Your questions answered: How long is the new Toyota Prado waitlist?

One reader has shared their experience of wait times for the new Toyota Prado, and at the other end of spectrum demand for EVs may be cooling, but interest is still right up there, at least if the carsales mailbox is anything to go by.

We’ve got readers looking at luxury ones and affordable ones – and plenty still considering hybrids too.

Yep, the hybrid love is still well and truly alive, with SUVs high on the hit list. And someone else wanting to improve the ride quality of their luxury SUV.

I placed an order (with a $1000 deposit) for a GXL in white in early September (two months ago).

I have just received confirmation of a late November (2024) build date with an expected delivery of late December or early January. I was rather shocked as I was initially advised to expect a wait of up to 12 months.?

I was told that there is a heap of people on a wait list who have not paid a deposit as they want to see the car before laying down their cash.?

Of course, I don’t know if there has been a mad rush of firm orders in the last two months. - Andy

Answer: It seems Toyota dealers may be trying to cover themselves following the COVID crush.

In 2021 and 2022 there were many models, including the LandCruiser 300 Series and RAV4 Hybrid, that had some would-be buyers waiting upwards of two years for delivery.

And there were plenty of stories of people being told they’d have to wait a few months but have had that stretch into years, which led to frustration and some cancelled orders.

Toyota encouraged its dealers to be honest with buyers rather than annoy them with extended wait times.

Some seem to be quoting the absolute worst case scenario then surprising buyers with earlier availability.

I’m guessing that may be happening with the new Prado.

Interestingly, Toyota has introduced a new dealer ordering system with the new model that’s designed to give buyers a more accurate idea of when their car will be delivered.

It’s not perfect, but it sounds a lot better and more transparent than what some dealers had been doing recently.

As for wait times, Toyota says it is sitting on 17,000 orders for the new model and it plans to bring almost 27,000 Prados to Australia in 2025. On average, then, that suggests a wait time of eight or nine months.

But remember, different dealers have different wait lists. So if you’re being quoted a long wait time check with another dealer to see if they can better it.

All dealers should now be able to give you a relatively accurate delivery time estimate up to 12 months ahead.

Thanks for the feedback. Always good to hear what’s really going on!

I want to migrate to an EV. I live in Melbourne and have a farm 70km away. My wife has a Tesla Model 3 and we have charging facilities at home and on the farm.

I’m looking for a luxury EV option for on-road use (frequently long distances). It needs to have a good sound system.

Battery range said to be 100km so I assume 75km which could get me around town and to farm and back and obviously capable over longer distances on petrol.

Alt Porsche, Mercedes EVs???I would be really grateful for your opinion. ($ not really a problem - don't tell my kids that). - Peter

Answer: There are plenty of options in the luxury SUV space, many of which get a fantastic sound system.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV has a terrific Burmester sound system, but the car is expensive and not overly convincing against rivals.

The new Porsche Macan is a better bet and also comes with some great sound systems (the Bose system is terrific).

It’s also a fantastic car, albeit pricey, although it sounds like that’s not a big issue.

For a left fielder check out the Polestar 3. It’s a class act with great driving manners and a classy cabin.

Another one worth considering is the BMW iX. It’s a thoroughly decent electric SUV with a fantastic Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

I’ve driven the Range Rover plug-in hybrids and never been overly impressed. Yes, you get a lot of Range Rover luxury and ability, but performance is modest in EV mode and you really need the petrol engine operating to experience the true Range Rover thing.

In short, there’s a lot going on and too many compromises.

Anyway, check out the new Porsche Macan first, then the BMW iX and Polestar 3.

Personally, I love the look of the Nissan Juke/Hyundai Veloster/Volkswagen Golf. - Mel

Answer: Wow, that’s a varied trio you’ve shortlisted! Each has their own pros and cons.

The Juke SUV will be the most spacious and has a higher riding body, so you’ll be up higher in the traffic.

The VW Golf will be the slickest to drive, but high mileage used examples can end up with costly repairs, so do your checks to learn more about the particular one you’re looking at.

The Hyundai Veloster is an interesting option. It’s quirky door set-up (there are two doors on the left and a single large door for the driver’s side) gave it some added practicality with a coupe look.

It’s basic underneath, borrowing the mechanicals of the Hyundai i30 small hatchback. If you don’t need much back seat space it’s certainly worth a look.

I once owned a Toyota Tarago which was perfect when kids were younger, now it’s the moving around and want time off on weekends, possibly an off-road four-wheel drive.

Is there a car that has EV/diesel/petrol, prefer four-cylinder, can fit a double size blow-up mattress in the back and have 4x4 capabilities?

Once used a Subaru station wagon 1984? That is still going 400,000-plus kilometres but they don’t fit much in the back (maybe grabbing a few haybales/moving around).

I have had a look at a Holden Colorado 2017 but already has 200,000-plus kilometres on the clock. Also a Toyota Fortuner (smaller space) 200,000-plus kilometres for $32,000 which is over budget.

