Is it worth upgrading my Toyota Prado 150-Series for the new 2025 Toyota Prado 250-Series? Old versus new compared!

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The new-generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado’s Australian launch is happening right as we speak, and to get ready for this hotly-anticipated model, we thought we’d take a side-by-side look at the Prado, new versus old. 

How do they compare? Is the new one a sizable improvement? And most importantly, is it actually worth upgrading? Let’s find out!

Pricing and lineup compared 

The outgoing 150 Land Cruiser Prado in 2023 started at $62,830 before on-road costs for an entry GX variant and topped out at $87,468 before on-road costs for the flagship Kakadu grade. 

Four variants were available in 2023: GX, GXL, VX and Kakadu. 

The 250-series Land Cruiser Prado has seen the price of entry into a Prado go up by $9670 if you compare a GX to GX. The new GX is priced from $72,500 plus on-road costs and extends to as much as $99,990 plus on-road costs for the flagship Kakadu. 

A new Altitude grade has been added for the 2025 Prado range, priced from $92,700 before on-road costs. It’s role is essentially the most off-road and rugged-focused Prado in the new lineup. 

Keep in mind that when looking at the driveaway prices on Toyota Australia’s website, if you’re after a Kakadu, you’ll need to spend more than $108,000. 

• GX: $72,500 
• GXL: $79,990 
• VX: $87,400
• Altitude: $92,700 (new grade)
• Kakadu: $99,990 

Powertrains compared 

The outgoing Land Cruiser Prado 150 series used a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that produced outputs of 150kW/500Nm. Paired to this engine was a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel drive system. 

For 2025, the new-gen Prado uses, well, a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, but this time it has a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It produces identical outputs to the outgoing Prado – 150kW/500Nm – but has been paired with a new eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Like the old car, it uses a full-time four-wheel drive setup. 

And while the last-generation Prado could only pull 3000kg braked, the new 250-series manages to kick things up a notch with a 3500kg braked towing capacity. 

It’s worth mentioning there is a 2.4-litre hybrid petrol Prado sold in the US market, but it has a limited 2700kg braked towing capacity.

For reference, fuel economy for the 150-series Prado was 7.9L/100km, but the new Prado has bested that, too, but only just: 7.6L/100km combined. 

Standard features and technologies compared

Let’s take a look at a base GX versus a new base GX to compare features.

In the outgoing 150-series Toyota Land Cruiser Prado GX, owners gained:

•  17-inch alloy wheels
• Halogen headlights
• LED daytime running lights
• 9-inch centre touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 4.2-inch digital instrument display
• Nine speaker sound system
• Satellite navigation
• Reversing camera
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Smart entry and start system
• 150 litre fuel tank (87L main tank and 63L sub tank)
• Five seats

However, in the brand new GX, owners will gain:

• Larger 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights, fog lights and DRLs
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Larger 7.0-inch instrument display
• Larger 12.3-inch centre touchscreen 
• Wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 12 cupholders
• Four USB-C charging ports
• Plastic steering wheel trim
• Rubber mats
• Smart, keyless entry
• Dual-zone climate control

Off-road features and credentials compared 

As standard, the outgoing 150-series Prado included:

• Rear differential lock (GXL and above)
• Full-time four-wheel drive
• Kinetic Dynamic Suspension system (Kakadu only)
• Multi-terrain select (Kakadu only)
• Crawl mode
• Drive mode select 
• 220mm ground clearance
• 30.4 degree approach angle 
• 23.5 degree departure angle 

For 2025, the new-gen Prado includes:

• Downhill assist mode
• Central differential
• Crawl control
• Adaptive variable suspension (VX and Kakadu only)
• Three or five mode drive select (depending on variant chosen)
• Trailer sway control
• Multi-terrain select (on VX, Altitude and Kakadu)
• Front stabiliser disconnect mechanism (Altitude only)
• 210mm ground clearance (GX, GXL), 221mm clearance (VX, Altitude, Kakadu)
• 31 (GX/GXL), 32 (VX, Altitude, Kakadu) degree approach angles
• 17 degree departure angle

How safe are the two Prados?

The new 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has not yet been tested or rated by vehicle safety authority ANCAP, but this is expected to be announced soon.

Meanwhile, the outgoing 150-series Prado is currently unrated with ANCAP, with its rating having expired in 2022. 

The outgoing 150-series Prado came standard, even in base GX form, with the following features:

• Seven airbags 
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Toyota Safety Sense suite including:
  • Pre-collision safety system (AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection)
  • Lane departure alert
  • Adaptive cruise control and
  • Road sign assist. 

However, now for 2025, the 250-series Prado will gain:

• Nine airbags
• Updated Toyota Safety sense suite including:

• Pre-collision safety system
• Adaptive cruise control
• Proactive driving assist
• Driver monitoring camera
• Lane trace assist
• Emergency driving stop system
• Road sign assist
• Safety exit assist
• Trailer sway control
• Reversing camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert 
• Multi-terrain monitor (VX and above)

The launch of the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is happening as we speak, so if you’re interested in hearing what the new Prado is like to drive in the real world, stay tuned to Chasing Cars and our YouTube channel for a full review!