Toyota lobs special-edition Prado Horizon SUV

TOYOTA’S segment-leading Prado large SUV has followed in the footsteps of its bigger LandCruiser 200 Series brother by offering a limited-edition, top-spec Horizon grade, which enters showrooms priced from $89,590 plus on-roads.

Based on the top-spec Kakadu grade, the Horizon scores a number of exterior enhancements that set it apart from the rest of the Prado range, starting with a unique front bumper finish.

Spats are added to the rear bumper, while chrome has been added to the side moulding and mirrors covers.

Clear combination tail-lights and Horizon badging is included, while buyers can choose a metallic or pearlescent finish for the exterior paint.

Inside, the Horizon adds two rear USB charging ports and illuminated scuff plates.

The extra kit joins the Kakadu’s standard equipment list, which includes seating for seven, three-zone climate control, leather-accented heated and ventilated power seats, electrically adjustable steering wheel column, power-folding third row seats, JBL audio system and a rear DVD entertainment system.

Standard safety features include Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of active safety technologies such as lane departure alert, automatic high-beam, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Like the rest of the Prado range, the Horizon is powered by a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 130kW/450Nm, driving all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

As with the Kakadu, the Horizon features a range of off-road-enhanced equipment including low-range gearing, crawl control, multi-terrain select, adaptive variable suspension and rear air suspension.

Horizon buyers can choose from a standard side-opening tailgate with a spare wheel mount or a flat tailgate that incorporates an independently opening glass hatch and moves the spare tyre under the car.

Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the Prado Horizon stood out from the rest of the Prado range.

“As the smaller sibling to our LandCruiser 200 Series, the Prado has a strong reputation for its go-anywhere off-road ability and the top-of-the-range Kakadu allows customers to get off the beaten track in superb comfort,” he said.

“This special edition Horizon variant now adds a further degree of class and style making it a standout for a night out in the city as well.”

Toyota managed 18,335 sales in 2019, down a minimal 1.2 per cent over the previous 12 months but still enough to claim the sales crown in the sub-$70,000 large SUV segment.

Through the first two months of 2020, Prado sales are down 12.8 per cent, however its 2546 sales are still enough to comfortably lead the segment, ahead of Toyota’s Kluger stablemate (1864) and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (1009).

2020 Toyota LandCruiser Prado pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs