Toyota Prado 2010: review

By Paul Gover

Herald Sun

23 November 2009

The Toyota Prado 2010 is more luxurious than ever for suburban work and tougher and more flexible for off-road use. Photo Gallery

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the new Toyota Prado at its Australian launch

The middle child of the Toyota SUV family is new again. The Prado has had a complete workover in almost every area, from the chassis and body up through the V6 petrol engine and the camera protection systems.

It's now more luxurious than ever for suburban work and tougher and more flexible for off-road use. As you would expect with a seven-year gap between model changes.

Toyota Australia claims everything from improved fuel economy to better value and improved refinement, but it all comes at a cost. The new Prado has put on at least 150 kilograms from the previous model and the starting price is up by more than $4000 to $55,990. In fact, only two of 14 Prado models now hit below the Luxury Car Tax threshold and the top-line seven-seater Kakadu turbodiesel auto costs a whopping $88,990. But more than 1500 people have placed orders and Toyota is expecting to have trouble satisfying early demand.

The fourth-generation Prado is longer, wider but lower than its predecessor and, for the first time, there is a three-door model. But it's not a stripped-out bush-basher, coming with the seven airbags, ESP stability control, airconditioning, cruise control, smart-start system, alloy wheels, USB input and Bluetooth, and power steering that is standard on all models.

"We wanted comfort and peace of mind, anytime and anywhere," says Prado's chief engineer, Makoto Arimoto, speaking at the Australian press preview in Orange over the weekend. The range runs from the basic GX through GXL and VX to Kakadu, which even gets a standard sunroof and leather trim.

The Prado is available as either a five or seven-seater and Toyota has tweaked the cabin with a sliding second-row seat in the five-door models. There is also an electrically-operated third-row system in the luxury cars.

Like every new model from Toyota there are hundreds of changes and updates in the suspension and engines and electronics and entertainment systems, and it's all important stuff. But the styling is . . . questionable. The basic body is basically bland and the final finishing, particularly the grille, is overpowering. So it's a good thing that around 50 per cent of Prado buyers add a bullbar.

Driving

The new Prado is everything you expect, and more. It is just plain phenomenal in the bush, where the latest range of driver aids - but particularly the 'Crawl' system and driver-selectable multi-terrain package - mean it can practically drive itself. You only have to steer as it walks up and down the toughest terrain. There are also cameras to check obstacles anywhere around the Prado, provided you pay enough to get the right package, and the transmission has the low-range setting and differential locks you need for serious stuff.

Pay enough and you can also have height-adjustable suspension, an extra diff lock and the multi-terrain deal which means you choose the sort of conditions - from sand through to rocks - and let the electronic brains decide the best settings for fuss-free travel. Get back on the bitumen and the suspension feels more plush, there is more 'stuff' to enjoy, and the cabin is a little more roomy and significantly more practical.

The latest V6 has definitely got more go that you can feel for more of the time, even if less than 20 per cent of Prado buyers go for petrol power. But the turbodiesel does not cope as well with the extra weight in the new car and overtaking performance is fairly ordinary, with relatively leisurely acceleration from standstill.

So the biggest question on the new Prado is the price. More than $55,000 for a starter car is a lot of cash for any SUV buyer, and the top-end stickers are right in the luxury car class. It's a good thing, but is it that good?

Toyota Prado

Price: From $55,990
ANCAP safety score: Not tested
Safety equipment: seven airbags, ESP, traction control, anti-skid brakes with brakeforce distribution Fuel economy: from 8.3L/100km
Emissions: Not available
Body: 3-door wagon, 5-door wagon
Seats: five, seven
Engines: 3.9-litre V6, 3-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 202kW/5600revs, 127kW/3400revs
Torque: 391Nm/4400 revs, 410Nm/1600-2800 revs
Transmission: Six-speed manual, five-speed automatic, constant switchable all-wheel drive

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 28 comments

Page 1 of 3

I have the new Parado Kakadu and as for the over taking and “grunt” it is not an issue to overtake as you can just put the automatic from drive in to a manual mode and tap up or down through the gears. We do a lot of highway driving due to living in the country and have found it has great pick up for overtaking. As for the fuel consumption our car is sitting on about 9L/100KM so again really good on fuel, turbo diesel too. Dont knock this car until you try it I am so impressed and happy with it and all the features.

