2024 Toyota Prado three-door rendered

The Toyota Prado has been offered in both three- and five-door body styles across all of its locally offered generations so far, but so far there’s no sign of a short-wheelbase version of the all-new 250 Series that’s due on sale here next year.

We all know by now the new Prado rides on the same TNGA-F ladder-frame architecture as the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, but the platform is yet to yield a dedicated short-wheelbase model of any description.

That could change in the coming months given Toyota teased the SWB silhouette of a retro-styled SUV during the new Prado’s global reveal last week – new FJ Cruiser, anyone? – but for the time being it seems the Prado name will be used exclusively on the back of a five-door wagon.

Automotive graphic designer X-Tomi Design has therefore mocked up what he believes a short-wheelbase, three-door 250 Series Prado would look like if it came to fruition, and we have to say it looks the part.

With the Mitsubishi Pajero now dead, the Suzuki Jimny powered by tiny 1.5-litre petrol engine and the lack of diesel power in the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota could feasibly carve out a new niche in the market for its latest generation Prado, which in Australia will be powered by a mild-hybrid version of the existing 2.8-litre oil-burner.

X-Tomi Design has essentially lopped the rear doors out of the picture and shortened both the wheelbase and roof to create the rendered three-door you see here, and it’s blocky new silhouette fits very nicely with the square front-end design.

We have no doubt such a vehicle would be exceptionally capable in the rough stuff thanks to its smaller footprint and lower weight, but the apparent reintroduction of the FJ Cruiser nameplate could rule out such a vehicle – unless of course the new FJ is reserved for the North American market, where it would do battle with the Wrangler and Ford Bronco.

The teased off-roader appeared to have a shorter wheelbase than the new Prado, in conjunction with more ground clearance and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel.

The roofline is also altered slightly, above what looks like an oversized D-pillar – both of which are signature FJ styling cues.

It’s unclear when the new FJ – or whatever it will be called – will be revealed, but we do know the new Prado will be released Down Under before mid-2024, by which time it will have attracted a very long waiting list.

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