Cheaper Prado Altitude

Toyota has announced yet another Prado Altitude special-edition featuring the same underfloor-mounted spare wheel and opening rear window as the last one released in August.

The latest Altitude special is better value than before, however, with Toyota claiming the same $10,000-plus of additional features but this time for $65,990 plus on-road costs – $5000 more than the Prado GXL diesel automatic on which it's based but $2530 less than the old Altitude ($68,520 plus ORCs).

Once again Toyota says the Prado special is a response to demand from customers – especially in the city – for an 'out of sight' spare wheel, which has been moved from the tailgate to under the rear floor, where it replaces the Prado's secondary fuel tank.

Thus it offers less driving range than other versions of Australia's top-selling large SUV, but more convenience with the added benefit of a lighter tailgate comprising a separate-opening rear glass hatch.

Toyota says the Prado Altitude's 87-litre main tank still offers a driving range of more than 1000km based on official fuel consumption figures.

"Customers in metropolitan areas accounted for a markedly higher proportion of sales for the restyled Prado Altitude than for the regular Prado diesel models," said Toyota Australia executive director of sales and marketing Tony Cramb.

"The increase of six per cent reflects the added appeal of the new style among these buyers, and the 900 cars we had on offer were snapped up quickly.

"As a result, Toyota has upped the order for the latest Prado Altitude by one-third to 1200 cars, providing an opportunity to obtain further feedback on the style and convenience of the Prado Altitude rear design."

The 2015 version offers the same added features as last year's Altitude, including 17-inch alloy wheels, this time with dark-grey finish instead of bright silver.

Toyota says the lower price tag is thanks to the removal of import duty on vehicles as part of the Australia-Japan free-trade agreement.

Also fitted is leather-accented seat upholstery with contrasting grey inserts and stitching on the bolsters and head restraints.

Other equipment borrowed from the premium VX and luxury Kakadu grades includes a tilt-and-slide moonroof, Blu-Ray rear entertainment system with three wireless headphones and remote control, electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, power front seats and rain-sensing wipers.

The Prado Altitude upgrade also incorporates the 14-speaker JBL audio system from the upstream Prado models, along with DAB+ digital radio, a 7.0-inch display screen, and satellite-navigation with Suna live traffic alerts.

Chromed side mouldings and air-conditioning surrounds are also added, along with Altitude badging, carbon-fibre-look details on the dash panel and gearshift surround, and four premium paints: a unique Eclipse Black and Crystal Pearl (from VX and Kakadu), Silver Pearl and Graphite.

There are no changes to the Prado's 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which consumes 8.5L/100km, and its five-speed automatic transmission.

Other standard GXL features include seven airbags, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, three-zone climate-control, audio controls on the steering wheel, smart entry/start and cruise control.