Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is a 3- or 5-door off-road vehicle belonging to the mid-size class. It was made based on the “classical canons”, which include a frame structure, a continuous rear axle and “real” all-wheel drive. The production is carried out by the Japanese company Toyota. The car stands out for its reliability, decent level of comfort and excellent cross-country ability. Today we will take a closer look at the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150. The entire Toyota model range.
Car history
In total, the Japanese company Toyota has released four generations of Land Cruiser Prado. The world first saw this SUV in 1984. The second generation of the “Japanese” was released in 1996, but the target audience was never able to appreciate the appearance of the “streamlined design”. The third generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 was introduced in 2002.
From the name it is clear which in-plant index the car received. Even today it can be found quite often in many cities of Russia. Finally, the 4th family of cars with inside were presented in the fall of 2009 during an exhibition in Frankfurt. Then the new product was updated several times. The last restyling of the Toyota Prado took place in 2020. This is the model we will talk about.
Driver reviews about TLK Prado colors
Sergey: Driving for 35 years. I changed a lot of cars, there were different colored cars. I was convinced that achromatic ones (white, black, gray) are classics that I love. Therefore, when I got to the Toyota Prado, I took the white one.
Anatoly: Color is an important thing for a car. I chose a gray-brown Toyota Prado metallic based on a photo on the car dealership website. I was not mistaken! I look at my beauty from the 8th floor: it catches my eye among the others. And how it shines!
Evgeniya: The color of the car is like the color of a suit. I go to work in a neutral one - gray with a pearlescent tint (with variations, of course). Prado also chose this one. We are little gray mice.
Exterior
If you look at the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150, it looks great from any angle. The new body has become even more masculine, stylish and modern. The task that the group of designers faced was completed 100%. Of course, you won’t be able to find any bright relief or a large number of chrome parts here, like many Chinese and American models. There are also no decorations here. But in order to look more respectable, the car doesn’t need them. For this purpose, the new Toyota Prado body has impressive dimensions.
Due to the updated headlights of the 3rd generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, engineers had to redo the front bumper and fenders. But this did not affect the design of the SUV in any way. The appearance is clear, stylish and modern.
Even from the photographs it is noticeable that most of the changes occurred in the front part of the car. They can already be seen on the hood, now placed clearly parallel to the road surface. There are a couple of large protrusions made in the form of stripes. They run along the entire cover from the windshield to the radiator grille. Experts decided to enlarge the grille of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2021 a little, but it still has an almost rectangular shape.
Thanks to the restyling of the SUV, it is equipped with new LED lighting elements under large headlight lamps. Simple versions will receive xenon optics, and top versions will have LED optics. In addition, the car received brand symbols, a pair of “foglights” integrated into the diffusers, a ventilation air intake built into the protruding bumper, as well as an abundance of parts with an aggressive stepped relief.
The Japanese car also looks great from the side. Here you can notice the presence of huge rectangular windows framed by a very thin line of chrome. Between them there is a dividing door pillar, painted in gloss black. As for the doors of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150, they received a small amount of wave-like relief. In addition to this, there are also massive wheel arches that protrude slightly outward. Inside they were placed large 17- or 18-inch steel wheels, perfect for off-road driving.
The wheels themselves have a multi-spoke unusual pattern. The decorations don't stop there. On the side, the Toyota Prado 2021 is equipped with chrome-plated running boards, which greatly simplifies the process of boarding/disembarking passengers of short stature. Stylish and practical roof rails on a flat roof are still there. The side mirrors are made of chrome and also come with integrated turn signals. Ground clearance is 215 millimeters.
But the stern received not such drastic changes. Here you can see the familiar tailgate, starting with a large visor that sticks out strongly. It has brake light repeaters. There is also a massive window, under which you can see a large number of chrome elements, as well as a recess for the license plate.
As for the rear optics, they decided to move them to the sides and modernize them a little. It stands out for its solid dimensions and has LED filling. It’s hard not to notice the body kit, which acts more like a step, because it received almost no auxiliary or decorative elements. The engineers decided to place the exhaust system and various eyelets here under the body. The spare wheel, as befits such cars, is located under the bottom.
Interior
Many different changes to the Toyota Prado 2021 can be seen in the interior of the new product. For the modernized car, the Japanese have provided a more modern multimedia system, improved finishing materials that are distinguished by wear resistance and a pleasant finish, as well as a large number of improvements. It can accommodate 5 or 7 people inside.
Despite the release of the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, the Japanese for some reason decided not to abandon the abundance of analog elements. However, the company offers to equip the car with a leather interior, decorative inserts made of decorated plastic and polished aluminum. In front of the driver is a 4-spoke, comfortable multifunction steering wheel. Behind the “steering wheel” you can see an enlarged shape of the “tidy”, implying two dial indicators.
