What is the towing capacity of the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado?

One of the burning questions before the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado arrived in Australia was whether it could tow more than the outgoing 150 Series, which could only muster 3000kg.

"Australian customers appreciate the vast capability of the LandCruiser Prado, from use as a family vehicle, to off-roading, towing and long-distance touring," Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said when announcing the 250 Series Prado earlier in 2024.

The new-gen Prado is a mechanical and design twin to the Lexus GX, and shares the same wheelbase with the larger LandCruiser 300 Series - as well as its core architecture. As a popular model for weekend adventuring, the Prado in Australia it is also frequently seen linked to towing boats, caravan and anything heavy.

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Image: Toyota | Modified, Wheels Media

The Prado shares Toyota’s latest TNGA-F platform with the brand's other off-road models such as the LandCruiser 300 and Tundra ute. In fact, it's also the same platform underpinning Lexus’s body-on-frame SUVs, the GX and LX.

In Australia, the new Prado is offered with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder mild-hybrid engine producing 150kW and 500Nm. This is the same 48-volt system powering the current Toyota HiLux range. Power is sent to the wheels through a new 'Direct Shift 8AT' eight-speed automatic transmission.

Available with the choice of either five or seven seats, the Prado prioritises cabin comfort. The new family off-roader now matches the wheelbase of the huge 300 series, but it is 70mm shorter and 95mm wider overall than the outgoing Prado.

How much can the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado tow?

The 2025 250 Series Toyota Prado is rated to tow 3500kg on a braked trailer, or 750kg on an unbraked trailer.

That's a helpful increase over what its predecessor could do. The 150 Series Prado could initially only tow up to 2500kg on a braked trailer, before a 2018 update lifted that limit by 500kg to 3000kg. Now, with the ability to haul up to 3500kg the new Prado equals the towing capability of most mid-size utilities, which have long been the go-to option for Aussies looking to tow heavy trailers for work or recreation.

It also finally puts the Prado on-par with Australia's most popular seven-seat offroad wagon, the Ford Everest.

But what that OTHER element of hauling: payload? With a gross vehicle mass (or GVM) of between 3100kg and 3200kg, depending on model grade, the Prado has a sub-par payload capacity relative to most other body-on-frame large SUVs. The Prado Altitude has the lowest payload at 580kg, while the Prado GXL has the highest at 615kg. The base GX and top-spec Kakadu can carry up to 605kg aboard, while the VX has a 610kg payload rating.

The Prado has a gross combination mass (GCM) of 6600kg across the board. The GCM is a critical number for calculating the safe limit for any combination of trailer weight and vehicle payload, and 6600kg doesn't leave the Prado with much wiggle room.

But what if Toyota, a brand known for its heavy embrace of hybrid technology, does what we're expecting it to do and brings forth a petrol-electric hybrid version of the Prado to Australia?

Such a powertrain already exists for the 250 Series Prado in the US market, where it's sold badged as a LandCruiser and consists of a turbocharged 2.4-litre petrol inline four and electric assistance motor. It's a good idea for putting a greenish tint on the Prado, but with the hybrid hardware only capable of towing 2722kg in the USA, that might impact on uptake if it were to come our way.

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How does this compare to competitors?