The devout fan club focussed on Toyota’s Land Cruiser Prado can rejoice: the new Prado is (almost) here.
For many of the rural and urban visitors who thronged to Fieldays, this was arguably the standout reveal of the automotive goodies on display. The pre-production overseas model on display at the Toyota site was close to the specification of the Adventure model to be sold here at $103,900.
The new Prado is emphatically an offroad-capable SUV designed to do everything Kiwi owners would hope and expect.
Prado will be available in four grades: GXL, VX, VX Limited, and Adventure. The VX Limited and Adventure are ‘halo’ models with Adventure the most off-road focussed of the four. The VX Limited is the more premium option.
All models adopt the 48V mild-hybrid 2.8-litre four-cylinder engine which produces 150kW and 500Nm. Hilux, Land Cruiser 70 and Prado ranges are now all focussed on the 2.8-litre diesel engine, with just a handful of V8 LC70s left to sell this year. The 48V Hybrid System is a Motor Generator (MG) with torque assist to complement the engine without compromising performance, towing or 4WD capability. The system charges the battery through regenerative engine braking, enhancing drive power performance and fuel economy.
The engine feeds power through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Prado will be the first NZ new Toyota to use AdBlue. It has a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system which reduces emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) to improve air quality.
A Stop/Start system operated by the belt drive off the MG delivers a smoother drive with quicker throttle response from standstill and a quieter engine restart.
The MG layout has been optimised to allow river crossings to a wading depth of 700mm, along with an anti-slip belt to prevent slipping when wet.
Braked maximum towing capacity is 3,500kg braked towing capacity, up from 3,000kg, making Prado one of a growing number of middle-upper market SUVs to equal mid-size ute tow ratings.
Prado features the latest version Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of active and passive safety systems. This adds motorcycle detection to the Pre-Collision System, Intersection Collision Avoidance Support, all-speed DRCC, Emergency Driver Stop System, Lane Tracing Assist, and a driver monitor camera.
Panoramic View Monitor, and Parking Support Brake with Rear Cross Traffic Auto Braking are included on all grades. Blind Spot Monitor with Safe Exit Assist is also added as an active safety feature.
Inside, all model grades are well specified with a 12.3” audio screen and heated/ventilated front seats as standard.
Prado GXL has synthetic leather seat material while all other grades add leather accented seat material with shoulder quilting.
On GXL, the driver’s seat has eight-way power adjustment while the passenger seat has four-way manual adjustment.
The VX adds power lumbar and memory to the driver seat and four-way power adjustment to the passenger seat.
The VX Limited and Adventure add manual driver seat cushion extension as well as second row outer seat heating/ventilation.
A 10-speaker audio system and 7” digital meter is fitted to GXL, stepping up to a 14-speaker JBL system and 12.3” digital meter for all other grades. A multi-terrain monitor system is present on VX and above.
VX Limited adds a tilt/slide panoramic roof and Adventure features a tilt/slide moonroof. VX Limited and Adventure also both feature a steering wheel heater and a HUD.
Prado GXL features 18” dark grey metallic alloys, stepping up to 20” premium dark metallic alloys on VX and VX Limited.
Adventure has a set of 18” matte grey alloys to reflect its off-road focus. Both the GXL and Adventure feature all terrain tyres.
A heritage grille with the word ‘TOYOTA’ spelled out is featured on GXL and Adventure.
The new Prado will arrive at Toyota dealerships for test drives in August and customer deliveries will start in October.
