Toyota’s efforts in the 4×4 department just keep getting better and better. Grab a new Toyota Prado 5dr, and you’ve got yourself one of the handiest vehicles for travelling Australia ­ and I mean a vehicle that’s at home in the deepest parts of the Great Southern Land. What a way to see Alice Springs or Mount Ulga. What a way to experience the Simpson Desert. Actually, in a roomy and capable Toyota Prado 5dr, it’s the best way.

New for 2012 is the accomplished modern Toyota Prado 5 dr. This is a 4×4 that trundles round town doing errands, commutes to work and then can gallop off to the Outback for an excursion in the long weekend or holidays. These massive 4x4s won’t let you down, and they’re easier to drive than you think.

There are essentially five Toyota Prado 5dr models, and they differ according to comfort specs and choice of engine. To get yourself into one of these, you’ll find that the potent off-road performance still abides in the base model Toyota Prado GX. Engine power (127 kW/410 Nm) for this girl comes from the lusty Toyota 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine. If you’ve ever experienced the performance of this particular engine, then you’ll know about the smooth power delivery, excellent torque and superior efficiency. Actually, you’ve probably met your match with the Prado GX. The other engine in the mix is a 4.0-litre petrol which doesn’t drink as heavily as you would expect (11-­12 litres/100 km) and provides glorious power (202 kW/381 Nm) and smooth refinement.

However, a few more bells and whistles, entertaining features and choice for powering your machine comes as you sift your way through the other Toyota Prado 5dr versions. Essentially, they all come with the same reliable, rugged ability for when the tarmac runs out and the tough terrain begins. If you’re a person who adores the latest gadgets and all the luxury, then you better have a look at the top-of-the-range Toyota Prado 5dr Altitude Special Edition. This will get you ogling.

If you pull up to a Prado 5dr in a Yaris, you do feel a bit like a dwarf standing next to Ian Thorpe. A Prado is big, and being big has its advantages. You are usually bigger than everyone else on the road and you can see over the top of nearly everyone else. Weight and height are very well contained with a very well sorted chassis. On the road, the Diesel versions actually get along really well, having a useful turn of speed. Turbodiesel power boasts an average fuel consumption figure of around 8.5 litres/100 km.

I was impressed to find that even the base model Toyota Prado GX comes with Anti-Skid Brakes (ABS) – on all wheels, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), front airbags (including knee airbag for driver), side airbags (front), side and curtain airbags in the rear, pre-tensioner seatbelts in the front, force limiting seatbelts (front), three-point seatbelts (rear seats) and ALR seatbelts for child seats.

Inside, the new Toyota Prado 5dr uses a modern dash design with a very upright centre console that houses and drives all the high-tech equipment. Leather and wood veneer competes with the Rangie if you buy into the Prado Altitude Special Edition. Cloth is still nice, and the seats are comfortable for the long haul.

Toyota has a new vehicle warranty that expires three years from the date of purchase or 100,000 km – whichever occurs first.

The current Toyota Prado 5dr models include the:

• GX
• GXL
• VX
• Kakado
• Altitude Special Edition

For any more information on the Toyota Prado 5dr or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Toyota dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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