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.