2023 Toyota Prado detailed! New Mitsubishi Pajero rival to follow Land Cruiser 300 Series lead and go hybrid: report

Much has been made of Toyota’s upcoming LandCruiser 300 Series, but until now, the same hasn’t been true of its smaller sibling, the next-generation Prado. Enter a new report that has revealed some of what’s in store for the Mitsubishi Pajero rival, including hybrid power.

According to Best Car Web, the Prado “will be introduced after 2022”, meaning it’ll be at least a year behind the LandCruiser 300 Series, which the same publication claims will do so in September next year.

Critically, the Prado’s current 2.7-litre petrol engine is said to be replaced by a ‘self-charging’ hybrid that combines a 2.5-litre petrol unit with at least one electric motor.

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Best Car Web also reports the Prado’s current 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine will carry over to the new model, although it will be revised yet again, with an improved version having just been launched.

The publication has made no mention of the LandCruiser 300 Series’ 3.3-litre turbo-diesel V6 or 3.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid being part of the Prado line-up, although either could feasibly power a potential GR performance flagship.

Why? Well, the Prado will unsurprisingly move to Toyota’s emerging TNGA platform, albeit a body-on-frame version shared with the LandCruiser 300 Series.

Where the Prado will separate itself from the LandCruiser 300 Series, though, is with its size, with Best Car Web reporting it will be smaller, measuring about 4825mm (-125mm) long, 1885mm (-95mm) wide and 1830mm (-50mm) tall with a 2790mm (-110mm) wheelbase.

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While the size difference is to be expected, what is more of a surprise is how the Prado will stand out visually from the clean-looking LandCruiser 300 Series, with the publication saying “it has a more wild feel”.

The similarities will continue inside, with the Prado to take the LandCruiser 300 Series’ 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system, although it will distance itself with the option of a five- or seven-seat configuration.

Advanced driver-assist systems are also set to be common between the Prado and LandCruiser 300 Series, including support for semi-autonomous highway driving.