{"id":777595,"date":"2026-07-04T01:40:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T01:40:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/777595\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T01:40:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T01:40:36","slug":"2026-toyota-landcruiser-prado-kakadu-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/777595\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Kakadu review"},"content":{"rendered":"

The top-spec version of the Toyota Prado<\/a> is the Kakadu, which is the model grade we’re testing here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a practical-looking large off-road SUV and also looks good on paper \u2013 diesel, four-wheel drive, seven seats, and loads of equipment.<\/p>\n

But given the price tag it would want to be overflowing with standard equipment, so in this review we\u2019ll tell you if it feels like a fitting flagship or not.<\/p>\n

How much does the Toyota LandCruiser Prado cost?<\/p>\n

Prices recently went up for the Prado range, and the Japanese brand added a new five-seat version of the GXL, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"ModelPrice before on-road costs2026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado GX$73,2002026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado GXL five-seat$79,6902026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado GXL seven-seat$80,6902026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado VX $88,1002026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude$93,4002026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Kakadu$100,690<\/p>\n

On top of these prices you will need to add about $8000 or more for the additional costs of registration, stamp duty and dealer delivery. Maybe even a little bit of Toyota Tax.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But the latest J250-series Prado lineup has heaps more standard tech and spec than the model it replaces. Scroll down to see the breakdown of standard equipment across all grades, and to see if you think it\u2019s worth spending about $110k to put a Kakadu in your driveway\u2026<\/p>\n

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado lines up against the competition, check out our\u00a0comparison tool<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the Toyota LandCruiser Prado like on the inside?<\/p>\n

The flagship variant in the Prado range doesn\u2019t necessarily feel luxurious.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

At least not compared to some of its new competitors from China, which really do up the ante when it comes to the opulence factor. And if that\u2019s what you\u2019re looking for then maybe check out one of those.<\/p>\n

Find your perfect new car with CarExpert<\/p>\n

There’s a starker feeling design here, with black-on-black trimming everywhere that maybe doesn\u2019t give it as much wow factor as others.<\/p>\n

Admittedly, it\u2019s all put together well and it looks good, but the Kakadu just doesn\u2019t have any brightwork, woodwork or anything to make it feel like you are driving something that\u2019s a bit more, well, expensive. Because this is a six-figure car.<\/p>\n

The technology is decent, though. There is a 12.3-inch digital screen for the driver with an array of different display options and configurability, and it\u2019s easy to read if you prefer to look down at that screen. Otherwise there\u2019s a colour head-up display, which is excellent too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

For media you\u2019ve got another 12.3-inch screen with the expected wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as sat-nav and a number of vehicle information displays \u2013 but it does require a little bit of learning when it comes to the menus and controls.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s certainly not as frustrating as some other touchscreen infotainment systems, and will be easy enough to get your head around if you\u2019re new to the digital revolution.<\/p>\n

But you don\u2019t have to do everything on the screen.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an array of buttons and dials below to allow you to configure everything from your seat heating and ventilation to your climate control, steering wheel heating, and more.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Further below is a volume dial (weird spot for it!), a camera view button, and a number of connection ports for charging devices, plus a wireless phone charging pad.<\/p>\n

To the side you\u2019ll find a mode selector for your day-to-day driving modes, and there\u2019s a multi-terrain select system if you venture off the beaten path. There\u2019s also downhill assist control and crawl control, which work as an off-road cruise control system that will make your adventures a little safer than they might otherwise have been if you just used the pedals.<\/p>\n

It does have the low-range transfer case that you might be hoping for, and a centre diff lock as well, but there’s no rear locker and no front locker either, if that matters to you.<\/p>\n

The gear selector is a good-sized thing, and nice to hang onto when you\u2019re on a road trip as well, and nearby are the electric parking brake and auto hold switches, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Other buttons around the cabin include the engine start\/stop button, a tow\/haul mode controller, and a dedicated button if you want to turn off the engine idle-stop function, which would negate the fact that you bought a vehicle with 48V mild-hybrid tech.<\/p>\n

On the steering wheel there\u2019s an array of simple-to-learn controls, with heaps of buttons and some triggers for volume and different display modes as well.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve got conventional stalks and even more buttons down near the driver\u2019s knee, so don\u2019t go thinking this is a touchscreen-dependent experience.<\/p>\n

The driver has an auto-dimming rear-view mirror or a digital camera mirror if they wish to use it that way instead \u2013 ideal if you have five faces looking forward at you from those rear seats \u2013 plus overhead you\u2019ll find illuminated vanity mirrors. The material on the sunvisors (which aren\u2019t extendable) is quite cheap-feeling.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve got grab handles to help you get in and out, and there are A-pillar handles as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Between the seats is a cool box, and that could be a very handy inclusion on longer road trips with your family.<\/p>\n

