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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.
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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.
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.
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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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