Marnie of Queensland Posted at 28 January 2010 12:35pm

I own a 2004 V6 VX Prado and will be updating within the next 12 months. I love the reliability & quality build, but the driveability (drives like a bus), sheer weight and fuel consumption will be pointing me in other directions.
I was thinking along the lines of a diesel VW Tiguan or Outback.

Mark McNichol Posted at 20 January 2010 1:51pm

Paul, in a recent review of the 3.0 litre diesel version of the new Prado that you did for a newspaper, from memory, you said that at 90 kph the vehicle had “very little left for overtaking”. Imagine three hefty mates and a rear end full of camping gear, it would probably have nothing left for overtaking! Imagine if you were towing a camper trailer as well! To me this down right unsafe. If you are attempting to overtake,with the camper in tow you would need to have a clear run/vision for a good many kilometres. To me, this is an instance of the vehicle being overweight for the motor or the gearing being set for optimum fuel consumption. It reminds me of the days of the VW Combi. If you saw one overtaking coming towards you, you knew you had to hit the dirt or brake to allow it to complete its safe return to the correct side of the road. Too little power is as bad as too much!

Old Dog of Adelaide Posted at 14 January 2010 10:34pm

i have a 2005 grande V6 and recently drove to WA from SA. down the south west and all around brilliant averaged 13.7 L/100 i believe the new model does not have as big a fuel tank and has electronic 4WD engagement bad move toyota my prado is just about to be kitted out with all the gear to tow a van terrific car

paul of adelaide Posted at 13 January 2010 9:36pm

I bought my Prado grande 3 l Diesel 2008 model in april this year,i could not be happier any more The best car i ever had in fact help me quering my bad back,drove to Townswile and back belived or not 7.5 liters p 100km that is real good,also in the city i tested i drive around 1600 km and i never turn the engine of, as for the price also a very good deal so in all very happy customer,usualy change car every 10 years.

Chris Kostadinov of Brisbane Posted at 07 January 2010 8:04pm

I bought a new 2007 model. Love it! Looked at the 2010 model and thought I could get a good deal on an upgrade. Wrong! Considering the 2010 is heavier, diesel lower performance, smaller fuel capacity and more $$, I’ll keep my 2007 and mod it, which was my original plan. (Cb, Snorkel, Rear draws, Suspension, A/T Tyres, blah, blah.

Nigel Turton of vic Posted at 31 December 2009 12:04am

I have been giving very serious thought to upgrading my 2005 petrol VX, but the value equation with the new model doesn’t stack up. I drove the new diesel and it really is a bit ordinary. I also noticed that the leather seats in the new VX and Kakadu include some vinyl parts. It’s a bit cheap and nasty when the price is right up there with the Europeans.
To conclude, I visited Toyota UK website and noticed that their Prado (Land cruiser) models have a neat looking lift up tailgate (no ugly tyre) that includes a hinged back window like the Kluger. I wonder why we don’t get this version.

James of Sydney Posted at 20 December 2009 8:07pm

I’ve still got the first Prado 4 cylinder model with 2nd motor & hope to upgrade when its 15 year old. But please add the V8 4.5 litre turbo diesel & 3500kg braking for towing soon.

Jesse of Helensburgh Posted at 17 December 2009 10:21am

Thank you Toyota!!
You have just made my 2007 GXL Prado far more valuable. I’m hanging onto mine and will avoid the new Fugly.

'Reddo of Newcastle Posted at 17 December 2009 7:18am

We had a previous Generation Prado VX with the Petrol Engine. Fuel ecconomy of around 13L/100km when driven hard and it goes like a rocket.

In the Prado I dont see any point in going diesel, that Petrol engine is an absolute Gem.

Nathan of Brisbane Posted at 16 December 2009 6:54pm

Read all 28 comments

1 2 3 >

Add your comment on this story

Comments Form

Enter your comments:

We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional.

Additional Information