What can you recommend? OK with older cars, manual, just want low kilometres (150,000km or lower).?

My maximum budget is $25,000 with 4X4 capability. Would like Toyota, just over-priced, can trade my car in too (dealer only-$4000). – Goldie

Answer: The Holden Colorado 7 is a good place to start. It was never a terrific car to drive but these days packs in the value because they’re relatively affordable.

The updated model was the Holden Trailblazer and addressed a lot of the issues that made it anything but perfect.

The challenge you’ll have is finding a low kilometre one for your budget.

That’ll be the challenge with lots of off-roaders, many of which hold their value very well on the used car market.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport also brings reliability and ability to the table, although it’s not overly huge inside and was rudimentary in the dynamics department.

Similarly, you may get an early model Ford Everest for around $25K, although finding one that hasn’t travelled far is trickier. If you can, though, it’s a great option.

As you’ve worked out, the Toyotas hold their value exceptionally well, so you have to go back many years to find one within your budget.

And the Fortuner doesn’t really have the space you’re chasing, which leaves Prados. There’s a new Prado hitting the market now, so some people may be trading up.?

But, again, you’ll have to go back 20-odd years to find one within your budget that hasn’t travelled to the moon and back.

Anytime you’re looking at used four-wheel drives at the more affordable end of the market there’s the potential of buying something that’s had a hard life.

So make sure you get it checked thoroughly. If it’s layered in red dirt underneath and has a heavy duty tow kit it may indicate an adventurous life.

Another option is to fit a roof top tent. Sure, there are compromises with fuel efficiency and you have to climb up into it.?But it might open up the range of vehicles you can look at.

We’re looking second hand or demonstrator and on a budget of maybe $35,000 max. What do you think of the 2022 Hyundai Kona electric or is there something similar or smaller, still in that SUV style, you can recommend? Hybrid or electric preferred but even petrol as a third option. - Lachlan

Answer: The Kona Electric is a thoroughly decent electric SUV. Its biggest issue when new was a sizeable price tag, but that’s now been partially corrected on the used car market, which makes it more appealing.

For something similar, look at the Kia Niro Electric, which shares much of its architecture and electrical system with the Hyundai. It arrived a bit later so there may not be as many on the used car market.

Also check out the BYD Atto 3. There are loads available second hand and it was great value when new, even better now that some have snuck below your $35K limit.

Remember, too, that what someone is asking for a used car isn’t necessarily what it’s worth, so don’t be afraid to make a lower offer if the price is too high. The worst they can say is no.

We have been spoilt with E-Class model sedans over the years but becoming elderly the higher entry and boot of SUVs is more suitable. So we have dropped down a class to C-Class, and maybe the SUVs generally are a firmer ride?

But we find on the deteriorating rural bitumen roads of southern SA the ride is very disappointing. It seems a rather harsh ride where the bitumen is rough, yet it bottoms in potholes too.? The car rocks from side to side with uneven roads too which seems worse in the back seats we have found as when we carry friends on a longer trip.

Our son who often has shock absorbers improved on Toyota LandCruisers but I have been advised there is no improved shock absorbers are yet made for this model.

Not sure whether you can suggest any further options to improve the ride?

If not, is there another model we should consider? We could go slightly larger though the E-Class is rather too large though it seems to ride a little better.

We do like being spoilt with some luxuries as we have been in previous E-Class sedans. We value those extras like the voice command of navigation, the key in the pocket touch door handle lock and unlock. The boot opening with your foot when carrying things difficult to put down, as well as the lane control, hands free, and windscreen speed and navigation projection etc. - John

Answer: German luxury cars tend to be designed to travel at high speeds safely and securely, which can bring compromises elsewhere.

Some do it better than others; Porsche is one of the best at providing the high-speed stability and dynamics while still looking after occupants over bumps.

As you’ve discovered, some recent Mercedes-Benzes haven’t done it so well.

We’ve found the electric Mercs are far more compliant and comfortable (EQE and EQS, for example) but neither is particularly convincing as an EV. There’s also the SUV effect, as you’ve alluded to. With a higher ride height and higher centre of gravity engineers often stiffen the suspension to get the car driving the way they want it to.

Improving the ride of your current car will be challenging. While it’s common to find aftermarket springs and shock absorbers for many four-wheel drives, there’s very little for top-end luxury machines.

The easier solution is to look at alternatives.

You could switch to the dark side and check out BMW. The ride on an X3 still tends towards firm but we’ve found it better controlled than the GLC.

A Lexus RX also does a good job of looking after occupants, although it comes at the expense of driving sharpness. The latest Porsche Macan – which is all electric – does a nice job, too. If you can make an EV work it’s well worth a look.

It has decent range and even for your adventures you’ll likely be able to find fast charging. Download the PlugShare app and look for options along your planned route. You may be surprised how easy it is to make it work.

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