Between them stands an informative 4.2-inch on-board computer display, showing various information about the vehicle. Everything is placed conveniently. There are no questions about the information content and quality of the review. There is plenty of free space in the front row. The center console of the new Toyota Prado does not look overloaded. Its uppermost part is given over to a set of air ducts for the ventilation system.
Next comes the 8/9-inch Toyota Touch 2 multimedia and command unit, which supports touch and button controls. Afterwards you can see the remote control, which allows you to configure functional and comfort-creating on-board systems. There was room in the center to install two cup holders. Many car enthusiasts note that this is a rather non-standard place to place them.
Next, the console smoothly transitions into the tunnel. It has a gear shift lever and a parking brake. The Japanese have significantly expanded the list of organizers, and also equipped the interior of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 with a comfortable armrest. The latter additionally serves as the lid of the refrigerator compartment. The front seats are very comfortable and boast a variety of functionalities.
For example, there are widely spaced side bolsters, soft filling and a huge range of adjustments. Not far from the gearbox shift knob, you can now see keys that allow you to control driving modes (if you order adaptive shock absorbers). Those sitting in the 2nd and 3rd row of seats (if provided by the Land Cruiser Prado package) will definitely not be bored, since the engineers have provided for watching videos thanks to the built-in displays.
The specialists did not forget to equip the back row with individual microclimate settings, and also provided convenient access to organizers and ports for connecting gadgets. You can sit comfortably with the help of a well-profiled sofa with an optimal backrest angle. As for the luggage compartment, it was provided with the correct shape and impressive volume.
In a 5-seat configuration, the trunk offers 621 liters. If you remove the second row, forming an almost flat area, the volume increases to an impressive 1,934 liters of usable space. The trunk door itself opens to the side (the hinges are located on the right). However, when you need to load small items, you can use the folding glass.
Adaptation to Russian conditions
Land Cruiser Prado was created specifically for Russian roads. The car is characterized by excellent cross-country ability, which allows it to overcome any obstacles and types of road surface.
The vehicle's approach angle is 31⁰, the ramp indicator is 22⁰, and the departure angle is 25⁰. The depth of the ford to be overcome reaches 700 mm.
The Japanese have created an SUV adapted for harsh Russian winters. The car is equipped with all kinds of heated seats, steering wheel, side and wind mirrors. Additionally, manufacturers have equipped the car with an electric interior heater and a diesel heater. The Japanese also thought about the rear passengers, for whom separate air ducts were installed.
Specifications
Power unit
The technical characteristics of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado pleasantly surprise you with the abundance of available features. So, at various times, the car was equipped with three engines running on gasoline and diesel fuel. The weakest option was the in-line 4-cylinder 2.7-liter petrol engine of the Land Cruiser Prado 2TR-FE. It was provided with a distributed “power supply” system, adjustable valve timing, as well as a 16-valve gas distribution mechanism. All this allowed him to produce 163 “horses” (246 Nm).
The engine compartment of the top versions was equipped with a gasoline 4.0-liter V-shaped 6-cylinder power plant 1GR-FE. It had multi-point gasoline supply technology, an optimized combustion chamber, a 24-valve gas distribution mechanism, as well as exhaust and intake phase shifters. As a result, the engine generates 249 horsepower (381 Nm). Fuel consumption of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2021 varies between 10.8-11.7 liters of gasoline per 100 km.
For lovers of diesel engines, the Japanese have provided a 4-cylinder 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV engine. It has a variable geometry turbocharger, a Common Rail system, an intercooler and a 16-valve DOHC gas distribution mechanism. Thanks to this, the Land Cruiser Prado 150 produces from 177 to 200 horsepower (420-500 Nm). Power depends on the year of production. The Prado 150 diesel fuel consumption will be 7.4 liters per 100 km in the combined cycle.
Transmission
Toyota engines are synchronized with a 6-speed automatic transmission. But the weakest gasoline and diesel engines in the basic version are equipped with a 5- and 6-speed manual transmission, respectively. All Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 vehicles have permanent all-wheel drive (Full-Time TL), which includes an asymmetrical Torsen differential with hard locking, downshift and 3 presets (H4F, H4L and L4L).
By default, the torque of the Toyota engine is divided between the axles in a ratio of 40/60. But the ratio can vary from 28/72 to 58/42. Acceleration from zero to the first “hundred” takes from 9.7 to 12.7 seconds, and the maximum speed limit will be 160-175 km/h, depending on which modification is chosen.
The off-road capabilities of the new product are still amazing. The approach, ramp and departure angles of the car are 31, 22 and 25 degrees, respectively. Moreover, the car fords up to 700 millimeters (without special training).
