Prado with extra punch and class

The latest Prado consists of a four-model range - two TX models and two VX higher-specced models, made up of a 3.0-litre turbocharged and intercooled diesel that thumps out 120 kW and 400 Nm and a 4.0-litre V6 petrol version that produces a healthy 202 kW and 381 Nm.

The diesel engine power is up by 25% over the current model and the torque has been boosted by 17%.

The new petrol engine has 23 kW more power than the current model and torque is up fractionally by 5 Nm.

All four variations are full time 4WD linked to a five-speed automatic transmission.

The two flagship VX options are the first to arrive in South Africa and the TX models are expected here early in 2010.

So? How good is it? Really…

But before we get bogged down by detail, let's answer the one question everybody is asking: “Is it as good as the current and previous models?”

The answer is an unequivocal yes and in many ways it's quite a lot better than the current model.

For some, the grill might bling it on a bit.

And the news has spread so rapidly that dealers already have orders for 900 and Toyota says they will all be sold before the end of this year.

Besides its extra muscle and tons of new sophisticated onboard equipment the most impressive feature of the new Prado is its comfort, class and seriously superior ride.

It might be the tough conqueror of Africa, but in its latest guise it can also give many a snazzy saloon a go for their money when it comes to on-tar cruising. Progress is creamy smooth and the cabin is the best insulated I have come across in any other SUV of late.

It was the oil-burner in particular that impressed. The engine noise levels are streets ahead of the deep and often cabin-intruding clatter of so many diesels. And, in fact, at full tonk, it's even quieter than its V6 petrol-swirling sister Prado.

A nip and tuck here and there

I was part of the first group of South African motoring journos to drive the two new Prado models on a three-day round-about journey that took us from Paarl to the West Coast and back on good and bad tar roads, fair and rough gravel roads, a number of tarred and untarred mountain passes and the tough Klein Tafelberg off-road course where we crawled over rocky terrain and ploughed through thick sand¬¬ - and both models were hugely impressive.

click to enlarge

In the looks department the new generation Prado is not all that much different from its predecessor…..a bit of nip and tuck and a little cosmetic surgery here and there, but not so that you will notice it immediately until you slide inside. The cabin length has increased by 35mm and width by 5mm so there is now also more space between driver and front passenger.

The seating arrangement has been changed (for the better) and now features a sliding second row that provide for “step-in” entry to the third row. The third row seats can be folded flat under the floor when not in use via a nifty press-button operation to provide instant extra luggage space.

Room for the kitchen sink

There is lots of storage space and door pockets for maps, fags, glasses whatever and the cabin boasts a cooling system to keep the Windhoek chilled on the long haul up to Kgalagadi.

A great driver aid is an eight-sensor sonar system which detects obstacles around the vehicle which the driver can evaluate on a multi-information display.

There's ample load space.

One of the all-new additions to the Prado is a multi-terrain monitoring system with which the driver can select a camera view of the terrain at the front, sides or back of the vehicle.

The clever Toyota white coats have also developed a system of integrated cameras in both side mirrors so that the driver can view his tyres on both the left and right at the same time.

Other nice creature comforts in the cabin include super luxury seating, automatic climate control which gives rear passengers the option of their own settings and a super 14 speaker sound system with hands-free Bluetooth connectivity.

Crawl control for those rocky situations

The upmarket VX models now also boast with Crawl Control to make progress smoother and safer over extreme rocky terrain, particularly when descending steep gradients and when fording through water and anywhere where traction is tricky.

Built to handle the road or the rocks.

Another new feature is multi-terrain select where the driver can adjust settings to Mud and Sand; Rock; Loose Rock or what Toyota calls Moguls for compacted sandy conditions.

A new world first in suspension technology is KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) which improves driving safety and comfort both on- and off-road. The hydraulic system stabilises and moves the balance between the front and rear stabilisers when vehicle roll occurs.

The VX models also have a rear differential lock, height adjustable rear suspension and HDD satellite navigation.

Besides a long list of passive safety features the new Prado also now has standard ABS which works on all terrains, as well as multi-terrain ABS which only operates when multi-terrain select is switched on with Mud and Sand mode selected.

Warning sensors help you avoid dinging your prized possession.click to enlarge

It also comes with Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

Passenger protection comes in the shape of driver and passenger front airbags, driver knee airbag and side airbags plus full length curtain side airbags for all three rows of seats.

The VX models also have 18-inch wheels.

So what's it cost?

There is a substantial price difference between the VX and TX models (estimated to be about R90 000 although the prices of the TX range have not yet been finalised) with the VX armed with a number of key features not found on the TX models.

The VX vehicles are priced at R637 900 for the diesel and R650 000 for the petrol version. Of the two vehicles I preferred the low-down grunt of the diesel, particularly in off-road conditions. The five-speed auto box also seems to suit the diesel engine better than the petrol model.

Other than the front grille which some find a little too bling and the slightly confusing location of the audio and aircon controls there was little else to disapprove of in the new Prado.

There was a noticeable thumping noise in the luggage compartment of both models which probably requires only a relatively minor screw tightening or adjustment to sort out.

Because of the “newness” and recent arrival of the new Prado in South Africa no local fuel testing, emissions and performance tests have been done, so we were not given any “official” Toyota figures.

Certainly both the diesel and petrol model was quick off the mark and happy to cruise along with ease, even at speeds in excess of local legal speed limits.

The onboard system did indicate rather thirsty inclinations but these are not entirely fair as different drivers drove the different vehicles over different stretches of road.

Besides, the fortunate fellows who can afford to sign a cheque for R650 000 for a new top-of-the-range Prado VX V6 are not likely to bothered too much about fuel costs.

The Prado Land Cruiser's main opponents are probably the Land Rover Discovery and Mitsubishi Pajero, both of which will be hard-pressed to match the quality and capability, comfort, and reputation for rock-solid reliability that the Prado exudes.

Prado Specifications