It's not often that we get to clock up some "real" kilometres in a test vehicle.

But the Christmas break provided the perfect opportunity to hit the road and the perfect holiday wheels in our estimation is any of the large, diesel powered four-wheel drive wagons.

Toyota's Prado diesel with its larger eight seat capacity and long range 180-litre fuel tank proved ideal.

Although our GX is the entry level model there's not much missing from the equipment list these days.

• 3.0-litre turbo diesel delivers 96kW of power at 3600rpm and 343Nm of torque at 2000rpm. It's the torque figure that is important because it's the diesel's high torque output at low engine revs that makes the car so easy to drive. Diesels are are a much better choice for hauling these two tonne juggernauts around and provide better economy too.
• Talked the brother in law into buying a Prado diesel recently and he later thanked me. He had already placed an order for a petrol one but was able to change. Asked if there was anything he missed about his previous, V8 powered 4WD – only the personalised service.
• Prado is of course a full time 4WD and our test vehicle was fitted with the standard five-speed manual transmission which many buyers of this no frills model will prefer. It is preferred for off road work with an additional transfer lever provided for putting the vehicle into low range.
• It had been a while between drinks for the Prado and the engine was much smoother and quieter that we remembered, with plenty of zip off the line. Still a trifle slow in city traffic and the smelly diesel fuel could be an issue when filling up – specially if you get it on your hands.
• Economy is officially rated at 11.4L/100km and, unbelievably, that's what we got after 2700km of touring – 11.4L on the knocker. Very rarely do these figures reflect the real world driving. This was fully loaded, with three bikes on the back – and with eight passengers on board a large part of the time.
• Although our test vehicle was fitted with airconditioning, it is in fact optional on the GX. Rear air which we believe is necessary when using the third row of seats is optional on all but the top of the range Grande. With only one unit fitted it tends to get stuffy down the back while front seat occupants are left reaching for jumpers.
• Standard equipment includes two airbags, a single CD player and power windows and mirrors, but the GX misses out on cruise control and makes do with a skinnier set of steel rims and tyres. Wider wheels make a significant difference to the handling.