What is the Toyota Prado called in USA?
In the United States, the Toyota Prado is marketed as the Toyota 4Runner.
Beyond the US, Toyota uses the Prado name in many regions as part of the Land Cruiser family, often branded as Land Cruiser Prado or simply Prado. The difference in naming reflects regional marketing rather than a different vehicle altogether.
Global naming differences
The Prado name appears in numerous markets as part of the same rugged SUV lineage, but the United States uses a distinct model name, 4Runner, for the local market.
Key regional naming differences include:
- United States: Toyota 4Runner
- Most other markets: Land Cruiser Prado or Prado
- Some markets distinguish Prado as a variant within the Land Cruiser family
In the United States, Toyota positioned the 4Runner as a dedicated, body-on-frame SUV designed for a blend of on-road comfort and off-road capability, aligning with the Prado’s heritage while using a separate name.
Implications for buyers and observers
Understanding these naming differences helps avoid confusion when researching models abroad or buying used vehicles. A vehicle sold as Prado in one country may be the same generation or closely related model as a 4Runner in the United States, just under a different regional branding.
Summary
The Toyota Prado is called the Toyota 4Runner in the USA. Globally, the same family of SUVs uses the Prado or Land Cruiser Prado name in many markets, reflecting regional branding rather than fundamental mechanical differences.
Is the Land Cruiser 250 a Prado?
The Altitude is the rockstar of the new Toyota LandCruiser Prado 250 range. Toughest looking, most capable off-road and – by being five-seat only – has a less awkward and clumsy boot space than three-row Prados.
What is the Toyota Prado also known as?
The Prado may also be referred to as Land Cruiser LC70, LC90, LC120, LC150 and LC250 depending on the platform. In some markets, it is known simply as the Toyota Prado or the Toyota Land Cruiser.
Is the Lexus GX the same as a Prado?
The Lexus GX is a tiny bit longer (5015mm versus 4990mm), but width, height and wheelbase are identical. Both are built on the TNGA-F ladder-frame chassis shared with big brother LandCruiser 300 Series. Prado has a 2.8L four-cylinder turbo-diesel mild hybrid outputting 150kW/500Nm mated to an eight-speed auto.
Is the Toyota Prado sold in the USA?
No, the Toyota Prado has not been sold under that name in the USA. However, the Prado has returned to the U.S. market as the new generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser (250 Series), which is essentially the Prado but with the Land Cruiser name for brand recognition. Previously, a similar model was sold in the US as the Lexus GX.
Why the change in name?
- Toyota decided to rebrand the Prado as the Land Cruiser for the North American market to leverage the strong recognition of the Land Cruiser nameplate.
- The Prado was not sold in the US previously because the name was not familiar to the market.
- The Lexus GX was the luxury version of the Prado sold in the US, but now the standard Land Cruiser will be the version based on the Prado chassis.
What to expect
- The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is the re-entry of the Prado into the U.S. market.
- It will be available with a hybrid powertrain and will have features such as full-time 4WD.
- The new Land Cruiser has a design that is inspired by retro models.
- The new model will be available in different trims, including the base "1958" model.
