Buying an SUV is a statement. There is no doubt that it’s the trending body style today and that’s simply because everyone wants a piece of the action. That has prompted many manufacturers to step into the fray and introduce some kind of model that bears resemblance to an SUV.
But what happens when you are one of the original players in the game. Well, then you need to mark your presence now and then to let people know you are still the boss and that is what Toyota has done with the 2018 Land Cruiser Prado. It’s a mid-life update for the Japanese automaker’s warrior against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, Land Rover Discovery and the BMW X5 and here is our take on why should you buy the car.
What’s good about it?
Well it’s big, chrome laden and has enough presence that it would stand out even in the darkness. Then there’s the fact that it’s a Toyota which usually means the Prado is extremely reliable and if serviced at the right time, will run for years on end. It may not be have the most attractive interiors but it does have everything that is considered as standard fitment in the segment. This list includes electric seats, multi-zone climate control, 7 airbags, ABS with EBD and traction control, TPMS and touchscreen infotainment system.
Oh, and before we forget- you get a whole kitty of off-road toys and given how the Arabs love to hoon their LCs and Prados amidst the desert dunes, we know that this system works very well and is very capable.
What’s bad about it?
The other vehicles in the fight with the Prado have road oriented setups indicating that most owners would want to keep the cars on the road rather than the off-road trails. It is here that the Prado lags behind its main German rivals
The interiors don’t look as premium as the other cars in the class and infotainment appears to be a weak link in the chain.
The best variant to buy
You only get the top spec VX L model in India
Quick facts
Price
Rs 92.60 lakhs
F.E
Despite this being a diesel…not as much as you would imagine
Specifications
2982cc inline-four diesel
170bhp/410Nm five-speed automatic
AWD with crawl control, terrain select, terrain monitor and 360 degree camera
Did you know?
A.The word Prado means field in Portuguese.
B.Right since the launch of the Prado in 1990, the car was offered with a range of petrol and diesel engines to cater to various markets around the world.
