Summarize

years down the line, Land Cruiser Light is better than ever

It’s difficult for anyone – or anything – to claim to be the King of Africa. It’s a big continent and hard to conquer – never mind that it comprises 54 countries, many of them beyond fiercely patriotic and warlike. Having lived here for all of my nearly 60 years, I’d hazard that it would be rather risqué to ever attempt to conquer Africa on a human level.
It has however been achieved on another level and we have often hailed the Toyota Land Cruiser the King of Africa – in fact, if anything has ever conquered this continent, then Cruiser has. The Toyota Land Cruiser has also developed into quite a versatile brand all on its own – from the original bakkies, double cabs and wagons in their latest new-millennium incarnation to the luxurious 200 to the FJ.
And then this – let’s just call Prado Land Cruiser Light.

“Toyota has engineered in a whole lot of quality, dependability and reliability into Prado to  see to its reign as an Africa’s King”

Quality dependability reliability 
We take a closer look at Prado history elsewhere on these pages, but the 70 Series was first introduced in 1984 and Prado first came to South Africa in its second incarnation in the late ‘90s, by when Toyota had engineered in a whole lot more quality, dependability and reliability. That has continued apace through two more generations to perfect Prado to its reign as an African King.
Boasting an off-road pedigree second to none through its deformation-resistant body-on-frame construction, Prado is engineered to ensure reduced body twist as well as easy maintenance and repairs and its cabin is isolated from suspension impacts. 
4.8m long, Prado boasts a tight 5.8m turning circle and a generous 215mm ground clearance, while 31-degree approach, 25-degree departure and 22-degree ramp break-over angles make it more than just wieldy off the beaten track. 

Engineered clever
Prado’s bonnet slopes away for best outward visibility, while its headlamp main beams sit inboard to avoid off-road damage and cooling apertures are positioned for best protection and wading depth. All functional powertrain parts are also fully shrouded.
On the road, Prado benefits a full complement of active safety systems from seven airbags to ABS braking with EBD and Brake Assist and there’s also Vehicle Stability Control with Trailer Sway and Traction Control.
Prado retains its latest-generation 120kW 400Nm 3.0 D-4D turbodiesel turning a 5-speed automatic transmission boasting ratios optimised for low-speed tractability and off-road use with user-selectable low-range, rear and centre diff-locks and Hill Assist Control.
Toyota’s 202kW 381Nm 4-litre petrol V6 meanwhile turns a 6-speed automatic and all Prados have Active Traction Control to brake slipping wheels and direct torque to those with most grip for maximum traction. 
Prado VX and VX-L models also add Multi-Terrain Select to allow the driver to tailor traction control, transmission characteristics, power delivery and suspension settings to five pre-configured mud & sand, loose rock, mogul, rock & dirt and rock driving modes via a central rotary knob.
Downhill Assist is another VX and VX-L advantage, while 4.0 V6 derivatives add Drive Select to adapt vehicle dynamics to Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Normal and Eco modes on the road. 

Makes safety sense
Prado VX-L also gets Toyota’s Safety Sense package including an active Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert and Automatic High Beam; a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and an upgraded tyre pressure warning system.
Well-equipped throughout the range, the entry-level Prado TX rides on 17-inch rubber and gets LED Daytime Running halogen headlights and foglamps, while VX and VX-L models add LED main beams and high-gloss 18-inch alloys. All models come in eight exterior colours now including Vintage Brown Pearl and Blackish Ageha Dark Teal metallic.
Step inside and Prado LX comes with eight-inch full-colour multimedia screen, a flush air conditioning control panel and drivetrain-related instrument cluster, while driving and comfort controls sit in separate panels. A sleek and handy centre console gets a cooled compartment and a leather-trimmed gear lever alongside integrated front seat heating and ventilation controls.
TX models get four-gauge Optitron instrumentation and a 6-speaker touch audio system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. There’s a power driver’s seat, ventilated driver and passenger seats with heating in first and second rows and third row seating too.
Dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a reverse camera with park distance control 
illuminated keyless entry, three power outlets and a centre console coolbox are also all standard fit further up the range.

High grade
The high-grade Prado VX adds leather and wood-trimmed power tilt-and-telescopic multifunction steering wheel-controlled 4.2-inch TFT colour multi-information display for the 14-speaker Premium audio system with woofer, multi-information display and white-lit metallic based polished dials, as well as rain-sensing wipers and a power-fold-down function for the third-row seats.
The luxury Prado VX-L adds Satellite Navigation, enhanced surround-view Multi Terrain Monitor camera system complete with Panoramic and overhead views, a power-operated tilt-and-slide moon-roof and active safety assistance package and 14-speaker Premium touchscreen infotainment with tablet-like design switchgear. 
Prado is backed by a full Toyota 5-year/90 000km service plan and 3-year/100 000km warranty, but what else would you expect – never mind SA’s biggest and best dealer body to back you up not only in ‘Zanzi, but across Africa too, not to mention healthy used prices too.
So, there you have it – it may not be all that easy to conquer Africa from a human point of view, but Toyota will sell you an African King that will not only take you just about anywhere on the continent in absolute comfort and style, but Prado will also serve you better than well on the home front too. – Michele Lupini

“This African King will not only take you just about anywhere on the continent in absolute style, but Prado will also serve you better than well on the home front too”

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado pricing
3.0DT TX R830K
4.0 V6 VX R940K
3.0DT VX R942K
4.0 V6 VX-L R977K
3.0DT VX-L R979K


Prado History
20 YEARS SERVICE
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado was first developed as light-duty variant of the 70 Series original in 1984. That first Prado came in the choice of a 2.4 petrol and 2-litre diesel engines, before a new turbodiesel followed in the early ‘90s, 
It was however not until the late ‘90s that Prado came to South Africa in second-generation J70 short and J90 long-wheelbase incarnation with independent front suspension, full-time 4x4 and ABS brakes. Powered by the choice of 2.7-litre four and 3.4-litre V6 petrol and 2.8 and 3-litre turbodiesels in 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual, Prado was an instant hit with adventurous South African drivers.
Toyota launched the third-generation Prado with revised front suspension in a similar engine line-up in 2002, before a 2006 facelift ushered in a 127kW 410Nm Euro IV D-4D turbodiesel with 5-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions, and improved reliability.
This fourth-generation Prado first saw service in 2010 as the removable third row was replaced by fold-into-floor seats while engines were tweaked for fuel economy rather than maximum performance. 
The petrol engine gained dual VVT-i to up power and torque along with a new look in mid-2015, while the diesel lump was replaced with the smaller yet more powerful 2754cc and upgraded to a 6-speed automatic transmission and Prado enjoyed its latest upgrade to this comprehensive specification in 2017.