Toyota Prado 2019 GXL. Is it the best?

Full Review

https://www.anyauto.com.au/toyota-pra...

Prado has a chunky look that leaves no doubt as to the family association with bigger brother, the LandCruiser 200 series. Viewed in isolation, Prado still looks good. However, pictured against other, prettier SUVs, not so much.
There are Bi LED headlights and DTRLs with high beam assist. Strangely, the Auto-On function is restricted to the top 2 models. It wouldn’t have killed Toyota to spring for dusk-sensing across the range.
The top model (Kakadu) also has niftyl air suspension, but the rest have conventional springs aka passive suspension. GXL has 17” wheels which includes the aforementioned full size spare.
And, that takes us to the first of the recent upgrades.
There is an option called the Flat Tailgate Pack.
This pack moves the spare wheel off the back door to underneath the rear of the car. That’s great for access and makes opening the side- hinged door much easier, especially when facing down hill. It also allows for a glass hatch to be fitted. The glass hatch can be opened while ever the door is closed and allows small items to be placed directly into the cargo hold. This option is only available in automatic Prados.
It all comes at a price, but not the one you’re thinking of.
You see, Prado has 2 fuel tanks. The main tank is 87L and the smaller tank is 63L. This auxiliary tank is lost when the spare wheel is moved underneath. So, there are swings and roundabouts, and the buyer has to decide whether convenience or distance is the more important criterion. Serious off roaders will no doubt pick distance.
The highset Prado has 219mm of ground clearance, with an approach angle of 30.4°, a departure angle of 23.5°, and a ramp over angle of 21.1°. GXL and VX are 1890mm tall, and all models are 4995mm long. Length is reduced to 4825mm with the Flat Tailgate option. Kerb weight is 2325, and 100kg lighter in Flat Tailgate examples.
One final word on the Flat Tailgate Pack, it changes to look, neatens the rear end, and looks much less like it is an ex-army reject.
Interior
The cabin is functional, but for a car costing $59,990 plus onroads, is slightly disappointing.
Despite subtle nip-and-tucks over the years, the dash looks outdated, like its bigger LandCruiser sister. There is more than a touch of the 90’s about it. Grey plastic looks naff.
Comfortable leather seating has powered adjustments. All models have 7 seats with only the entry level car having a 5 seat option. The 3rd row is for height-challenged humans , as usual. The fold up process cleverly tucks the seat under the back. Once the seat back is up you then slide the seat bottom into place. 7 seats is a welcome option for those who need it. To those who don’t, the space could be better used for luggage.
Instruments looks particularly old fashioned.
Although it’s all within easy reach, some of it feels a bit clunky. The centre console and centre stack looks particularly old fashioned. On the upside, the large centre armrest conceals and a capacious airconditioned compartment. This is upgraded to refrigeration in the top two models. There is another small covered cubby hole under the climate controls. In Kakadu, off-roading Crawl controls replace this bin.
The spacious interior is generally of decent quality, but there are acres of cheap plastic. There is no real need to replace Prado completely, but the cabin needs a total redesign.
The boot is big enough to take my fold up electric bike and is not overly compromised by the 3rd row of seats. I would still prefer the extra space afforded by ditching the 3rd row.