The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado made its public debut a few months back at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was officially launched in the UAE in October by Al-Futtaim Motors, the exclusive distributor of Toyota in the UAE. The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is available in three variants (7 trims), and we recently got a chance to test drive the range-topping “Limited” variant. Below are our findings:
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Review
Walk Around
As you walk around the new SUV, you see the 2018 Land Cruiser Prado has come with some impressive exterior updates, which distinguish it from its predecessor. Up front, the propounding chrome grille and the LED headlights have been restyled. Furthermore, the front fender and the bonnet have been redesigned to improve downward visibility. The front and rear bumpers have also been reshaped along with new taillights.
Interior
Besides the exterior design, Toyota has also revamped the 2018 Land Cruiser Prado’s interior for a more luxurious feel. The front dash, instrument panel as well as the switchgear have been updated. The limited trim features opulent leather seating with power function and heating/ventilation option. The front-dash incorporates a large touch-display; we will discuss it later. The cargo space measures 16.1 cu.ft, which can be further increased by pushing down the third-row seats.
Engine Specification
The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser gives you two engine choices:
- The 2.7L, 4-CYLINDER, 16-VALVE, DOHC, VVT-I (2TR-FE) delivering 164 horsepower and 25 kg-m of torque.
- The 4.0L, V6, 24-VALVE, DOHC, DUAL VVT-I (1GR-FE) producing 271 horsepower and 38.9 kg-m of torque. f
The Limited trim comes fitted with a 4.0-liter engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Driving Dynamics
The engines are carried from the previous Land Cruiser Prado models, so there isn’t much difference in the output power. Nevertheless, the 2018 Prado Land Cruiser benefits from a newly developed four-wheel drive with TORSEN limited slip differential (LSD). This system helps to evenly distribute power among left and right wheels depending on the driving landscape.
Our test drive was focused on checking Prado’s off-roading capabilities, thus we chose the desert landscape. The 2018 Prado offers different drive modes including Normal for everyday driving, ECO for fuel efficiency, and Sport for improved acceleration.
The 5-Speed Crawl system is definitely one of the best features in the 2018 Land Cruiser Prado, ensuring a phenomenal off-road drive. It helps to maintain an ideal speed by automatically controlling the engine output and the brakes to ensure a stable drive on rough and slippery surfaces.
The Multi-Terrain selector includes five terrain modes; ‘Rock,’ ‘Rock & Dirt,’ ‘Mogul,’ ‘Loose Rock,’ and ‘Mud & Sand’. It also manages the vehicle’s acceleration, braking, and traction depending on the landscape.
We were surely impressed with the performance and the driving features that enhance the overall off-roading experience.
Technological Features
The 2018 Land Cruiser Prado offers an array of latest tech features encompassing dual-zone automatic climate control, powered-seats, power steering with mounted audio/telephone control, a 9.0” infotainment system with JBL surround, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
Safety Features
The 2018 Prado also comes equipped with state-of-the-art safety features such as tire-pressure monitoring system, center-differential lock, hill-start assist control, down-hill assist, child-restraint system, cruise control, dual-front airbags, side/curtain/knee airbags, front-parking sensors, blind-spot detection, rear-cross traffic alert, rear-view camera, front-parking sensors, and more.
Dislike
The cargo space is not as large as most of the competitors.
Verdict
The 2018 Land Cruiser Prado is an ideal SUV for those requiring a luxury ride with off-roading capabilities. Besides offering a powerful drive, it also boasts a number of high-end luxury amenities. The base model starts from AED 129,000, while the range-topping Limited trim costs AED 204,900.