Toyota has once again demonstrated its knack for catering to niche markets with the unveiling of the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Commercial, a two-seat van variant of the iconic Prado SUV. Designed specifically for commercial use, this vehicle combines the rugged off-road capabilities of the Prado with practical modifications tailored for business owners, particularly in the UK, where it takes advantage of favorable tax regulations for commercial vehicles. This article delves into the features, specifications, and benefits of the 2025 Toyota Prado Van, exploring its design, performance, and the financial incentives that make it an attractive option for businesses.
A New Chapter for the Prado
The Toyota LandCruiser Prado has long been celebrated for its durability, off-road prowess, and versatility, making it a favorite among families, adventurers, and off-road enthusiasts. However, the 2025 Prado Commercial marks a departure from its traditional role as a family-oriented SUV. By transforming the Prado into a two-seat van, Toyota has created a vehicle that caters to businesses requiring a robust, reliable vehicle capable of handling challenging terrains while offering significant cargo space and tax benefits.
This commercial variant, badged simply as the “LandCruiser” in the UK and Europe, is not available in Australia, where the Prado remains a five- or seven-seat SUV. The conversion process, carried out at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s Burnaston facility in Derbyshire, involves removing the rear seats, installing a flat load floor, adding a full-height metal bulkhead behind the front seats, and replacing side windows with steel panels to create a true van-like configuration. These modifications ensure compliance with UK commercial vehicle regulations, unlocking reduced tax obligations for owners.
Design and Features
Exterior Design
From the outside, the 2025 Toyota Prado Commercial retains the rugged, muscular aesthetic of the standard Prado, with its iconic “Toyota” heritage front grille, square side mirrors, and athletic fender flares. The vehicle features 18-inch alloy wheels and a minimalist design without excessive accessories, emphasizing its utilitarian purpose. The rear windows are replaced with steel panels, giving it a distinctly van-like appearance while ensuring privacy and security for cargo. This design maintains the Prado’s off-road-ready look while clearly signaling its commercial intent.
Interior and Cargo Space
Inside, the Prado Commercial is stripped of its second and third rows of seats, creating a cavernous cargo area. The load space measures 1090mm high, 1685mm long, and up to 1286mm wide, offering a total volume of 2000 liters (VDA measurement). This is a significant increase compared to the 1829-1895 liters of cargo space in the five- and seven-seat Prado models available in Australia. The flat load floor is hard-wearing, designed to withstand heavy use, and the full-height metal bulkhead ensures driver and passenger safety by separating the cabin from the cargo area.
Despite its commercial focus, the Prado Van retains several premium features from the standard model, including electrically adjustable and heated front seats, a power back door, and a suite of safety systems such as crawl control, hill assist control, and downhill assist control. These features ensure that the vehicle remains comfortable and safe for drivers, even during long hours on the job.
Powertrain and Performance
Under the hood, the 2025 Prado Commercial is powered by the same 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine found in the standard Prado, delivering 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, providing smooth and reliable performance both on and off the road. Toyota has confirmed that a 48-volt mild-hybrid system will be added to the LandCruiser 250 Series in Europe and the UK in early 2026, including the commercial model. This system, already standard in Australian Prados, enhances fuel efficiency without compromising performance. However, it remains unclear whether the mild-hybrid components will affect the cargo space in the commercial variant.
The Prado Commercial retains the 3500kg braked towing capacity of its SUV counterpart, making it an excellent choice for businesses that need to tow heavy equipment or trailers. Its off-road capabilities, including crawl control and hill assist systems, ensure it can handle challenging terrains, from muddy construction sites to remote delivery routes.
Tax Relief Benefits in the UK
One of the primary motivations behind the Prado Commercial’s design is to take advantage of UK tax regulations for commercial vehicles. In the UK, commercial vehicles are subject to lower annual taxes compared to passenger cars, making them an attractive option for businesses. The Prado Commercial qualifies as a van under these regulations, allowing owners to benefit from reduced tax obligations. This is particularly significant given the recent changes to UK tax rules for double-cab pick-ups (DCPUs), which now face stricter tax relief conditions under the slower writing-down allowance system. The Prado Commercial’s van classification helps businesses avoid these limitations, offering more generous tax relief.
