The GXL as standard has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $66,540 (before on-road costs). It has the line-up’s 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine – shared with the HiLux and Fortuner – and that has been upgraded to produce 150kW (an increase of 20kW over the previous Prado) and 500Nm (an increase of 50Nm).
It has a six-speed automatic transmission, and a full-time four-wheel drive system with high- and low-range.
Standard features on this seven-seater include 9.0-inch touchscreen multimedia unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, smart entry and start, active cruise control, three-zone climate control, bi-LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and foglights, side steps, roof rails, 17-inch alloy wheels and rear parking sensors.
It also has a comprehensive suite of driver-assist tech – Toyota Safety Sense – with AEB with pedestrian detection (day and night) and cyclist detection (day only), high-speed active cruise control, lane departure alert (with steering assistance via braking), and road sign assist.
As well as that, our test vehicle had the $600 premium paint (bronze) and it has the $3470 premium interior pack, which includes leather accents, power-adjustable front seats with heating and cooling, as well as heated second-row seats. It also has a $1150.73 wiring set-up with towbar, tow ball and wiring harness.
All of those options push this GXL’s price to $71,760.73.
The test vehicle had the no-cost flat tailgate pack, which moves the spare tyre from the rear door to the Prado’s underbody – that allows you, among other things, a bit more easy access to the rear cargo area via the glass hatch/window. There is a trade-off though – by moving the spare tyre to the undercarriage, you lose the 63-litre sub tank, reducing your total fuel capacity from 150 litres to 87 litres and that reduces your driving range. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.