Prado Standard diesel cuts specs, cuts costs

Dropping some features out of the Prado GX diesel has left Toyota with a new entry-level model, the Prado Standard.

Priced at $44,600 for the six-speed manual model or $47,600 for the five-speed automatic, the new level of trim makes do without the third row seat fitted to the GX.

Other bits and pieces plucked out of the Standard models include two of the six cupholders, two of the six passenger assist grips, the remote central locking, chrome mirrors and body-colour bumpers.

The Standard grade Prado continues to offer central locking, it's just not remotely operable. On top of that, the wheels measure six inches of width, not the 7.5 of the GX.

For many buyers, the Standard Prado remains a relatively good proposition.

Just as Holden has been fiddling with the Captiva's specification (more here), so Toyota has grasped the opportunity presented by the new base model to tweak the other variants in the range.

Toyota has now specified leather-bound steering wheels with remote controls for every variant in the Prado range, including the new Standard grade models.

The company has also included a rear-view camera in the standard specification of the Prado Grande.

New option packs are introduced and comprise a combination of ABS, cruise control and leather-bound gear lever, or -- for manual variants only -- side impact and curtain airbags bundled and finally -- for automatic variants only -- vehicle stability control (VSC), traction control, climate control and an exterior chrome package.

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