Toyota LandCruiser Prado gets new feature to combat car theft

The Toyota LandCruiser Pradohas been updated in Japan with new anti-theft measures – including a remote ‘kill switch’ – following the SUV’s rise as one of the country’s most stolen vehicles.

While there are no changes to exterior or interior design, the updates include a reduced operating range for the smart key, as well as the addition of a remote engine disable function.

Through Toyota’s T-Connect system – launched as Toyota Connected Services in Australia in 2022 – owners can now prevent the engine from starting remotely, effectively acting as a kill switch.

Toyota Australia has been contacted for comment on whether the updates will be introduced locally. The current-generation Prado only arrived in showrooms in late 2024.

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In Japan, the changes apply to Prado variants powered by the naturally aspirated 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – not sold in Australia – from April, with the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel versions offered locally not receiving the updates until December.

This suggests any Australian rollout is unlikely before the second quarter (April-June) of 2027.

The Prado – known as the LandCruiser 250 in Japan and the United States – along with the larger LandCruiser 300 Series, has consistently ranked among the most stolen vehicles in Japan, according to Carscoops.

The outlet reports 27.5 per cent of stolen vehicles in Japan during 2024 were LandCruisers (either 300 Series or Prado), up from 14.7 per cent in 2023.

Australia has also seen a spate of high-profile Toyota thefts involving the LandCruiser Prado, LandCruiser 300 Series, HiLux and RAV4.

Toyota has previously responded by offering a steering wheel lock as a countermeasure, while acknowledging it’s working on broader security solutions.

The company has also announced updated “security measures” for new examples of the HiLux, LandCruiser 300 Series and Prado – though these aren’t retrofitted to existing vehicles, and specific details haven’t been disclosed.

In February 2026, Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations John Pappas told media, including CarExpert, there was no update on further steps to address the issue.

His comments came as seven alleged thieves faced a Brisbane court, accused of involvement in an organised crime ring exporting stolen vehicles overseas.

The Queensland Police Service and Victoria Police have also been investigating whether a series of thefts in Victoria are linked to the Queensland-based activity.

Further updates for the Prado in Japan include new exterior finishes, such as Ebony Black (already available in Australia) and a flat Sand colour now offered without a contrasting white roof.

Round bi-beam LED headlights are now optional on the VX grade, while additional driver assistance features include emergency steering assist, front cross-traffic alert and traffic jam assist.

In Australia, the LandCruiser Prado was narrowly outsold by its key rival, the Ford Everest, in 2025. It was just 55 units behind, with 26,106 examples delivered.

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