New Models / 16 February 2026 / Michael Taylor

New Toyota Prado goes on sale in South Africa – Pricing and features

Toyota has officially launched the new Prado VX-L in South Africa.

This marks the reintroduction of the SUV’s flagship model, slotting above the two existing trim levels.

“Last seen in the previous-generation Prado, the VX-L returns as a high-grade addition designed to broaden the model’s appeal,” said the company.

“With its arrival, the Land Cruiser Prado range now comprises three distinct grades – TX, VX-R and VX-L – each carefully positioned to meet different customer needs, usage patterns and lifestyles.

Prices for the VX-L start at R1,513,300, which is only R13,100 more expensive than the VX-R.

Features

Considering the small price gap between the VX-L and VX-R, the differences between the two models comes down to the addition of a few key features for the former.

Toyota stated that the VX-R “continues to cater to the traditional Land Cruiser customer, prioritising rugged off-road performance, durability and adventure-focused design,” while the VX-L “is tailored for customers who spend the majority of their time on-road and value enhanced comfort, refinement and premium design cues, while still benefiting from Prado’s inherent versatility and all-terrain credibility.”

In other words, the VX-L is the more urban-focused of the two, which is why the new model benefits from bespoke 20-inch alloy wheels, compared to the other SUV’s 18-inch rims.

It also has body-coloured exterior mouldings, rather than black finishes, and has a painted rear bumper and illuminated side steps.

Inside, you’ll find new silver metallic accents, a 14-speaker JBL stereo, and leather door trim with additional stitching.

This is in contrast to the VX-R’s titanium accents, 10-speaker sound system, and standard leather trim.

All of this is in addition to the kit already included on the luxury 4×4, such as automatic LED headlights, keyless entry and start, leather upholstery, electric front seats with lumbar support, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, dual-zone climate control, a moon roof, a wireless charger, a 12.3-inch digital driver display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen.

It also has several driver-assistance functions in the form of tyre-pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, hill descent control, traction control, brake assist, vehicle stability control, and lane-trace assist.

Performance

The VX-L uses the same powertrain as the other Prado trim levels, meaning it is fitted with the brand’s familiar 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine.

This generates a total of 150kW and 500Nm, which is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The Adventure SUV comes with adaptive variable suspension, a rear limited-slip differential, Crawl Control (off-road cruise control), and Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select with drive modes for Rock, Dirt, Mud, and Sand.

Ground clearance clocks in at 216mm, and the vehicle can tow up to 3,500kg – a task made easier by the addition of trailer sway control.

Fuel consumption works out to an average of 7.9l/100km.