Toyota Prado News

Two months into 2026, traditional new car sales leader Toyota is 25 per cent down on the same period last year with a total of 27,916 units shifted to the end of February compared to 37,256 in 2025.So, what gives? RAV4 registrations have fallen off a cliff, with 2025’s top seller no less than 73.8 per cent behind its prior year result (2480 units vs 9481).After a sub-par January, the HiLux has mounted something of a fightback but is still close to 10 per cent behind year-on-year in critical 4WD form (5315 units vs 5893).And the new-generation Prado is down a whopping 52 per cent YOY (2665 units vs 5570).After 23 consecutive years as the top-selling brand in the local new car market are cracks starting to appear at the top of the Toyota sales mountain?  Is the endless wave of new challenger brands entering the local market starting to impact that seemingly impenetrable 20 per cent share figure Toyota has held with a vice-like grip for so long?Well, probably not. A Toyota Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide the brand is still aiming for a 200,000-plus unit result for 2026, which would equate to, you guessed it… 20 per cent market share.First, the RAV4 had a big December 2025 and with the current model in run-out mode it’s doing just that… running out, according to Toyota, “very cleanly”. And with the sixth-gen version coming in March, Toyota makes no bones about the fact that supply is unlikely to come back to full strength (and possibly more) until the end of that month or even early April. As we’ve previously reported, based on the model's usual sales figures, it's safe to assume an order bank close to, if not more than, 10,000 units for the new RAV4 Hybrid.Then, the HiLux shortfall relates to not all variants of the new ninth-generation ute being available yet. So it’s a similar story here, with a “healthy” bank of orders being progressively filled over the next couple of months.And the fifth-generation LandCruiser Prado has been in high demand since it arrived here in late 2024 and we’re assured the current shortfall is down to boat arrival timing issues, which presumes March numbers will be higher, as orders are "strong."Of course, published monthly registration data means there’s nowhere to hide when it comes to new vehicle sales. So, we’ll see if the good ship Toyota, still by far the dominant new car player, gets back on course beyond the first quarter of the year. 

Toyota Australia has increased the asking price of a number of its popular SUV models.From January 1, 2026, the Toyota C-HR, LandCruiser Prado and LandCruiser 300 Series all received price hikes of up to $1500, depending on the model and variant.“Toyota is committed to keeping price increases to a minimum. These changes came into effect recently due to increased costs and inflationary pressures both here and overseas,” said a Toyota Australia spokesperson.The 2026 Toyota C-HR is now priced from $46,940 before on-road costs to $58,890 before on-road costs. Pricing for the entire line-up is $1500.The 2026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado is now priced from $73,200 before on-road costs to $100,690 before on-road costs. Pricing is up $700 across the line-up.The 2026 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series $99,340 before on-road costs to $147,160 before on-road costs. Pricing is up $1000 across the line-up.Pricing tables for all three Toyota models are at the bottom of this story.This is the first time the current-generation Prado has received a price rise in Australia since it was introduced in late 2024.Since it first launched, Toyota introduced a five-seat version of the popular GXL mid-spec variant following criticism of the compromised boot space of the seven-seat versions.The Prado was also the third best-selling Toyota model in Australia during 2025, behind only the popular HiLux and RAV4.While the existing LandCruiser 300 Series with its 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel engine almost already reaches $150,000 before on-road costs, it’s expected to surpass this with the forthcoming 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol ‘Performance Hybrid’ GR Sport and Sahara ZX trims.While the first-generation Toyota C-HR was a sales success, sales of the current second-generation which was introduced in 2024 have been notably softer.During 2025 a total of 2892 examples were sold which is up 2.3 per cent year-on-year. However over the same period Toyota also sold 12,686 examples of the similarly sized Corolla Cross.This is likely due to the fact the current C-HR is much more expensive than it was. It’s now sourced from Turkey instead of Japan and as a result incurs a five per cent import tariff.2026 Toyota C-HR pricing:2026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado pricing:2026 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series pricing:

