Toyota SUV : Australia’s love affair with Toyota SUVs shows no signs of slowing down, and 2025 is shaping up to be an absolutely cracking year for the Japanese automaker’s sport utility vehicle lineup.
From the nimble city-friendly Yaris Cross to the legendary outback-conquering LandCruiser, Toyota has been working overtime to ensure Aussie families have exactly what they need, whether it’s the school run or a weekend camping adventure in the bush.
The automotive landscape is shifting faster than a Melbourne weather forecast, and Toyota Australia has been reading the room perfectly. The shift to an all-hybrid range for the RAV4, with petrol-only variants being discontinued and put into run-out earlier in the year, signals Toyota’s commitment to cleaner, more efficient motoring.
But this isn’t just about ticking environmental boxes – it’s about giving Australian drivers better fuel economy when petrol prices are doing their best impression of a kangaroo on a trampoline.
What makes 2025 particularly exciting is the blend of tried-and-true favourites getting meaningful updates alongside genuinely groundbreaking newcomers. The new Prado is moving up in price, creating a bigger gap below it for an enthusiast-focused, shorter-wheelbase 4×4 to slide into, while the electric revolution finally gains proper momentum with the bZ4X finding its feet in the Australian market.
Compact Champions: Small SUVs Making Big Impressions
Yaris Cross: The Pocket Rocket’s Practical Cousin
Starting at the entry level, the Yaris Cross continues to prove that good things really do come in small packages. The cheapest Toyota SUV is the Toyota Yaris Cross GX HYBRID that starts from $30,900, making it an absolute steal for anyone wanting to join the SUV club without breaking the bank.
The beauty of the Yaris Cross lies in its surprising practicality. Despite its compact footprint, it manages to squeeze impressive amounts of gear and people inside, making it perfect for young families or empty nesters who want something easy to park at Westfield but capable enough for the occasional weekend getaway.
More standard safety tech and slight price increases mark the changes for the 2025 Toyota Yaris Cross lineup, proving Toyota’s commitment to keeping even their most affordable SUV bang up to date.
Corolla Cross: Stepping Up the Game
The Corolla Cross sits in that sweet spot between the Yaris Cross and the C-HR, offering a bit more space and presence without jumping too far up the price ladder. A sportier-looking GR Sport version of the Toyota Corolla Cross will land in Australian showrooms later this year as part of a range-wide update, giving buyers who want something with a bit more visual punch an option that doesn’t require selling a kidney.
What’s particularly clever about the Corolla Cross is how Toyota has managed to give it its own personality despite sharing plenty of components with its smaller sibling. The slightly larger dimensions translate to noticeably more rear seat room and cargo space, making it a sensible choice for families who’ve outgrown a hatchback but aren’t quite ready to commit to something massive.
C-HR: The Style Statement
The C-HR has always been the odd one out in Toyota’s SUV family, prioritising design flair over pure practicality. The Toyota C-HR GR Sport brings welcome spice to the world of crossover SUVs, as well as an unwelcome price tag, but for buyers who want something that stands out in the Coles car park, it’s hard to argue with the C-HR’s distinctive looks.
Recent updates have addressed some of the criticism around rear seat space and cargo capacity, though it’s still not going to win any awards for outright practicality. What it lacks in utility, however, it more than makes up for in curb appeal and driving dynamics that are genuinely engaging rather than just competent.
The Middle Ground Masters: Mid-Size SUV Excellence
RAV4: The Hybrid Hero
The RAV4 has been Australia’s sweetheart SUV for years, and 2025 sees it double down on what made it so popular in the first place. Toyota now only sells hybrid versions of the hot-selling RAV4 SUV, and it remains a benchmark for the segment. This isn’t Toyota being trendy for the sake of it – the hybrid system genuinely makes the RAV4 a better vehicle in almost every measurable way.
The beauty of the RAV4’s hybrid setup is how seamlessly it operates. Unlike some hybrid systems that feel like they’re constantly reminding you they’re doing something clever, the RAV4’s powertrain just gets on with the job of delivering excellent fuel economy and surprisingly good performance. The electric motor assistance means you’re never left wanting for power when merging onto the freeway or overtaking that slow-moving caravan.
The sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 has finally been unveiled, boasting more efficient hybrid engines, a plug-in hybrid option, though the new generation isn’t expected to reach Australian shores until 2026. For 2025, the current RAV4 remains one of the most well-rounded packages in the mid-size SUV segment, offering the perfect blend of efficiency, capability, and reliability that Australian families have come to expect.
Kluger: Seven-Seat Sensibility
When five seats just aren’t enough, the Kluger steps up as Toyota’s three-row SUV solution. Where freedom meets family. Kluger is ready to move you places, and Toyota isn’t wrong about that promise. The Kluger’s strength lies in its ability to comfortably seat seven people without feeling like a commercial vehicle dressed up for civilian duty.
The 2025 Kluger lineup continues to offer both conventional and hybrid powertrains, giving families the choice between maximum fuel efficiency and slightly lower purchase price. The hybrid version, in particular, delivers impressive fuel economy for something capable of carrying seven people and their associated gear to the beach house.
Electric Dreams: The bZ4X Revolution
Toyota’s Electric SUV Gambit
The Toyota bZ4X is reassuringly ready – for the roads you know and the places you’ve yet to explore. After a somewhat tentative start, the bZ4X is finding its rhythm in the Australian market as Toyota’s first serious electric SUV offering.
The bZ4X’s party trick isn’t just its zero local emissions – it’s how Toyota has managed to make the transition from petrol to electric feel less daunting. With an upsized 160kW of power and 337Nm of torque from its dual EV motors, the top grade AWD exceeds expectations with X-Mode and Grip Control for intuitive off-road performance. This isn’t just an electric SUV that’s good on sealed roads; it’s one that maintains Toyota’s reputation for capability when the bitumen runs out.