Front seat comfort is good, though it felt like there was a bar at the base of the backrest that just wasn\u2019t comfortable for me. There is adjustable lumbar support but that wasn\u2019t it. There\u2019s electric adjustment for both front seats, and the driver gets extendable leg support as well.<\/p>\n

In the second row with the driver\u2019s seat set for me (at 182cm\/6\u20190\u201d), I had enough space to fit comfortably \u2013 but not with an excessive amount of space.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Anyone taller might find it to feel a little cramped for legroom, and be aware that the Prado doesn\u2019t offer you the option of sliding the middle-row seats because of the third-row packaging, and that means you might find it a little uncomfortable if you\u2019re trying to haul a number of big bodies with you.<\/p>\n

There are good amenities in the back seat including bottle holders in the doors, map pockets on the seatbacks, overhead directional vents, and a climate control system for managing everything in the back \u2013 including heating and ventilation for the window seats. Nice!<\/p>\n

In between the rear seats in the middle row you will find a flip-down armrest with cupholders, and of course you\u2019ve got ISOFIX child seat anchors in the window seats and top-tethers for all three middle-row positions.<\/p>\n

When it comes to getting into the third row, the access is decent, but you have to pick which side you\u2019ll fit a child seat in if you are planning to use the third row all the time and you also have a younger one as part of your clan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because the middle-row seat is a 60:40-split, with the small portion on the kerbside, which might make it easier for third-row access to be a permanent fixture on that side of the car.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

That position allows the seat to fold and tumble forward, but the third row isn\u2019t necessarily the most accommodating experience for adults.<\/p>\n

Because those middle-row seats don\u2019t move forward, and the toeroom is quite tight, as is kneeroom and headroom.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But at least the third row has a decent amount of shoulder room, and there are good armrests on the wheel-arches, as well as cupholders for both sides and USB ports to keep devices charged \u2013 even right at the back.<\/p>\n

Overhead there are grab handles and directional vents, and the view from the back seat is good too thanks to a stadium-style arrangement and reasonably large side glass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

However, it must be said that the usability of the seats is not as good as it could be when you are trying to fold them from the back row. It could be difficult to allow yourself to get out if you\u2019re in the back.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re trying to fold the seats from the boot, the mechanism is not the greatest \u2013 it takes a few movements to adjust things. Some rivals have electric seat folding for less money, others have a pull-tab mechanism that will drop the head restraints and the seat, but this one requires you to be able to reach the lever if you\u2019re lifting the seats up (this will be a challenge for shorties!) and you have to adjust the head restraints separately.<\/p>\n

Our test car also included the storage box behind the third-row seats, which feels flimsy and looks like an afterthought. But it does allow you a flat load floor area if you want to put things on top of those third-row seats. I wouldn\u2019t go piling really heavy things on the storage box, though.<\/p>\n

Beyond that there is also a pair of shopping bag hooks and a 220V (100W) power outlet.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

A huge bonus is the opening glass window on the tailgate, which means you\u2019ve got easier access to the cargo space if you can\u2019t easily open the hatch all the way.<\/p>\n

And of course, under the boot area you will find a full-size spare wheel.<\/p>\n

DimensionsToyota Prado KakaduLength4990mmWidth1980mmHeight1925mmWheelbase2850mmCargo capacity182L (all seats up)
906L (third row folded)
1829L (third and second rows folded)<\/p>\n

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado lines up against the competition, check out our\u00a0comparison tool<\/a><\/p>\n

What\u2019s under the bonnet?<\/p>\n

In Australia, all Prado vehicles use the same diesel engine \u2013 a carryover four-pot with 48V mild-hybrid tech and a new transmission.<\/p>\n

\"\"SpecificationsToyota Prado KakaduEngine2.8L 4cyl turbo-diesel with 48V MHEVBattery4.3Ah li-ionMotor generator power8.4kWMotor generator torque65NmTotal system power150kW @ 3000-3400rpmTotal system torque500Nm @ 1600-2800rpmTransmission8-speed automaticDrive typeFull-time 4WDFuel economy (claimed)7.6L\/100kmFuel economy (as tested)10.2L\/100kmCO2 emissions (claimed)200g\/kmFuel tank80L main tank
30L sub tank
17.4L AdBlue<\/p>\n

The 48V system means the engine uses a smart alternator and clever idle-stop system supported by a 48-volt battery, but it can\u2019t boost power or use the battery to drive. However, it will take away the strain of running ancillary functions, to a degree. On test, it still kicked the engine to life with the air-con set to cool the car down on a 30-degree day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And here are the details on the Kakadu specifically when it comes to weights and capacities:<\/p>\n

SpecificationsToyota Prado KakaduKerb weight2535kgPayload615kgBraked towing capacity3500kgGross vehicle mass (GVM)3150kgGross combination mass (GCM)6600kg<\/p>\n