Many of the regular family SUV favourites have made the best-sellers list for 2025, at a time when more brands are joining the battle for sales. Hybrids have a significantly increased presence on the list, while traditional internal combustion options remain prevalent as well.These are the top five best-selling family cars heading into 2026. The Toyota RAV4 was the second-best selling car overall in 2025 and tops the family SUV list with nearly 52,000 sales, despite a more than 10 per cent drop year-on-year as a new-generation looms.With a starting price of $45,990, before on-road costs, the outgoing RAV4 is available exclusively as a hybrid, which starts from just under $60,000. The hybrid consists of a four-cylinder 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and single electric motor, which produce a combined 143kW. The incoming new-generation RAV4 will remain hybrid only, even introducing a long-awaited plug-in hybrid.Ford’s Everest large SUV is next on this list with more than 26,000 sales in 2025, and a starting price of $59,490, before on-road costs. Based on the best-selling Ranger, the Everest currently features four-cylinder 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel and six-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine choices. The 2.0-litre Everest produces 154kW and 500Nm, while the 3.0-litre has 184kW and 600Nm. The Everest range underwent a shake-up last year, with several variants being cut, and the announcement of the 2.0-litre twin-turbo engine will be phased out. Toyota makes another appearance in the list in third position, with its Prado, selling marginally less than the Ford Everest. The Prado is significantly bigger than the RAV4, and is only available with a four-cylinder 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, producing 150kW and 500Nm. It remains one of only a few Toyota models, including the full-on four-wheel drive LandCruiser 300 Series, which do not yet have a hybrid set-up available. The Prado starts from $72,500 before on-road costs, rising to just under $100,000 for the top-spec model. The Hyundai Kona small SUV managed more than 22,000 sales in 2025, with its cheapest petrol variant starting from $32,950, before on-roads ranging up to $71,000 for the top-spec EV. The Kona currently comes with diverse petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains, with petrol and hybrid units vastly outnumbering electric in sales.The 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 110kW and 180Nm, while the 1.6-litre petrol hybrid produces a combined 104kW/265Nm.There are two electric versions of the Kona, producing 99kW/255Nm and 150kW/255Nm.The range also features a sporty 1.6-litre petrol turbo all-wheel drive variant, with 146kW and 265Nm.The Mazda CX-5 rounds out the top five, managing only a few less units than the Kona. The base CX-5 starts from $36,740, before on-roads, and comes with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, producing 115kW and 200Nm. There is also a 2.5-litre petrol engine, which produces 140kW/252Nm or an all-wheel drive only turbocharged version producing 170kW/420Nm, with the most expensive variant priced at $55,650. All variants have a six-speed traditional automatic transmission.Australia will get a long-awaited new-generation CX-5 in the middle of this year. A hybrid version of this new version will finally debut as far out as 2027.