The charging infrastructure improvements across Australia have made the bZ4X a genuinely viable option for many families, particularly those with home charging capabilities. Compatible with high-output chargers Australia-wide to help make charging effortless, the bZ4X addresses many of the practical concerns that have held back electric vehicle adoption.
The Heavy Hitters: Large SUV Legends
LandCruiser Prado: The New Generation
The arrival of the new-generation Prado represents perhaps the biggest news in Toyota’s 2025 SUV lineup. First new Toyota Prado since 2009 looks radically different and lacks both V6 and hybrid power, but advances in almost every area. While purists might mourn the loss of the V6 engine, the new four-cylinder turbo diesel more than makes up for it with improved efficiency and surprisingly strong performance.
The Toyota Landcruiser Prado 2025 has 6 variants. The length 4990mm, the height ranges from 1925 to 1935mm and the width 1980mm, making it slightly larger than its predecessor while maintaining the maneuverability that made the Prado so popular with families. The new generation brings a level of refinement and technology that wouldn’t look out of place in a luxury sedan, while maintaining the go-anywhere capability that Prado owners demand.
The introduction of the Altitude variant is particularly clever, offering a five-seat configuration that appeals to buyers who want maximum off-road capability without the complexity of a third row. The new-generation Prado lineup includes the Altitude variant, bringing more off-road chops in a five-seat layout.
LandCruiser 300 Series: The Ultimate Expression
At the top of the heap sits the LandCruiser 300 Series, continuing to set the benchmark for what a premium large SUV should be. The most expensive Toyota SUV is the Toyota LandCruiser LC300 SAHARA ZX (4×4) that starts from $145,791, but for many Australian families, the LandCruiser represents the ultimate expression of Toyota’s SUV philosophy.
Toyota has upgraded most variants of the LandCruiser, with prices increasing across the lineup to account for the changes, but these updates bring genuine improvements rather than just cosmetic tweaks. The LandCruiser’s ability to seamlessly transition from school pickup duty to serious outback exploration remains unmatched in the automotive world.
LandCruiser 70 Series: The Immortal Workhorse
How does the LandCruiser 70 Series – a decades-old design kept just modern enough to keep up with regulations – hold up today? The answer, surprisingly, is rather well. The largest Toyota SUV is the Toyota LandCruiser 70 LC78 GXL + DIFF LOCKS which measures 1800mm wide, 5245mm in length and sits 2115mm tall.
While it might not win any awards for interior refinement or fuel economy, the 70 Series continues to serve a specific niche of buyers who need something genuinely commercial-grade but with SUV versatility. It’s the automotive equivalent of a Rolex Submariner – not the most sophisticated option available, but absolutely bulletproof and perfectly suited to its intended purpose.
Looking Forward: What’s Coming Next
Future Models and Possibilities
The Toyota pipeline for Australian SUV buyers looks increasingly exciting. The hulking pickup is set to come here as a RHD-converted Yankee pickup to do battle with its compatriots the Chevrolet Silverado, RAM 1500 and Ford F-150, referring to the Tundra, which could open the door for its SUV sibling, the Sequoia.
The new 2025 Toyota Sequoia could eventually make its way into Toyota Australia showrooms, following the success of the closely-related Toyota Tundra pick-up’s local remanufacturing program. This would give Toyota a competitor in the ultra-large SUV segment currently dominated by American imports.
Making the Right Choice: Which Toyota SUV is Right for You?
The beauty of Toyota’s 2025 SUV lineup is that there’s genuinely something for everyone, from the budget-conscious first-time buyer to the family that needs to tow a boat to the beach house every weekend. The key is understanding what you actually need versus what you think you want.
For urban families who occasionally venture beyond the suburbs, the RAV4 remains the sweet spot – efficient, reliable, and capable without being unnecessarily large. Families needing seven seats will find the Kluger offers genuine three-row practicality without the bulk of a genuine large SUV.
Those planning serious outback adventures or regular heavy towing should look towards the LandCruiser range, where the Prado offers the perfect balance of on-road refinement and off-road capability for most Australian conditions.
The Bottom Line
Toyota’s 2025 SUV lineup represents the culmination of decades of refinement and evolution. From the affordable efficiency of the Yaris Cross to the unstoppable capability of the LandCruiser 300, there’s a Toyota SUV perfectly suited to Australian conditions and lifestyles.
The shift towards hybrid powertrains across the range isn’t just about environmental credentials – it’s about delivering better fuel economy and often superior performance compared to conventional engines. Combined with Toyota’s legendary reliability and strong resale values, the 2025 lineup offers compelling options for buyers at every price point.
Whether you’re navigating inner-city traffic or exploring the furthest reaches of the continent, Toyota’s 2025 SUV range ensures you’ll arrive in comfort, safety, and style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most fuel-efficient Toyota SUV for 2025?
The RAV4 Hybrid leads the pack for fuel efficiency among Toyota SUVs, offering exceptional economy thanks to its refined hybrid powertrain that seamlessly combines petrol and electric power for optimal efficiency.
Which Toyota SUV offers the best value for money in 2025?
The Yaris Cross represents outstanding value, starting from $30,900 for the hybrid variant, offering SUV practicality, excellent fuel economy, and Toyota reliability at an accessible price point.
What’s the difference between the new Prado and the LandCruiser 300?
The new Prado focuses on family-friendly off-road capability with a four-cylinder turbo diesel engine and more manageable size, while the LandCruiser 300 offers maximum luxury, capability, and size for those who need the ultimate large SUV experience.