2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado v GWM Tank 500: Spec battle

There’s a rejuvenated classic right around the corner – the 250 Series Toyota LandCruiser Prado.

It has tough new styling, more tech, and a more modern gearbox, but that comes at a premium of upwards of $12,500 over the previous generation.

It still has a 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engine under the bonnet, but it now has a mild-hybrid system.

Looking to take its off-roading crown is the new kid on the block: the GWM Tank 500, fresh on the market for 2024.

It’s the biggest, most luxurious, and most expensive SUV to grace GWM showrooms in Australia, and fills the gap left by the now-defunct Haval H9 locally.

The Tank 500 is a unique offering in the segment as it only features petrol hybrid power, yet it’s noticeably cheaper than the new Prado and still includes an array of tech and safety features.

Which is best for you – the tried and tested Toyota, or the young and ambitious Tank?

Here’s how they stack up on the spec sheet.

Pricing

Prado pricing for 2025 starts at $72,500 before on-roads – a $9670 increase compared to 2024.

The off-road ready Altitude is also returning next year (having been absent since 2017), making it an army of five for the new-generation Prado.

The Tank 500 is new for 2024 so there are no previous generations to compare against. Even in its most expensive variant, however, it’s cheaper than the entire Prado range after on-road costs are applied.

There are only two variants, so it’s not a direct comparison. We’ve laid out prices in a separate table below for clarity, which GWM lists as drive-away compared to Toyota’s exclusion of on-road costs.

To see how the new Prado stacks up against its predecessor, check out our spec comparison.

Drivetrains and Efficiency

With its turbocharged hybrid powertrain, the Tank 500 takes the cake for power output by more than 100kW. It has around 150Nm more torque than the Prado, too.

Mated to the Tank’s turbo-petrol engine is a nine-speed automatic transmission, which incorporates the car’s single electric motor.

The new Prado has a 48V mild-hybrid system, though instead of boosting power it’s intended to remove strain from ancillary functions. It incorporates a motor generator and a 48V battery.

According to Toyota’s global press release it has a fuel capacity of 110L, larger than the Tank 500’s with its 80L tank. The Prado also has a greater towing capacity.

Both cars have full-time four-wheel drive with selectable low-range gearing and terrain control systems.

Dimensions

The two cars are evenly matched in their body dimensions and share the same wheelbase, while even the heaviest Prado matches the Tank on weigh-in.

The Tank has a slightly higher ground clearance, accompanied by approach, break over and departure angles of 30 degrees, 22.5 degrees and 24 degrees respectively. Toyota has not yet detailed these figures for the Prado.

The new Prado has “408 litres of luggage space” in at least one of its configurations according to Toyota’s global press release, though boot capacity in other seating configurations is yet to be revealed.

The Tank, meanwhile, offers 98L as a seven-seater, 795L in five-seat configuration, and 1459L with both rear rows folded.

For comparison, the old Prado is smaller than the 2025 model but has a maximum boot capacity of 1833L.

Servicing and warranty

As with all Toyota models in Australia, the LandCruiser Prado will be backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Owners of the new Prado can have their engine and drivetrain covered under warranty for seven years, provided it’s serviced on time at a Toyota dealer.

Toyota will also offer capped-price servicing for the first 10 visits (five years or 100,000km) at six-month or 10,000km intervals, whichever comes first.

The Tank 500, meanwhile, is backed by GWM’s standard seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

GWM offers seven years of roadside assist with the Tank 500, alongside seven years of capped-price servicing and an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre battery pack warranty.

Safety

The Tank 500 wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

It scored 85 per cent for adult occupant protection, 93 per cent for child occupant protection, 81 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 84 per cent for safety assist.

All Tank 500 models have a full suite of safety equipment, which includes:

• Seven airbags
• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver monitoring system
• Emergency lane-keep assist
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane centring
• Front cross-traffic assist
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Surround-view camera
• Traffic sign recognition

The incoming Prado is yet to receive an ANCAP safety rating.

All 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado models come standard with the following:

• Nine airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver monitoring camera
• Emergency driving stop system
• Lane trace assist (lane centring)
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Surround-view camera
• Trailer sway control

The 2025 GXL gains a rear parking support brake system designed to stop the car if a static object is detected, while the VX, Altitude, and Kakadu variants gain tyre-pressure monitoring.

Standard features

First up, the LandCruiser Prado.

The base Toyota LandCruiser Prado GX includes:

• Five seats
• 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels
• LED headlights, daytime running lights, and fog lamps
• Folding body-coloured mirrors
• Darkened front and rear bumpers, side sills, and wheel arches
• Top-hinged manual tailgate with separate glass hatch
• Fabric upholstery
• Rubber floor mats
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Six-way manual driver’s seat adjustment
• 7.0-inch multi-function instrument display
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 10-speaker sound system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Four USB-C ports
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Toyota Connected Services
• Dual-zone climate control with remote function
• Downhill assist control
• Five-speed crawl control
• Three drive modes

The Prado GXL adds:

• Seven-seat capacity
• Roof rails
• Privacy glass
• Silver front and rear bumper trim
• Power tailgate
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Leather-accented seats
• Leather-accented steering wheel and gear knob
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Wireless charging pad
• Rear climate control
• Two extra USB-C charging ports for third-row occupants

The Prado VX adds:

• 20-inch dark metallic alloy wheels
• Bi-LED headlights with dynamic auto-levelling
• Adaptive high-beam
• Body-coloured front and rear bumpers
• Leather-accented upholstery
• Power lumbar and memory function for driver’s seat 
• Four-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat 
• Power-adjustable steering wheel 
• Carpet floor mats 
• Refrigerated centre console
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14-speaker JBL sound system
• Adaptive variable suspension 
• Five drive modes 
• Multi-Terrain Select traction control
• Multi-Terrain Monitor 

The off-road-focused Prado Altitude is a new variant and builds on the VX, adding:

• Five seats
• 18-inch matte grey alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres
• Locking rear differential
• ‘Stabiliser disconnect mechanism’ (in place of adaptive variable suspension)
• Black door handles and tailgate trim
• Black wheel arch moulding
• Sunroof
• Two-tone colour options
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Heated steering wheel
• Head-up display

The flagship Prado Kakadu includes (over the VX):

• Panoramic sunroof
• Illuminated side steps 
• Heated and ventilated rear seats
• Heated steering wheel 
• Adjustable driver’s seat thigh support
• Digital rear-view mirror 
• Head-up display 
• Torque-sensing limited-slip rear differential

MORE: Everything Toyota Prado

The Tank 500 has only two variants but is packed with features.

Specification highlights for the Tank 500 Lux include:

• Automatic LED headlights
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Rear privacy glass
• Sunroof
• Side steps
• Black leatherette upholstery
• 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support
• Heated front seats
• 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• 8-speaker sound system
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Semi-automatic parking assist
• Surround-view camera with transparent chassis view
• Electronic rear differential lock
• Underbody protection

The Tank 500 Ultra also includes:

• Nappa leather upholstery
• Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats with memory and welcome function
• 12-speaker Infinity sound system
• Second-row window shades
• Power-folding third row
• 64-colour ambient lighting
• Power side steps
• Electronic front differential lock
• Soft-close power tailgate

MORE: Everything GWM Tank 500