition of 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.

Toyota has confirmed the North American model will feature an approach angle of up to 31.0 degrees and a maximum departure angle of 22.0 degrees, along with a ground clearance ranging up to 220mm (8.7 inches).

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How does this compare to competitors?

In an already competitive space, it’s imperative that the new Prado keep its towing capability strong to avoid losing buyers to more capable models.

The Ford Everest, Nissan Patrol and Isuzu MU-X listed below can all tow 3500kg braked. This means the mild-hybrid offering in the US would fall short by almost 800kg if it were offered in Australia. (The Everest and MU-X aren't available in the US.)

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