Chassis
The SUV was constructed on a steel spar frame. The structure of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2021 involves an independent suspension in front, for which double wishbones, an anti-roll bar and conventional shock absorbers are provided. In addition, there is a continuous rear axle and springs.
Version 4 of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 family will receive richer adaptive shock absorbers, rear air suspension with a transverse stabilizer, as well as KDDS technology. The latter is equipped with deactivated anti-roll bars. With the help of this installation, the “behavior” of the machine has really improved. The SUV has lost its swing and now does not bite during braking.
Despite the dimensions of the Toyota Prado, it is easy to drive. This is achieved thanks to the rack and pinion steering mechanism and the built-in hydraulic booster. The brake unit has disc brakes (ventilated), working with ABS, EBD electronics and more. The downshift hasn't gone anywhere. In addition to this, we were able to expand the Multi-Terrain Select functionality, with the help of which the electronics independently select the terrain and can adjust the distribution of torque forces.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 2021 has 5 driving modes – Normal, Sport, Eco, Sport S and Sport S+. They can change the settings of the automatic transmission, the steering wheel, as well as the adaptive chassis (as a separate option).
Safety
The Japanese company Toyota has always considered it its duty to ensure safety on the road. The new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 is no exception. The company's engineers are always improving to provide their cars with the maximum level of safety and driving comfort. Thus, the SUV has a blind spot monitoring system (there is a BSM visual warning function).
To make parking easier for the driver, an electronic reverse exit assist (RCTA) system was provided. So that the driver always knows what’s going on around him, he has 4 panoramic cameras with a “Circle Flight” view. And with the help of an anti-lock brake system (ABS), which has an electronic brake force distribution (EBD), the driver and passengers sitting next to them feel protected in any situation on the road.
Passive safety includes the presence of:
- operational service "Era-Glnass";
- active head restraints for the front seats;
- ISOFIX child seat anchors;
- 10 airbags and so on.
This is not the entire list of safety technologies in the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150. If you need more information, please visit the official website or your nearest dealer.
Comfort and safety
The driver feels comfortable behind the wheel. The chair can be adjusted to suit a person of any height and build. The driver's seat is characterized by maximum visibility. Ergonomics are thought out to the smallest detail, the necessary control buttons are at hand.
The seats are comfortable, but adults will find it uncomfortable in the third row. Especially if there are two people sitting there. It is recommended to use the third row of seats for children. The trunk is roomy, comfortable, and has enough capacity to transport food, belongings, and small cargo.
It is convenient that the spare tire is installed at the bottom. If necessary, the owner will not have to free up space in the trunk to get to the wheel.
Land Cruiser Prado is characterized by a high level of safety and reliability. Manufacturers have installed all-round cameras along the entire perimeter of the SUV. Thanks to the radars located on the sides, the car can safely leave the parking lot without fear of damaging nearby cars. The security system is called parking exit assistance.
The Prado is equipped with seven airbags: front, side and curtain. Additionally, manufacturers have equipped the car with a body stabilization system, blind spot monitoring, tire pressure monitoring, ERA-GLONASS, and a hill climb and descent assistant.
Price options
For our market, the updated Toyota Land Cruiser 150 Prado 2021 will be available in 7 versions to choose from. The cost of the standard Land Cruiser Prado equipment starts from RUB 2,931,000. But do not forget that the initial version has very poor equipment. There is no point in justifying this by price, since it reduces the prestige of the brand. However, the machine is equipped with:
- 7-liter “engine”;
- manual transmission;
- 4 airbags;
- hill start assist technology;
- air conditioning;
- full electric package;
- fabric interior;
- steel 17-inch “rollers”;
- conventional limited slip differential;
- halogen headlights;
- "fog lights";
- rear optics with LED filling;
- light sensor;
- an ordinary “on-board computer”;
- multimedia center cover.
More expensive versions have much more interesting equipment. The price of the top-end Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 starts at RUB 4,716,000 . It will be additionally equipped with:
- two additional seats (3rd row);
- 4-liter engine;
- LED optics with washer;
- light sensor;
- hatch;
- leather trim;
- new 4.2-inch “on-board computer” display;
- wood finish;
- electric seat adjustments;
- heated 2 rows;
- seat ventilation (first row);
- keyless entry;
- pre-heater;
- Toyota Safety package;
- 3-zone “climate”;
- 8-inch JBL entertainment display;
- 4 cameras;
- all off-road functions;
- adaptive suspension, etc.
Multimedia
The multimedia complex is not the newest, but it looks decent. The screen is large, all images are clearly visible from it. According to reviews from owners, it is sometimes difficult to reach for it.
The Prado is equipped with a high-quality audio system with six speakers. A car radio with nine speakers is available for an additional cost. The expensive equipment is equipped with a JBL audio system, 14 speakers, and multimedia with an LED display.