The vehicle is priced from £52,729.17 ($AU110,000) “on-the-road” in the UK, significantly lower than the £77,845 ($AU163,000) starting price for the seven-seat Prado model. This price difference, combined with the tax savings, makes the Prado Commercial a cost-effective option for businesses looking to invest in a durable, capable vehicle.
Comparison Table: 2025 Toyota Prado Commercial vs. Standard Prado
|
Feature |
Prado Commercial (UK) |
Standard Prado (UK) |
Standard Prado (Australia) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
2 seats |
7 seats |
5 or 7 seats |
|
Cargo Space (VDA) |
2000 liters |
Not specified |
1829-1895 liters |
|
Price (Starting) |
£52,729.17 ($AU110,000) |
£77,845 ($AU163,000) |
$72,500 (GX, 5-seat) |
|
Engine |
2.8L turbo-diesel, 150kW/500Nm |
2.8L turbo-diesel, 150kW/500Nm |
2.8L turbo-diesel, 150kW/500Nm |
|
Mild-Hybrid System |
Available from 2026 |
Available from 2026 |
Standard |
|
Towing Capacity |
3500kg |
3500kg |
3500kg |
|
Tax Benefits |
Eligible for commercial vehicle tax relief |
Standard passenger vehicle taxes |
No commercial tax relief |
|
Cargo Area Modifications |
Flat load floor, metal bulkhead, steel panels |
Standard seating and windows |
Standard seating and windows |
Note: Prices and specifications are based on available data as of June 2025.
Market Context and Availability
The 2025 Toyota Prado Commercial is a UK and Europe-exclusive model, with no plans to bring it to Australia, where the Prado remains a popular family and off-road vehicle. In Australia, the Prado starts at $72,500 for the five-seat GX and reaches $99,990 for the seven-seat Kakadu, catering to a different audience. The commercial variant’s absence from Australia is likely due to differing tax structures and market demands, with Australian businesses favoring vehicles like the Toyota HiLux or Ford Ranger for commercial use.
In the UK, the Prado Commercial will be available from August 2025, offering businesses a rugged alternative to traditional vans. Its combination of off-road capability, generous cargo space, and tax advantages positions it as a unique offering in the commercial vehicle market. However, its high price compared to other commercial vans may limit its appeal to businesses with specific needs, such as those operating in rural or off-road environments.
Competitive Landscape
The Prado Commercial enters a niche but competitive market. While traditional vans like the Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dominate the commercial vehicle segment, the Prado Commercial appeals to businesses requiring a vehicle that can handle extreme conditions. Its closest competitors may include other 4×4-based vans, such as the Land Rover Defender Commercial, which also offers off-road capabilities and tax benefits. However, the Prado’s reputation for reliability and Toyota’s extensive service network give it a strong edge.
Additionally, the Prado Commercial faces indirect competition from emerging models like the BYD Denza B5, a rugged hybrid SUV with ladder-frame underpinnings similar to the Prado. While the Denza B5 is not a van, its off-road capabilities and potential availability in Australia highlight the growing demand for versatile, rugged vehicles in various markets.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Commercial is a bold addition to Toyota’s lineup, blending the legendary off-road capabilities of the Prado with the practicality of a commercial van. Its two-seat configuration, expansive cargo space, and eligibility for UK tax relief make it an appealing choice for businesses needing a vehicle that can tackle tough terrains while keeping costs down. Although unavailable in Australia, the Prado Commercial underscores Toyota’s ability to adapt its vehicles to meet specific market needs. With its robust design, powerful diesel engine, and premium features, the 2025 Prado Commercial is poised to carve out a unique niche in the UK’s commercial vehicle market.
For businesses in the UK looking for a versatile, tax-efficient vehicle that doesn’t compromise on performance, the 2025 Toyota Prado Commercial is a compelling option. As Toyota continues to innovate and expand its offerings, this van variant proves that even a rugged SUV can be reimagined for commercial success.