Comments on: Toyota LandCruiser Prado Review & Road Test

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:34:00 +0000

I live and work in Kingston, Jamaica. I ordered the Prado 2012 and expect to have it in mid-February. I was quite interested to hear the comments of the expert, who sounded quite frank and on top of his game. The implications, I have picked up, are the weight and bulk of the unit that affects braking, acceleration, and general handling. This is quite significant for me because I have owned and driven the 2006 Hilux Workhorse 4×4 since March 2006. Though the acceleration is sluggish with it’s 2.5L TD engine; braking has never been an issue during my operation of the truck. The 5-speed standard transmission doesn’t hurt either. Saying this to say; I may have to significantly adjust my driving practices to enjoy the best of the heavier, auto-transmissioned SUV.

Looking forward to my new adventures…..

By: Flackie

Flackie — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:21:00 +0000

I live in Dubai, UAE and have a 4 litre petrol Prado TXL. I went out in the desert this weekend for first time. No problems with the transmission or engine temp at all, and it was fairly warm out high 20s. Engine has tons of power and torque (not sure 4L one is available in Aus?). Main gripe was the traction control that kept kicking in, even when turned off – exactly like it said in this review, it happened primarily at tight turns in the sand. Beeping, reduced power and could feel the front wheels vibrating. I’ve read since you need to push and hold the button for few seconds to really, really turn it all off… seems nuts to me. Off should mean off, there was a warning light in orange saying ‘TCS off’, but everytime the TCS still kicked in, and the light just blinked at me (along with the incessant beeping and vibrating). I have also read that using the centre diff lock turns this off, but advice here on soft sand is generally only use the diff lock if you get stuck. Can’t wait to take it out again with TCS fully off (even if I have to pull a fuse out to do that).

By: @prado

@prado — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:17:00 +0000

Have they fixed the gearbox, lag & ESC issue in the 2011 2012 model? Please advice as I am going to place an order for one in January.

Thanks!

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:00:32 +0000

I would like to share my experience to date with my 2010 prado GXL Diesel now just over one year old with approx 20k on the clock.
The dashboard rattles severly at around 1500 rpm this has been the case since day one and cannot be masked no matter how loud you turn up the radio. I have contacted Bill Buckle service regarding this issue and they have advised me that the dash will need to be removed completly from the vehicle which I am reluctant to let them do as it is a major job taking 2 days to complete so who knows what other issues this process will possibly create therefore I have delayed this for some time now.
I have also encountered the auto transmission overheating issue after a trip to Tasmania towing a small 14 foot Windsor Rapid caravan we were on a dirt track at the time going up a hill but taking it very slowly at around 20 ~ 30kph.
The problem occurred twice and had to stop in a very dangerous position and wait for the transmission to cool down. Bill Buckle advised that a firmware update was required to correct this and that it was caused by the traction control working too hard however after a firmware update they then advised that it was in fact the latest firmware in the vehicle and have referred the matter to Toyota: still waiting 4 months later with no follow up’s!
To be frank I could not see how this vehicle could be used for its intended purpose – if towing off road – until this design issue is corrected, imagine trying to tow an offroad trailer across the Simpson desert with it overheating on every sand dune.
I find that the diesel is a bit lacking but not too bad and very fuel efficient.
Service is a major consideration that Toyota needs to address urgently in my opinion and experience. The service department does not return calls and has limited product knowledge.
I have for a number of years been a fan of Toyotas however the experience that I have encountered with this vehicle will have me looking elsewhere for my next purchase I am sorry to say.

By: Darryn

Darryn — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:42:55 +0000

I have a 2010 Kakadu and cant fault it…Its very solid unstoppable off road, comfortable and pulls my 1.5T caravan easily. I have done ALOT of off roading and have never had the trans warning light come on Im so glad I didn’t buy a HSE Disco 4 like my father in law did…so far he has had a loan car longer than his Disco AND my resale is holding up much better than his..
The Disco 4 deisel V6 HSE optioned up to just match the Kakadu was 124k compared to my 84k driveaway price left me 40k for a brand new caravan….easy choice for me.

By: Michael Aspen

Michael Aspen — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:25:57 +0000

Well my experience with Toyota’s is complete opposite. Had a 150 Prado GXL now for 1 1/2 years, paid $70k for what I thought would be a good vehicle. Boy was I wrong! The interior is very basic and squeaks and rattles despite being nearly new. Very disappointing when a car costing this much doesn’t even have sat nav or comfortable seats. The engine – forget it. I had thought it would loosen up and perform once it was run in but I was wrong. The diesel is simply gutless and I really don’t like towing our 2t caravan with it because it seems scared of hills. Don’t get me started about round town – that high boot is a pain in the butt – my wife struggles to load shopping in. Have had the gearbox shut down while driving on sand at Robe last Christmas, had to be towed back to the bitumen and wait an hour for gearbox to cool down. I so wish I had never sold my NP pajero, such a more capable and reliable car!

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:38:59 +0000

In the usa the prado has a 4.7 litre petrol v8 in the last model and i would like to see toyota bring the v8 to australia as well the 4.5 litre turbo diesel v8 that is in the landcruser as an option and it would be quite something

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:10:05 +0000

For the price of a kakadu you would be better off to get a gxl version and still have cash left over and put a decent sound system in it and the spere cash it could get a camper trailer or a boat with a diesel and have it chipped and a good set of 4wd tyres like bf good ridge three ply side walls but don’t go one size larger tyre unless you get the speedo recalibrated to the tyre or the speedo will be out by around 3 km/h

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:47:18 +0000

You take off the side steps and it is very easy to get a lot more clearance and replace the tyres for sand and road use and i have had two prado’s a v6 manual and a turbo diesel automatic and it was cheaper to run on sand then the v6. But once you take the side steps off and put them in the back shed and the diesel is unstoppable when rock walking and other 4 weel driving. But when i had the side steps taken off someone asked me if i had a lift kit on it and i said no it hasn’t and i would do it on my next prado and when i take it home the first thing i would do is take the side steps off and if you had to get replacement side steps from toyota spear parts from the dealer there not cheap and they only come in a pare and i nearly ripped off the side steps on Fraser Island and i use them off road and i stick with gxl models in the 5 door or sr in the 3 door version

By: Q7 Lover

Q7 Lover — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:25:35 +0000

While the Q7 looks great, its not the most reliable of 4WD. We drove one from Sydney to Coffs Harbour on sealed roads in heavy rain and it broke down… good thing it was still under warrantee! Also the door fittings feel weak and make it feel like a cheap car. I do agree that the interior of the new Prado could have a better layout. They seem to have copied the Range & Land Rovers a little with the sharp lines.