Do the maths and make sure you don\u2019t go over your payload if you plan to tow. We didn\u2019t get a chance to tow this time around, but check out our earlier Prado Altitude review to read our verdict on that.<\/p>\n

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado lines up against the competition, check out our\u00a0comparison tool<\/a><\/p>\n

How does the Toyota LandCruiser Prado drive?<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot to like about the drive experience in the Prado Kakadu.<\/p>\n

\"\"From expert reviews to the right deal<\/p>\n

CarExpert brings together reviews, research tools and trusted buying support, guiding you from research to delivery with confidence.<\/p>\n

But one of the things I don\u2019t like is the amount of engine noise at lower speeds \u2013 especially when the engine is cold.<\/p>\n

This diesel engine has been around for a long time now, and while the mild-hybrid technology helps out a little bit to quieten things down at times, it is otherwise pretty rough and vocal when you are motoring at lower speeds.<\/p>\n

At higher speeds it is more hushed because there are other noises to contend with \u2013 such as wind noise around the mirrors and windscreen.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But the engine is up to the task \u2013 don\u2019t get me wrong. It just makes a lot of noise when it\u2019s doing its thing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Thankfully the transmission does a pretty good job of managing proceedings as well, with eight gears to choose from \u2013 which is maybe too many, at times! \u2013 but it is a smooth-shifting operator for the most part.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At times you might notice when you\u2019re going down a hill, riding the brakes, that it will downshift to try and arrest some of your momentum, by using engine braking to slow you down. It works pretty well. But, again, it can be very noisy when it does that.<\/p>\n

I might sound like a well-beaten drum here, but in a model at this price \u2013 even though it has a load of features \u2013 the Prado doesn\u2019t quite feel as refined as it could in terms of noise.<\/p>\n

But otherwise the drive experience is mostly very agreeable.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The steering is predictable and accurate with nice weighting, and it\u2019s easy to park too. The surround-view camera helps out in that regard, and it has parking sensors front and rear that will trigger the camera if it thinks that you\u2019re getting too close to something.<\/p>\n

The ride comfort isn\u2019t bad either, as the Prado coasts over lumps and bumps in the surface relatively smoothly. It rides well at low and high speeds too, but can feel a bit wallowy if you don\u2019t have any weight over the rear axle. And it can pick up on some of the sharper edges at urban speeds because of the wheel sizes on this grade.<\/p>\n

The safety technology is largely very agreeable. At times you might get a warning or two for not paying attention to the driver monitoring camera, but thankfully it is largely very easy to get along with.<\/p>\n

And that sort of sums it up. The Prado is easy to get along with, it\u2019s just that it\u2019s a bit loud when you are getting on with day-to-day jobs.<\/p>\n

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado lines up against the competition, check out our\u00a0comparison tool<\/a><\/p>\n

What do you get?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a rundown of the range and what you get as standard as you climb your way up the ladder. Which rung would you find yourself stopping at?\u00a0<\/p>\n

2026 Toyota Prado GX equipment highlights:<\/p>\n

Five seats18-inch dark grey alloy wheelsFront grille with \u2018TOYOTA\u2019 letteringLED headlightsLED daytime running lightsFolding body-coloured mirrorsDarkened front and rear bumpers, side sills, wheel-archesManual tailgateFabric seat upholsteryRubber floor matsSix-way manual driver\u2019s seat adjustment7.0-inch multi-function driver’s instrument display12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system10-speaker sound systemWired and wireless Apple CarPlay, Android AutoFour USB-C portsEmbedded satellite navigationDAB+ digital radioToyota connected servicesDual-zone climate controlDownhill assist controlCrawl control with five speed settings<\/p>\n

Moving up to the GXL adds:<\/p>\n

Five- or seven-seat layoutRoof railsRear privacy glassSilver front and rear bumper trimPower tailgateSynthetic leather seat upholsteryHeated and ventilated front seatsEight-way power-adjustable driver\u2019s seatLeather-accented steering wheel and gear knobAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorWireless phone charging padRear climate controlTwo extra USB-C charging ports<\/p>\n

On top of the GXL, the VX adds:<\/p>\n

20-inch dark metallic alloy wheelsBi-LED headlights with dynamic auto-levellingAdaptive high-beam assistBody-coloured front and rear bumpersOver-fender (wheel-arch) mouldingsRear guard trimLeather-accented seat trimPower lumbar and memory function for driver\u2019s seatFour-way power-adjustable passenger\u2019s seatPower-adjustable steering wheelCarpet floor matsRefrigerated centre console (Cool Box)12.3-inch digital instrument cluster14-speaker JBL sound systemAdaptive Variable SuspensionFive drive modesMulti-terrain selectMulti-terrain monitor\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Over the VX, the Altitude adds:<\/p>\n

