Toyota Prado 2020 review: GXL off road

The Toyota LandCruiser Prado is hugely popular. It’s been around for donkey’s years but it’s still one of Australia’s top-selling large 4WD wagons.

It has a great reputation as an off-road touring platform, because it is so capable, so roomy (great for fitting all of your camping gear) and it is so robust, but it’s feeling more than a little old.

If you’re looking to buy a large 4WD wagon, is the Prado your best bet?

The Toyota LandCruiser Prado GXL is the mid-spec Prado. It has a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range permanent 4WD system.

Standard GXL features include smart key (keyless entry), active cruise control, LED daytime running lights, three-zone climate control, and rear parking sensors.

Price is $63,690, plus on-road costs, but our Prado had premium paint ($600), and the premium interior pack ($3463), which includes leather trim, heated/vented and electric front row, and heated second-row seats. Total price: $67,753.

This Prado also has the no-cost flat tailgate pack option, which moves the full-size spare from it’s usual rear-mounted position to the underbody.

That frees up your back door so access to the rear space is even more touring-friendly, but relocation of that spare reduces your total fuel capacity from 150 litres to 87 litres because you lose the 63-litre sub tank.

The Prado has a rock-solid and well-deserved reputation as a touring platform. It's roomy, offering real, functional space, it’s comfortable to drive on-road, and very capable off-road.

With refined-enough on-road ride and handling, impressive off-road performance, and plenty of practicality, the Prado is a close to perfect all-around touring package.

CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive

[cameronsanderson]

Full disclosure. I own one identical to this 2 yrs old. It’s the family car for 5, but required to do everything. I’ve owned a lot of cars incl Pajero, subies, vw amarok, territory, xc60 as well as hot hatches, minis etc, and for a family this meets the brief better than all so far. It’s a grower, as you learn the way it goes about things easily. It amuses me that road testers and many who comment but have never driven one more than around the block, always look at handling, traffic drag lights etc, but miss some things that you find over time. It’s not a hot hatch (I love them also), but I can load up all 5 of us and often a camping trailer, drive in complete, quiet comfort up the highway, cruise onto bumpy c roads and gravel roads at 100km, head onto 4wd tracks, where it’s suitably capable for most, and then cruise back into the city, all with ease. I also do a fair bit of off-road for work. The engines not super powerful, but, it’s smooth, keeps pulling when loaded, and fairly economical for a big car. It also seems to get better the more kms on it. 30, 000 now. The cars very easy in the city with a tight turning circle (ute based 4wds do not) and is light to drive. I rated the Amarok (had 2 for business), but the prado is much easier in the city and way more refined than the fortuner, Isuzu etc. The one in this test has the spare underneath, but most still have the boot mounted with the massive fuel tank, which you really appreciate on long trips. The side swing doors a bit heavy, but easier for short people. The boots good size and square . Everest is not with a sloping floor. The comforts really good and whilst the interiors not slick like the euros, it’s tough with kids n dogs etc and really easy to use. The rears friendly with air vents, seperate temp and a level genuine 5 seats (2 more behind which is handy) The rear seats wider than al of the utes except for the Amarok. I’ve driven fortunes and Hilux’s and whilst tough they are less refined, noisier and bouncier.
Highlights: the sum of it being better than the spec sheet, best headlights I’ve had on any car, and the ventilated seats (why doesn’t every car in Aus have these?). Oh and $250 a service (my friggin bmw 3 costs 6 times that!) and not a single problem in 2 yrs. haven’t had the PF issue that some mention, but then this also applies to a lot of diesels.
Lowlights. Not much, stereo/infotainment a bit 2015. The adaptive cruise is ok, but a bit of panicky. Need to be careful with the rear swing door on a slope.
Sure, you can buy cheaper, but probably not once you see the resale value on the prados, and you can buy the Audi’s, rangies etc which are, slicker, dearer, but for around $70k on road I struggled to find anything that fitted the brief this well. Similar specced disco is over $100k.
Overall really happy. She’s a keeper.

[frankkrause]

The Prado is one of the best cars in the world.

[Jertube]

I have a V6 Prado with 340, 000kms on the clock, and I can honestly say it has by far been the best most reliable, comfortable, capable vehicle I've ever owned. Would I buy another one? most definitely! The words "all rounder" very much apply when it comes to the Prado! Such a great vehicle.

[PVmedia]

I remember when I was in Central America and I needed to get to a location over the mountains and I was looking for all terrain vehicle. A local car renter recommended me an old Prado like a 2000 and something. and boy was that thing a beast in the off road terrain, I went through rivers and up hills like it was a walk in the park.

[justicewillprevail]

I road tested the Pardo today, your review is absolutely spot on.

[kevinpope]

had my GXL for over a year now and it hasn't missed a beat and towed the our 4.4 m Boat and our Caravan with ease...worked well on the highway, gravel or on the river tracks brilliantly.... certainly haven't been able to get 8 litres per 100km more like 9.5/100 still with that aside will probably stick with this car for years to come really happy with it...

[saboorawan]

I have had few prado 120 series now I have 150 series 2014 (shape before current shape). The best cars produced ever, landcruisers cruising land all over.

[Skysurferau]

My Prado is the best all round touring vehicle Ive owned in 50 years.

[tlvsaventure]

I almost didn't buy a Prado, cuz everyone bought one, but did some research and found something that Prado has to offer for OFF ROAD capability that other not offer for midsize SUV like dual rang, centre and rear diff lock, long rang fuel tank, ladder chassi, real live axel good for wheel articulate( but not on road handling), reliability. I admit that engine is under power if towing big caraven (which i don't have or do), but it is just enough for touring even when fully loaded, beside small engine mean better fuel economy for me. If you want to buy SUV for high ride that come with high performence engine and good handling on road dont buy Prado, but if you want true capable off road with relibility midsize SUV go get Prado.

[peterj]

Nothing in the segment can match it off-road and it drives better than you would expect on road. Plentiful parts available to make it better mean it is a great base to build a better off-road tourer. More room inside and fuel capacity (if you keep the standard rear door spare) than you can even get aftermarket comes standard. The ride on dirt and on tough tracks is outstanding. The negatives are the engine is well underdone and the payload is pathetic. Put 7 people in a fill up the tank with fuel and you’ll likely be over GVM. mind you, the 200 series has the same issue. All up, there is still nothing better for people like me who use it a lot for outback touring and some fairly hardcore off-roading in the Victorian High Country. Those who are so quick to dismiss it should actually drive one in these conditions against the competition and maybe they may think again.

[jakegames]

Great review Crafty, keep up the good work!

[gregrobinson]

Always wonder that by having the spare underneath that it may get damaged in certain situations offroad. You can see that there is not much clearance.

[Przyziemni]

i got prado '10 and i love it, amazing car specially when you really test it to maximum :) comfy bit bouncy - but thats only downsize. 10-11l per 100 190hps give him nice acceleration, i have nothing to complain really

[erickjuma]

Surprisingly this is the car the rich drive in my country, Toyota Prado TX

[bertmacdonald]

I`m on my third Prado, great cars !
Right up till they dropped the 4 litre petrol V6.

[MrSang-pydd]

Prado is the best, but not everyone can afford the initial high cost.

[joshobrien]

@carsguide where's the link for the "big 4wd wagon comparison video" ?

[maharishi]

Thank you very much CARS GUIDE for providing English subtitles /captions. 🍀

[carjohnz]

Bought one yesterday. Nice drive but glasses area, larger fuel tank, and better drink holders would be my issue. Storage for extra stuff kept in car is an issue.

[Maxy]

You guys planning to compare 2020 Defender with Prado or Landcruiser on launch ?