TOYOTA’S POPULAR LANDCRUISER PRADO has received a significant upgrade with more power and torque, enhanced safety, new multimedia technologies and additional premium features.
At the heart of the revised range is an additional 20kW of power and 50Nm of torque from Prado’s 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine that is now mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley said the updates ensure Prado remains one of Australia’s most appealing SUVs.
“Australians have long appreciated both the strong off-road and on-road capability, comfort and space that LandCruiser Prado offers for extended family adventures beyond the sealed highways,” Mr Hanley said.
“As COVID-19 restrictions lift, more people will explore their own backyard as a destination of choice, with driving holidays high on the agenda and the changes we have made to Prado give it an even greater capability and appeal. With added performance, improved safety and enhanced connectivity, Australians will be able to explore this country in even greater comfort, knowing they will be kept safe and entertained at every stage of the journey,” he said.
Prado’s flexibility as a vehicle of choice for touring, overtaking and towing benefits from the higher-performance engine that now delivers a maximum 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm over a wider 1600-2800rpm band.
The extra performance is due to updates including a new ball-bearing turbocharger with a larger turbine and impeller, and improved engine rigidity and cooling, and better fuel economy through optimised pistons and piston rings, changes to the cylinder block and head, higher fuel-injection flow rate and the adoption of high-performance materials for the exhaust manifold.
Despite the substantially stronger outputs, fuel consumption improves a fraction to 7.9 litres/100km and CO2 emissions are down to 209 g/km. Fuel capacity is 150 litres with an 87-litre main tank and 63-litre sub tank. Maximum braked towing capacity is 3,000kg.
Toyota Safety Sense features have been made available on all grades. The pre-collision safety system – with autonomous emergency braking capability – can now detect cyclists during the day and pedestrians at night, as well as during the day.
Prado’s lane-departure alert system has been advanced so that it now offers steering assistance by applying the brakes to one side of the vehicle to help prevent it drifting unintentionally into another lane.
Newly adopted road-sign assist can advise speed-limit changes. It can also be used to reset the vehicle’s cruise-control speed setting.
A new-generation multimedia system across the range incorporates a larger 9-inch touchscreen display (previous 8-inch), enhanced voice recognition and compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and myToyota, which enables third-party companion apps such as Waze, AccuWeather and Stitcher.
Offering improved comfort and convenience, other new features in the updated Prado include rain-sensing automatic windscreen wipers. These add to the comprehensive standard equipment for the five-seat GX that includes 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation, keyless smart entry and ignition, air-conditioning and a reversing camera. A new Espresso Brown paint takes exterior colour options to 10.
A third row of seats is optional on GX, standard on GXL. On all grades except GX, customers can choose to have the spare wheel mounted on the tailgate or located under the vehicle where it replaces the sub-tank.
Additional GXL equipment includes side steps, roof rails, three-zone climate control, bi-LED headlamps, LED foglamps and daylight running lamps, and rear parking sensors.
A GXL option pack adds leather-accented ventilated, heated and power-operated front seats and heated second-row seats – all of which are standard on VX. The higher grade is also fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, 14-speaker JBL premium sound, DAB digital radio, dusk-sensing headlamps, panoramic and multi-terrain monitors, blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert.
Top-of-the-range Kakadu is now fitted with paddle shifters in addition to its already high level of premium features including a moonroof, adaptive variable suspension, rear air suspension with auto levelling, rear-seat entertainment, and crawl control and multi-terrain select off-road aids.
GX and GXL are now fitted with rubber mats front and rear, while VX and Kakadu gain carpet mats.
Recommended retail prices now start from $59,840 (plus on road costs).
Australians have bought more than 320,000 LandCruiser Prado SUVs since the model was introduced in 1996. It is Australia’s best-selling large SUV and has led its segment for 10 of the past 12 years.
Prado pricing (plus on road costs)
GX $59,840
GXL $66,540
VX $76,380
Kakadu $87,030
Options:
Third-row seat (GX): $2550
Premium interior (GXL) $3470
Optional paint (all grades): $600
Flat tailgate (GXL and above): no added cost
Once we have tested and assessed the new Toyota LandCruiser Prado, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.