The tougher Toyota Prado that could be coming to South Africa

The Toyota Prado is getting a massive upgrade this year, courtesy of the vehicle modification company Arctic Trucks.

Arctic Trucks is a world-renowned brand that specializes in taking popular 4×4 models from various carmakers and kitting them out to be the best possible off-roaders.

This is the same company that has produced vehicles like the Isuzu D-Max AT35, and Arctic Trucks has now turned its attention to Toyota’s next-gen SUV, which is receiving several changes to enhance its bundu-bashing prowess even further.

The Toyota Prado Arctic Truck, otherwise known as the AT37, is scheduled to go on sale globally in the second quarter of 2025, including markets in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa.

What’s more, since Arctic Trucks is an official Toyota partner, the AT37 will be offered as a dealership-supplied model that you can find in one of the Japanese automaker’s showrooms, depending on the country.

Customers who have already purchased their Prado needn’t feel like they are missing out, either, as the manufacturer will offer conversions to bring their SUV up to speed, should they desire.

TopAuto reached out to Toyota South Africa Motors to ask if the new model has been confirmed for our shores, to which the carmaker responded that it does not have plans to officially introduce the AT37.

However, given the phenomenal success the Prado has experienced thus far, and the fact that Arctic Trucks already has a presence in South Africa, we imagine it will only be a matter of time before local motorists can enjoy the ultimate version of the 4×4.

Dialing the Prado to 11

The AT37’s enhancements start wit a new wide-body kit comprised of 10 separate components, which bulk up the Prado’s appearance with new bumpers and expanded wheel arches.

The body kit is necessary to accommodate a chunky set of BFGoodrich K03 all-terrain tyres measuring measure 37 inches in size, hence the name AT37.

These tyres are wrapped around smaller 17-inch alloy rims, in contrast to the standard model’s 18-inch ones.

Other external additions include new aluminium side steps, a discrete 2-inch multifunction receiver hitch, and a set of Artic Trucks (AT) branded mudguards.

On the mechanical side, the Toyota has been given two-way adjustable suspension with long-travel front coil covers, and new rear dampers and springs.

All of these improvements help to raise the SUV ‘s ground clearance by another 40mm, giving it a new total of 256mm.

The company also needed to relocate the rear axle slightly to fit the new wheels, giving the Prado a longer wheelbase and a wider track in the process.

The AT37 is still using the 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine found in the standard car, but it has been recalibrated in order to manage the larger wheels and suspension without issues.

As a reminder, the Prado can tap into an impressive 150kW and 500Nm, so it’s not as if it was down on power to begin with.

One last element worth mentioning is the interior, as Arctic Trucks has applied its touch with specially-branded floor mats, sill plates, dashboard elements, and a new gearstick.

All of this is on top of the high-end 4×4’s impressive standard spec sheet, which means owners have access to luxuries like dual-zone climate control, a wireless charger, heated and ventilated seats, a leather multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster.

Toyota and Arctic Trucks have yet to disclose the price of the AT37 in any countries, but as a reference, the Prado VX-R currently retails for R1,470,600, so expect to pay a not-insignificant premium for all of the new version’s enhancements if and when it comes to South Africa.

Toyota Prado AT37