What Is This 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Doing In India: We Explain [Video]
The latest generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is already on sale in many global markets. The SUV was recently spotted in India for the first time, and it was not at an event or a dealer summit. Instead, several units of the new Prado were spotted on trailer trucks, in transit. Many wondered how the vehicles ended up here. We now have the answers to these questions.
These Land Cruiser Prados Are Going To Nepal!
In January this year, Toyota launched the latest generation Land Cruiser Prado 250 in Nepal. United Traders Syndicate, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Nepal has set the prices at NPR 33,200,000. In the Nepali market, it replaces the Land Cruiser 150 Prado. Toyota Nepal’s website now has the vehicle listed. The Prados that you see in these videos are essentially the inventory being transported to Nepal by road.
Land Cruiser Prado 250: Quick Look At It
A YouTube channel named Pandit Help posted two videos showing the vehicle in detail. In the first video, the host can be seen describing the exterior of the vehicle. It looks boxy and masculine. The major design highlights include rectangular headlamps, 20-inch alloy wheels, a handsome front grille, a sleek fog lamp design, prominent ORVMs etc.
On the manufacturer’s portfolio, it sits below the LC300. In some markets where the LC300 is not available, it slots in as Toyota’s flagship. The latest generation Prado is internally called the JC250 and is claimed to have better on and off-road abilities than the one it replaces. It is underpinned by a chassis with improved stiffness and rigidity.
The vehicle also comes with increased wheel articulation, an upgraded Multi-Terrain Monitor interface, and key improvements to the off-road driving modes. There is even a disconnecting front anti-roll bar which can be disengaged via a switch on the dashboard to allow for maximum wheel articulation on particularly challenging off-road courses.
The new Prado spans 4,920mm in length and has a height of 1,870mm. The wheelbase here is 2,850mm. It is slightly larger than its predecessor and is thus roomier inside. The cabin comes packed with features and technology. Another video shared on the Pandit Tech channel details the interior and its features.
The cabin looks good and since this is headed for the Nepali market, gets Right Hand Drive. The feature list includes multi-zone climate control, plush leather upholstery, and a wraparound digital display with a new-generation infotainment system. The steering wheel looks solid and great to hold. You can also see a lot of physical controls and switches which make things easier for the driver.
The Nepali-spec Land Cruiser 250 Prado is powered by a 2.8-litre (1GD-FTV) turbocharged diesel engine that produces 201 hp. It is claimed to return a mileage of 10.6 kpl. If launched in India, the same engine could be brought in. It could then come with an 8-speed automatic transmission, along with a 48V MHEV tech. There are markets where the Prado comes with a 2.4-litre hybrid petrol engine.
Is The New Prado 250 Coming To India?
Well, no solid information on this is available yet. Toyota was expected to showcase it at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025. For some reason, this did not happen and the Land Cruiser 300 was the only flagship SUV that the pavilion had. It remains to be seen if Toyota will launch the LC250 here or not. If the brand makes up its mind to bring the SUV to India, it will come as CBU, just like the LC300.
All we have are mere anticipations when it comes to prices. Since the Land Cruiser (LC300) has a price of Rs 2.10 crore in India, the LC250 could sit somewhere below it- probably slotting in the 1.7-1.95 Crore bracket. It could be priced on par with the Defender.