FOLLOWING ITS UNVEILING in September, Toyota Australia has now launched the fourth-generation 150 Series Toyota Prado.
Available in five and three-door bodystyles with a total of fourteen variants, Toyota expects the new Prado to take the brand beyond 150,000 Australian sales for 2009.
We got behind the wheel to tackle a variety of terrians and road surfaces - including some challenging inclines - in and around Orange in NSW. It gave us a good look at the new Prado’s on and off-road abilities.
Conditions ranged from regular highway cruising to an extreme terrain 4WD competition course.
Styling
Slightly larger than the outgoing model, the new Prado is 80mm longer, 10mm wider and 15mm lower. This gives it a wider stance, although it still looks a little tippy-toes on tarmac, especially the three door.
According to Toyota, the changes to the new Prado’s styling and lower overall height improve aerodynamics, cutting the new model’s drag coefficient from 0.37Cd to 0.35.
With a new LandCruiser 200 Series-inspired “three-dimensional” grille and angular healights, Toyota’s intent was to create a wide, distinctive and recognisable countenance. We can’t yet decide our view; it is certainly unmistakeable, but some may find the lines challenging.
A higher beltline dominates the Prado’s profile on both the five and three-door bodystyles, while sharply-styled bumpers highlight the short overhangs front and rear.
LED lights feature in the Prado’s integrated door mirror indicators and tail-lights, and a body-coloured rear spoiler houses the rear-window wiper and LED centre high-mounted stop lamp.
The Interior
Following a design theme Toyota describes as “Intelligent Modern”, the new Prado’s interior combines strong horizontal and vertical lines for a ‘rugged’ contemporary feel. There is something a bit Land Rover-ish about the design elements here.
The instrument cluster features a pair of stylish cylindrical meters. Prado GX, GXL and SX have back-lit meters, while the VX, Kakadu and ZR trims offer more vibrant vacuum-fluorescent Optitron meters.
A four-spoke steering wheel with steering-mounted controls is standard across the range. GXL, VX and SX models get audio and telephone controls, while the Kakadu and ZR trims get multi-information and camera controls.
Protruding through the centre of the dash, the upper instrument panel and centre-stack adds a refined utilitarian look, while interior spot-lighting has been designed to provide a comfortable and appealing ambience.
Larger apertures feature in the front and rear doors, and multiple grab handles offer easier entry and exit.
The new Prado five-door features a sliding second-row seat, while the third-row seat folds flat rather than against the side windows, offering improved storage space.
Equipment and Features
The 2010 Prado features a range of Driver Assist Technology systems (DAT), including Active Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control on all models.
Other DAT systems include constant four-wheel drive and ABS ant-skid brakes, featuring Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist.
Hill-start Active Control (to prevent rolling backwards), Downhill Active Control (reducing drive input when descending steep inclines) and Toyota’s CRAWL system - currently standard fitment on the larger LandCruiser 200 Series - also feature on the new model.
Designed to assist drivers navigating tricky terrain, CRAWL is a ‘feet-off’ control system that operates in low-range and replaces Downhill Assist Control.
The system has been designed to minimise wheel spin and lock on rocky and sandy tracks, also making itself useful in escaping mud traps.
Seven airbags are fitted as standard, including two-stage driver’s airbag, driver’s knee airbag, front-passenger front airbag, front-seat side airbags and side curtain-shield airbags.
Front-seat head restraints are standard, improving occupant protection in a rear-end collision.
Featuring rear camera views, outside air temperature and trip information, Prado GXL, VX, SX, Kakadu and ZR models get a 4.3-inch display in the instrument cluster.
Trip information includes cruising range, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption, fuel consumption since refuelling, average speed and total run time.
On VX, Kakadu and ZR models, owners can tailor vehicle functions, such as door unlock sequence, lights-off timing and auto headlamps-on level.
Three-zone climate-control air-conditioning is featured in GXL, VX and Kakadu specs, offering separate controls for both front occupants and controls for rear-seat passengers.
Three-door SX and ZR models have dual-zone air-conditioning, with separate controls for the driver and front passenge. The entry-level GX offers push-button single-zone manual air-conditioning as standard.
Four audio systems are available across the Prado range, each offering iPod, Bluetooth, USB and Aux connectivity.
