‘It’s not quite what we want’: 2026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Hybrid still no closer to Australia to fight the GWM Tank 500 and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

Toyota has offered a hybrid version of its top-selling LandCruiser Prado in other markets since launch but the line-up has remained diesel-only in Australia to date.

Speaking to CarsGuide, Toyota Australia Vice President of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the Prado Hybrid in its current iteration isn’t being considered for a local launch.

“It’s never been off the radar, but never been on the radar so much,” said Hanley.

“When I say it’s never been off the radar, clearly, there’s only available in the US that in that market does very well … however, for our market that has different needs [it’s] not quite right.

“Doesn’t mean it’s not a good hybrid engine. It’s a great hybrid engine, but horses for courses.

“So at this stage of development, it’s not quite what we want.

“So at this point, is it off the radar in this iteration? Yes. But in future developments? No.”

In the US, the Prado, known as the Land Cruiser in that market, is offered with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder i-Force Max hybrid engine which produces 243kW of power and 630Nm of torque.

It’s claimed to consume 10.2L/100km on the combined cycle according to EPA testing.

In Australia, on the other hand, the Prado is only offered with a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with 48V mild-hybrid assistance. It produces system outputs of 150kW and 500Nm.

Claimed fuel consumption is 7.6L/100km on the combined cycle according to ADR 81/02 testing. This engine not only requires diesel but also AdBlue.

One major catch that may be holding the hybrid engine coming to Australia is the reduced towing capacity. It can only tow slightly more than 2700kg, compared to the 3500kg towing capacity the Australian-spec Prado diesel has.

Despite only being offered with a diesel engine locally, the Prado continues to be a top-seller. In the first eight months of 2025 a total of 19,955 examples have been sold.

It outsold the likes of the Ford Everest (16,922 sales), Isuzu MU-X (10,362 sales) and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (3758 sales).

Currently the only hybrid body-on-frame large SUV offering in Australia without looking at premium offerings is the GWM Tank 500. Only 1021 examples of it have been sold so far this year.

This Chinese hybrid SUV has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine that produces 255kW. It’s claimed to consume 8.5L/100km on the combined cycle according to ADR 81/02 testing.

In the first half of 2026, Toyota is set to introduce a hybrid version of its larger LandCruiser 300 Series. It uses a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with a single electric motor generator, which is the same set-up as the Tundra pick-up.

Total system outputs, claimed fuel consumption, towing capacity, payload and pricing for this haven’t been confirmed yet.