On March 3, FAW Toyota announced that its 2025 Prado VX top-trim off-road vehicle officially rolled off the line at FAW Toyota's Chengdu plant. Positioned as an "all-scenario high-performance hardcore off-road SUV," the new vehicle went on sale on February 26, priced at 559,800 yuan, and is currently offered only in a 5-seat version.
The biggest change in this newly rolled-off vehicle is that, in the face of competition from domestically produced hybrid off-road vehicles, it has also launched a feature-stacking campaign. For example, it adds an adaptive variable suspension system, headlight washers, a rear windshield sunshade, a panoramic sunroof, JBL 14-speaker audio, a car refrigerator, and other equipment. But honestly, these stacked features are nice to have, yet their absence would not hurt the Prado's core. Because people who know cars understand that these are not the soul of the Prado.
As a hardcore off-road vehicle, off-roading is the eternal soul of the Prado. It is reported that the VX version is equipped with a front double-wishbone coil-spring independent suspension + rear four-link coil-spring non-independent suspension, combined with a Torsen limited-slip center differential and rear axle differential. The full-time four-wheel-drive system can automatically distribute torque under complex road conditions and, in theory, can handle most unpaved roads.
At the same time, the new vehicle also has crawl control, low-range four-wheel drive, and MTS multi-terrain select driving assistance. The adaptive variable suspension system provides a more comfortable ride and can increase suspension travel by 20%, delivering better passability.
Oddly, although the new vehicle is equipped with a Torsen limited-slip center differential and a Torsen limited-slip rear axle differential, the VX version does not provide a rear axle differential lock or the SDM electronically controlled stabilizer bar disconnect system. As an "all-scenario high-performance hardcore off-road SUV," the absence of its rear axle differential lock and SDM electronically controlled stabilizer bar disconnect system is undoubtedly a bit lacking.
Because the absence of a rear axle differential lock will undoubtedly greatly reduce its ultimate escape capability, especially when facing cross-axle or single-wheel suspension situations, whether its electronic limited slip can replace a mechanical lock is enough to make anyone uneasy. Furthermore, the absence of the SDM electronically controlled stabilizer bar disconnect system also means that the VX version cannot fully release suspension travel on paved roads, and its balance between on-road and off-road performance is inevitably compromised, making it difficult to achieve perfect compatibility.
In addition to this hard flaw, the new vehicle also has shortcomings in power. It is reported that the all-new Prado adopts the same GA-F platform as the Land Cruiser 300 and is equipped with a 2.4T 1MT HEV hybrid system from the same lineage as the Land Cruiser 300 series, with a combined maximum power of 243 kW (330 Ps) and combined torque of 630 N·m, matched to an 8AT transmission. The specifications look impressive, but its sensation itself is hardly noteworthy. Its WLTC fuel consumption of 10.11 L per 100 km (official data) shows only limited improvement over the pure gasoline version and offers no advantage compared with some domestically produced new-energy off-road vehicles. However, the battery pack encroaching on space and thereby reducing fuel tank capacity, in turn, discounts its range during long-distance crossings and makes people even more anxious.