Prado GX, GXL and SX models offer a six-speaker audio system with AM/FM radio and CD player. The VX howvever comes with a nine-speaker audio system, including a six-disc CD multi-changer. Kakadu, SX, ZR, GXL and VX models feature steering-mounted audio controls.
The three-door ZR and the Kakadu five-door both offer a premium Pioneer audio system with DVD-based satellite navigation. The range-topping Kakadu also offers rear-seat DVD entertainment as standard equipment.
Mechanical Package
There are two engines on offer for new Prado; one petrol and one diesel.
Producing 202kW at 5600rpm and 381Nm of torque at 4400pm (with 310Nm available from 1200rpm), the 4.0 litre V6 petrol engine can be paired with a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission with sequential shifting.
Fuel economy has been improved by 12 percent on the five-door petrol automatic, listing a fuel consumption figure of 11.5 l/100km, while the petrol manual lists a figure of 13.0 l/100km.
The Prado’s 3.0 litre turbo-diesel, standard in the three-door bodystyle and the five-door GX, gets new injectors and a front-mounted intercooler.
Producing 127kW at 3400rpm and 410Nm between 1600 to 2800rpm, the turbo-diesel engine lists a fuel consumption figure of 8.5 l/100km in automatic guise, and 8.8 l/100km when paired with the manual transmission.
The three-door automatic turbo-diesel lists a fuel economy of 8.3 l/100km.
Both the six-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions are matched to a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a lockable Torsen centre differential and two-speed transfer.
For smoother shifting, the six-speed manual features a triple-cone synchromesh on first, second and third gears. The manual transmission is available on five-door GX and GXL model grades only.
Replacing the conventional transfer lever, the new Prado has a dial to control the high/low transfer settings.
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Overpriced, overweight, overrated.
“According to Toyota, the new Prado was designed to “drive like a sports car” on the road”
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Geez Toyota are full of themselves! (Nothing new there I guess)
Overall, I think the new Prado is uglier, more expensive and a waste of space. But they will still sell thousands to all the Soccer Mums out there *eye roll*
bigger bigger bigger in this time when are they going to start getting smaller , it is bigger that a land cruiser was in the early 80s no wonder the fuel economy figuires are so bad . We need the car companys to start reducing the size of vehicles it means less weight and then better fuel economy and better performance not to mention less natural resources required to build them
Shocking interior…don’t like it at all…plus way too expensive …stop getting greedy Toyota
I have had a look at the new Prado and it is not worth the money..Would rather buy a 12 month old BMW X5 for the same money and in 5 years time the BMW will be worth more than the Prado…It is at least 10k over priced..Toyota is just too greedy
I always wonder why 3 doors in 4WD are the same price as 5 doors? You would think they would be a bit less.
Prado looks good I will buy one I can afford one it will be well built it will hold it’s value and my soccer mum wife and 5 kids will love it I will drive it to frazer island it will not get bogged it will go off road all the time it will pick the kids up from school .Horses for coarses pull you poor little heads in if you can’t afford one.
Well Im trying to remain open minded but this is more baloney from Toyota.
This vehicle may be up there with refinement and technology but its cleary “OVER PRICED, OVER WEIGHT & OVER RATED”.
I cant get past the retro interior and externally its the usual generic weird Toyota look where ever thing looks as though its been pulled, pushed and squashed, not a good look, its the same for Lexus!.
The introduction of the two door is another Mitsubishi influence as was the birth of Prado some time ago.
Toyota had to combat the Pajero by developing a similar vehicle with a similar name.
If you can beat them just copy them…..
Chris,
I just came back from Cooloola National Park and watched countless 120 series prado’s getting bogged becase the IFS front ends sat too low and they basically beached themselves on the ruts.
We were in a gutless beaten up troopy which had no problems at all.
Toyota 4WD’s are not what they used to be. They may have endless amounts of driver assists, but when your body sits to low to the ground all those electronics mean nothing!
AB - 4WDs with IFS front ends lack articulation as you can see in the pics for this article (the downward travel of the front wheels is a lot more limited), but they generally offer more clearance under their diffs than live axle cars.
Check it out next time…
Jimbob,
thanks for telling me what I already know.
IFS 4WD’s also have a bash plate under them to protect the more delicate set up. This is what I continuously see bottoming out.
check it out next time….
33 grand difference between 5 door wagon and Kakadu diesel. I think Toyota is getting greedier by the year. Every year the Toyotas just get bigger and heavier. I hope the fast improving Korean vehicles bring them back to earth with a thud.
