2025 Toyota Prado adds new variant without the range's smallest boot
03/02/2025 04:00 PM
A five-seat version of the top-selling Prado variant – the mid-spec GXL – represents a new way for customers to skip the seven-seater’s controversial, smaller-than-expected load area.
Buyers can now order the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado in what is forecast to be its top-selling variant, without its most compromised smallest boot.
The mid-grade, seven-seat Prado GXL – expected to be the top seller in the range – has gained the option of five seats, previously limited to the base GX and flagship Altitude.
Orders are open now, ahead of deliveries due by the middle of the year, Toyota says.
Prices have not been confirmed; the five-seat GX starts from $72,500 plus on-road costs, while the seven-seat GXL is listed at $79,990, albeit with much more equipment beyond two extra seats.
MORE: 2024/2025 Toyota Prado price and specs
With it comes a larger boot, as the packaging of the hybrid systems in Prado 4WDs here and overseas means the third row of seats cannot fold into the floor.
It means the rear two seats cut into boot space, and a plastic storage box has been fitted to raise the load floor height to match the folded seatbacks.
Five-seat Toyota Prado variants also have a boot floor elevated beyond that of non-hybrid versions sold elsewhere – as well as in the related, petrol V6 Lexus GX – but it is not as high.
The design of the boot has received criticism from customers and media, but Toyota says customers who are bothered by it “have got choices” elsewhere in the range, and many are moving to other Toyota 4WD models.
MORE: New Toyota Prado more popular than expected, yet wait times are coming down – executive
Toyota says the seven-seat Prado offers 182 litres, 906L and 1829L of boot space behind its third, second and first rows of seats respectively – compared to 954L behind the second row, and 1895L behind the front seats in five-seaters.
“We are always looking at ways to enhance our model line-up and are pleased to be able to provide customers with this additional option,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson said in a media statement.
Higher-grade VX and Kakadu variants of the new LandCruiser Prado remain seven-seat only.
The new variant is believed to represent the five-seat Prado GXL in the history of the nameplate, and the first time in at least 25 years – if not ever – that three five-door Prado grades (GX, GXL and Altitude) have been available as five-seaters.
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