Toyota Prado 250 Seating Configurations: Your Complete Guide to 5 and 7 Seat Options
When the all-new Prado 250 Series launched in late 2024, it arrived with bold new styling, a refined interior and improved capability. But it also sparked plenty of conversation about one thing: seating configurations. Here's everything you need to know about choosing between five and seven seats in the new Prado.
Toyota Listened: Why the Five-Seat GXL Now Exists
If you've been following the Prado 250 launch, you'll know that the seven-seat configuration attracted some strong opinions. When the new model arrived, the GXL (traditionally the most popular grade, accounting for around half of all Prado sales) was only available with seven seats. Buyers who wanted five seats had to choose either the entry-level GX or the off-road-focused Altitude.
The feedback was clear: many GXL buyers wanted the premium features of that grade without the third row. They wanted more cargo space for touring, camping gear, sports equipment or just everyday family life.
Toyota responded. In mid-2025, they announced a five-seat version of the GXL, priced at $78,990 before on-road costs. That's $1,000 less than the seven-seat GXL, and it gives buyers the best of both worlds: GXL specification with the practicality of a dedicated five-seat layout.
Prado 250 Seating Options by Grade
Here's how the current Prado 250 lineup breaks down:
| Grade | Seating Options | Price (before on-roads) |
| GX | 5 seater | $72,500 |
| GXL (5-seat) | 5 seater | $78,990 |
| GXL | 7 seater | $79,990 |
| Altitude | 5 seater | Contact Dealer |
| VX | 7 seater | $87,400 |
| Kakuda | 7 seater | $99,990 |
The GXL is now the only grade that offers a choice between five and seven seats. This makes it the most flexible option in the range, whether you need to carry extra passengers or prioritise cargo space.
Understanding the Seven-Seat Layout
The Prado 250 is built on Toyota's GA-F platform (shared with the LandCruiser 300 Series) and features a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This technology improves fuel efficiency and provides a boost of torque when accelerating, but it also required some packaging changes under the boot floor.
In the previous 150 Series Prado, the third-row seats folded flat into the floor. In the 250 Series, the mild-hybrid battery sits beneath the cargo area, which means the third row now folds on top of the floor rather than into it. Toyota includes a removable storage box to create a level load surface when the third row is folded.
This design works well for families who regularly use all seven seats, but some buyers found it less practical for those times when you need maximum cargo space with occasional third-row use.
Understanding the Seven-Seat Layout
The Prado 250 is built on Toyota's GA-F platform (shared with the LandCruiser 300 Series) and features a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This technology improves fuel efficiency and provides a boost of torque when accelerating, but it also required some packaging changes under the boot floor.
In the previous 150 Series Prado, the third-row seats folded flat into the floor. In the 250 Series, the mild-hybrid battery sits beneath the cargo area, which means the third row now folds on top of the floor rather than into it. Toyota includes a removable storage box to create a level load surface when the third row is folded.
This design works well for families who regularly use all seven seats, but some buyers found it less practical for those times when you need maximum cargo space with occasional third-row use.
Boot Space Comparison: The Numbers
Here's where the five-seat configuration really shines:
7 Seater Models
7 Seater Models
5 Seater Models
5 Seater Models
That's a difference of 772 litres in everyday configuration. For context, that's roughly the size of a large suitcase or a week's worth of camping gear.
Five Seats or Seven? Choosing the Right Configuration
Choose 7 Seats if:
Choose 7 Seats if:
Choose 5 Seats if:
Choose 5 Seats if:
What You Get with the GXL
Whether you choose five or seven seats, the GXL represents a significant step up from the base GX. Here's what's included:
- Synthetic leather seat trim with heated and ventilated front seats
- 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 7.0-inch digital driver's display
- Wireless smartphone charger
- Power tailgate
- Roof rails
- Multiple USB-C charge ports throughout
- Eight-way power adjustable driver's seat
- Toyota Safety Sense suite including Pre-Collision Safety, Lane Departure Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control
It's easy to see why the GXL accounts for such a large proportion of Prado sales. The combination of comfort, technology and capability hits a sweet spot for most buyers.
Same Engine, Same Capability
Regardless of seating configuration, every Prado 250 is powered by the same proven 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. It produces 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque, matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive with low-range gearing.
Braked towing capacity is an impressive 3,500kg across the range, making the Prado a capable tow vehicle whether you're pulling a camper trailer, boat or caravan. The five-seat models do offer a slight advantage in payload, which can matter if you're loading up for a long trip.
Find Your Perfect Prado at New Town Toyota
The beauty of the updated Prado 250 lineup is that there's now a configuration for everyone. Whether you need seven seats for the family or five seats for maximum touring capability, the GXL delivers the features and refinement that have made the Prado a favourite with Australian buyers for decades.