Steven A, ‘the vehicle may be up there with technology and refinement but its clearly overpriced, overweight and over rated’. This antedote or collection of your opinion is quite contradictory, yes you must be a pajero owner. Mike, question: will a bmw x5 go offroad and also it keeps approximately 60 percent of it’s original value compared to the prado’s superior 62 percent; which means more money come trade in. AB, by the way the new prado has 220 mm of ground clearance compared to the troop carriers 215 mm of ground clearance, so they were probably just inexperienced offroad drivers.David, fuel economy as low as 8.8 litres per 100km is very good fuel consumption, in fact it’s equal to a 4 cylinder camry’s and beats many other small cars, so know your facts. Everyone: If the prado’s such a bad suv, then why is it the highest selling medium-large suv on the market, why has it won overland 4wd magazines best medium sized four wheel drive award (for more than two years in a row) and finally why has toyota received first place in JD power’s reliability and durability awards!..I rest my case…
David,
We are all entitled to our opinion and some of us are more objective than others it seems.
Im not making contradictory comments and Im not a Pajero owner but I think its clear that you may have an affiliation of sorts with Toyota.
Just because most everyone here is contributing their personal opinion and is stating facts that clearly you dont agree with doesnt make them wrong.
No doubt there are good points about the new model Toyota PraJero but I stand by my coments and I keep in mind that the current generation Mitsubishi Pajero is nearing the end of its model life and has consistently been a multi-award winning vehicle and its new Diesel engine may even be more fuel efficient or similar to that of the new PraJero.
Also more sales dont necessarily mean a superior product, just look at the problem plagued Holden Commodore.
Hmmm David if you are a happy Toyota owner then good for you, not everyone demands exciting designs and generic designs are fine too.
Enough said, Im boarding a plane now and wont be reading or responding to any further.
just wondering which toyota dealership you work for David?
I don’t work for toyota or even own a toyota. However, if the new prado 150 series is a such a bad proposition then please sugguest another 4wd for the price that can equal the toyota’s reliability, durability, quality and even fuel economy. Sure the new prado is quite expensive, but with cars, you generally ‘get what you’ve paid for’.
I am with David on this one!
It seems to me that there is a **** load of tyre kickers out there, that all know best!
I have owned Holden’s, Ford’s, Mitsubishi’s and Toyota’s.
It’s hard to go back to any other make once you have owned a Toyota, the difference sometimes is not in your face, but ofter a few months OWNING a toyota, it is obvious once you go back!
No I do not work for Toyota, yes my last 2 cars have been toyota, and with the new Prado on order, so will be my 3rd!
I own a 2008 Toyota Prado Grande and I’m a soccer mum with 2 kids and I absolutely love the car, its the safest I’ve ever owned and has all the features we need as a family .
Would I order a newer one? Absolutely! And as Chris said ‘if you can’t afford one then bollock it all you like’.
I had completely decided on buying the Mitsubishi Pajero X, at $10k less than the Prado and what I believe is a more advanced and is more powerful diesel engine, felt great to drive compared to Prado too (on the road) although only took the full size wagons for a drive. Mitsubishi has stopped making the 3 door Pajero (and all petrol versions) for 2010, so now I am ordering a Prado… The look grows on me every time I see it, and all of the gimmicky extras on the Prado will surely provide hours of entertainment.
…well after all that talk,the fact is toyota is losing its styling and design prowess all their new models seem to be balooning and bulky!!!…this goes for the new corolla,prado,VX,mark X…I dont know about their performance but for me design comes first and the only new model worth mentioning is the 2007 caldina.At this rate,toyota is indeed loosing its swagga.
Loosing it’s SWAGGA dont’t think the prado was built for little boys in da hood. My wife just drove the new prado and put her order in on the gxl on the road for $60 750 not a bad price. Drive it soccer mums you will love it as we do .
Hi, chris
I just drove the new prado and thought it was amazing. the dealer told us $70,000 drive away and that toyota wont be discounting their new car; I was just wondering what toyota dealership you went to for your fantastic deal. Thanks for your time.
Hi david If they want that sale tell them to match it ,if not try someone who will . Ross Llewellyn motors is where I buy my cars and they are great to deal with.
Thanks Chris, i’ll give them a try.
