Carscape Team
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Best-selling tough SUV in Kenya
Toyota has a full lineup of 8 models of SUVs, including the Hilux pickup truck. In addition to Toyota’s SUV, the Land Cruiser series is a model with the highest ability to run on rough roads among domestic SUVs. The Land Cruiser series is highly rated in countries and regions around the world for its excellent ability to run on rough roads, high durability, and reliability. Among the Land Cruiser series, the Land Cruiser Prado with the name Prado, which means plain in Portuguese, has the highest number of sales. Here, let’s explain the current Land Cruiser Prado, which is a long-selling model.
The current model debuted in 2009 is only a 5-door model
The fourth-generation Land Cruiser Prado was launched in September 2009. Until the previous generation, there were two specifications, a 3-door short body and a 5-door long body, but by integrating the Hilux Surf and chassis, the current model is a 5-door with a body size of 4825mm in length × 1885mm in width × 1850mm in height in the Japanese market. Car only.
Improvements have been made to the traditional full-frame structure body to further improve body rigidity. The appeal of the Land Cruiser Prado, which is a comfortable driving performance regardless of whether it is on-road or off-road, has been further evolved, and “a sense of security and comfort that allows you to go anywhere at any time” is pursued.
A smart design with the second minor change
Based on Toyota’s design philosophy of “VIBRANT CLARITY,” the exterior design is based on the concept of a modern and robust form that shines both on urban streets and outdoors. On top of that, it pursues the dynamism of a 4WD vehicle. In addition, a multi-terrain monitor that eliminates the need for an auxiliary mirror installed on the front fender on the passenger side, and a wide-view front and side monitor achieve a clean styling. All grades, except the TZ-G grade, are available with either a 5-seater or a 7-seater capacity. In 2017, the second minor change in 2017 changed the design to a more sleek direction, while the appearance increased in power with the minor change in 2013.
There are currently two types: 2.7L gasoline and 2.8L clean diesel.
The installed power unit was a 2.7L in-line 4 gasoline engine and a 4L V6 gasoline engine at the time of its debut, but the 4LV6 engine was abolished during partial improvement in June 2015, and the 2.8L in-line 4 will be the diesel revival for the first time in about 7 years. Equipped with a clean diesel turbo engine. Furthermore, the combined mission is also multi-stage with a 6-speed AT, improving fuel efficiency.
This 2.8L in-line 4 diesel turbo engine currently boasts a maximum output of 204ps and a maximum torque of 500Nm. In addition, since the maximum torque of 500 Nm is generated in a wide band of 1600 to 2800 rpm, it is characterized by smooth acceleration of the Land Cruiser Prado, which weighs over 2 tons. It is also characterized by high environmental performance as it is called a clean diesel engine. Equipped with a common rail fuel injection system, water-cooled intercooler, exhaust gas purification device called DPF, and a urea SCR system, it achieves both powerful driving performance and high environmental performance, and achieves a WLTC mode fuel efficiency of 11.2km / We have achieved L.
Reliable 4WD system that has matured
The drive system adopts full-time 4WD with a transfer with Torsen LSD for all cars. A Torsen LSD is used for the center differential, making it a highly reliable system that optimally controls front and rear torque distribution in response to road surface conditions and driving conditions. The normal torque distribution is front 40: rear 60, but during cornering acceleration, the driving force is distributed to the rear, demonstrating excellent cornering performance. In addition, even if one of the front and rear wheels slips, the torque is instantly distributed to the other wheel, quickly restoring vehicle stability.
Steadily updated safety performance
Safety performance includes VSC & TRC that contribute to stable driving performance, a total of seven SRS airbags, active headrests (driver’s seat and passenger’s seat) as standard equipment, and a new millimeter-wave radar pre-crash safety system. Achieves top-level safety performance in its class. In addition, at the time of the minor change in September 2017, the collision avoidance support package “Toyota Safety Sense P” (currently Toyota Safety Sense) was installed as standard on all cars. Steady improvements in safety have been made.
Heavyweight yet smooth acceleration and generous ride
The car I tested was the highest grade TZ-G equipped with a diesel engine, but the acceleration of the heavyweight Land Cruiser Prado with a vehicle weight of 2330 kg was very smooth. In addition, thanks to the combined 6-speed AT, it is not only smooth but also has a high quietness. The ride on paved roads is very soft and easy-going, but the reason is that if the suspension doesn’t move this much, the shaking will be intense when driving off-road.
With a minimum ground clearance of 220mm, the Land Cruiser Prado’s line of sight is very different from that of a typical SUV. In addition to the high eye point and wide field of view, it is easy to check the four corners of the body. The instrument panel also adopts a horizontal design. This is designed with functionality in mind so that the driver can immediately recognize how much the car is leaning when driving on rough roads.
A long-selling product that has not yet faded
It’s been 12 years since its debut, and it’s a long-selling model. The high performance of this Land Cruiser Prado may have forced rival vehicles such as the Mitsubishi Pajero to withdraw.
Read also : Toyota Prado fuel consumption in Kenya