Five seats instead of seven18-inch matte-grey alloy wheels with all-terrain tyresLocking rear differential\u2018Stabiliser disconnect mechanism\u2019 (in place of Adaptive Variable Suspension)Black door handles and tailgate trimBlack wheel-arch mouldingSunroofTwo-tone colours availableDigital rear-view mirrorHeated steering wheel\u00a0Head-up display<\/p>\n

The flagship Kakadu includes (over the VX):<\/p>\n

Reverts to seven-seat layout\u00a0Panoramic sunroofIlluminated side stepsHeated and ventilated rear seatsHeated steering wheelAdjustable driver\u2019s seat thigh supportDigital rear-view mirrorHead-up displayTorque-sensing limited-slip rear differential<\/p>\n

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado lines up against the competition, check out our\u00a0comparison tool<\/a><\/p>\n

Is the Toyota LandCruiser Prado safe?<\/p>\n

The Toyota LandCruiser Prado was awarded the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2024 testing.<\/p>\n

\"\"CategoryToyota PradoAdult occupant protection85 per centChild occupant protection89 per centVulnerable road user protection84 per centSafety assist82 per cent<\/p>\n

It comes as standard with the following safety features:<\/p>\n

Autonomous emergency brakingPedestrian detectionCyclist detectionJunction detectionBackover preventionStability control with active traction controlAdaptive cruise controlLane trace assist (lane-centering)Blind-spot monitoringRear parking support brake (stops the car if a static object is detected)Front and rear parking sensorsSpeed sign recognitionDriver attention monitoring cameraTrailer sway controlTrailer pre-wiring harness360-degree camera<\/p>\n

The VX, Altitude, and Kakadu grades gain tyre pressure monitoring.<\/p>\n

All Prado models have nine airbags \u2013 dual front, driver’s knee, passenger’s knee, front centre, front side, and full-length curtain coverage with head protection for third-row occupants in models with seven seats.<\/p>\n

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado lines up against the competition, check out our\u00a0comparison tool<\/a><\/p>\n

How much does the Toyota LandCruiser Prado cost to run?<\/p>\n

The LandCruiser Prado is covered by Toyota Australia’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre new-vehicle warranty.<\/p>\n

\"\"Servicing and WarrantyToyota PradoWarranty5 years, unlimited kilometresRoadside assistance$99 or $139 per year, depending on chosen planService intervals6 months or 10,000kmCapped-price servicing5 years, $395 eachTotal capped-price service cost$3950<\/p>\n

If you maintain your Prado by the logbook, you can extend the powertrain warranty out to seven years \u2013 and it doesn\u2019t need to be serviced by Toyota, either.\u00a0The electrified components of the powertrain will also be covered for up to 10 years if you do service with Toyota.<\/p>\n

However, the brand has continued with shorter six-month\/10,000km service intervals for the 250 Series, unlike rivals which have 12-month\/15,000km intervals \u2013 or longer.<\/p>\n

You also have to pay at least an extra $99 per year for roadside assistance, and while the Prado has Connected Services, you will only get one year of free data included at purchase, after which you\u2019ll get roped into paying an additional subscription fee.<\/p>\n

The capped-price service plan covers five years or 100,000km due to those short intervals, and the average cost per visit is $395 at the time of publication.<\/p>\n

To see how the Toyota LandCruiser Prado lines up against the competition, check out our\u00a0comparison tool<\/a><\/p>\n

CarExpert\u2019s Take on the Toyota LandCruiser Prado Kakadu<\/p>\n

With new rivals from China knocking on its door and offering more gear for less money, and more advanced new-generation electrified powertrains\u2026 the Prado is suddenly feeling a little less appealing than it did.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt the Prado is going to remain the go-to guy for many Australian families, especially those who need diesel power.<\/p>\n

No, we didn’t venture off-road for this review. But so many mums and dads who drive Prados don\u2019t either. Just go to your local school at pickup time, and you\u2019ll see the evidence as clear as day.<\/p>\n

That said, we know the Prado has the off-road chops to match the likes of, say, the Ford Everest. But during my time in this vehicle, I couldn\u2019t quite come at the idea of it costing $110,000 to park in my driveway. And for that reason, I\u2019d buy something else and save some change for fuel\u2026!<\/p>\n

Interested in buying a Toyota LandCruiser Prado? Let CarExpert find you the best deal here<\/a><\/p>\n

Click the images for the full gallery<\/p>\n

MORE: Explore the Toyota LandCruiser Prado showroom<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The top-spec version of the Toyota Prado is the Kakadu, which is the model grade we’re testing here.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":777596,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[64,63,99],"class_list":["post-777595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-business"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/777595","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=777595"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/777595\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/777596"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=777595"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=777595"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=777595"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}