2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude review (video)

For the first time in a long time, Toyota has reimagined the LandCruiser Prado, bringing a fresh blend of ruggedness, refinement, and technology to one of Australia’s most popular large 7-seater SUVs. And it’s all wrapped up in a funky, almost retro design.

The new model is built on Toyota’s TNGA-F platform – a variation of the same architecture underpinning the LandCruiser 300 Series. This is a vehicle designed to thrive on outback trails, yet it still needs to feel right at home in the suburban bustle.

2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude: Specifications

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude: How much does it cost?

Sitting just below the flagship Kakadu in the new five-variant lineup, here we’re testing the Altitude variant. It focuses firmly on serious off-road credentials, while blending a healthy dose of luxury touches. In some ways, it is the perfect spec for adventurous families because it comes with most of the bells and whistles as well as all of the off-road preparation (in most cases above the Kakadu).

Prices start from $92,700 for the Altitude, which is obviously pretty expensive. But, take a look around, you’ll see all of its competitors are getting up there in price as well. It doesn’t make it right. However, the only way is up.

If you don’t need all of the off-road fuss then the base GX is actually all you could need. It comes with plenty of features, is still very capable, and is priced from a more reasonable $72,500. (All excluding on-road costs.)

2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude: Interior & packaging

Step into the Prado Altitude and it immediately feels purpose-built but well-appointed. Toyota has found a careful balance between ruggedness and refinement here. Materials feel robust, with durable synthetic leather seats that are resistant to wear and are easy to clean after a muddy day outdoors. But there are enough soft-touch surfaces and design flourishes to make it feel at least somewhat expensive and luxurious.

The Altitude comes in a five-seat layout which offers plenty of space for families, gear, or both, and the lack of a third row allows for a maximised boot area. Toyota claims 954L in five-seat form, expanding to 1895L with the second row folded. That’s about the same as, if not more than the predecessor (the old five-seater was rated 1800L max).

Up front, a 12.3-inch touch-screen dominates the dash, running Toyota’s latest infotainment software. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with satellite navigation, digital radio and a high-quality 10-speaker sound system. Smart touches like a wireless phone charger, five USB-C ports, a 12V outlet, and even a 220V household socket make the Altitude particularly road-trip ready.

The Altitude also brings some nice premium details to separate it from lower grades. You get a heated steering wheel, head-up display projecting key driving info onto the windscreen, and a digital rear-view mirror that’s a game-changer when you’ve packed the cargo area to the roof. Toyota has clearly thought about the little things too; the door bins are massive, there are hidden storage spots throughout, and ventilation to the second row is excellent.

A sunroof adds an airy feel to the cabin, while the upright and chunky dash and large windows give you that classic, commanding LandCruiser seating position. As such, visibility is excellent, so you and the family get a good view when tackling the outdoors. Rear seat legroom is adequate for this vehicle category, except in the middle seat; the shroud for the centre console and driveline tunnel seems excessively intrusive.

Fit and finish are typically Toyota. Everything feels well screwed together, and switches have a solid click. While the Prado doesn’t have the outright luxurious feel and atmosphere as something like a Lexus GX or some premium crossovers at this price point, it’s still a genuinely nice place to spend long hours.

2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude: Powertrain & handling

Toyota keeps faith with its 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder, but now with 48-volt ‘V-Active’ mild-hybrid assistance. Outputs remain at 150kW and 500Nm, with support coming from a 4.3Ahr battery and 8.5kW65Nm e-motor/generator.

While it won’t snap your neck off the line, there’s strong, accessible torque from low in the rev range, and it feels moderately smoother and quieter than the old model when pulling away from a standstill. Unlike some mild-hybrids out there with a motor-generator, this setup retains a conventional starter-motor, which should be better for durability and longevity over a typical starter-generator.

According to the official tests, fuel consumption is rated at 7.6L/100km. That’s down from 7.9L/100km in the old model. Obviously not a big saving but a saving nonetheless. It doesn’t seem to ‘feel’ any more efficient than before in the real-world but that e-motor would no doubt help knock the edge off, particularly during city driving.

The eight-speed automatic gearbox is also new – with wider ratios than before – and works beautifully with the diesel engine. Shifts are clean and intuitive, and it finds the right gear easily whether you’re cruising, towing (now 3500kg braked capacity), or low-speed crawling. On the highway, the Prado is more relaxed at 110km/h, sitting at lower revs which contributes to better fuel economy.

In terms of performance, it’s about as quick/slow as the previous model. We timed 0-100km/h in 10.85 seconds with the Vbox. Although, this test vehicle is decked out with some accessories, including chunky tyres and a bull bar, both of which would hinder acceleration to a small degree.

Off road is where the Altitude comes alive. This is the most capable Prado yet, equipped with a locking rear and centre differential, Toyota’s clever multi-terrain select system (with mud, rock, sand modes), and a front stabiliser bar disconnect mechanism (SDM) that allows greater wheel articulation by releasing the bar’s tension on the opposing wheel. Having the ability to release it at the push of a button is a huge advantage when you’re crawling over rugged terrain.

As tested, the Toyo Open Country all-terrain tyres provide decent clawing traction and flex, while underbody protection means the Altitude is designed to take a hammering and keep going. Ground clearance is reasonable at 221mm, and the 32-degree approach and 25-degree break-over angles are excellent. A departure angle of 17 degrees doesn’t seem as impressive on paper, but looks pretty good in real-world tests – maybe it’s the tow bar?

During this test we took it on some very serious trails just past the Blue Mountains, and it performed amazingly. A highly modifying LandCruiser 300 joined us for the trip, and this Prado did everything the big brother could do. Honestly, this is proper good. Check the video below if you have doubts.

On-road dynamics have also seen a welcome lift. Thanks to the stiffer chassis and wider track, the Prado no longer feels quite as heavy or floaty on twisty roads. The electric steering feels pretty good as well. It’s not cumbersome like some heavy-duty SUVs. However, this Altitude with these aggressive tyres does feel ‘floatier’ than the regular-tyre-wearing GX and Kakadu. If on-road is more important to you, then it’s probably best to stick with mild all-terrain tyres or highway terrains.

2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Rough and ready design: While the old model blended in with the crowd, this looks cool and tough and interesting. Great job, Toyota.
• Practical cabin: Lots of storage, connectivity, technology and all of that, with some of that cool, almost retro design from the exterior spreading inside.
• Off-road: Incredibly good off road for an out-of-the-box package. Rear and centre diff locks and the MTS driving modes really pull this thing through anything.
• Mild-hybrid improves economy: It’s only a slight improvement but any improvement is good, we guess. Official rate drops from 7.9 to 7.6L/100km.

2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude: Key considerations before you buy

• Mild-hybrid adds complexity: As far as mild-hybrid systems go, this one is not the most complex (the motor-generator hangs of the engine like an alternator). But it does add a new layer of moving parts to a package known for simplicity. Also runs with Adblue.
• Price: It’s getting up there.

2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude: Video