Navigation is set in Russian. Connection via Bluetooth is available, there are AUX, USB connectors. Owners note the high sound quality.
Tuning
Many owners of a Japanese SUV use it for off-road driving. In this situation, Toyota Prado tuning is necessary. Today on the Internet you can find many different options for improving this machine, but we will only touch on the main ones.
Those who want to tune the Toyota Prado can start with body kits. A front body kit is necessary to protect the bumper and the entire front part of the car. Moreover, he has more than once saved the body from damage during careless parking or when colliding with obstacles. It’s nice that from the factory the Japanese provide special mounts for additional front and rear body kits.
In addition, you can pay attention to replacing the wheels. Tuning a Toyota Prado 150 involves installing wheels with a diameter of 20-22 inches. This option is perfect for lovers of off-road driving, as it will improve cross-country ability.
To drive on bad roads, it is important to upgrade the chassis. The ideal option here is a reinforced suspension. The rear suspension can be equipped with a remote tank, which will create comfort by increasing the energy intensity of the chassis. Don't forget about suitable shock absorbers. And to feel more confident off-road, it’s worth equipping your car with a power bumper and a winch. She will often be able to save you during unexpected situations. This is just some tuning of the Prado 150.
Interior of Toyota Prado 2021
The premium class obliges you to comply with modern standards and trends in car interiors. Therefore, when developing the car, special attention was paid to natural materials: leather, textiles and wood.
Key changes to the car's interior:
- Enlarged, more solid steering wheel.
- The air duct block no longer interferes with the view - it was lowered by 25 mm.
- Updated console design.
- Special attention was paid to the central dashboard: in addition to the central display with two control units, the lower part became a feature.
- An extended control unit for mirrors and windows was placed on the driver's door.
- Large chairs have position adjustment units.
- Additionally, the front seats have the ability to control ventilation.
- The on-board computer screen has been enlarged.
- Added a blind spot monitoring system.
Comparison with competitors
The competitor of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 2021 is:
- Nissan Patrol;
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- Volkswagen Teramont;
- Mitsubishi Pajero Sport;
- Ford Explorer;
- Honda Pilot
- KIA Mohave;
- Infiniti QX60;
- Volkswagen Touareg;
- Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Owner reviews
It is hardly possible to find real reviews about the latest updated Toyota Prado 150, but there are reviews of pre-restyling versions. Thus, owners of the Toyota Prado 150 note good cross-country ability, high ground clearance, a spacious interior, as well as a reliable design. This is a real all-wheel drive frame car with good handling. About 95% of reviews recommend this model. However, reviews from owners of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 show that it has a substantial price tag, high fuel consumption, expensive maintenance, and also a high transport tax.
Design
Exterior of the Toyota Prado is a restyled version of the previous model with the Elegance package.
Changes affected car optics:
- halogen headlights;
- LED daytime running lights;
- rear lights in transparent housings in the shape of pyramidal squares;
- Fog lights are installed on the sides of the front bumper.
Aggressive optics emphasize the power of the all-terrain vehicle.
The engine is protected by a chrome trapezoidal grille.
The square silhouette of the body and the embossed hood indicate the good aerodynamic properties of the Toyota Prado.
The mirrors were equipped with turn signal indicators, and the wind windows were equipped with chrome trim. There are roof rails on the roof.
High ground clearance and wheel arches in combination with alloy wheels indicate the vehicle's off-road capability.
The trunk is closed by a massive fifth door - a distinctive feature of the car. A visor with illumination is installed above it. The spare wheel is located under the trunk.
There are 7 airbags in the cabin, an engine pre-heater that can be activated via a mobile phone. Leather upholstery with signature embossing.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros of the car
- exterior;
- controllability;
- large wheels;
- clearance;
- modern optics;
- spacious interior;
- it is possible to install a 7-seater cabin;
- trunk;
- safety;
- choice of motors available;
- permeability;
- true all-wheel drive.
Cons of the car
- price;
- fuel consumption;
- not the most modern salon;
- transport tax;
- expensive maintenance;
- “poor” basic configuration.
Let's sum it up
So, having released the updated Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150, the Japanese tried to improve it in many ways. The car has become more manageable, modern and functional. All-wheel drive, reliable and proven design and excellent cross-country ability have not disappeared. For the target adult audience, this is like a breath of fresh air.
Of course, there are questions about the not-so-modern equipment and the very “poor” initial configuration. This slightly reduces the image of the Japanese brand. However, after the release of the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 2021, the SUV has every chance to continue to confidently be at the forefront of popularity in many countries.
We advise you to read the article: History of Toyota: from looms to cars
Land Cruiser Prado photo
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