Toyota’s latest generation of the LandCruiser Prado continues to offer a third-row seating option, but owners seeking to remove the seats face a potential issue with the vehicle’s warranty.
A Toyota Australia spokesperson confirmed that if the third-row seats are removed from the seven-seat Prado variant, the warranty will still cover all vehicle components—except for those related to the third-row seating. This limitation exists because Toyota has not designed the Prado 250 Series with quick-release third-row seats, meaning removal is not a simple, temporary option.
For owners considering this modification, it’s important to be aware of the regulatory requirements that vary by state and territory. In most cases, removing the third-row seats will require the vehicle to be reengineered, including the addition of a compliance plate that officially reclassifies the car from a seven-seater to a five-seater. This process involves submitting the necessary documentation to the respective road and transport authority for formal approval.
The need for such modifications is not uncommon among off-road enthusiasts and overlanders, who often replace the third-row seats with storage drawers or a fridge. To cater to this demand, ARB recently launched a range of accessories for the Prado 250 Series, including a 96L fridge and a twin air compressor, which can be fitted in the boot area.
While Toyota does offer a five-seat version of the Prado, it is only available on the entry-level GX and off-road-oriented Altitude variants. All other models in Australia come with a seven-seat configuration.
The previous Prado 150 Series allowed the third-row seats to be folded flat, but this is not possible in the new generation due to the placement of the 48V battery for the mild-hybrid system. Instead, Toyota has provided a removable storage box in the boot, which aligns with the height of the folded third row—offering a practical solution similar to the one used in Suzuki’s three-door Jimny.
In terms of boot space, the seven-seat version of the Prado provides 182 litres with all three rows upright, expanding to 906 litres with the third row stowed, and up to 1,829 litres when both the second and third rows are folded. The five-seat variants, on the other hand, offer 954 litres of boot space with all seats upright, and up to 1,895 litres with the second row folded.
Pricing for the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado starts at $72,500 before on-road costs for the GX, and rises to $99,990 before on-road costs for the flagship Kakadu variant.
Powering the new Prado is the same 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine found in the previous 150 Series. This time, the engine benefits from 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, though power and torque remain unchanged at 150kW and 500Nm, respectively. The engine is paired with a new eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, which has been upgraded by two ratios compared to the outgoing model. The Prado also features a two-speed transfer case, providing low-range gearing and full-time four-wheel-drive capability.
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