June was a depressed month for the car market as a whole, but it seems that customers of the next-gen Toyota Prado didn’t get the memo.
The new Prado launched in South Africa at the start of June and racked up a total of 694 sales during the month, which was enough to secure it the accolade of the 15th best-selling vehicle in the country.
The luxury SUV is available in three flavours retailing from a minimum of R1,296,300 up to R1,462,400, meaning local buyers in total spent anywhere between R899.6 million and R1 billion on the new Toyota during its first month on the market.
This comes at a time when consumers are grappling to stay afloat and the average new-car loan in the country is sitting at R392,630, which speaks volumes of the demand for the Prado nameplate.
What’s available
The new Toyota Prado can be yours in TX, VX-R, and the exclusive First Edition trims.
All variants are driven by a 2.8-litre, turbo-diesel powerplant connected to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and permanent four-wheel-drive system.
The setup generates 150kW and 500Nm, allowing the sizeable seven-seater to achieve a top speed of 165km/h and tow up to a maximum of 3,500kg. Fuel usage is pegged at a relatively frugal 7.9l/100km.
Crawl Control (off-road cruise control) and a centre differential lock are standard across the range, but the Multi-Terrain Select function and a rear diff lock are reserved for the VX-R and First Edition models.
All bar the entry-level Prado also feature a Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism which unlocks the front anti-roll bar to increase suspension travel.
Standard amenities in the high-end Toyota comprise automatic LED lights, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, leather upholstery, an electric driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar support, dual-zone climate control, a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six speakers, tyre-pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, and a powered tailgate.
The Toyota Safety Sense package is included, too, bringing blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, hill descent control, traction control, brake assist, vehicle stability control, and lane-trace assist.
Stepping up to the VX-R adds adaptive high beams, a digital rear-view mirror, a heated steering wheel, an electric front passenger seat, heating and ventilation for the second-row seats, electronically folding third-row seats, a refrigerated storage bin, a moonroof, 10 speakers, a wireless charger, and two 12.3-inch screens for the driver and media systems.
Buyers interested in the First Edition specifications can expect the same nice-to-haves as the VX-R, complemented by distinctive exterior styling courtesy of circular “heritage” headlights, unique mud flaps, roof rails, a two-tone interior, and First Edition badges on the front fenders.
Each purchase of the new Prado carries a 3-year/100,000km warranty and a 9-service/90,000km service plan.
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