As far as we know, we are the first people to review the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in the desert. Everyone else drove it “off-road” at the launch event, to which we were not invited, but that was a carefully-planned event with easy gravel jaunts anyway. We took our Prado VX-L tester on the same dunes used by desert safari outfits in Dubai.
Tagging along was my wannabe safari-driver friend, who suggested the location because he is tight with the local tour companies who use the Aweer trails regularly. In case we get stuck, there will always be someone a phone-call away to get us out, just like in our last sandy excursion.
However, the Prado is not some European crossover for yuppies, even though it is deceptively popular among the conservative set. We pulled out the tyre valves on the 18-inch wheels, deflated the 265/60-width rubbers, stuck the valves back on, and set off in our V6-powered camel.
Our VX-L had the optional “multi-terrain” system, so we set it to “Mud & Sand” mode. We tried turning off the traction control, but once “multi-terrain” is activated, the traction control cannot be deactivated, and we were supposed to trust the computers to adjust the traction control to suit the sandy conditions. So we instead locked the centre differential.
It did not bog down at all. Even though I felt the engine did not have as much of a low-end kick as my V8 Jeep, it still had enough mid-range grunt to simply sail over the desert sand. It can climb moderate dunes using only partial throttle, and there was always enough ground clearance to not get beached on any peaks. Only later did we realise that in “mud and sand” mode, the air suspension automatically jacked up the ride height by a couple of inches, so we were towering over the ground.
Some of the gimmicks are unnecessary though. The front camera was activated in “multi-terrain” mode, showing us which way the front wheels were headed, using lines on the screen. However, the camera only works at low speeds, and turned off as we started hurtling over the sand at relatively higher speeds, in true Arabian offroading style.
Also, the “multi-terrain” traction control occasionally made itself known while travelling down some dunes, hitting the brakes briefly once in a while, and annoying the crap out of all who drove it. Apparently it is supposed to do that, to reduce excessive wheelspin, although most offroaders prefer manual control of the brakes. Thankfully, it never went off long enough to bog down the vehicle.
We also tried the “crawl control” feature that takes the vehicle down a dune slowly without touching the brakes. It worked as advertised, with five speeds to choose from, instead of three in the larger Land Cruiser.
A few seasoned safari drivers and their boss checked out our Prado, and were easily wowed by the available techno-babble. They were especially impressed by the button-operated “lift kit” suspension, the electric-folding third row and the starter button. But they did not appreciate the traction control intruding on the downhill slopes, however brief. Most will probably prefer the lower-trim Prado models, without the “multi-terrain” gizmo. The safari boss knew what the “Mud & Sand,” “Loose Rock” and “Rock” options meant in the system, but joked whether the “mogul” option referred to Moghul Restaurant. Frankly, we didn’t know any better.
The day ended as the sun set and we sat down for a free dinner at the camp among foreign tourists. Interestingly, we never got to use the low-range gearing. It only comes in handy when stuck.
the speedo looks sweet!
Thats a generous dose of luxury in this car.. Nowonder why it got more expensive..
Great…
did you see dancers during dinner???
nice review..
here’s a definition of MOGUL :
# a bump on a ski slope
# a member of the Muslim dynasty that ruled India until 1857
# baron: a very wealthy or powerful businessman; “an oil baron” “Tycoon”
# a restaurant in Dubai, U.A.E.
^ That clears up a few things.
The camp and whatever comes in it are always free for us.
What is this frog doing in desert…
well, desert is kinda home for this frog…
it is destroying our environment lOOK what happened to LC’s they even destroyed the safari camps in aweer lOOks better in pounds.
The Prado looks better in the shots posted by you then the shots Toyota had…
I admit… That it looks better than the previous model… But the car still is not much of a looker… Most people will also settle for the entry level model, I dont find any neeed for a Range Rover offroading system in a Prado… Well yeah its cool but not necessary hence an unwanted expense… Say will they release a 2door model?
^^it looks better than previous model???? no ways!
yea the previous model looks better.
Haha! I made the Prado look good with my bro-fessional fotography.
I guess look wise the current model is a disaster, the earlier version had better look. This one look like like a fake landcruiser almost like the diffrence between a nokia phone and the chineese remake of it. Had expected a much better version for a most awaited model from toyota,totally disappointing
Sorry..
but I have to say it..
I really, sincerely & utterly, to a point where I would call up toyota and tell them that, ‘God-has-most-definitely-abandoned-your-lot-with-the-slightest-possibility-of-any-creativity’, hate PRADOS..
even though I have owned one..
for the last 4 and a half years..
Well thats all abt the looks
if u r really into driving thn the looks doesnt mater,
all it counts is the driving pleasure and power
Mash, we came to know tht this beauty was a beast in desert, wat abt it on the road,
how is it tuned on the roads, i heard frm a friend of mine frm AU, tht it is very much better n smooth on road than the previous 2009models,
can u tell us plz
Hahaa nice one,,so why’d u buy one??
he probably got it when toyota was good.
Actually..
I bought one when the styling was completely new..
Then afterwards.. Like all the recent prados.. They all seemed to resemble one another.. In an inbred type of way..
