Toyota Prado 2018 GXL review: snapshot

The second model up the Toyota Prado 2018 line-up is arguably the most enticing, with attractive pricing plus good spec and tech levels.

The seven-seat GXL is priced from $59,990 plus on-road costs for the manual version and from $62,990 for the automatic. That’s $1200 less than the last GXL model.

The standard inclusions list comprises 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and push-button start, an 8.0-inch touchscreen media system with reversing camera and sat nav (with live traffic updates), Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, USB connectivity and nine speakers. 

It also comes packed with safety equipment in the automatic model, including lane departure warning, a pre-collision safety system with pedestrian detection, auto high-beam lights, and automatic cruise control. The manual misses out on that stuff, and also goes without a digital driver info display. 

Explore the 2018 Toyota Prado Range

Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series 2020 off-road review Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2021 review: GXL off-road test Toyota LandCruiser Prado 2022 review: Kakadu - off-road test Toyota Prado 2018 GXL review: snapshot Toyota Prado 2018 Kakadu review: snapshot Toyota Prado 2018 VX review: snapshot Toyota Prado GX manual 2018 review

Other niceties you get in the GXL (over the GX) includes bi-LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lamps, and lamps in the sun-visors. There’s also the addition of privacy glass, roof rails, side steps, a leather-lined steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, and a rear differential lock (auto only). 

Plus if that’s not plush enough, you can order the GXL with the 'premium interior', which adds $3500 to the price and includes leather-accented seat trim, ventilated front seats with power adjustment, and heated front and second-row seats.

As with the rest of the Prado range, the GXL is powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with 130kW of power and either 420Nm (manual) or 450Nm (auto). It has permanent four-wheel drive, with 4H and 4L drive modes. Fuel use is rated at 7.9L/100km for the manual and 8.0L/100km for the auto.