Toyota gives LandCruiser Prado new tailgate option
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 13th Aug 2018
TOYOTA Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA) has introduced a new full-time tailgate option for its LandCruiser Prado large SUV, which relocates the spare wheel and deletes the second fuel tank.
While the LandCruiser Prado is known for its signature tailgate-mounted spare wheel, buyers are now able to opt for the alternative, no-cost tailgate design that “is lighter and, therefore, easier to open, especially when the vehicle is parked facing down a hill”, according to TMCA.
The optional tailgate also incorporates a glass hatch that opens independently, allowing owners to quickly access the LandCruiser Prado’s cargo area when its full aperture is not required.
As a result, the the 63-litre auxiliary fuel tank has made way for the spare wheel, which has been moved to the underbody of the LandCruiser Prado’s rear end.
However, the 87-litre primary fuel tank remains, with TMCA claiming it provides a driving range of more than 1000 kilometres with the LandCruiser Prado’s 2.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine.
Both tailgates are available to buyers of the automatic GXL, VX and Kakadu, while all LandCruiser Prado variants have gained a diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration switch as standard.
Pricing has held steady for all variants, excluding the flagship VX and Kakadu, which are both $371 cheaper, at $73,619 and $84,119 before on-road costs, due to recent changes to the Luxury Car Tax threshold.
According to TMCA vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley, positive buyer response to limited-run Altitude versions of the LandCruiser Prado, which featured the alternative tailgate, led to the permanent move.
“The success of the special-edition models confirmed there was healthy demand for the relocated spare, particularly among buyers who don't necessarily require the extended range offered by the extra fuel tank,” he said.
“Prado buyers, particularly those who drive mainly around town, will appreciate being able to open the tailgate wider in cramped situations, such as when parked close to other vehicles or using a towing hitch.
“The glass hatch can also be opened for quick and easy access to the luggage area even in tight spaces, while the revised styling bears a strong resemblance to the Land Cruiser 200 Series family.”
As previously reported, the facelifted LandCruiser Prado hit Australian showrooms in November last year, ushering in revised exterior styling, pricing and specification.
Sales of the LandCruiser Prado have improved this year, with 10,702 examples sold to the end of July – an 8.4 per cent increase over the 9874 deliveries made during the same period in 2017.
As such, the LandCruiser Prado is currently the best-selling model in the sub-$70,000 large-SUV segment, outpacing its Kluger stablemate (8808 units) and the Subaru Outback (6543), Isuzu MU-X (5113), Mazda CX-9 (5073) and Hyundai Santa Fe (4384), among others.
2018 Toyota LandCruiser Prado pricing*
| GX | $53,490 |
| GX (a) | $56,490 |
| GXL | $59,990 |
| GXL (a) | $62,990 |
| VX (a) | $73,619 |
| Kakadu (a) | $84,119 |
*Excludes on-road costs
