Australia’s Favourite SUV: Toyota Landcruiser Prado
September 28, 2022
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The Toyota Landcruiser Prado is a 4×4 SUV in production since 2007. This car is suitable for families who need a vehicle that can be used off-road, tow and go through rough terrain. It is popular in Australia and has been the country’s favourite SUV for the last three years.
Slotted between the flagship LandCruiser 300 Series and the Hilux ute-based Fortuner, the new 2022 Toyota Landcruiser Prado boasts many standard features. From a roomy cabin, stellar off-road ability, confident road handling, and of course, Toyota’s proven dealer support.
Available in five-seat (GX) and seven-seat layouts, this small Toyota Landcruiser entered its fourth generation in 2009, and the sales are still going strong. It was Australia’s best-selling large SUV last year, with 21,299 sales.
Toyota plans to bring an all-new model, built on the lighter new TNGA-F body-on-frame chassis, next year. The new model would be more lightweight, offering more engine choices, new driver technologies, and enhanced driving dynamics.
Whether you buy the Landcruiser Prado, new or used. It brags about the rugged elegance, offroad extravagance, hi-tech comfort, and exceptional safety features you and your family always wanted.
Let’s look at what makes the Toyota Landcruiser Prado Australia’s favourite Large SUV.
Toyota LandCruiser Prado Review
Trim Levels and Powertrain
Toyota Australia offers the new Landcruiser Prado in four grades: base GX, GXL, VX, and flagship Kakadu. All the models carry a 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine that we also find in the HiLux and the Fortuner.
The engine generates 150kW and 500Nm of torque, which is 50Nm more than before. While it isn’t a big boost, it gives you more confidence during the drive.
Making matters simple, the engine mates exclusively to a six-speed automatic gearbox and a standard four-wheel drive system.
Toyota claims a fuel economy rating of 7.9L/100KM. However, the Prado may consume more fuel in real-world driving depending on your driving habits, road conditions, etc.
Offroading Excellence
While all the models of Prado are highly capable offroaders, the Kakadu is particularly more impressive courtesy of Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), Adaptive Variable Suspension system (AVS), Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select system (MTS).
The four-door wagon is not only quick on the road. Still, it can also climb technical off-road areas of Australia effortlessly. With a kerb weight of 2,230kg for the base five-seater and 2,455 kilograms for the seven-seat models. The 3,000kg braked towing capacity is not class-leading, but it will allow you to take everything you want on your journey.
Exterior
Toyota introduced the fourth-generation Prado in 2009 and refreshed it first in 2013 and then in 2017. The facelifts didn’t alter the aesthetics much as the large SUV retains its boxy offroader with squared-off, bulky proportions and high-rise stance with chunky tyres.
The standard exterior features across the model range include:
LED daytime running lights, alloy wheels, and a full-size spare fixed on the tailgate that frees space for a long-range fuel tank, adding a 63L sub-tank to the 87L main tank to give a 150L capacity.
If you’re not a big fan of the spare tyre mounted on the rear end, you can opt for the no-cost flat tailgate configuration with an opening glass hatch. It is available on the GXL and above variants, with the spare finding a place under the rear floor. Of course, it eliminates the 63L sub-tank facility.
The GXL and above variants also feature bi-LED headlights complementing the LED daytime running lights and side steps for effortless entry/exit.
There are ten exterior paint colour choices for this model, including:
- Glacier White
- Ebony (black)
- Crystal Pearl (white)*
- Silver Pearl*
- Graphite*
- Wildfire (red)*
- Peacock Black*
- Eclipse Black*
- Dusty Bronze*
- Espresso Brown*
*Premium hues require you to pay $675 extra.
Interior
The bold and modern exterior design complements the luxurious and practical interior well. It features a roomy cabin, a centre stack with different drive controls, woodgrain touches (in Kakadu), and a cool refrigerated box (in VX and Kakadu) or a cool ventilated box (in GX and GXL).
Just like the exterior, we do not find many changes in the interior except the upgraded infotainment system with a new OS. The centre stack is almost the same we have seen for years, boasting digital automatic climate control displays and an area reserved for drive controls.
The two things that catch most of your attention are an electroluminescent combi meter with a colour Multi-Information Display and the upgraded 9.0-inch colour screen. The infotainment system supports AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility (with wires only). A 14-speaker JBL branded sound system entertains you while the 3-zone climate control comforts you at all times (GXL, VX & Kakadu only). Besides, the standard satellite navigation offers no-cost navigation map upgrades for the first three years.
Although you would have appreciated more USB options (unfortunately, one available only) in the first row, you will be pleased with the headroom and legroom, the heated and cooled seats and a fridge in the centre console.
The second-row seats offer suitable knee and headroom for adults, where you can also accommodate kids in between. Speaking of children in the second row, you get ISOFIX points on the two outboard seats linked with top tether points for all three seats.
To move to the third row, you must slide the second-row seats forward and tilt them. Here you will find the kids more comfortable than the adults, but you can always slide the second-row seats forward to gain more space in the third row. The driver can electrically lift the third row for easy accessibility.
Behind the third row, the new Toyota LandCruiser Prado offers 120 litres of cargo capacity. Fold down the third row to extend the space to 620 litres and the second row for 1833 litres of boot space. A 230V power outlet in the cargo area is constructive during camping excursions.
Safety
The Toyota Prado earned a five-star ANCAP safety score in 2010, which shows how strongly built and technically advanced it is in driver assistance. The ANCAP didn’t test the recent models of Prado. Still, Toyota added the latest safety features to this muscular offroader. The Toyota Safety Sense is a part of the package for all models, including:
- Pre-collision safety system with pedestrian/cyclist detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Traffic sign recognition
- Active cruise control – high speed
- Automatic high-beam
- Road Sign Assist
Now we know about the new Prado’s exterior, interior, tech, and safety features. Let’s see the standard features available for each trim level. It will allow you to pick the Prado best suited for your needs.