Large SUVs are the big, spacious heroes of suburbia, favoured by families with more than a couple of kids and picked for their adventurous and sporty looks when probably a people mover would do.Of course, there are the large SUVs that aren’t just tough looking but incredibly capable off-road, too. Then there are those which are fully electric, and bring supercar acceleration to something that feels like the size of a small house.As part of our ongoing 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year awards, here are our top 10 large SUV model ranges from the sub-$100K category in alphabetical order and why they made the cut. Our top three, including the category winner, will be announced February 6.Chinese carmaker Chery brought its flagship Tiggo 9 seven-seater SUV to Australia in late 2025 and in one grade only - the Ultimate.CarsGuide reviewers found the Tiggo 9 to be outstanding value for money, but also standing out is its ‘Super Hybrid’ system which offers a large battery, fast charging and a long combined range with excellent fuel efficiency.Add to this a superbly comfortable ride and you can see why the Tiggo 9 has made our shortlist.  Hyundai’s Santa Fe quickly became an Aussie family favourite after it was launched here 25 years ago. Loved for being spacious and affordable, this large SUV became safer, better to drive and more refined over the years until we come to today’s fifth-generation model, which is the best yet.The Santa Fe is a three-row large SUV available in both petrol and petrol-hybrid powertrains. It has some fierce rivals in this large and affordable SUV segment, but CarsGuide reviewers loved the way it combines practicality and value for money with style and refinement that can withstand all the spills and rough treatment delivered by families.  So much kudos needs to go to Kia for launching its largest SUV ever - the EV9 - as an all-electric model only. A brave move that even made the EV9 unique in its segment as the first fully electric, seven-seat, upper-large SUV on the market.CarsGuide reviewers found the EV9 to be practical, superb to drive with outstanding levels of comfort and performance, and while it can be pricey there’s large fast charging batteries, with long ranges and vehicle-to-load power capability.Add to all this the futuristic chiselled looks and you have an SUV that’s bravely different, and beautifully fit for purpose.The Land Rover Defender is iconic. Famous for being the choice of transport for decades of hardcore adventurers to royalty and everyone in between, not many SUVs can combine prestige and off-road prowess like the Defender. The new Defender is a far more luxurious affair than the early Land Rover Series 1 from the 1940s that started the whole off-road SUV thing, but the blocky looks are still reminiscent of its agricultural ancestor.CarsGuide reviewers found the Defender to be comfortable and great to drive, with excellent practicality but fuel consumption can be high and towing capacity less than rivals.Available in a short- and long-wheelbase, with a choice of powerplants from supercharged V8s to hybrids the Defender is an exceptional go-anywhere luxury SUV.The Polestar 4 is a prestige electric coupe-style SUV that arrived in Australia in 2024, causing chins to wag due to its complete lack of rear window, and a digital review mirror.The rear window controversy was good publicity for the brand which arrived in Australia in 2022 with its Polestar 2 sedan but had seemingly gone off the boil with the arrival of a multitude of new Chinese electric SUVs.At 4.84m end to end, the Polestar 4 is about a finger’s length longer than the Tesla Model Y, but more expensive and would see its rivals as Audi’s Q6 e-tron Sportback and BMW iX3.  CarsGuide reviewers found the Polestar 4 to have an impressive driving range, excellent performance, great styling… but that lack of back window and the digital rear view mirror, not so great. The new-generation Skoda Kodiaq arrived in 2025, bigger and more refined than the previous version, even if the styling appeared to have barely changed. CarsGuide reviewers found this seven-seater to be practical with excellent cabin storage and packed with loads of standard features, making the Kodiaq excellent value.Superb to drive with great handling and a comfortable ride, the Kodiaq is the alternative to more mainstream rivals such as the Mitsubishi Outlander or Toyota Kluger.  Toyota’s seven-seat large SUV has also been on the shopping list of Aussie families since 2003 and while there’s more rivals to pick from than 20 years ago, the Kluger remains popular.CarsGuide reviewers found the Kluger to be spacious, practical, effortless to drive and with a fuel efficient hybrid powertrain, it is also outstanding value for money and comes with low servicing costs and Toyota’s reputation of reliability.Aussie Klugers are made in right-hand drive at Toyota’s Indiana plant in the United States.  Toyota’s LandCruiser 300 Series is a legend in its own time, acclaimed worldwide as one of the most capable large off-roaders, that’s comfortable, and with an exceptional reputation for reliability.With rivals such as the Nissan Patrol and Land Rover Defender, CarsGuide reviewers found the LandCruiser 300 Series to not only be great off-road, but also have good on-road manners, too. Reviewers noted, however, the high price tag and the need for better off-road tyres.The new-gen Toyota LandCruiser Prado arrived in late 2024 amid high expectations given the popularity of the previous modelsThe new Prado had a completely new retro cool look, but also a higher price tag. Still CarsGuide reviewers found the Prado very effective off-road and a big improvement over the previous gen with an increased towing capacity of 3500kg. But CarsGuide reviewers also found the Prado to be underpowered and not as good value for money as a Ford Everest or Isuzu MU-X.   Volkswagen's Touareg is a large, luxurious SUV that’s closely related to Audi’s Q7 but without the higher price.While all Touareg’s are five-seaters only, CarsGuide reviewers found it to be practical, full of sophisticated tech and refined in design and quality.A plug-in hybrid in the sporty R grade is available but CarsGuide reviewers found energy consumption to be high and EV driving range to be low.

