Is Toyota Motor Philippines preparing to add the Land Cruiser Prado HEV to its line-up? It’s not a 100 percent guarantee, but the answer could be a strong “maybe.”
Already on the Department of Energy (DOE)’s list of recognized Hybrid Electric Vehicles since last year, the Land Cruiser 250 / Prado HEV or Prado Hybrid has just gotten its homologation papers also certified by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Before Land Cruiser Prado fans get excited at the prospects of seeing an electrified version of their luxury SUV, it’s important to note that receiving LTO homologation papers is not a guarantee that official sales channels like Toyota Motor Philippines and its authorized dealers will offer it. There’s a chance that parallel importers (aka gray market importers) are the ones that have filed for, and received the homologation.
Now, if Toyota Motor Philippines does end up as the one that filed for the Prado HEV’s certification, it doesn’t get the new diesel hybrid tech offered in Europe. Instead, it’ll be heading for turbo gasoline power that’s supplemented by an electric motor.
Based on the LTO filings, the Land Cruiser Prado HEV mates a 2.4-liter (2,393 cc) 4-cylinder engine with a lithium-ion battery. Globally, this points to the turbocharged 2.4-liter powertrain known as the “i-Force Max Hybrid” in the United States. In this guise, it makes a total of 330 horsepower and 630 Nm of torque—a far cry from the non-electrified version’s 281 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque outputs. Electrification is courtesy of a parallel hybrid setup with 47 horsepower (35 kW) motor and a 1.87-kWh lithium-ion battery.
If launched, the Land Cruiser Prado beats its luxury twin, the Lexus GX, in getting access to electrified power; a reversal of the Land Cruiser 300 and the Lexus LX 700h when it comes to the Philippine market.
Interestingly, because the Land Cruiser Prado is a body-on-frame SUV, Toyota had to make compromises to the packaging of the high-voltage battery. As you notice from the lead photo, the packaging of the third-row is less-than-ideal because the battery pack eats into the available cargo hold. That compromise aside, an electrified version of the Prado may spur better sales for Toyota’s luxury mid-sized SUV especially since it’ll receive benefits such as number coding exemption and priority registration.
Now, whether Land Cruiser Prado buyers are willing to compromise on cargo space remains to be seen, but if Toyota Motor Philippines does end up launching it, expect it to arrive towards the end of 2025. Possible prices? Well, the current Prado is priced at P 4.8-million, while the Land Cruiser 300 is at P 5.758-million. Thanks to its tariff exception, expect the Prado Hybrid to come in at roughly the same price as the current turbo, or even be slightly more affordable.
Wait til you see the cargo bulge of the Australian Prado with the 7-seat MHEV diesel 🤣
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing that out. We changed the lead photo to show the third-row up with that weird battery placement LOL.
Deletei think its good that the battery placed high for safety during floods seasons.
DeleteToyota wouldn't have had this problem if they made a version of the Prado with a tailgate-mounted spare tire like every Prado before it. The battery would not have taken significant interior room.
DeleteMost likely priced at 5.2 Million Pesos or 5 Million Pesos for this Hybrid Prado
ReplyDeleteLC300 Hybrid is likely gonna be priced at 6.2 Million Pesos if it becomes available in the Philippine market
Prado is difficult to price in PH because it does not meet the JPEPA requirements for lower cost, while LC300 can. I bet this hybrid version would cost just as much as the regular LC300. Probably also the reason why the diesel wasn't brought here, it would be similar in price to LC300.
ReplyDeleteprobably lower since hybrids enjoy tariff exemptions
DeleteThe people who can afford these cars likely don't see number coding as a problem.
ReplyDeleteWould be funny if the hybrid is cheaper than the current model
ReplyDeleteHindi lang po 1, hindi lang po 2, kundi 3 variant ng Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
ReplyDelete1. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Gasoline iForceMax VX
2. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Diesel VXR
3. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Hybrid Gasoline iForceMax