Toyota Prado VX-L preserves tradition
Specifications:
Engine: 2.8-litre, turbo diesel Power: 150kW @ 3000-3400rpm Torque: 500Nm @ 1600-2800rpm Gears: Six-speed automatic
Drive: All-wheel drive
Economy: 7.9-litres/100km claim)
Fuel tank size: 87 + 63 = 150L Theoretic range: 1765km
Tyres: 265/60 R18
Kerb Weight: 2420kg
Ground clearance: 220mm.
Vehicles like the recently upgraded 2022 Toyota land cruiser Prado, which has been popular on the local market, are well positioned due to the sUV's continuous rise.
This diesel-powered off-roader was recently available for me for a test drive.
like they say a Toyota is a Toyota. Nothing beats a Toyota in terms of brand perception.
Toyota is the most popular auto brand in Zimbabwe and in the world. Among its iconic models is the land cruiser Prado, which is a go-to for people who don't need the full-fat land cruiser's powerful engine or its hefty price tag but still want more luxury and sophistication than the Fortuner's bakkie-based design can provide. Toyota is a brand built on decades of reliability and trustworthiness.
Toyota tops the list of who makes the most cars. it’s Number One in the world. it sold nearly 10.5 million vehicles in 2021, more than anyone else.
A lawyer friend who owns a number of high-end sUVs, gave me his flagship land cruiser Prado VX-l for a week to drive on my trip to Kariba.
he has a soft spot for me because i have advised him on a number of occasions on which car to buy. in contrast to south Africa, local dealerships believe they are doing the media a huge favour whenever you request a test drive for a review. however, they will criticise you when you write what they find objectionable about their brand.
Dealerships should actually embrace and support these reviews for they are read by the public and sway their customers opinion.
Despite the limited number of demo vehicles available for test drives, i must admit that Toyota Zimbabwe, Zimoco and Autoworld do their best to avail vehicles for test drives. however, more could be done. My loyalty ultimately lies with the reader, so let's examine the Toyota Prado XV-l.
Exterior
(automaker's
The Prado line has received aesthetic tweaks that have modernised the exterior. The headlamps, front grille, bumper, and bonnet now resemble recent Toyota sUVs, and the side profile has received muchneeded updates thanks to the new alloy wheels and modifications to the front and rear bumpers. The rear end has redesigned bumper, thinner garnish plate, and taillights with a c-shaped motif.
Overall, the Prado is still an off-roader that looks tough and practical and more closely resembles its now-out-of-production land cruiser 200 sister.
Interior
Although the interior of the Prado has received some updates, including the lower centre console, a new digitised instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch infotainment system with smartphone integration, a flush-fitting climate control panel, and new material finishes, things still have a dated appearance, especially after seeing the land cruiser 300.
The Prado offers a flexible 7-seat arrangement with between 104 and 974 litres of cargo capacity from a practicality standpoint. i was pleasantly pleased by how much the Prado could hold since we were travelling down to Kariba with three people, all of our fishing gear, and an entire boat in tow.
Performance
The replacement of the outdated yet unbreakable 3.0-litre engine with the more modern 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine found in the Fortuner and hilux is major news for the Prado. A 6-speed torque converter automatic is teamed with the new oil-burner, which generates 150kW and 500Nm of torque and drives all four wheels.
Our week with the car coincided with the aforementioned excursion to Kariba for a holiday, proving that the engine has significantly improved the Prado's overall refinement and performance.
This required packing the car to the brim with three passengers, the racing machine, its trailer, and all of the necessary racing gear for the weekend. i'm pleased to report that the Prado handled the journey with ease. Although the boat about 1500 kg, it never seemed as though i was pulling anything, which is to be anticipated given that the Prado can tow a stated 3 000 kg.
i didn't get an opportunity to evaluate the vehicles' off-road performance because i used it mainly on the highway plastered with potholes here and there. it rode the potholes with aplomb.
Safety
The 2011 ANcAP evaluation program in Australia conducted a crash test on the land cruiser Prado, giving it the highest possible 5-star grade. This rating is somewhat ancient; however, the updated Prado's premium VX-l model includes seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear isOFiX child seat anchor points, front and rear PDc, and a surround-view camera as standard equipment.
Fuel consumption
The Prado has a massive 150-lite gasoline tank, which is made up of an 87-litre main tank and a 63-litre auxiliary tank. When combined with the claimed fuel consumption rate of 7.9 l/100 km, this gives the vehicle a cruising range of 1 765 km.
i managed a solid 10.1 l/100km combined consumption rate throughout my time with the vehicle, which included the aforementioned towing.
Verdict
Despite being almost ten years old on the local market, the land cruiser Prado has undergone changes that have made it acceptable modern while retaining all of the qualities that make it a fantastic family travel vehicle.
it should be considered by people searching for a family car for over $100,000 UsD, however i would stay away from the 4.0-liter V6 petrol and opt instead for the 2.8-liter diesel.