Toyota Land Cruiser 250 2024 Review — The Prado Reborn
The 2024 Land Cruiser 250 is the all-new Prado replacement. Ladder frame, real low-range 4WD, and a choice of 2.7L petrol or 2.8L diesel. Lands LKR 50–70M with the full luxury-tax stack. The diaspora SUV flagship.
thumb_up Pros
- check_circle Genuine ladder-frame, low-range 4WD with locking differentials
- check_circle New TNGA-F platform shared with Land Cruiser 300 — meaningfully more refined than predecessor Prado
- check_circle 2.8L diesel option delivers 11–13 km/L real-world (excellent for class)
- check_circle Strongest resale of any 2024+ SUV in SL alongside Vellfire
- check_circle Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with Multi-Terrain Monitor for off-road
thumb_down Cons
- cancel Luxury tax is brutal above CIF threshold — landed cost LKR 50–70M
- cancel 60% LTV cap means LKR 20M+ cash up front
- cancel 4,925mm length is challenging for tight Colombo and gama parking
- cancel Petrol 2.7L is thirsty — 7–9 km/L in real-world Sri Lankan driving
- cancel Diesel availability in JDM auctions is thinner than petrol
Rating
9/10
The Toyota Land Cruiser 250 is the all-new Prado replacement — first new platform under the Land Cruiser badge in over a decade. Launched globally in mid-2024, it has been arriving in Sri Lankan imports since late 2024 and is now a top-tier diaspora flagship alongside the Vellfire. Same body-on-frame, locking-differential, low-range-4WD DNA as a Land Cruiser 300, in a smaller and more accessible package.
This review covers the 2024 Land Cruiser 250 VX 2.7L petrol 4WD as the volume trim, with notes on the 2.8L diesel where they materially differ.
What you get
VX 2.7L petrol 4WD:
- 2.7L 2TR-FE four-cylinder petrol (163 hp)
- 6-speed AT
- Full-time 4WD with low range, locking centre differential, optional rear locker
- 7 seats (third row foldable)
- Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
- Multi-Terrain Select + Multi-Terrain Monitor (under-car cameras for off-road)
- 4,925mm length, 1,980mm width
VX 2.8L diesel 4WD (rarer in JDM auctions):
- 2.8L 1GD-FTV turbo-diesel (201 hp, 500 Nm)
- 8-speed AT
- Same 4WD architecture
- 11–13 km/L real-world economy
How it drives
The new TNGA-F platform is the differentiator. The 2024 Land Cruiser 250 drives markedly more refined than the previous Prado — body-on-frame composure with crossover-grade NVH, and the steering is direct enough that you forget the off-road capability until you actively use it.
Off-road, the Land Cruiser 250 is a serious tool. Locking centre differential and optional locking rear differential, low-range gearing, Multi-Terrain Select with five terrain modes (mud/sand/snow/rock/auto), and the under-car camera system that lets you see what’s in front of and below the front bumper. For a Sri Lankan owner with land in Belihul Oya, an estate in Hatton, or weekend trips to Yala/Wilpattu, this is genuinely the right tool.
The 2.7L petrol is the volume option in JDM auctions. It’s not particularly economical — expect 7–9 km/L in mixed Sri Lankan driving, with motorway runs at 100 km/h delivering closer to 9–10 km/L and Colombo traffic dropping to 6–7. The 2.8L diesel is materially better at 11–13 km/L and offers more torque for off-road and trailer use, but is harder to source in Japanese auction inventory.
Sri Lanka tax math (2024 Land Cruiser 250 VX 2.7L petrol 4WD, JPY 6.5M FOB)
| Line | Amount (LKR) |
|---|---|
| FOB (JPY → LKR) | 13,000,000 |
| CIF | 13,500,000 |
| CID (20%) | 2,700,000 |
| Customs surcharge (50% of duty) | 1,350,000 |
| Excise (2,700cc — top petrol band) | ~9,500,000 |
| Luxury tax (above CIF threshold) | ~10,800,000 |
| VAT base | ~37,850,000 |
| VAT (18%) | 6,813,000 |
| Clearing + transport + dealer | ~2,800,000 |
| Indicative landed selling price | LKR 50–65M |
The 2.8L diesel triggers a different (and slightly lower) excise band but lands at similar money due to higher CIF. For the full breakdown, see landed price explained.
60% LTV cap reality: an LKR 60M landed Land Cruiser 250 requires LKR 24M cash up front. This is firmly diaspora-funded territory.
Auction-sheet notes
- Target grade: 4.5 or higher. 2024 launch year — many examples are very low mileage (under 10,000 km).
- Watch for: aftermarket lifts, larger tyres, off-road accessory packages. Verify underbody for rock damage. Inspect transfer case selector and rear differential lock.
- VX vs ZX trim: ZX adds nicer leather, bigger wheels, and additional electronic features. Lands roughly LKR 5–8M higher than VX.
- First Edition: limited-run launch trim with unique grille, badging, and equipment. Carries a meaningful auction premium; not necessarily worth it for resale value.
- Petrol vs diesel: diesel offers materially better economy and torque but is rare in JDM inventory. If you can source one and budget covers the slightly higher CIF, diesel is the rational long-term ownership choice.
Who should buy this
| Pick the Land Cruiser 250 2024 if… | Pick the Vellfire 2024 if… |
|---|---|
| You actually use 4WD capability | Your use is urban/highway with chauffeur seating |
| You have land or estate access requiring real off-road | Second-row captain’s chairs matter |
| You want the SUV form factor | You want hybrid economy at a similar landed price |
| Diaspora is funding and the budget supports LKR 50–65M | LKR 45–55M Vellfire is the budget ceiling |
Verdict
9/10. The Land Cruiser 250 is the rare flagship vehicle that earns its price by being the right tool for the actual job. If you want a genuine off-road-capable luxury SUV, this is the only car at this price band that delivers — every other LKR 50–65M SUV in the country is a softer crossover.
For the head-to-head with the smaller-cheaper 4WD alternative, see Jimny 2025 vs Land Cruiser 250 2024. For the diaspora-flagship cross-shop, see Vellfire 2024 vs Land Cruiser 250 2024.
Send us your spec and we’ll come back with current Toyota auction Land Cruiser 250 examples — petrol or diesel, VX or ZX.
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