A reliable source informed AutoFun Philippines that Toyota Motor Philippines is set to launch the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (LC250) next to the local automotive market. While not yet officially confirmed, the tentative price for the all-new SUV, according to our source, will be around ₱3.7 million. 

While the LC250 is a newer model, it will have a smaller displacement engine, and if our source is correct, it will hover at the same price range. What do you think?

We don’t know the official specifications yet, but the SUV seems well-kitted out based on what's available in other markets. 

The question now arises: Is the all-new LC250 worth the wait, or is getting the current version still worth it, assuming, of course, you can find stocks of it?

What the old Toyota Land Cruiser Prado offers you

For this comparison, we will be using the 4.0-liter gasoline-powered Toyota Land Cruiser Prado that is available locally. It is a refreshed version of the SUV that was initially available in 2010 and has undergone several facelifts and updates to keep it competitive in the market.

The SUV has projector-type LED headlights with auto leveling and comes with LED clearance lights as well. It rides on a double wishbone independent suspension with stabilizer links at the front and a 4-link type suspension with stabilizers at the back. It also comes with Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for better on and off-road performance.

As mentioned, it is powered by a 4.0-liter gasoline V6 motor or a turbocharged 2.8-liter turbo diesel. As we are focusing on the gasoline engine, it produces 275 PS and 381 Nm of torque. It sends power to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.

Regarding the interior of the currently available Prado, it maintains a classy interior with plenty of modern amenities, such as leather power seats with air conditioning and a 7-inch infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

As for its safety features, the SUV has a total of 7 airbags and comes with standard features such as ABS with EBD and trailer sway control. It is also equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense, which gives it access to the following:

• Pre-Collision System
• Automatic High Beam
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Lane Departure Assist
• Adaptive Cruise control

Since the new model is not yet in the Philippine market, this version of the Prado retains ₱3,680,000, which is very close to the estimated price of the new model.

What the new Land Cruiser Prado LC250 might give you

The new model of the Land Cruiser Prado has yet to enter the Philippine market, so we don’t know the final specifications it will have once yet. However, for this comparison, we will use the American and European models to give you a general idea of what to expect from the all-new SUV.

The new Prado has the latest retro-inspired styling with a modern chunky twist. It's an excellent callback to the older first generation of the vehicle with its boxy design and proportions. 

As for its powerplant, the American SUV version gets a 2.4-liter gasoline engine paired with an electric motor that pushes out 326 horsepower and 630 Nm of torque. That is substantially more than what the older 4.0-liter V6 motor produces. 

However, if Toyota Philippines brings the new Prado in with the 2.8-liter engine, we can expect it to have 201 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque with an 8-speed automatic transmission. While it is down on power compared to the 4.0-liter motor, it makes up for that difference with torque, which will be helpful in daily or off-road driving. 

As for its interior, you can expect something modern, with digital displays dominating the dashboard. It will likely come with ventilated seats and Softex imitation leather seats. It also has a massive 12.3-inch infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charger.

For safety features, expect the new SUV to come with a plethora of airbags along with standard features such as:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane centering
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure prevention
• Blind-spot monitoring

These features will be part of whatever version of the Toyota Safety Sense the brand will bring into the Philippine market. 

The new model brings a lot to the table in what it can offer you as your next premium off-road SUV. But if you still like the classic looks of the current generation, then it's still an excellent choice, as the new LC 250 has yet to get an official launch date.

But given the long lead times in ordering a current generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, doesn't it make sense to introduce the all-new model altogether?

Do you think the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 be worth it if it is priced close to what the current model offers?

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