Super TestCar reviews - Toyota - LandCruiser Prado - RV6 5-dr wagonToyota modelsOur OpinionWe like On-road ability, passenger-carrying ability, quality build Room for improvement Suspension soft under full load 16 Jul 2004 THE Prado was claimed to be one of the first four-wheel drive wagons to offer car-like protection for passengers involved in frontal-offset, side impact and rollover crashes. Although still capable of venturing down tough bush trails, the full-time four-wheel drive Prado was also designed to meet customers' demand that off-roaders drive more like cars. Unlike the bigger and tougher LandCruiser, it was designed very much with on-road performance in mind. Suspension is by double wishbones at the front while the rear features a live axle, multi-link set-up that provides passive rear steer for better turn-in and grip during high-speed cruising. The springs and dampers have been set up to provide a soft and supple ride and the Prado soaks up bumps around town but can be a little too soft when carrying a full load of up to eight passengers. Prado's steering works well, being nicely weighted and reasonably direct. The use of full-time four-wheel drive also gives the Prado better on-road grip than part-time four-wheel drive vehicles - which appear to a dying breed, even with heavy-duty vehicles such as the Prado's big-brother LandCruiser. An all-new 3.4-litre V6, which develops 132kW and 303Nm, features the company's usual scissor gear-operated twin camshafts per cylinder bank. Performance is strong throughout the rev range and the engine even delivers a subtle but sporty V6 growl as the revs build up. The engine is mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic which gives crisp, no-fuss gear changes. Inside, the Prado follows the usual well laid-out Toyota formula - all controls are easily reached and nothing feels fiddly or cheap. Prado's tall cabin can give the impression this is a rather skinny off-roader. But it offers a commanding view front and rear. The good news for urban warriors is that it is as much at home on the road as off it. All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
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