Sorry if I’ve been too concentrated only on the exterior of the car..
But Honestly guys..
For a car that is ultimately a PRADO (And not a Gallardo)..
It is still very boring..
P.S.
Even is it is a splendid car off-road..
Well,
for about a year i was waiting for this, but when it was launched, i was shocked by its over price, but thn the mid models came
here in saudia, the TXL model is better than the 2009 VX2 model , with cruise control and all the goodies and even much more than tht of 2009,
yes today finally my dream came true, i drove the TXL model – V6 4 litre engine, it is purely awsome, better power i felt than that of its previous one, yes surely it is 271HP folks,
and i felt tht it was smoother than the 2009 one, over all i was impressed with it, and justified the increase of the price,
as the 2009 Prado VX2 came at 132K, the TXL V6 is comming at 136, so after all 4 k increase is not that much, buy for those who want entry level into V6 then yes it is too much increase, as 2009 V6 VX1 was starting at 120K, and the v6 is starting at 136 automatic transmission,
Prado cannot be compared to a GALLARDO
Gallardo can go only fast, but is not a practical car which can be used daily,
but a PRADO is a superb piece of machine, which rocks on the rocks and shines in the city.
Its a matter of time to get used to it.. Last prado was also considered ugly and took time to adjust to the new shape..
eventually people will get used to of its ugliness. and will start accepting it……but still the first impression is UGLY though!!!
You know why I don’t like toyota because every new generation they release always has the same engine over an over.for e.g 2010 toyota prado has the same previous 4.0 v6,2.7 & 3.0 turbo diesel.
true but they have really good engines, with torque at low revs (so I’ve heard). so they probably dont want to mess with something that is already good. But it can also be that they are too lazy to do anything to it.
Ugly exterior, odd interior, and engine as usual old engine transmission as usual very old gear with 4 or 5 transmission no sport, no tiptronics. it is just camel in desert
so u know to drive in the desert?
ok, people! this article not about how ugly the vehicle! Its bout its great off-roading capabilities! From the looks of it, it passed with flying colours.
@hsn … Wrong!
Engine although still a 4.0l, is new and mated with a tiptronic type (sequential shift) gear system. A new adaptive variable suspension with a multi terrain selection, diff locks plus a lot of other off roading goodies all of which unfortunately comes with a fat price tag.
Exterior is also an improvement over the previous model.
ya xocu noviy toyota prado 2010.mne intres cena
to akif…
(sequential shift) gear system is semi- automatic transmission and not tiptronic, thats why toyota site not mentioning any thing regarding tiptronic or sportronic, go and read wikipedia for tiptronic my dear
to azz…
if you change your name…..may be
@hsn..
LOL.. c’mon buddy, i don’t need to check the wikipedia to know the difference.. which is why I’ve said tiptronic ‘TYPE’~ sequential shift.
Although both are different mechanisms, the application eventually is the same.
Are you suggesting that tiptronic isn’t a semi-auto transmission?? Then what is it?? >:o) .. do tell.. but without looking at wikipedia .. hehe .. which by the way does not always provide 100% reliable info.
to Akif,,
My friend….it seems you didnt try real tiptronic!!!! and btw reading is good especially for me normal car user
@hsn
Hey Buddy, sorry.. didn’t mean to be rude or anything…
Driven vehicles with both versions of transmission…and you will not find the difference.
I agree… reading is good but i for one wouldn’t put my money on speculations from wikipedia >;o)
to akif..
No problem, and thanks for your valuable information.
Toyota, should kill their design team first and then themselves for approving the worst Prado design ever. Hell the first and second gen Prado looked way better. After seven whole years this is what the come up with crap!
Gents,
For those who are confused by different opinion on Prado 2010, let me share my experience in selecting a SUV in that class/range.
I have visted all the posible SUV’s showrooms and researched on specs and features and ROI with different SUV’s , and dicided on PRADO TXL.(V6).
I found it fullfilling city and offroad skills, and with luxury (at a price offcourse).
Price : Yes at bit higher side from where i expected it to be, but the car is also beyond what i expected from it.
Ford explorer,Mercury Mountainer, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, GMC Yukon were my list of other cars in consideration, but after long study(5-6 m ) i had zero down Prado.
Only Pathfinder came close to it by having 270 hp , still Prado had 1 extra hp i.e 270 on V6 models.
Yukon was my first thing in mind , but i lost that love once i had a test drive and felt it is too light and very thin layer of body , not a strong car at all , but with great looks , a photogenic decor car.
not a true SUV .
My Reson:- I felt i was compromising on something in very car , except Prado. I was trying to convince my self for other cars for better price (no much difference) , but felt something missing or incomplete with every car, PRADO was the only car i felt complete with , i didnt had second thought about it and there was no car i wanted to trade againts Prado , so i made the diccisoin to Buy Prado TXL and i did it . (139k saudi riyals- including registrion)
I am waiting for the dealer to do the paper work and deliver it to me , which will be next week , but every day i am growing my admiration to Prado.
Advice: GO FOR IT , if you want power,ROI, resale, road respect, city & offroad drive, family SUV this is the car buddy.
this is one ugly rice burner