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Johannesburg - With an off-road heritage spanning more than 65 years, Toyota's Land Cruiser remains unique in its segment for its ability to combine durability and reliability with off-road performance.
Toyota SA says: "The new Land Cruiser Prado enhances this reputation with more modern and robust exterior styling, a more sophisticated, comfortable and higher quality interior, and improvements to its user-friendliness, both on and off-road.
READ: Toyota SA updates iconic Land Cruiser 200
For 2017, the Prado gains a new specification grade, improved styling and enhanced safety features.
Grand Grade
The Prado range, traditionally comprised of mid-level TX and high-grade VX, now gains a third grade specification - VX-L.
The VX-L derivative combines all the features of the VX whilst adding a power-operated tilt-and-slide sunroof and improved safety assistance package to the mix.
Prices: 2017 Prado VX-L grade
Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 V6 VX-L - R 967 200
Land Cruiser Prado 3.0D VX-L - R 969 600
We’ve included full prices and range at the end of this article.
Diesel and petrol engines
The Land Cruiser Prado retains its 3.0 D-4D engine capable of 120kW/400Nm mated to a 5-speed auto with gear ratios optimized for low-speed tractability and off-road use.
The 4.0-litre petrol engine uses a six-speed auto transmission capable of 202kW/381Nm.
More dynamic styling
The overall length has been increased by 60mm to 4840mm. It has a minimum turning circle of 5.8 metres. Ground clearance is 215mm, with 31-degree approach, 25-degree departure and 22-degree ramp break-over angles.
At the front it gains a new bonnet, grille, headlights, bumper and side elements, drawing from SUV’s design heritage.
The bonnet has been shaped to improve downward visibility at the centre and it is sandwiched by the sides of the bumper to help protect the engine bay. The corners of the lower part of the bumper have integral foglights and turned upwards, while the centre section is shaped like a skid plate for easier manoeuvring off-road.
The grille and headlights have been organised into a single unit and set higher for better off-road functionality. The grille’s apertures have been made as large as possible for optimum engine cooling, while the headlight main beams are re-positioned to avoid damage when driving off-road.
The grille features broad vertical bars with slit-shaped cooling openings, finished in chrome. The headlight clusters comprise high and low beams, indicators and daytime running lights. TX variants use halogen bulbs, whilst VX and VX-L models feature LEDs. All units use LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and foglights, in addition to auto light control system, as standard.
The Prado also gains new alloy wheels; 17” alloys for the TX and high-gloss painted 18” rims on VX and VX-L derivatives.
New elements at the rear include a redesigned lights (featuring two stacked C-shapes) with an LED stop light; a smaller rear garnish plate and a restyled bumper.
Higher quality interior
The top of the new centre console tower has been set lower (by 25mm) in improve visibility when driving off-road. It is fitted with a new 8” full-colour multimedia screen, a flush-fitting aircon control panel and instrument cluster. The Prado also sports a new, leather-trimmed gear lever as well as a new leather- and wood-trimmed steering wheel itself, shared with the larger Land Cruiser 200.
The centre console features a silver textured finish with a metallic effect. Soft pads are provided on either side to cushion the driver and front passenger’s knees.
The redesigned instrument binnacle has a four-gauge lay-out and Optitron (high- definition back-lit) meters with a metallic base panel and polished dials with raised scale markings. The meters flank a 4.2” TFT colour multi-information display (VX and VX-L. New white illumination has been fitted to the instrument panel, centre console and door-mounted switches. The new cabin lighting scheme uses LEDs for the front footwells, headlining, glove box and door panels.
Two interior colour schemes are available; black and new beige. A matte-finish Walnut wood trim is paired with the black interior, whilst the Beige iteration is paired with a matte “blonde wood” accent.
New kit
TX models inherit the ‘coolbox’ located in the centre console binnacle and gain seat ventilation for driver and passenger, in addition to the seat-heating function (for first and second row occupants).
The top-tier VX and VX-L models are outfitted with satnav and an enhanced surround-view Multi Terrain Monitor camera system which also includes Panoramic and overhead view modes. The 14-speaker Premium touchscreen infotainment system incorporates a tablet-like design.
High grade derivatives gain memory function for the driver’s seat, a 14-speaker Premium audio system with woofer, multi-information display, power tilt-and-telescopic steering adjustment, rain-sensing wipers and power-fold-down 3rd row seats.
Standard kits includes automatic dual-zone climate control, six-speaker touch audio system, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, illuminated entry, cruise control, park distance control, keyless entry, three power outlets, Bluetooth connectivity, USB, 3rd row seating and reverse camera.
Off-road technologies
All Prado variants feature Toyota’s Active Traction Control system (A-TRAC), which actively regulates wheel-slip, by directing torque to the wheel with the most traction. The system is capable of applying braking pressure to wheels individually to maximise traction. A low-range transmission with user-selectable rear and centre diff-locks and Hill Assist Control (HAC), naturally forms part of the standard ensemble.
The Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system (VX and VX-L only), operated by a centrally mounted rotary knob, allows the driver to select the correct mode depending on the ‘road’ ahead. The system has five pre-configured modes; mud and sand, loose rock, mogul, rock- dirt and rock. Downhill Assist Control (DAC) is included on VX and VX-L models.
The 4.0 V6 derivatives additionally feature ‘Drive Mode Select’ which offers five modes; Comfort, Sport, Sport +, Normal and Eco; to adapt vehicle dynamics according to driver preference.
Expanded range of safety features
VX-L grades of the new 2017 Prado are equipped with Toyota Safety Sense active technologies, which includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with pedestrian detection function, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Automatic High Beam (AHB).
Further driver support is provided in the form of a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (both VX and VX-L) and an upgraded tyre pressure warning system – with digital read out in the multi-information display.
These active safety systems complement the standard seven airbags and comprehensive brake and stability control systems (ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, VSC, Trailer Sway Control and aforementioned Traction Control).
Prices
Land Cruiser Prado 3.0D TX - R 821 700
Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 V6 VX - R 930 000
Land Cruiser Prado 3.0D VX - R 932 400
Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 V6 VX-L - R 967 200
Land Cruiser Prado 3.0D VX-L - R 969 600
All Land Cruiser Prado models include a 5 year or 90 000km service plan and 3 year or 100 000km warranty.
2017 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado full specifications
