Toyota NZ teases new retro-inspired Land Cruiser Prado

Toyota New Zealand took to social media over the weekend to post a teaser image of the upcoming Land Cruiser Prado which looks like it could take things back to basics.

The new model will reportedly share the same platform as the recently-revealed Lexus GX, inheriting much of its boxy silhouette as well as its powertrain.

From the teaser shown, it also looks as if some styling cues from the early 1960s J40 have made their way onto the new model.

The front grille and rear bumper look somewhat similar to the SUV’s great great grandfather, alongside the roofline which notably lacks a set of roof rails.

The Prado will likely get the GX’s twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 and four-wheel drive system which should be plenty for venturing off the beaten path.

The upcoming Land Cruiser Prado is also proving to be a big deal for those in United States, considering it hasn’t seen the nameplate since 2021.

Kiwis have been able to buy the larger J300 off the showroom floor here for a few years but the model never made its way to The Land of the Free. So it’s little wonder there’s been an outcry for the Cruiser to return.

Multiple reports suggest the new Land Cruiser Prado will be revealed later this year, with the model set to arrive in select markets, including New Zealand, in 2024.