I bought a GXL new in January 2007 for $53500. I recently received a trade-in price on it for $45500 from two separate dealerships. To say I am happy with the resale figure of the Prado after three years is an understatement.
Previously owned a 2005 GXL Prado manual after many years in Holdens and found it to be one of the best cars i have ever owned. Traded the Prado for a Lexus IS250X and got really spoilt and am now putting the wife into a Kluger Grande. Looked at many brands at all different prices but still came back to Toyota. Sure they can be a little bland with their designs but great build quality, reliability, resale and brand strength its hard to go wrong.
Guys - lets face it - you are paying for quality and technology here. That is why they hold their value so well. No matter what you say, you cannot argue with the fact that this is cutting edge technology, good quality, and strong resale. What more can you ask for in a car?
how much this car in US $
Hi,
For all of you arguiing about this rubish car.
All 4wd’s are waste of space and of course money, you dont need to drive 50 thousand or 200 thousand dollar 4wd to drive them to work, let’s donate some of your petrol money to the people who needs. not to mention expensive servicing or even changing tyres, they’re 3 to 4 times more than normal sedan cars.
Most of you would probaby drive them to work everyday, and 1 in 5 would take it to the bush or to the beach once a year. so it work out a lot cheaper to just hire one when you needed them.
Don’t waste your money for nothing, use it wisely. Thank You
Nqquyv.
Why do Australians like to bag and knock things they know little about? Kinda gets me rolling my eyes with the soccer mum tags.
The Prado is king for all rounder everything.Heck,why would i buy a Prado if i just do 4 -wheel drivng? Because we drive it to work also and shop init ! and even take it to Fraser every year.
I must say,the new look scares me a little but maybe it will grow on me like the VL commodore.Maybe the stlye hits me because the side guard flanks have been deleted.
Im wanting the GXL deisel and trade my 2004 GXL auto petrol
any idea of trade in values people?
The Prado is KING-Game over !
Check out redbook.com.au, its what dealers use to give you a trade in price, its also accurate within a few thousand dollars depending on the vehicles condition. By the way nqquyv stick to the toyota prius and continue hugging trees.
Have owned the 150 series for 2 weeks and travelled 1500 klms it is as you would expect if not better. The new look grows on you and it will become better looking then it’s lil brother. Does not seem to be as powerfull as the 120 but it is a new motor still taking it easy. MORE THEN HAPPY SO FAR .
To dispense with the tosser talk and get to the facts - I have a GXL auto diesel 120 series. It’s the fifth Prado I have had for good reasons -
Better built, better supported all over Aus, better resale, better travelling range, good economy & so good to use day by day.
Suer they have been used as shopping trollies, fishing vehicles, occasional bush bashers and towing a large off road van (regularly) in remote areas of our great land.
To the weenies who say the’re too big and too heavy on fuel, they use less road space and fuel than the good old Commode or rusty Falcon. So what’s the problem?
Well the new 150 has grown too fat, too expensive, it’s lost 30 litres of fuel capacity and the engines have to lug an extra 200 kg of metal. Looks ok though.
How’s that for balanced comment folks?
hi to all the readers! to start with am not an aussie and am not an american. i dnt live any where near australia or the usa either. and more i do not work for toyota! as the saying goes “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”. well to judge the new prado to be ugly or nice is up to one’s own opinion. but talking abt reliabiliy i am 100% toyota fan! i own 3 previous prado models and was really satisfied. i also own a Benz Ml 350 and a BMW 3 series. nothing really beats when ur using an off roader. who cares if u only drive it for work or shopping! that’s the fun of it! my camry also is doing well! so to all of u who hates the new prado let urself drool and to all prado lovers kudos to everyone and enjoy ur safe ride! THE END…
oh yeah btw to add some more… i just got my new VX-L model as they call it here and is very excited to roll arnd town! talking abt driving 4×4s just for work well it really is an advantage to everything. imagine the luggage space the sturdiness and all the challenges u wl be encountering. i am just comparing it driving with a sedan. as previously mentioned i also own a camry but find it not quite comfortable to drive it around in difficult areas. the ML that i got performed also quite well but i do not know with benz sad to say the quality is really deteriorating! i hope d germans will be awake one of these days! stop letting the americans ruin the brand! i presumed not all readers will agree but everyone has their own opinion to express!!! happy driving evryone watever s ur ride!!!