Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude 2025 Review

For many buyers, the first hurdle with the new Prado isn’t choosing a trim level, it’s justifying the price. The 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude is the clearest example of that hurdle, with the respected Japanese brand asking $92,700 before on-road costs, or more than $100k drive away.

A six-figure SUV opens the shopping list up to a host of options, and it’s one reason why some rivals look more tempting on paper. Top-spec versions of the Ford Everest or Isuzu MU-X can be had for a saving of between $10,000 and $20,000.

Warranty coverage is five years/unlimited kilometres. The Prado also has six-months/10,000km service intervals, capped at $390 for the first five years. Neither of those offerings are too impressive considering some brands in the segment offer decade-long warranties and yearly servicing schedules.

For the outlay, Toyota has equipped the Altitude with features aimed at adventure-minded buyers. Externally, it stands out with black exterior accents, roof rails, rear privacy glass, all-terrain tyres on 18-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof. Inside, the cabin gains leather-accented upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats.

Technology is a major step forward compared with the previous generation. The Altitude features two 12.3-inch displays, one for the instrument cluster and one for infotainment, alongside wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a head-up display and a digital rearview mirror. Wireless charging, multiple USB-C outlets and a JBL sound system are also included, making it the premium offering you’d expect for the price.

The entire Prado range uses Toyota’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Outputs are 150kW and 500Nm, sent through an eight-speed automatic gearbox to a full-time four-wheel drive system.

The Toyota Prado carries a five-star ANCAP safety rating thanks to Toyota’s Safety Sense suite and a total of nine airbags. It brings active tech such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and road sign recognition.

The 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude’s main strength is its focus.

Other Prado grades try to cover every base, but this one is clear about what it’s built for as it’s the only variant fitted with Toyota’s sway-bar disconnect system. Add in the locking rear differential and all-terrain tyres, and it’s the best-equipped Prado for genuine off-road use.

That said, most owners won’t spend every weekend using it to its potential. So, we’re testing this spenny family SUV in the environment it will likely face most often – a suburban nine-to-five routine with supermarket stops. Here it deals with tight car parks, morning commutes and the usual centre console crumb build-up without fuss. Its size and weight are noticeable at first but also easily adjusted to.

Driving scenarios also include longer freeway runs, too, with a trip to Victoria’s Yarra Valley thrown into the mix as well. Comfort levels are impressive, with supportive front seats and a coolbox that goes from ‘gimmick’ to genuinely handy once a mini bottle of champagne is resting inside to chill.

The cabin is packed with physical buttons for just about every function and makes logical sense in a vehicle like this. For drivers focusing on the steep hill ahead, the last thing you want is to scroll through menus just to change a simple setting. Toyota has filled almost every surface with switches: HVAC controls, drive modes, buttons on the steering wheel and the pièce de résistance, an actual physical volume knob.

On a more subjective note, the Prado Altitude is a handsome machine. In our two-tone Ningaloo Blue with white roof – a colour inspired by Western Australia’s bright blue Ningaloo Reef – it draws more than a few double takes.

Within the CBD, the bold colour makes the Prado feel more commanding in traffic. It does add $1700 to the price, but it seems worth it if you’re already forking out this much cash. The oversized Toyota lettering across the front grille also gives the Prado a welcome identity shift.

If you’re after a deep dive into the Prado Altitude’s off-road ability, carsales editor Feann Torr already put it to the test. His review covers the heavy-duty side of the Altitude’s capability.

The 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude’s biggest compromise for a family car is its boot. Yes, Toyota has improved space by removing the third row in this variant, but the floor itself sits quite high. That makes loading heavier or bulkier items awkward.

As a taller driver, I still find lifting shopping bags above arm height more challenging than it should be. This means shorter owners may struggle with even basic loading tasks. Throw in a pram and you’re looking at some shotput-style manoeuvres.

Performance is another unfortunate weak point. The 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, now paired with 48V mild-hybrid assistance, delivers figures that look better on paper than in practice. With 2.5 tonnes to move, acceleration is relaxed rather than immediate. On the highway, overtaking requires planning rather than being instinct. The Prado gets you where you need to go, but never in a real hurry.

On top of that, the fuel tank has shrunk significantly compared to the older model. With only 110 litres of capacity, rather than the previous 150L, it’s a step that counters the adventurous image this car is meant to have.

Finally, price and positioning raise questions.

At more than $100k drive away, the Altitude is firmly in premium SUV territory. It manages off-road scenarios well, but if your toughest terrain is a gravel driveway or a dirt road, you’d be better served with a cheaper Prado. If money isn’t an issue, and you’ll be sticking to sealed roads, the Kakadu offers more comfort and refinement for similar money.

Whether the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude is right for you depends less on where you’ll drive it and more on what you want from a Prado.

The GXL is still the value pick, giving most buyers what they need for less money, while the Kakadu is aimed at those chasing luxury. The Altitude sits in the middle, built for enthusiasts, with tougher looks and serious off-road gear.

Image also plays a part. In many parts of Australia, a LandCruiser Prado is a status symbol as much as a family SUV. The Altitude amplifies that with its styling and near-flagship position, even if many won’t venture away from bitumen.

Practicality is also mixed. Losing the third row makes it less useful for big families but more practical for touring. Running costs are higher, too, due to the six-month service intervals. Although Aussie punters rightfully place a lot of faith in Toyota’s history of reliability.

LandCruiser Prado sales are booming, with more than 20,000 already delivered this year. Within the line-up, the Altitude is the clear-cut choice for enthusiasts seeking capability and credibility. Simply put, it’s the most off-road focused version you can buy.

2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude at a glance:
Price: $92,700 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with 48V mild hybrid
Output: 150kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 200g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2024)

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