What is a Prado called in the USA?
In the United States, Toyota does not market a model named Prado; the closest US-market equivalents are the Toyota 4Runner and the Land Cruiser, depending on generation and trim. There is no direct Prado model sold in the U.S. as of 2025.
Across the globe, the Prado name is widely used for Toyota's mid-size SUV lineage, often branded as Land Cruiser Prado or simply Prado in many markets. The United States, by contrast, uses the Land Cruiser and 4Runner branding for similar off-road-capable SUVs.
Global naming and model lineage
Here’s how Toyota’s SUV lineup is labeled in different regions and what that means for the Prado name.
- Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia (outside North America): Many markets sell the vehicle as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or simply Prado, tying it to the broader Land Cruiser family.
- Oceania (Australia, New Zealand): The Prado name appears on some trims or generations, historically alongside the "Land Cruiser" branding in dealer literature.
- North America (United States and Canada): Toyota does not offer a model named Prado; the equivalent models are marketed as the Toyota Land Cruiser or the Toyota 4Runner, depending on the era and model configuration.
The region-specific naming reflects marketing strategies, import rules, and the size and capabilities of the models sold in each market. In practice, the Prado's core design and off-road credentials live on in the US market through the 4Runner and, more recently, the Land Cruiser lineup.
What the United States actually sells that covers Prado-like territory
To understand what U.S. shoppers see when they look for a Prado-equivalent, consider these two primary Toyota offerings:
- Toyota 4Runner: A midsize, body-on-frame SUV known for rugged off-road capability and a dedicated following in the U.S. market. It represents the US-side answer to the Prado's utilitarian niche, though it sits on a different platform than the global Prado/land Cruiser family.
- Toyota Land Cruiser: The full-size flagship SUV in Toyota's lineup, reintroduced to the U.S. market with the J300 generation and sold alongside the 4Runner in recent years. It carries the Land Cruiser badge rather than Prado branding in the United States.
These two models together cover the market space that Prado occupies in other regions, with variations in size, luxury, and capabilities. The naming difference can cause confusion for buyers comparing specifications across continents.
Key distinctions to note
While the Prado lineage exists globally, the U.S. market treats the flagship and mid-size off-road SUVs under Land Cruiser and 4Runner branding. Prospective buyers should compare features such as body-on-frame construction, trim levels, and off-road capability rather than rely on the Prado name when shopping stateside.
Historical context and what to watch for
Historically, Toyota used different names in different regions. The "Land Cruiser" name in the United States has long been tied to larger, more upscale SUVs, while "Prado" has been reserved for markets outside North America. In recent years, Toyota has focused the U.S. lineup around the Land Cruiser badge for global flagship capability and used the 4Runner for the mid-size, off-road niche. If you encounter a vehicle labeled Prado outside the United States, you’re looking at the same family lineage that in the U.S. would be marketed under Land Cruiser or 4Runner branding.
Summary
In short, there is no Toyota Prado model sold under that name in the United States. The US market's closest equivalents are the Toyota 4Runner and the Toyota Land Cruiser, with the Prado designation continuing to appear in many global markets for the Land Cruiser family. For buyers and enthusiasts, the key is to compare specifications rather than names when moving between regions.
