Year of Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is a model designation used in Japan, Australia, South Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America as well as other parts of the world for light-duty, mid-sized four-wheel drive cars in the Toyota Land Cruiser line. They are produced by the Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation. The car is marketed in many other parts of the developing world, such as the Caribbean and large parts of Africa.

In Europe it is sold as simply Toyota Land Cruiser, or with the number series designation (LC 70, LC 90 and LC 120). In North America it is not part of the Land Cruiser range, being instead sold as the Lexus GX 470, with nearly identical body panels and a V8 engine.

The current Prado is based on Toyota's J12 platform. Previous models were based on the J9 and J7 platforms. All models designated Prado feature front independent suspension, ladder frame, and a two-speed transfer case.

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is available in GX, GXL and VX spec versions, with either short or long wheel base. The GX is the entry level model, while the VX is the more luxurious version. In most markets it is available with either a 4.0L petrol V6 and a 3.0L Diesel engine. In some European countries there are commercial van variants, based on the short wheel base chassis.

First (Land Cruiser 70-Light series / Bundera model: 1984 to 1990)

First developed as the light duty of the 70 Series, in November 1984. Available only in short body, and there were options for soft top or hard top (metal top). Names like Land Cruiser II, Land Cruiser, and Bundera were made for these 'Light Duty' Land Cruisers. There were 3 engines options with gasoline engines, 2.4 L (2366cc) 22R engines and 2.4L (2446cc) 2L and 2L-T diesel engines. Transmission for the gasoline engine is G52 type while the diesel used the R150 and R151 type. These were the same engines and transmission used in 4Runner, in cooperation with Hino.

First (Land Cruiser 70-series Prado model: 1990 to 1996)

By April 1990, a new type was developed. The front grille, front fender and engine hood were redesigned. The head lamp went through changes in design as well. At the same time, the sub name Prado were attached, but names like Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser II were still in used in other parts of the country besides Japan. Meaning plain or field in Portuguese, Prado is the new line from Land Cruiser suited more for on-road purposes, though it is also a highly capable off-road vehicle. Created as Super Hybrid 4WD, it comes with electronic fuel injection and 4 speed automatic transmission. The 2.4L diesel engine with 97metric horsepower (71kW) and 24.5kg·m (240N·m; 177ft·lbf) high torque unit was installed into it. The line ups are 2-door and 4-door version named LX5 and SX5, and only the 4 door with the highest class named EX5.