Hot on the heels of the Toyota Land Cruiser making a triumphant return to the United States, details about the new model have just been announced for Europe and select international markets. It will be sold in some countries as the Land Cruiser Prado, including Australia.
New Land Cruiser models sold in Europe are very similar to those set to be offered stateside. With this in mind, the capable off-roader and 4×4 follows in the footsteps of the larger Land Cruiser 300 and is based on Toyota’s GA-F platform. Toyota notes that a new frame is 50% more rigid than the frame of the previous-generation model and that this, in conjunction with the new platform, results in better off-road performance as well as improved on-road driving.
A plethora of other features add to the appeal of the new Land Cruiser. For example, it comes with electric power steering that promises to reduce kickback on rough surfaces while also providing a smoother and more direct feel. This system has also allowed Toyota to implement Land Tracing Assist into the Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance package.
While Toyota has not yet announced powertrain details for each specific market where the new Land Cruiser will be sold, it has said that it will launch with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine in Western Europe. This engine produces 201 hp and is paired to an eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission. While 201 horses may not seem like much for a vehicle of this size, Toyota has confirmed the new Land Cruiser can tow up to 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs). It has also revealed that in early 2025 an electrified powertrain combining a diesel engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system will join the range.
Read: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Returns To America With Hybrid Power And Huge Price Cut
Toyota has also said the new Land Cruiser gains a disconnecting front anti-roll bar that is a Toyota first and should boost its off-road credentials even higher. Various upgrades have also been made to the Multi-Terrain Monitor and Multi-Terrain Select systems.
Visually, two distinct versions of the Land Cruiser will be sold with different front fascias. As in the U.S., one will have simpler round headlights while the other will have more premium headlights that run horizontally. Unlike in the U.S., however, the model with the round LED headlights will not be the entry-level model and instead sold exclusively as a ‘First Edition’ variant. Just 3,000 examples of the Land Cruiser First Edition will be produced with pre-sales to commence in October.
European and international prices have not yet been confirmed.