Standard Features Across The Toyota Landcruiser Prado Range
Toyota Landcruiser Prado GXL Standard Features:
Sporting 17-inch alloy wheels, the main highlights of the GX include:
- A 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (wired) support.
- A 4.2-inch multi-information display.
- Satellite navigation.
- Heated mirrors with power folding.
- Air-conditioned centre console.
- Keyless entry & start.
Apart from the trailer sway control, cargo blind, and puddle lights, the new Prado has seven airbags, a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, and hill-descent control.
The five-seat configuration is standard, and adding another row would cost an extra $2,550.
Toyota Landcruiser Prado GXL Standard Features:
A step above is the GXL, with everything you get in the GX, plus the third row of seating, the privacy glass, the leatherette steering wheel, and three-zone climate control. It gets Bi-LED headlights, side steps, and roof rails from the outside.
It also features rear parking sensors, a rear differential lock, and an alarm system. Adding leather accented seats (ventilated, heated, and powered front, heated in the back) will set you back an additional $3,470.
Toyota Landcruiser Prado VX Standard Features
The LandCruiser Prado VX is a step down from the flagship Kakadu having all the features you love in the GXL and more. The 17-inch alloy wheels grow one inch bigger, and the rearview mirror gets auto-dimming functionality. Toyota also adds front parking sensors, surround-view cameras, a refrigerated coolbox, DAB+ digital radio, and a 14-speaker JBL sound system.
Toyota Landcruiser Prado Kakadu Standard Features
The Toyota Landcruiser Prado Kakadu is the most luxurious and refined Prado grade. The vehicle boasts a tilt and slide moonroof, faux wood steering wheel, paddle shifters, drive mode selector, and multi-terrain selector. The four-link rear suspension with air springs, adaptive variable suspension, five-speed crawl control, and rear-seat entertainment system are standard.
A flat tailgate is a no-cost option for the GXL, VX, and Kakadu variants.
Accessories
If all these features aren’t enough, you can always add accessories to make the most of your Landcruiser Prado. Toyota Australia offers two main accessory packs: Adventure Pack and Weekend Getaways Pack.
The Adventure Pack adds an alloy bull bar (commercial), light bar (installation kit not included), snorkel, roof rack with alloy roof tray, and weather shields. All these accessories are available separately, as well.
The Weekend Getaways brings a nudge bar (black), light bar, bonnet protector (tinted), roof racks with a bike carrier, tow bar, tow ball, and trailer wiring harness.
There are 12 accessories the automaker is offering for customers in Australia to step up this offroader’s appearance, protection, and technology.
Price
The 2022 Toyota LandCruiser Prado GX starts at $60,830 (excluding on-road costs). The GXL demands $67,530 at least, while the VX costs $77,157. The range-topper Prado Kakadu goes for $87,807 (excluding on-road costs).
The price of a used Toyota LandCruiser Prado depends on the model year, trim level, mileage, and condition. For instance, a good condition 2008 Prado GXL should be available for around $25,000, while the 2003 Prado GXL might cost you about $17,000.
No, wait times anymore! For the best-in-shape Prados at affordable prices in Australia, visit us at 14 Buckingham Drive, Wangara. We can also help you with car finance, trade-ins, and buying used Prados.
Warranty
All the Prado models come with a 5-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. The best part is the capped price service costs $260 for the first three years. Toyota recommends servicing after every six months or 10,000km, which is relatively frequent.
Who Should Buy the Toyota LandCruiser Prado?
The Toyota LandCruiser Prado is a perfect family haulier, without a doubt. The seven-seat arrangement is ideal for a family with kids to stretch their legs during a lengthy journey. Besides, the separate folding third-row seats and split-fold second row add to its practicality.
The four-door family wagon is equally capable off the road with the ability to conquer almost all terrains and 3000 pounds towing capacity. In other words, it is an ideal 4×4 for a once-in-a-lifetime journey around Australia.
Last but not least, Toyota’s massive network of dealerships aids in offering additional reassurance.
Should You Buy New or Used Toyota LandCruiser Prado?
Well, it is your personal choice, but I vote for the used Landcruiser Prado for a few reasons.
1. All the Landcruiser Prado models are reliable with excellent built quality.
2. Either you go for third-generation or fourth-generation, the engine power varies slightly. The older 150 series came with a 202kW/381Nm petrol manual, which is much more potent than the current turbo diesel.
3. The older models had more engine options; for instance, the second-generation Prado came with three powerplant choices, including:
- 112kW/240Nm 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine
- 179kW/343Nm 4.0-litre DOHC VVT-i V6
- 96kW/343Nm 3.0-litre SOHC four-cylinder turbo-diesel.
4. For every Prado series, Toyota carried most of the standard equipment for every new model year. What you get for the 2009 Prado will probably get the same in the 2012 Prado. Even the 2020 and 2021 models are almost identical in design and equipment.
5. Last but not least, the used Prado models are much more affordable than the new variants. Head over to our Mad Man Motors stock list to buy the most reasonably priced used Toyota Landcruiser Prado models.
Conclusion
The next time you’re in the market for a family SUV, consider purchasing the Toyota Landcruiser Prado. It offers plenty of space for passengers or cargo, which is perfect for families or people who need transport.
We’ll help you get the latest used Toyota Landcruiser Prado at Mad Man Motors. We will even help you with trade-ins and get the best interest rates on car finance.
