Prado update: new turbodiesel and upgrades across the range

Australia’s top-selling medium SUV over the past decade, the Toyota Prado, has been updated for 2007. The mid-life model upgrade sees the eight-seat Toyota 4x4 receive a new turbodiesel engine and specification upgrades across the four-model, 12-variant range.

According to Toyota, along with the changes it has simplified its pricing structure for the Prado line-up with a '3+1' strategy: $3000 for automatic transmission and $1000 for the new turbodiesel engine over the equivalent petrol V6 model.

Cosmetic changes to the new Prado are minor. In fact, you'll be hard pressed to pick the new model unless you're a LandCruiser 'tragic.' The highlight, however, is under the skin -- a new Euro IV-compliant turbodiesel engine. Derived from the excellent unit used in the latest HiLux, the 3.0-litre common-rail four-cylinder direct-injection engine delivers 32 per cent more power and 19.5 per cent more torque than the similar-capacity engine it replaces.

Maximum power is now 127kW at 3400rpm (up from 96kW at 3600rpm) while peak torque jumps to 410Nm at 1600-2800rpm (up from 343Nm at 2000rpm).

In concert with the new engine, new transmissions are available in the Prado each gaining an extra ratio over the outgoing model -- a six-speed manual and an electronically-controlled five-speed automatic with gated shift.

Toyota claims the new turbodiesel powertrain offers substantially improved response, smoother acceleration, better fuel economy and lower emissions. Consumption for both manual and auto turbodiesel versions has also been lowered to less than 10lt/100km -- an improvement of 19.3 per cent for the manual and 26.2 per cent for the auto according to the maker.

The updated six-speed manual turbodiesel Prado uses 9.2lt/100km (down 2.2lt/100km) while the auto registers 9.3lt/100km (down 3.3) in ADR81.00 tests.

Petrol engine and transmission combinations are essentially unchanged. The variable valve timing (VVT-i) equipped 4.0-litre V6 engine delivers maximum power of 179kW at 5200rpm and peak torque is 376Nm at 3800rpm.

Both engines are available on all four Prado grades: GX, GXL, VX and Grande. However, while the lower two grades offer both manual and auto variants, the VX and Grande models are fitted with the electronic five-speed automatic transmission only.

In addition to the engineroom changes, specification have been upgraded across the range, claims Toyota.

All Prado models include driver and passenger airbags; eight seats, all with three-point seatbelts; 180-litre fuel capacity; power windows and mirrors; remote central locking; and MP3-compatible CD with six speakers. However, the entry-level $46,290/$47,290 (petrol/turbodiesel) Prado GX now includes wider, styled 17-inch steel wheels; wider side steps, overfender flares and mud guards; body-coloured bumpers, door handles and side-protection mouldings; and chrome grille and mirror housings.

Toyota is also offering a new safety-oriented option pack on the GX. Including ABS brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, the pack is priced at $1250.

The Prado GXL adds foglamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-stack CD player, air conditioning privacy glass and roof rails for a kick-off price of $54,290/$55,290. The $67,290/$68,290 automatic-only VX  now features leather trim, eight-way power front seats, stability and traction control, downhill assist, hill-start support, front side and curtain airbags, dual auto air-conditioning and rear cooler.

The range topping Prado Grande is now priced from $74,290. Included are all the VX’s goodies plus rear air suspension, active height control, sunroof, satnav with in-dash four-CD changer, cool box, alarm, trip computer and spare wheel cover.

For a full pricing rundown of the updated Prado range see below.

According to Toyota, Australians have purchased nearly 110,000 Prados (108,477) since the model’s introduction in 1996. Bar one year (2002) Prado has been the best seller in the medium SUV segment since its first full year of sales in 1997.

To read our launch review of the LandCruiser Prado click here.

TOYOTA PRADO PRICING  
                                           Petrol         Turbodiesel
GX        Six-speed manual     $46,290     $47,290 
          Five-speed auto        $49,290     $50,290
GXL     Six-speed manual     $54,290     $55,290 
          Five-speed auto        $57,290     $58,290
VX      Five-speed auto        $67,290     $68,290
Grande    Five-speed auto    $74,290     $75,290