– By Marc Sibbald –
Using the term ‘Rugged Elegance’ (which I borrowed from the Toyota website) seems fitting to describe the Prado Kakadu. It has a commanding presence on the road and an old world analogue feel on the inside.
I was out of my comfort zone for the first few days because the centre console is loaded with buttons and dials which you would only use off-road. After a few days I settled into the quietness and comfort that you get when paying $95k for a luxury bush basher.
I’m not a 4X4 enthusiast. Nor do I dream about touring the country as a grey nomad with a caravan and a sense of adventure. But I was excited to drive the Prado because of its popularity in the list of Top 10 Novated Lease Cars for several years.
The current Landcruiser Prado platform was launched in 2009 which gives the interior an analogue feel compared to other large SUVs. It had a major upgrade in 2020 and received some more advanced safety features in 2021 which has allowed it to stay relevant in the market.
On the outside it looks familiar and capable. With regular design tweaks during the current model cycle, the Prado continues to impress and the Kakadu version has enough chrome trim to distinguish it from the lesser variants in the range.
Driving the Kakadu is when you notice the elegance. The car provided by Toyota had a beige leather interior which felt warm and comforting. Somehow, the colour choice amplified the luxurious feel. And when combined with a steering wheel that featured wooden inlays, it didn’t feel like a bush basher anymore. It provoked some amazing reactions from passengers which confirmed the value in the price tag.
So why would you buy a Landcruiser Prado in 2022? Here’s my top five reasons.
- Toyota’s reputation for building capable and long lasting 4X4 vehicles
- The older platform doesn’t feel like the new generation of electronic push button cars (it does all the safety technology and smartphone connections you need)
- If you tow a boat or caravan (3,000 kg towing capacity)
- If you regularly take trips outside of Sydney (once a month and 200+ kilometres in distance) and drive on dirt or gravel
- Overall lovely to drive, easy to park because of the great visibility and minimal blind spots
