Articles by John Law

Sitting above the GX, the LandCruiser Prado GXL will make up more than 50 per cent of 250 Series sales in Australia, says Toyota.It makes sense on paper, with niceties like heated and ventilated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, eight-way power adjust driver's seat, a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with seating for seven occupants.With the new Prado's enhanced off-road capability and greater sealed road comfort, the latest GXL should make the ideal fit-for-purpose family vehicle.But all is not perfect. Because this body-on-frame Prado needs to accomodate a 110-litre fuel tank, 17.4-litre AdBlue tank, full-size spare tyre, hybrid battery and a pair of chairs out back, there's no space to put fold the third row below the floor. That means even when not in use, there's another 100mm added to the boot's load height. To keep the floor flat with the third row stowed, Toyota has implemented flimsy plastic boxes – far from an ideal solution.It is a shame but don't let it put you off the Prado. The rest of the cabin is fantastic. In the front there are plenty of soft, squishy materials including knee pads on the transmission tunnel. Two cup holders in the centre are a good size, the door bins accept a one-litre bottle and there's a deep centre cubby.The second row has good leg and headroom with an excellent view out thanks to a 30mm lower window line than the old car. Annoyingly, there's a piece of hard black plastic on top of the transmission tunnel, making the middle seat (that doubles as an armrest) quite uncomfortable.There are two more USB-C ports in the second row, matching the two in the third and three up front for seven total charging points. The second row also gets its own climate zone for a total of three, with vents in the roof to easily cool your face instead of knee caps.Accessing the third row is made pretty simple by the generous door aperture and tumble-forward 60/40 split backrest. Once back there, space is at a premium, though, compared to monocoque alternatives such as the Hyundai Palisade.Under the new, sculpted aluminium bonnet, the Prado packs a familiar 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder. Like in the updated HiLux, the '1GD-FTV' gets a 48-volt integrated starter-generator system to extend engine start-stop times and improve fuel efficiency to 7.6L/100km. Outputs are still the same, though with peak power 150kW and torque 500Nm.A new eight-speed automatic shift smoothly and decisively, also bringing a lower first gear (almost negating the need for low range) and taller cruising gear. Along with the 30 per cent stiffer body and frame, the Prado is now certified to tow a 3500kg braked load.At speed on sealed surfaces, the GXL's 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tyres and passive dampers are so well matched. The way it shrugs off huge pot holes yet retains body control through lumpy corners is fantastic. Quiet, too, with minimal wind noise despite what the retro boxy shape suggests.Also going against the visual theme are the latest safety aids, including nine airbags, lane-trace-assist, driver-attention monitoring, speed limit assist, adaptive (or regular, thankfully) cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert and more. Crucially, the systems did not beep and bong constantly like some other brands attempts, and are easy to disable.Perfectly-calibrated stability control and ABS systems give you nearly as much confidence on unsealed roads, aided by the full-time 4WD system with a lockable torsen centre differential.On slower, technical terrain, the GXL gets the job done with seamless Crawl Assist and clever off-road traction control, yet it is missing a locking rear differential. The clearance stats aren't amazing, either; approach and departure angles are 31º and 17º and the 210mm ground clearance saw us tickle the top of a termite nest.The Altitude, with its locking rear diff and stabiliser disconnect, is the choice for hardcore off-roaders. In all trims, the chunky controls are laid out in a straightforward manner.What all will appreciate is the new electronic power-assisted steering system. It has 3.24 turns lock-to-lock and varies the level of resistance depending on speed, making for an effortless drive at low speeds — be it parking in the multi-storey or scaling a 30-degree rock — while weighting up at 100km/h.Like the Prado that came before, maintenance is due every six months or 10,000km at a price of $390 per visit for the capped price period. The Prado has a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty that can be extended to seven providing the 4WD is serviced on time.Does the GXL still deserve to be the most in-demand Prado? On paper, yes, with a reasonable asking price and extra practicality of seven seats. Yet the GX's more usable boot, lower price, and nice cloth upholstery means it is worth a look when shopping at this end of the Prado range.

