The King of Africa Reborn
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado needs no introduction, but we need to inform you about these updates, so here it is. The Land Cruiser Prado has established itself as one of the most accomplished off-roaders on the South African market. While many SUVs are bought for ‘curb appeal,’ the Prado leverages its Land Cruiser DNA to deliver when the going gets tough. Now, the mighty Prado has been given a new lease on life thanks to some small changes as well as a more powerful engine.
Power and Performance Upgrades
At the heart of the revised range is an additional 30kW of power and 100Nm of torque derived from the switch to the latest-generation 2.8-litre GD-6 turbo diesel engine, now mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission. Yes, the new Prado has finally been fitted with the more powerful 2.8 GD-6 engine unit, as found in the latest Hilux. It develops 150kW and 500Nm of torque. The difference between this motor and the tried and tested 3.0 D4-D is beyond compare. The Prado has finally been given the power its legendary name so demanded. The new Prado also benefits from ‘Drive Mode Select,’ offering five modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport +, Normal, and Eco, to adapt vehicle dynamics according to driver preference.
Engine Enhancements
One might think that Toyota engineers just plugged the engine into a computer to extract that extra power—not so. This motor has received a raft of upgrades, including a new ball-bearing turbocharger with a larger turbine and impeller, improved engine rigidity and cooling, and better fuel economy realized through optimized pistons and piston rings, changes to the cylinder block and head, higher fuel-injection flow rate, and the adoption of high-performance materials for the exhaust manifold and cylinder-head gasket.
Despite the substantially stronger outputs, Toyota claims a fuel consumption figure of 7.9l/100km, though we managed 10l/100km in the real world. Fuel capacity is 150 litres (bring all your bank cards to fill this thing up) with an 87-litre main tank and a 63-litre sub-tank.
Transmission and Off-Road Capabilities
The new six-speed transmission has revised torque converter lock-up mapping to provide smooth yet firm gearshifts and a newly added paddle-shift function. A low-range transfer case makes off-roading easy, while user-selectable differential locks (centre and rear) keep the wheels ‘in sync’ when navigating slippery conditions.
Interior and Multimedia Upgrades
The interior has also been given a slight upgrade. A new-generation multimedia system is fitted across the range, now incorporating a larger 9-inch touchscreen display (previously 8-inch), enhanced voice recognition, and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Customers are able to utilize mobile-phone services such as Google Maps, Waze, Spotify, SoundCloud, and more to enhance their driving experience.
Verdict: A Prado That Finally Feels Right
The Prado finally feels as it should. The new engine and gearbox have transformed the overall driving experience, and one needs to ask why they didn’t do this sooner. While the interior might seem somewhat dated compared to others in the segment, you do get a sense that the Prado will continue to impress well into the future.
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado remains a top choice for those seeking a reliable and powerful off-roader that doesn’t compromise on comfort or capability.
