The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has undergone an exciting workover over the past year and you wouldn’t have it any other way. From its exterior appearance down to its engine, the new Land Cruiser Prado now has a fresh look, modern interior, and more power than ever, making it the most desirable offering in its segment today.

Here are the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado updates you should know about:

Engine change

One major upgrade made on the Land Cruiser Prado is its new 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine, which can crank out 20kW more power and 50Nm more torque than the previous engine. Carried over from the 2020 Toyota Hilux and Fortuner, this engine is more powerful and comes with a much bigger turbine and impeller. Unlike its predecessor, this new engine has a better cooling capacity so it does not overheat even when used in long drives.

The new Land Cruiser Prado is also packed with a modified turbocharger and cylinder block and head for better fuel economy. The tweak made on the SUV’s torque converter lock-up mapping is also noteworthy, as it helps boost the off-road capability of the Land Cruiser Prado. With this tweak on the new six-speed transmission, you can expect your vehicle to handle rough terrain far better than before, providing slick yet strong gearshifts and improved paddle-shift mechanism.

Also bolstering the new Land Cruiser Prado’s off-road capabilities is its low-range transfer case, which allows it to run at slower speeds while still operating within the RPM range of the engine when off-roading. Even in the toughest driving conditions, the Land Cruiser Prado’s wheels remain in sync—thanks to its differential locks that allow the wheels to spin at the same RPM when going over rugged terrain. 

The new Land Cruiser Prado also comes with a multi-terrain select system, which lets you choose your driving mode depending on the type of terrain you are driving on. This new system features five driving modes, each  with transmission, suspension, power control, and traction controls customized based on your selected mode.

The 150-liter fuel capacity of the Land Cruiser Prado remains unchanged. Like its prototype, the new Prado also has a twin fuel tank setup, with an 87-liter main tank and a 63-liter sub tank. If you are not satisfied with that, you have another option: a 4.0-liter petrol engine with 381Nm and 202kW torque.

Enhanced safety systems

All models of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado now come with additional safety features which you can fully check on https://www.carexpert.com.au/toyota/landcruiser-prado, including an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system that ensures safe driving by detecting pedestrians, objects, and cars and automatically braking the car when it senses that a crash is imminent. The new Prado is also equipped with an updated lane departure alert system that helps you keep your car in its proper lane when driving. This advanced safety system allows the SUV to brake on one side to keep it within its lane.

While the previous version of the Land Cruiser Prado already has an adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert system, the new version comes with a road sign recognition system that supersedes the cruise control settings when necessary. Through this new safety system, the Land Cruiser Prado is able to scan speed limit signs to let you know when you are over-speeding or under-speeding. Once it scans the sign, it immediately flashes it on the instrument panel so you will know if your vehicle is running within the required speed limits.

Infotainment upgrades

Inside the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, you will be welcomed by a newly upgraded multimedia system that includes a 22-cm touchscreen display and other infotainment systems fitted as standard. Unlike its predecessor, the new Land Cruiser Prado now offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an enhanced voice recognition system. If you love going on long drives, you will also love how the new Prado allows you and your passengers to use mobile phone services to access third-party apps, including Waze, Stitcher, Spotify, SoundCloud, Google Maps, and more. But what’s more amazing about the upgraded Land Cruiser Prado is that even its entry-level variants are loaded with valuable equipment, including rain-sensing wipers, sat-nav, reversing camera, and keyless entry. That means you do not need to upgrade to a higher-end model to enjoy a world-class infotainment system, which comes as standard to all Land Cruiser Prado variants.

Conclusion

Considering its power, added safety, and enhanced technology, there is no doubt that the upgraded Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is your ultimate choice for an off roader. With the major tweaks on its engine, safety, and infotainment system, there is no doubt that the Land Cruiser Prado will continue to reign as the king of its segment.