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At the bottom of the new 2025 Toyota Prado range is the GX. Historically pitched at fleet buyers, the latest iteration is much more than a miner's delight.Yes it has rubber floor mats, a polyurethane steering wheel and manual-adjust seats but the cloth upholstery — made from 30 per cent recycled PET bottles — is soft, temperature stable and the seats are mighty supportive.The Prado GX also gets all the technology of the GXL, including a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 7.0-inch digital driver's display and remarkably clear, powerful 10-speaker sound system. Visually distinguishing features include LED daytime running lights and main beams, black wheelarch cladding, 18-inch alloy wheels and no roof racks.The treatment really suits the new Prado's heritage-inspired styling. It's a blocky shape with carefully-sculpted reliefs adding drama. Nods to previous Toyota products include the HiLux Surf-inspired tailgate and heritage look square mesh grille. Aussie cars sadly miss out on the retro round headlights.Stowage spaces are generously sized, including the centre cubby, and icy cold dual-zone climate control is standard. Five USB-C ports match the GX's five-seat capacity and the second row is more spacious than the car it replaces with a good range of adjustment on the reclinable back rest. Thanks to a 30mm lower window line, vision out is excellent, too.The floor is still high, though, and there's a hard plastic cover on the transmission tunnel that renders the middle seat rather uncomfortable.Toyota quotes VDA boot capacities of 954 litres with five seats in place or 1895L with the 60/40 backrest folded. There's a step from the boot floor to the back seats, making the load bay uneven. It also has quite a high floor owing to Toyota having to pack a now-smaller 110-litre fuel tank, 4.3 amp hour battery and full-size spare tyre under the floor.Out on the road is where you feel the biggest changes between the new 250 Series and its 150 Series forebear, with the new 3.24 turn lock-to-lock electronic power assistance system the star. Light at low speeds, it firms up on country roads with minimal dead-zone around the straight-ahead. There's almost no kickback over bumps, either.With 18-inch alloy wheels, highway terrain tyres and passive dampers, the GX is the most basic Prado chassis you can get and also the most resolved. Plenty of body control even at the NT’s elevated 130km/h speed limit, excellent bump absorption and great cabin isolation over rough corrugations and broken surfaces. Point the long, attractive aluminium-bonneted snout towards some unsealed roads and the Prado reveals another level of talent. The full-time 4WD system with lockable Torsen centre diff means plenty of traction no matter the grip levels. Smart ESC tuning helps trim lines in loose conditions without clamping down on fun and visibility is excellent thanks to those upright A-Pillars. With a smaller wheel and tyre package, the GX’s on-paper off-road credentials aren’t incredible; approach and departure angles of 31º and 17º are decent but the 210mm ground clearance is less than a Subaru Forester. Lucky we don’t drive on paper — the Prado’s seamless Crawl Assist and clever off-road traction control mean the GX effortlessly clears the sort of challenges a weekend warrior might throw at it. The Altitude, with its locking rear diff and stabiliser disconnect, is the choice for hardcore off-roaders. You can also replace individual pieces of the front bumper system, rather than needing to get a whole new single piece item. We didn’t get to sample how the new Prado pulls a load with its improved 3500kg braked towing rating. The carry-over 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder gets a new V-Active 48-volt starter generator, turbocharger, intercooler and still produces 150kW and 500Nm. It's adequate motivation, but for a similar price Ford will serve you a V6-powered Everest.A new eight-speed torque converter automatic shifts smoothly and quickly with decisive logic. The lower first gear means you rarely need to engage four-low, while a higher top ratio contributes to an improved 7.6L/100km combined fuel efficiency rating. To lower NOx emissions, the Prado now has a 17.4-litre AdBlue tank that should go around 8700km between fill-ups. A glimpse at the spec sheet would suggest the new, much-improved Prado is best in GXL guise but don't write the sub-$80K drive-away GX off, it has everything you need and is remarkably well-appointed. The Prado’s practical boot in five-seat guise only adds to the base model’s appeal.