To torture a well worn Mark Twain reference, if Australia’s 2025 new vehicle sales numbers are anything to go by, reports of the diesel engine’s death are greatly exaggerated.According to Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries VFacts registration data, for the full calendar year of 2025 diesel-powered vehicles across passenger, SUV and light commercial segments totalled 364,605 units, only 1.7 per cent lower than 2024’s overall number (370,818).In fact, sales of diesel-powered passenger cars were up 1.3 per cent year-on-year (10,372 vs 10,242) with diesel SUV sales rising no less than 6.0 per cent (122,603 vs 115,670).Diesel light-commercial sales were down 5.4 per cent (231,630 vs 244,906) while plug-in hybrid commercials went from zero in 2024 to 20,634 last year.A coincidence that 18,073 examples of BYD’s Shark 6 PHEV dual cab ute found homes last year? We think not.The Ford Ranger was the best selling vehicle in 2025, but it wasn't alone at the top.Traditional diesel-heavy sellers the Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max, Ford Everest and Toyota Prado filled the third to sixth slots on the 2025 overall sales leader board with others such as the Mitsubishi Triton lifting year-on-year volume, too. Only the second placed Toyota RAV4 Hybrid managed to break up diesel's dominance atop the new car sales charts last year.Of course, nothing stays the same forever and given the rapidly shifting form of the Australian new vehicle market and the increasing impact of the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) regime there’s a chance the diesel engine’s status may have changed dramatically by the end of 2026.But for now, it appears diesel power isn’t headed for the automotive graveyard just yet.  Australian diesel vehicle registrations:

Toyota Australia has responded after Queensland Police alleged an international crime syndicate was targeting its vehicles in the Brisbane region.Between October 20 and December 2, 60 high-end Toyota vehicles, including LandCruisers and Prados, were stolen with the intent to ship the vehicles to the United Arab Emirates, according to Queensland Police. The vehicles were valued at about $9.0M.Several of the vehicles were recovered in Melbourne and Queensland before they headed overseas.Queensland Police have arrested seven men and charged them with more than 300 offences.Brisbane Detective Acting Inspector Russell Joyce said, “This was an extremely complex operation with a disciplined international syndicate allegedly targeting vehicles for personal gain.“The QPS is sending a strong message that offences of this nature will not be tolerated, and police will be relentless in their pursuit of any alleged offender,” he said.Toyota Australia said it has worked closely with the Queensland and Victorian Police to identify the devices used in the thefts.The company said it had implemented security enhancements to counter their effectiveness.In a statement Toyota Australia said, “Toyota is committed to continuously improving vehicle security and has progressively introduced advanced protective measures across its range.“In 2025, Toyota took further steps to enhance security on several models, including the New HiLux, LandCruiser 300 and LandCruiser Prado providing owners with even greater peace of mind,” the statement said.Toyota is going a step further and developing factory approved genuine accessories, which include an additional immobiliser, to combat the issue.The Japanese carmaker is also working on a process to prioritise owners affected by theft to receive replacement vehicles as soon as possible.

These are officially Australia's favourite cars.

Ahead of the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Japanese modification outfit Kuhl has revealed a rugged new take on a Toyota icon.The 2026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado has been given a lift and bodykit by Kuhl, with the company dubbing the show car the ‘Iron Build’.Complete with a mix of visual modifications and genuine mechanical changes, including a new set of wheels and off-road tyres, the Iron Build is set to be shown off at Tokyo Auto Salon between January 9 and 11.The Prado’s standard wheel-and-tyre package has been replaced by a set of dishy 22-inch wheels called ‘Verz DR03’ from Kuhl’s own catalogue, and wrapped in a set of 37-inch Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 mud tyres.The result is a ground clearance that looks to be just about doubled, reportedly sitting at 399mm.It’s not just the lift, the Prado has also been bestowed with some body kit like the wing above the rear window, plus some protective ‘pipe’-style protection around the side steps, front and rear bumpers, and over the wheel arches.It also scores a roof rack and a 40-inch-wide LED light bar, completing the ‘weekend warrior’ look.Kuhl sells and installs the parts shown off on the Iron Build, offering its customers the choice of buying a full predetermined set of parts or choosing their own specific custom components.The company has built wicked wide-body and lowered versions of cars from most Japanese manufacturers, from slammed HiAce vans to WRXs that would look at home in Need For Speed.The Prado Iron Build closely follows the reveal of a pair of cars set to be shown off at Auto Salon, the Outroad versions of the Toyota GR86 which come either with or without a lift for the purposes of gravel driving in the rear-drive Toyota sports car.

It will come as no surprise that 2025 was a massive year for new-model launches. The sheer number of new cars arriving in Australian showrooms has been unprecedented.

New car reviews are the backbone of CarsGuide’s offering to its readers and viewers. The aim is to provide in-market buyers with the independent information they need to make an informed purchase decision and interested browsers with enough detail to satisfy their curiosity.