Australia’s best-selling large SUV for 10 of the past 12 years, the Toyota Prado, has been upgraded with a raft of new features, including an enhanced infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, improved safety systems and a more powerful engine.
There are no changes to the external design of the 2020 Toyota LandCruiser Prado, which arrives in showrooms from October 1, but prices have risen across the range between $2000 and almost $3000 depending on the variant.
The Prado is the latest Toyota model to get a significant price hike, following similar moves with the updated HiLux and Fortuner and the new Yaris, but the Australian market leader appears confident Australian buyers will pay a premium for its products.
Toyota Prado rivals include the Ford Everest, Nissan Pathfinder and Mazda CX-9.
Manual versions of the Prado are no longer available and the entry-level GX model grades now opens the range at $59,840 plus on-road costs, while the GXL now costs $66,540 -- both representing a rise of $2850.
The Toyota Prado VX is now priced at $76,380 (up $2754), while the range-topping Kakadu is an $87,030 proposition -- up $2084.
All models have a three-row, seven-seat layout except the GX, which is a five-seat vehicle.
As previously reported, the major mechanical change for the new Prado is the upgraded 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, which carries over from the 2020 Toyota HiLux and Fortuner.
Despite the heavily modified four-cylinder engine cranking out 20kW more power and 50Nm more torque (for a total of 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm over 1600-2800rpm), towing capacity remains unchanged at 3000kg.
Toyota has fitted a new turbocharger, modified cylinder block and head, reworked exhaust manifold and new pistons. Fuel economy has dropped slightly from 8.0L/100km to 7.9L/100km.
However, the diesel particulate filter (DPF) issues that have plagued the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine in the Prado, HiLux and Fortuner (resulting in a class-action lawsuit against Toyota) have apparently not been addressed.
Like its predecessor, the Toyota Prado retains a twin fuel tank set-up, with a massive 150-litre capacity thanks to an 87-litre main tank and a 63-litre sub tank.
Also as before, the Japanese-built Toyota Prado has a full-time 4x4 system with a dual-range six-speed automatic transmission.
Standard safety features for all models have been upgraded with autonomous emergency braking now able to detect cars and pedestrians day and night, and cyclists during the day.
The lane departure alert system has been upgraded to include active lane keeping assist but, unlike more advanced systems that are linked to electric power steering, the Prado dabs the brakes on one side of the vehicle to attempt to keep it within its lane.
Toyota has added a new road-sign recognition system that scans speed limit signs and displays them on the instrument panel and can override the cruise control settings. As with the previous model, adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert are available.
Inside, the updated Toyota Prado comes with a bigger 9.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system that now offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay when plugged in via USB.
Toyota says the Prado's voice recognition system has been improved and the myToyota app also enables several third-party apps to work with the touch-screen, including Waze sat-nav, AccuWeather and Stitcher.
Entry-level five-seat Prado GX variants come with automatic rain-sensing wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels, sat-nav, reversing camera, air-conditioning and keyless entry/start.
Third-row seating is a $2550 option on the GX.
All models except the GX can be ordered with a full-size spare wheel mounted underneath the car instead of the rear tailgate, but this deletes the secondary fuel tank.
Toyota Prado GXL models come standard with seven seats, three-zone climate control, LED headlights, fog lights and daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, roof rails and side steps.
The up-spec Prado VX gets power-operated, leather-accented, heated and cooled front seats, along with heated second-row seats – all of which can be added to the GLX via an option pack ($3470).
VX model grades also get larger 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, digital radio, premium 14-speaker JBL sound, plus panoramic and multi-terrain monitors, a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert.
At the top of the tree is the Toyota Prado Kakadu, which gets paddle shifters in addition to the upgraded touch-screen system with Apple and Android phone mirroring.
Carryover Kakadu features include advanced one-touch ‘multi-terrain’ off-road systems with crawl control, carpet floor mats, a moonroof, adaptive suspension with auto-levelling rear air suspension plus a rear seat entertainment screens.
Half of the the four-variant Toyota Prado range continues to attract luxury car tax (LCT), which from July 1 this year charges 33 cents in every dollar over $68,740.
Despite the price rises, the Toyota Prado is expected to continue its reign as the large SUV king in Australia thanks to its strong reputation for reliability and resale value.
"With added performance, improved safety and enhanced connectivity, Australians will be able to explore this country in even greater comfort, knowing they will be kept safe and entertained at every stage of the journey," said Toyota Australia’s head of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley.
"As COVID-19 restrictions lift, more people will explore their own backyard as a destination of choice, with driving holidays high on the agenda and the changes we have made to Prado give it an even greater capability and appeal,” he said.
There are now 10 exterior colours available with the new addition of Espresso Brown, and all vehicles are covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Toyota offers a capped-price servicing program for the first three years.
The next-generation Toyota Prado based on the new TNGA ladder platform is due closer to the middle of the decade and will deploy a new hybrid engine among other features.