GWM is having a near range-wide sale with between $1000 and $6000 cut from drive-away prices until the end of the year. Additionally, the majority of discounted cars sold between now and November 8 get their three first scheduled services thrown in for free, valued between $297-$1870. The only exceptions are the Jolion Premium and Lux grades.Anyone who purchases GWM’s only battery electric car, the Ora, also gets a free charging station installation thrown in, valued at $1690. What’s the reason? Well, like BYD, MG and others with big offers on the table, it's partially about sales bragging rights but mostly clearing excess stock. GWM is on track for a record-breaking sales year in 2024, up 21.8 per cent having delivered 35,143 new cars. In October, it was in 10th spot, just shy of Nissan (37,710) and with a few strong months to round the year out, it could climb into ninth place.The new Cannon Alpha now starts at $49,990 drive-away with a $2000 discount on both the 135kW/480Nm diesel and unique 255kW/546Nm plugless hybrid version. Its smaller Cannon ute sibling with its smaller 120kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel can be had from as little as $35,490 drive-away, a $3500 discount, while the blacked-out Vanta black-pack is $5000 more affordable at $42,490. The related Tank 300 Jeep Wrangler-rivalling off-roader now wades in at $45,990 ($2000 off) while the hybrid versions get $5000 knocked off the sticker, as low as $50,990 for the Lux. The only model to miss a straight discount is the Tank 500, though it still gets $1870 worth of scheduled servicing thrown in. GWM’s Haval SUV range includes a Kia Seltos challenger, the Jolion, which can be had for up to $3000 less in petrol guise, handily undercutting a Mitsubishi ASX at $23,990 drive-away.The larger H6 is also on offer with up to $3500 off the hybrid version, meaning the rival to Toyota’s in-demand RAV4 can be as low as $38,990 on-the-road. A petrol version can be had for $30,990 drive-away. Finally, the Ora electric car nearly makes its way as low as the MG4, with $2000 knocked off the Standard Range guise making it $33,990. The Extended Range gets a tantalising $6000 lopped from the price at $34,990 — plus a free home charging station.

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If you happen to be Australia, then this is the biggest new car launch of 2024. It's the Toyota LandCruiser Prado 250 Series and it has seriously big shoes to fill. Capable off-road, comfortable on-road and able to lug a 3500kg load while keeping a family friendly price tag. How does it stack up? Jump in to find out.

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If you regularly go bush, there’s something that might jump at you on the new 250 Series Toyota Prado’s spec sheet: a lack of locking rear differential on all but the Altitude trim. Previously, the 150 Series Prado range offered a rear locker on GXL, VX and Kakadu trims and now it comes exclusively on the Altitude off-roader, with the VX getting a limited-slip item. All other grades have open front and rear diffs.The inclusion of a locking rear differential aids off-road capability, particularly in very demanding situations such as off-set mogul climbs and deep mud or sand.They work by splitting 50 per cent of the drive equally between each wheel; an open differential, on the other hand, simply drives the wheel with least resistance. For 4WDs without lockers, this means the car relies on traction control to minimise wheel slip on tricky climbs or deep mud and this sometimes isn’t enough. Yet the Prado’s Australian vehicle development team is adamant the new 250 Series is more capable than the car it replaces despite missing the rear locker.“For the Prado, just the frame alone — that stiffer frame — eliminated a lot of need for tuning and adjustment on the software, on the safety systems,” in this case, Australian Vehicle Evaluation Engineer Russel Tomlinson is describing stability and traction control programs in the new Prado. “The safety systems had to work less because of the rigidity and then when we came to diff locks, the car was fit for purpose. “If we needed to go through mud, water crossings, loose stones, whatever, the target that we set — which was to improve on the previous LandCruiser — we achieved .” That’s the rationale for rolling with open rear differentials on most Prado trims.  All 250 Series Prados are equipped with a full-time four-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission, torsen centre differential with the ability to fully lock along with both high and low range transfer cases. Clever systems, including Crawl Control (an off-road cruise control) and multi-terrain select, are similar to the equipment offered in a Land Rover Discovery, for example. These are generally enough for most trails you’ll encounter and the rear diff-lock is usually reserved for only the toughest manoeuvres, for example when you’re bogged or bellied out. But it’s a nice insurance policy to have in remote areas.Vehicles you might cross-shop with the Prado, including the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X, are equipped with locking rear differentials on all 4x4 grades, while new cut-price alternatives, such as the GWM Tank 500, are arriving with front lockers, too. The Prado’s rear differential lock situation is similar to that of the larger 300 Series, with front and rear diff locks reserved for the GR Sport off-road flagship. That said, the bigger 300 Series gets a limited-slip rear differential on all trims (like Prado Kakadu). There is currently no GR Sport model, with the Altitude the most off-road focused trim. Along with the rear locker, there’s also a new electronic stabiliser disconnect system and 18-inch Toyo Open Country all-terrain rubber.