Is the HiLux too small, but the Tundra is too big? We consider what a Prado ute would look like for Aussie families.
The 2022 Toyota LandCruiser Prado may be approaching its twilight years – with the current 150 Series hitting the scene in 2009 – but the four-wheel-drive’s popularity is still as strong as ever.
Anything with a LandCruiser badge in Australia continues to be sought after, and the HiLux ute was the most popular new vehicle on sale last year, handing Toyota the top gong for the sixth time in a row.
Artist Theottle asked the question about what a Prado would look like as a dual-cab, and provided the answers with these digital renderings. You can see exactly how he created these images in this video.
While carmakers are increasingly offering SUVs in more and more sizes, there are few dual-cab utes in Australia that fill the gap between a HiLux, and a full-size American pick-up like a Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado, or Ford F-150.
This imagined dual-cab Prado slots into that niche, providing the practicality of a larger tub, a comfortable cabin for up to five adults, and the capability of a true off-road vehicle – while still offering more space than a North American-market Toyota Tacoma.
It’s almost certain a Prado ute won’t ever see the light of day, but it’s still a possibility Australians could get the opportunity to buy a Tundra from a local Toyota showroom in the future – particularly as its rivals from Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram are now chasing Aussie buyers.
“We continue to study the Tundra as a possible future model of interest to introduce to the Australian market,” a spokesperson for Toyota’s local arm told Drive in December 2021.
“If we are able to make a business case to introduce the Tundra in Australia, Toyota will make announcements in due course.”
Let us know what you think about the Toyota LandCruiser Prado dual-cab ute in the comments section below.
The post Toyota Prado dual-cab ute imagined appeared first on Drive.