√2023 Toyota Prado Matte Black edition revealed overseas, Australian launch unlikely

A blacked-out variant of the popular LandCruiser Prado has been launched in Japan and Europe – but Toyota Australia has not announced plans to bring it to local showrooms.

Toyota Prado customers in Japan and Europe can now order a Matte Black edition – although it is unlikely to come to Australia.

As the name suggests, the limited edition Toyota Prado comes with a matte black grille, fog light surrounds, headlight garnish, mirror caps, roof rails and special badging.

Despite the Prado’s popularity in Australia – where it is the top-selling four-wheel-drive in its class, with more than twice as many sales as its nearest off-road rival the Isuzu MU-X – Toyota Australia says the Matte Black edition is not in its future plans.

“Toyota Australia is continually studying the market for new opportunities to offer exciting new products to Australian customers,” said a spokesperson for Toyota Australia.

“At this stage, however, we have no announcements to make on any updates to Toyota (LandCruiser) Prado.”

Drive understands the Matte Black editions are not a priority for Toyota Australia given the limited interest in its sole matte option sold locally – the Toyota Supra – and the extra customer care required to maintain the special paint finish.

In addition to the exterior bodywork changes, matte black paint has also been applied to the Prado’s 18-inch wheels, which are the 12-spoke design previously fitted to the 2021 LandCruiser Prado VX and Kakadu variants.

Black leather upholstery and wood-grain trim are standard for the limited edition Toyota Prado’s interior.

While the Toyota Prado in Australia is today only available with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine (after the V6 petrol was discontinued in late 2017), Japanese and European customers also have the option of a 2.7-litre turbo-petrol engine.

Launched in 2009, the current generation ‘150 Series’ Toyota Prado was given its most recent facelift in late 2017.

There is now speculation about when an all-new Toyota Prado might arrive in Australia.

Industry observers believe a new generation model is due within the next couple of years, given the current Toyota Prado platform has been around since 2009.

A June 2021 report by Drive suggested the upcoming next-generation LandCruiser Prado could be revealed in 2023, with power coming from a a hybrid 2.5-litre petrol or 2.5-litre diesel engine.

However this timing and these engine details are unsubstantiated speculation. Toyota Australia has not indicated when a formal announcement is due.

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