2026 Toyota Prado Review: The Land Cruiser for the Rest of Us
Hamza Khan·27 April 2026·11 min read
The new-generation Prado arrives on the TNGA-F platform shared with the Land Cruiser. Same off-road capability at a significantly more accessible price. We test it in the UAE.
Verdict
Pros: - Significantly more refined than previous generation - Genuine off-road capability matching the Land Cruiser - Available hybrid powertrain for UAE fuel savings
Cons: - Higher price than expected — starts at AED 249,000 - Interior still behind Korean and European competitors - Smaller than the Land Cruiser in ways that matter for UAE families
Price range: AED 249,000 – 310,000 Best for: Off-road enthusiasts who find the Land Cruiser too large or expensive Not for: Families needing 7 genuine adult seats
Introduction
The new-generation Prado is the most eagerly anticipated Toyota launch in the UAE since the Land Cruiser 300. Using the TNGA-F platform — the same structural foundation as the Land Cruiser — it represents a genuine step forward from the old 150 Series, which was showing its age against Korean and European SUVs.
I tested the Prado GXR+ with the 2.8-litre diesel-hybrid powertrain across Dubai city, the E66 highway to Al Ain and a weekend off-road session in the Hatta Heritage area.
Key Specs
| Spec | Prado VX 2.4T | Prado GXR+ 2.8 Diesel HEV |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L TT Petrol | 2.8L Diesel + Electric |
| Power | 273 hp | 249 hp system |
| Torque | 430 Nm | 500 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.8 sec | 8.2 sec |
| Fuel (WLTP) | 11.5 L/100 km | 8.8 L/100 km |
| Price (AED) | 249,000 | 289,000 |
Design & Styling
The new Prado's exterior has evolved significantly from the boxy 150 Series. The greenhouse is lower and more streamlined; the front end adopts cues from the Land Cruiser 300; and a strong character line from front wheel arch to rear lamp cluster gives it a more purposeful profile.
Inside, the upgrade is dramatic. The 8-inch screen of the outgoing model has been replaced by a 12.3-inch infotainment unit. The dashboard design is wholly new — horizontal in orientation with better material selection across all trim levels.
Driving Experience
Diesel Hybrid on Road
The 2.8-litre diesel hybrid is the powertrain to have. The electric motor fills the torque gap at low revs that diesel engines classically exhibit, providing immediate response from standstill that makes Dubai traffic genuinely manageable.
Diesel at 20,000 km/year at AED 2.55/litre: approximately AED 4,488/year — significantly less than the petrol Land Cruiser's AED 8,600/year. The financial case for the diesel Prado over the petrol Land Cruiser is clear.
Off-Road
The Prado gains Multi-Terrain Select for the first time in the GCC — including Sand mode, which rewrites the throttle and traction maps specifically for dune driving. In a direct comparison with a 150 Series Prado at Hatta, the new model was meaningfully more confident on steep gravel ascents.
Ground clearance is 222 mm — 10 mm less than the Land Cruiser but identical to the outgoing Prado. Approach angle of 31 degrees is adequate for all UAE off-road situations except competition-level sand dunes.
Which Trim?
VX 2.4T (AED 249,000): Petrol, 273 hp, well-equipped. The entry point. GXR+ 2.8 Diesel HEV (AED 289,000): The one to have — hybrid efficiency, more torque, Multi-Terrain Select.
Rivals
Land Cruiser GXR (AED 345,000): More powerful, larger, more refined. The Prado saves AED 56,000. Nissan Patrol LE (AED 329,000): V8, more cabin space. The Prado wins on efficiency and TNGA platform refinement.
Our Verdict
The new Prado is the first generation to genuinely challenge the Land Cruiser's dominance for UAE buyers on a tighter budget. The diesel hybrid's efficiency, the TNGA platform's refinement, and the Multi-Terrain Select capability combine to create the most complete Prado Toyota has made.
Recommended: GXR+ Diesel HEV in Burnished Titanium.