2026 Toyota Prado GX Diesel review

What Does the Prado Cost in Australia?

Toyota offers the new Prado in five variants. The range opens with the GX at $72,500 and climbs to the $99,990 Kakadu at the top. Every single variant uses the same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine with the 48V mild-hybrid system, so you are really choosing based on comfort, tech, and seating configuration rather than powertrain. Here is the full lineup:

Driveaway pricing adds roughly $3,000 to $6,000 depending on your state. NSW and QLD buyers typically land at the lower end, while Victorian stamp duty pushes costs up a bit more. The Prado does not attract luxury car tax on any variant, which is a relief given the Kakadu's sticker price.

The $72,500 GX is the volume seller for fleet buyers and those who plan to take it properly off-road and do not want to worry about scuffing premium leather. But the sweet spot for most families is the GXL at $79,990. You get the third row, better interior trim, and the larger infotainment screen without crossing into $90k territory. Our best towing vehicles guide breaks down how the Prado stacks up on value per tonne of towing capacity.

Rivals: What Else Should You Cross-Shop?

Ford Everest (from ~$58,990)

The Everest is the Prado's most direct rival. It starts at a much lower price, offers a 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel option on higher grades with 184kW/600Nm, and the interior is arguably more modern with its portrait touchscreen and SYNC4 system. The Everest also tows 3,500kg. Where it falls short is off-road hardware (no KDSS equivalent), long-term reliability perception (Toyota's reputation is hard to beat), and resale value. The Everest is the better value proposition on paper, but the Prado holds its value significantly better over five years.

Isuzu MU-X (from ~$52,900)

The MU-X is the budget option in this segment, and it is a compelling one. The 3.0L turbo-diesel makes 140kW/450Nm, tows 3,500kg, and the interior is straightforward. It lacks the Prado's tech and off-road hardware, but for buyers who want a tough 4WD that can tow and go off-road without paying $80-100k, the MU-X deserves a serious look. It also has excellent regional dealer support through the Isuzu Ute network.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (from ~$50,990)

The Pajero Sport is the ageing option in this company. It is still a capable off-roader with Super Select 4WD, 3,100kg towing, and competitive pricing, but the interior is a generation older than the Prado's and Everest's. Mitsubishi's 10-year/200,000km powertrain warranty is a standout, though. If you plan to keep the car long-term and are less concerned about the latest tech, the Pajero Sport is worth a look. Our best 4WD guide compares all of these in more detail.

Running Costs

The Prado's 2.8L turbo-diesel has a claimed combined consumption of 7.6L/100km. At 15,000km per year, budget roughly:

• Fuel (unladen): Around $2,170-$2,390 per year on the 7.6L/100km claim at current diesel prices (~$1.90-2.10/L), and more in practice
• Fuel (towing regularly): $3,500-$4,500+ depending on load and terrain
• Servicing: Toyota's capped-price servicing runs at approximately $350-$500 per service, with intervals every 10,000km or 6 months. Budget $700-$1,000 per year
• Tyres: 18-inch all-terrain tyres run $280-$350 each. Budget $400-$500 per year amortised
• Insurance: Approximately $1,800-$2,500 per year depending on your age, location, and claims history

Total annual running costs sit around $5,000-$6,400 unladen on the claim, which is par for the course in this segment. The Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X are slightly cheaper to run due to lower purchase prices, but the Prado's resale value partially offsets this. After five years, a Prado typically retains 60-65% of its purchase price, which is among the strongest depreciation profiles of any vehicle sold in Australia.

Toyota's 5-year unlimited-kilometre warranty covers the basics, and the capped-price servicing program takes the guesswork out of maintenance budgets. Extended warranties are available through Toyota if you want additional peace of mind beyond five years.

Safety

The Prado holds a 5-star ANCAP safety rating based on the latest Euro NCAP testing protocols. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard across every variant, which includes:

• Pre-Collision Safety System with pedestrian and cyclist detection (day and night)
• Lane Departure Alert with steering assist
• Lane Tracing Assist (active lane centring on highways)
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with stop-and-go
• Road Sign Assist
• Automatic High Beam
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (GXL and above)
• Blind Spot Monitor (GXL and above)

The Kakadu adds a 360-degree camera system and a multi-terrain monitor that includes a camera under the front of the vehicle, so you can see exactly where your front wheels are when navigating over rocks or ledges. On a narrow rocky track, that view is what saves you from expensive rock rash.

Passive safety includes eight airbags across the range, including curtain airbags that extend to cover third-row passengers in the 7-seat models. The ladder-frame construction provides inherent crash protection, and the body structure uses high-strength steel in key areas.

ISOFIX anchor points are fitted to the two outer second-row seats, with top tether points for all three second-row positions. If you are running child seats and need the third row for older kids, the second row can accommodate two child seats while the centre position remains usable with a top-tether restraint.

Interior and Tech

Toyota has completely overhauled the cabin over the old 150 Series. The dashboard is cleaner, the materials are upgraded, and the infotainment system has finally entered the modern era.

The centrepiece is a 12.3-inch touchscreen (standard from GXL up; the GX gets an 8-inch unit) running Toyota's latest multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument cluster is configurable, with off-road readouts showing pitch, roll, and wheel articulation when you venture off the bitumen.

