Toyota Prado – still capable off road 

Toyota’s new Land Cruiser Prado is now roaming around New Zealand, the first shipments of the 4×4 wagon are here. 

Yesterday we checked out the off-road prowess of the new machine along part of the Napoleon Hill 4×4 trail near Greymouth. The plan was to conquer the entire route, but alas, heavy rains the week before had made the track extra challenging, meaning we had a brief encounter rolling up the tail-end of the trail and through some of the tunnels that are the remnants of the area’s gold mining history. 

Prado – still a proper 4×4 machine

Prado enters a new generation with this model, but the concept is the same with a full chassis, a solid rear axle and permanent four wheel drive. All models have a Torsen centre diff running a usual 40/60 torque split, the purely mechanical locking function of the diff able to vary if things get slippery. Lock the diff and the torque split is a permanent 50/50. All models have a low range too. 

For those that like to go a little further, the Adventure model features a rear diff locker as well and it gets a stabiliser disconnect function. An actuator on the front roll bar decouples it, and this they say aids axle articulation by a further 20 per cent. It only works at low speeds, and when in 4L. Ground clearance measures up at 205mm, the wading depth is 700mm while approach and departure angles are 31 and 17 degrees.

Apart from the GXL, Prado gets a multi-terrain select system to prime the 4×4 system for the ground being traversed. Settings include dirt, sand, mud, deep snow and rock. All models get a Crawl control too; think of it as off road cruise control. 

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado specs and pricing

Toyota Prado five seater variants to be added to the NZ range

Capable and comfortable  

We trekked up the river, each plunge into and climb out of the flowing water proved the Prado has enough clearance front and rear for what most owners will get up to. And good traction too. It clawed its way up each rocky river bank with relative ease. The old Prado would have done it all too, but this one does it all that much easier. The gear changes are super smooth in low range too. Using the Crawl function helped us pick our way through the boulders in the river; press the button to activate and then the terrain selector dial lets you adjust the speed of your crawl, the system keeping tabs on momentum, leaving you to steer your way through. 

In 4L, the front view camera will show you what lies directly ahead, with guidelines showing where your front wheels will track. The monitor also relays the view from the cameras mounted in the side mirrors to see what lies directly beside you. You can then easily pick your path between rock and tree stump without having to lean out the window or rely on a spotter. All too easy really.