2021 Toyota Prado Price And Equipment Updates

The Toyota 4X4 range upgrades and price rises continue, with the Prado being the latest model to benefit from the uprated HiLux drivetrain.

Like the HiLux, the Prado’s 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine is now pushing out an additional 20kW of power and 50Nm of torque.

The extra performance is due to updates including a new ball-bearing turbocharger with a larger turbine and impeller, improved engine rigidity and cooling, and better fuel economy through optimised pistons and piston rings, changes to the cylinder block and head, higher fuel-injection flow rate and the adoption of high-performance materials for the exhaust manifold.

Toyota has also elected to drop the six-speed manual option altogether, making the six-speed auto the only transmission available across the Prado range. Outputs might be up, but Toyota is claiming that fuel consumption has improved a smidge to 7.9 litres/100km. Fuel capacity is 150 litres with an 87-litre main tank and 63-litre sub-tank, unless you tick the ‘soccer mum’ box and have the spare wheel located under the vehicle, rather than on the tailgate. Going the underslung option means the 63-litre sub-tank is vamoosed along with, well, 63-litre of fuel capacity. Maximum braked towing capacity remains 3,000kg.

Toyota Safety Sense features have been made available on all grades. The pre-collision safety system – with autonomous emergency braking capability – can now detect cyclists during the day and pedestrians at night, as well as during the day. Give them a toot as you sail past to let them know how lucky they are to be alive.

Prado’s lane-departure alert system has been advanced so that it now offers steering assistance by applying the brakes to one side of the vehicle to help prevent it drifting unintentionally into another lane, while you look for loose change in the footwell.

Newly adopted road-sign assist can advise speed-limit changes, should you miss those big red signs while chatting on the phone. It can also be used to reset the vehicle’s cruise-control speed setting.

A new-generation multimedia system across the range incorporates a larger 9-inch touchscreen display (previous 8-inch), enhanced voice recognition and compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and myToyota, which enables third-party companion apps such as Waze, AccuWeather and Stitcher but not Grinder.

Other new features in the updated Prado include (finally) rain-sensing automatic windscreen wipers and keyless smart entry and ignition across the full range.

Additional GXL equipment includes side steps, roof rails, 3-zone climate control, bi-LED headlamps, LED foglamps and daylight running lamps, and rear parking sensors.

A GXL option pack adds leather-accented ventilated, heated and power operated front seats and heated second-row seats – all of which are standard on VX. The higher-grade is also fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, 14-speaker JBL sound system, DAB digital radio, dusk-sensing headlamps, panoramic and multi-terrain monitors, blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert.

Top-of-the-range Kakadu is now fitted with paddle shifters in addition to its regular features, which include a moonroof, adaptive variable suspension, rear air suspension with auto levelling, rear-seat entertainment, and crawl control and multi-terrain select off-road aids.

GX and GXL are now fitted with rubber mats front and rear (woohoo!), while VX and Kakadu gain carpet mats.

Recommended retail prices now start from $59,840.

Prado pricing (excluding on-road costs):
GX – $59,840
GXL – $66,540
VX – $76,380
Kakadu – $87,030

Options:
Third-row seat (GX) – $2,550
Premium interior (GXL) – $3,470
Optional paint (all grades) – $600
Flat tailgate (GXL and above): – no added cost