Truly Masterful: The all new Land Cruiser Prado

The first generation of the Land Cruiser was born way back in 1990. Fast forward to 2024 and we are now talking about the Gen 5 that has already sold many hundreds, prior to launch. The New-Generation Land Cruiser Prado has evolved to be Truly Masterful and is now packed with all the bells and whistles you will ever need for on and off-road challenges, with both competence and technology, as we recently found out on the dunes of Punta Mamoli, just south of Maputo, Mozambique. Driving on the very loose dunes was indeed a test for driver and vehicle. I’m glad to say that we both passed this rigorous test with flying colours.

Pic: Supplied

Pedigree meets Power

All thanks to the quality, durability and reliability of the Prado, engineered to take you anywhere and everywhere and most importantly, bring you back all safe and sound. It’s also the first Land Cruiser to adopt electric power steering and a new disconnecting anti-roll bar system. But it doesn’t stop there. It’s re-engineered with a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The all-new Land Cruiser Prado is the latest generation of a model that has built an unrivalled reputation for strength, reliability and the ability to cope with the harshest conditions, in all parts of the globe.

Pics: Supplied

Quick Facts

• 33 years of Land Cruiser pedigree
• 150 kW
• Average 7.9l/100KM
• 1600-2800 RPM
• 8 Speed Transmission
• Re-designed exterior with bolder styling
• Luxury interior
• 3-inch Display Audio System
• Power folding leather seats

 

Design: Tradition with Modernity

• Design expresses authentic off-roader performance in a fusion of heritage and modernity
• Silhouette and vehicle proportions reference Land Cruiser’s design heritage
• Measures adopted to secure excellent view for the driver, including a bonnet with raised corners and lowered central section
• Powerful frontal design with classic TOYOTA emblem
• Body shaped to help avoid damage in harsh conditions; parts designed to be easily replaced
• Interior presents a functional yet high-quality design with customisable digital instrument display and latest Toyota multimedia package
• Seating for up to seven on board, with generous load space provision 
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Pic: Supplied

 

Exterior

The design of the new LC Prado is a clear expression of the vehicle’s status as a fully-fledged off-roader that is inherently strong and stable.

Its essential reliability is reflected in the shape and composition of parts designed to cope with harsh conditions and be easy to replace if damage occurs. There’s a timelessness, too, in design simplicity that expresses quality and will not look out-of-date, and a sense of professionalism in the form-follows-function design of the kind found in top-quality professional tools. The Prado’s overall length is 4,925mm, width 1,980mm and height 1,935mm; the wheelbase is 2,850mm.

The configuration and proportions of the frontal elements create a classic Land Cruiser look. Functional parts are grouped together towards the centre with high-set headlights to help avoid damage in tough driving conditions. The sense of purpose is further emphasised by the restoration of the classic TOYOTA logo front centre and at the rear above the licence plate garnish. Practicality is designed-in with bumper corners that are easy to replace if damaged. 

 

Interior

The interior layout of the LC Prado expresses a safe, functional look suitable for off-road driving with an emphasis on durability, high quality and measures to reduce fatigue.

The instrument panel and upper door mouldings have strong horizontal lines that make it easy to grasp the vehicle’s orientation in challenging conditions and make for an open cabin environment with excellent outward view for everyone on board. The panel’s cross-section is lowered in front of the front passenger, enhancing the open feel. 

A sense of precision and quality is expressed in the co-ordinated design of control switches and details such as the serrated patterns around the air vents and mode selector, the matching of thick upholstery materials with rope-like piping and trim parts that have the look of machined metal. 

Throughout, there is a unified look to the interior, with consistent material quality, feel and appearance, communicating a strong character. Functional areas are flat and hard; touch points are soft and thickly covered with a sense of volume. Digital design techniques were used to combine different parts into a single unit, for example incorporating the combimeter and centre display within the large instrument panel so there is less segmentation.

 

Seating and upholsteries

The new LC Prado range offers seven-seat interiors. The front seats have a new design to provide strong support when driving off-road and are available with power adjustment. In addition, they also have thinner seatbacks, improving leg and knee room for rear seat passengers, and are available with integrated heating and ventilation. Thicker urethane cushions disperse pressure over a wider area of the occupant’s body and are shaped to promote the optimum pelvis angle, reducing the load on the waist and muscles.

 

Load space

Although a seven-seater, there is space behind the third-row seats for two 55cm suitcases. With the third row folded, there is room enough for three 86cm cases plus one 81cm and one 69cm.

The new LC Prado also gets a top-hanged rear door as standard, improving the ease of access with the availability of power back door operation and an independently opening glass hatch.

Pricing

2.8GD TX                                 R1 296 300

2.8 GD VX-R                            R1 448 900

2.8GD VX-R First Edition         R1 462 400

2.8 GD VX-R BT                      R1 472 600