Land cruising in the Prado

Land cruising in the Prado

Around the world, cars paint pictures. The Merc G-Class boasts status; the M3 is a performance icon; and the Ford Transit mobilises the workforce in nations like the UK. But here in South Africa, we have an intriguing tradition, one that is shaped by our landscape and rugged terrain, for which Toyota and its Land Cruiser have proven to be the reliable option.

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But automotive brands are getting more premium by the day, and the Prado is now as much of a looker as it is a rugged off-roader. But with a heavy R1.5m price tag and a more upscale look, does it retain off-road readiness despite its plush on-road experience? We ventured to Clarens, arguably the most picturesque town in South Africa, to assess the capabilities of this new Land Cruiser in navigating the African terrain, both on and off the road.

Our journey began at the Toyota headquarters in Joburg, where I first got acquainted with our wheels for the coming week. First impressions were conflicting, given that our typical image of a Land Cruiser is one of simplicity, toughness, and dependability. While this new Prado's heart is the tried-and-tested 2.8-litre turbodiesel, its design is far from basic. From the moment I hopped in, its modern personality offers a feeling that you are driving something special. A quick scan around the cabin heightened our excitement for the road trip ahead, with a gorgeous interior aesthetic wrapped with soft-touch leather and a superb sound system.

We packed the Prado with all of our belongings and hit the road with nothing but a smile, a full tank, and blaring music. The Prado's size was immediately apparent, and despite its weight causing noticeable cornering roll, its ride quality was exceptional. It's clear that comfort was an important consideration for Toyota, and the three-hour drive ahead seemed destined to be conquered with ease. Its size also provided a sense of confidence that few other SUVs hold, all of which was reinforced by a sense of cultural appreciation. Almost every passerby gawked at this not-so-new machine with a sentiment of ‘hoe gaan dit met jou’ in appreciation of the car and most certainly not its very English occupants. Yet, I had never felt so South African.

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With chilled beverages within reach and one of the best adaptive cruise controls I've ever used set to a steady 120km/h, we eagerly escaped the Johannesburg chaos, and the relaxation set in. Although the occasional overtaking manoeuvre was a bit nerve-wracking, the ride was effortless. Mostly due to its size and numerous skinny roads, but at least its 150kW and 500Nm make overtaking a speedy activity. The three-hour drive to the beautiful town of Clarence was almost too short, but as the sun set over the mountains of Lesotho, we cruised into town with our particularly bright LED headlights in full force.

The first morning revealed a craving to gain some altitude, so we piled into the Cruiser and set our sights on the Golden Gate National Park. It's one of the few places where natural beauty is so abundant, and it's a sight that never gets old, even after your tenth visit. With the mist lingering on the horizon, we wound our way through the near-endless switchbacks and turns along the Little Caledon River. It was here that the Prado's grip and handling revealed a rather composed driving experience. Despite my initial thoughts surrounding its weight and body roll, you can maintain an impressive level of speed through the turns without concern of understeer or tyre squeal.

It didn't take long for me to be tempted by a rogue stretch of tar that wound its way up into the mountains. The narrow road led us to some of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen, and this car was having a superb time. Once we parked and stood back, the image of a Prado looking down on the South African landscape and rolling hills created a visual painting that couldn't have been more fitting. Until now, there hadn't been an obstacle that a sedan couldn't overcome, but a couple of water crossings along this route brought a change in pace. The water crossings allowed us to get our first sense of the Prado's land-conquering ability, as it felt as though we floated over the surface. Once our scenic appetite was quenched, we headed back into town to soak in the quaint Clarens atmosphere.

Swamped by the presence of local farmers, whose presence reminded me of where a traditional Land Cruiser shines, I realised that the new Prado is a significant step in a new direction. In fact, it almost didn’t fit in. Its striking lines, modern minimalistic design and plethora of tech were all great to experience, but it was clear that the Prado has a new, more conventional demeanour. While the traditional Land Cruiser was a fit-for-purpose machine, the new Prado offered what appeared to be a softer personality. So to make sure it retained a sense of off-road pedigree, our new mission was to find a rough road, clip it in low range and hit the dirt. And I knew just the spot.

Some friends of ours own a farm nearby, and rumour had it they had only just begun rebuilding the rutted roads surrounding the property. So with a new target in mind, it was time to get it dirty. As the tyres touched the gravel, the quiet and almost cloud-like ride quality shocked even the less off-road-experienced friend who tagged along. It wasn't long before we encountered a service ditch along the length of the road. Normally, such an obstacle would mean a swift end to our off-road adventure, but I saw it as a perfect time to test out its approach and departure angles. Before I could gather my thoughts, we were in and back out of the ditch without breaking an oily sweat. The ruts and holes, too, were a breeze, but at a few points, its ground clearance did fall short, which is mostly due to my overambition. On we plodded, and with each obstacle came greater appreciation thanks to a rear diff-lock and all-terrain tyres.

With the views taken in and half the tank gone, we headed back to the lodge with a new appreciation for the Prado, and no, it isn’t soft. Having confirmed its off-road pedigree and experienced its on-road comfort, the final factor that solidified my opinion of the Prado as the ultimate road trip car was its fuel consumption. It's great to have a car with luxury features and buttery smooth comfort whilst retaining a go-anywhere attitude, but if you are constantly on the lookout for filling stations, well, it will definitely dampen the experience. Going into this trip, I had a firm idea that the Prado would likely be a thirsty machine. Well, although it's no eco-warrior, Toyota claimed an average consumption of 7.9l/100km, and in practice, we got that figure down to 7.7l/100km, which in a car this enormous is impressive, and my wallet was thrilled at this discovery.

Once we had to top up its 80-litre tank and 30-litre sub-tank, the bill amounted to an eye-watering R2k. Nevertheless, our time in Clarence was peaceful, and the Prado played a pleasant role in making our trip that much more memorable. The ride home was almost sombre, as the drive was equally as easy with the occasional breath hold on the tight overtakes, but it meant our time with the Prado was coming to an end.

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It's one of the few modern cars that still has personality, while its wireless charging, modern infotainment, and digital displays help keep it competitive compared to other new SUVs. It has its quirks, but these imperfections only made me like it more. Is it the ultimate road trip car? In many ways, yes. I know the likes of a diesel BMW X5 might offer better competency in the turns and make your trip a touch more affordable, yet the Prado offers a competent experience not only on the open road but also in places you would never take an X5.

I've always thought of a Toyota Land Cruiser as a reliable and trustworthy option for people who need a workhorse, while the Prado has always added a touch of style to the mix. Yet my time in Clarens made me realise why we South Africans love a Land Cruiser so much. It's more than the look, and it's more than the reliability; it’s a car that can do it all without hesitation, and you never worry about the what-ifs. Only now it's gone to private school and has a new luxury element too, all of which makes a road trip in a Prado one of the more joyous adventures I have embarked on. If you would like a deeper dive into the Prado's ins and outs, you can read our road test here.

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