Land Cruiser Prado VX-L review

The latest Land Cruiser Prado was introduced to the South African market about two years ago. We were not presented with the opportunity to get behind the wheel until a new derivative was added to the listings. The Land Cruiser Prado VX-L joined TX and VX-R siblings to make a three-variant range in SA.

The VX-L was added at the very top of the family tree. It is aimed at owners who wanted the prestige of driving an LC Prado but who don’t venture off road often. As a result this derivative offers enhanced comfort, refinement and premium design cues. We spent a week with the range-topper and learned a few things about the LC Prado range, and the VX-L version in particular. Here then are…

Five Things We Learned About the Land Cruiser Prado VX-L

The VX-L derivative has a slightly different appearance to its siblings. The squared off design of the exterior remains and is notable from the driver’s chair as it marks out the extremities of the vehicle, making it easy to place for something of this szize. In keeping with its more ‘premium’ positioning, Toyota has done away with some of the black mouldings. Instead the entire body is finished in the same colour. There are also illuminated side steps, which prove handy at night. That, along with the fitment of 20-inch alloys (as opposed to 18s) shod with all-terrain footwear help differentiate this top-spec derivative. The difference is sublte, but noticeable when viewed alongside a lower-spec versions.
It’s not just onlookers who get to tell the difference. Occupants are also made aware that this is the range-topper. The changes in the cabin include silver accents and leather door trim with additional stitching. Oh and there is a booming good JBL 14-speaker audio system. In addition there is a chilled centre armrest cubby, heated and ventilated electrically adjustable front seats with driver’s seat memory functions and a heated steering wheel. There is space aplenty in the cabin with even a pair of electrically operated chairs forming a third row for a sixth and seventh passenger.
Cabin designers have steered away from the modern trend of digitising all controls so there are physical switches for just about every function, including the ventilation controls and drive modes. The latter controlled by a rotary selector sited ahead of the gear lever. However, there is also a 12,3-inch touchscreen infotainment interface that is fared neatly into the dashboard.
On the road the VX-L benefits from Adaptive Variable Suspension, which is meant to provide a slight more pleasant ride than its siblings. It also boasts the expected all-wheel drive system which has a limited-slip rear differential as well as a low-range transfer car. So while it has decent on-road manners, for a ladder frame SUV, it will venture off the beaten path, more so than any/most of its rivals at a similar price point.
Under the bonnet the range-leader has the exact same powertrain as others in the range. And this is probably the one area we feel could have been addressed. The familiar 2,8-litre unit delivers an adequate 150 kW and an off-road friendly 500 N.m of torque. However, the better part of three tons does need a bit more oomph. Even if Toyota were not keen to fit the same engine as the Lexus GX550, which is this car’s spiritual twin, it could have found an engine in the family with an additional 50 kW or more. The upshot is a rather decent claimed fuel consumption figure of 7,9 L/100 km. Expect to use closer to 10, which still results in about a 1 100 km range.

Summary

The Land Cruiser Prado is one of those aspirational vehicles for a large part of the population. We found many drivers/owners of other Toyotas glancing at the Prado with envious looks wherever we went, with more than one person complimenting us on ‘our’ car.

It’s no surprise that Prados sell as well as they do. This is a vehicle than fulfils many roles, family SUV with seven seats, proper off hardware, decent on-road manners and all the expected mod-cons. Look beyond the slightly underpowered engine and you have an SUV that doesn’t shout “look at me” but there are plenty of people who wish they’re behind the wheel.

Model: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado VX-L
Price: R1 543 700
Engine: 2,8-litre inline-four, turbodiesel
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, AWD
Max power: 150 kW
Max torque: 500 N.m
Top speed: 165 km/h
0-100 km/h: n/a
Fuel consumption: 7,9 L/100 km claimed (10,2 as reviewed)