Material quality scales with the price. The GX gets cloth seats and harder plastics on the lower door cards, which is fine for a workhorse. Step up to the GXL and you get leather-accented seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and soft-touch surfaces across most of the dashboard. The VX and Kakadu push further into genuine luxury territory with full leather, quilted seat inserts, ambient lighting, and the Kakadu's JBL premium audio system with 14 speakers.

Rear passengers get their own climate zone (dual-zone up front, separate rear controls from GXL up), and USB-C charging ports in all three rows. The second row slides and reclines.

The third row in the GXL, VX, and Kakadu is best kept for kids. When not in use, the third row folds flat into the boot floor, which is a much cleaner solution than the old model's side-folding arrangement.

Boot Space and Dimensions

At 4,990mm long, 1,980mm wide, and 1,935mm tall on a 2,850mm wheelbase, the Prado is a big vehicle. It fills a standard Australian garage but does not overhang. Parking in tighter CBD spots takes some spatial awareness, but the reversing camera and parking sensors (front and rear from GXL up) make it manageable.

Boot space in the 7-seat models is 390 litres with the third row up. That is enough for the weekly grocery shop but not much more. Fold the third row flat and you are looking at around 750 litres, which is genuinely usable for a family road trip. The 5-seat GX and Altitude have the advantage here, with significantly more cargo room since there is no third row to work around.

The boot floor is flat when the third row is stowed, and the powered tailgate (GXL and above) opens to a practical loading height. There are tie-down points in the cargo area and a 12V outlet for running a fridge. For serious tourers, the Prado's cargo area is well thought out.

Equipment Highlights by Variant

GX ($72,500)

• 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Cloth seat trim
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Dual-zone climate control (front)
• Full-time 4WD with low-range transfer case
• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite
• LED headlights and tail lights
• Rear parking sensors and reversing camera

GXL ($79,990)

• 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• 7-seat configuration with third-row seats
• Leather-accented seat trim
• Powered tailgate
• Tri-zone climate control
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Roof rails
• Front and rear parking sensors

VX ($87,400)

• Full leather interior
• Adaptive variable suspension (AVS)
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Head-up display
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated second-row seats
• Power-adjustable steering column
• Premium 10-speaker audio

Altitude ($92,700)

• 5-seat configuration with larger boot
• Panoramic sunroof
• Premium audio system (10 speakers)
• Unique alloy wheel design
• Black exterior accents
• Heated front seats

Kakadu ($99,990)

• Everything in VX, plus:
• Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS)
• JBL premium audio (14 speakers)
• 360-degree camera system
• Cooled front seats
• Multi-terrain monitor with under-body camera
• Rear differential lock
• Unique front grille and bumper design
• 20-inch alloy wheels

The Toyota Prado GX Diesel has 60 kW for every tonne of kerb weight, 500Nm of torque, a claimed 0-100km/h of 9.6s. It weighs 2,495kg and turns in 12m. These are the figures that shape how quickly a car gets moving and how easily it parks.

What's Under the Bonnet

Every Prado variant runs the same powertrain: a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder with a 48V mild-hybrid system. It produces 150kW at 3,400rpm and 500Nm of torque from 1,600rpm. That torque figure is the headline: 500Nm from 1,600rpm is the number that matters for towing, hill climbing and overtaking on country two-lane roads.

The 48V mild-hybrid system does not drive the wheels on its own. Instead, it assists the engine during low-speed manoeuvring, smooths out stop-start transitions, and powers the air conditioning compressor electrically so the cabin stays cool when the engine is off at traffic lights. It also recovers energy during braking and coasting. Toyota claims the system contributes to the 7.6L/100km combined figure, which is genuinely impressive for a 2.3-tonne ladder-frame 4WD.

It drives through an 8-speed automatic, not a CVT.

Our Take: Should You Buy the Toyota Prado?

Yes, if:

• You need genuine off-road capability, not just a raised ride height and plastic cladding
• You tow regularly and want 3,500kg capacity with 500Nm of diesel torque
• Long-term resale value matters to you. the Prado's depreciation curve is the flattest in the segment
• You want a vehicle that works as both a daily family car and a weekend adventure machine
• Toyota's reliability track record and dealer network are important to you
• You are planning serious touring and need a 110L tank, proper 4WD hardware, and the confidence that comes with the LandCruiser name

Maybe not, if:

• Budget is tight. the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X also tow 3,500kg for significantly less money
• You mostly do urban driving and rarely venture off sealed roads (a mid-size SUV like the RAV4 or CX-5 would be cheaper and more efficient)
• You want a petrol or full-hybrid option. the Prado is diesel-only in Australia
• Third-row space is a priority. the Prado's third row is tight for adults. a Kia Carnival or similar people mover is better for adult third-row passengers
• You cannot tolerate long wait times. Prado delivery times remain extended at many dealers

The Prado has been Australia's default touring 4WD for decades, and this new generation is the strongest argument yet for keeping it that way. Yes, you pay a premium over the Everest and MU-X. But the combination of Toyota reliability, class-leading resale, genuine off-road hardware, the new 48V mild-hybrid system, and a vastly improved interior makes it very hard to look past. For most buyers, the GXL at $79,990 is the pick of the range. Seven seats, the bigger screen, and enough equipment for long hauls without stretching into six-figure territory.

If you are cross-shopping, start with our Prado vs Everest head-to-head comparison. Or browse the full best 4WDs in Australia guide to see where it ranks against every serious off-roader on sale.

→ Compare all Toyota Prado variants on CarSorted (200+ specs)