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Toyota Prado Diesel judged best (254)

The multiple award-winning Toyota LandCruiser Prado has added to its silverware collection with the title of Australia's best medium wagon. Leading enthusiast publication 4x4 Australia nominated the "go anywhere, do anything" diesel-equipped Prado as "best in class" for 2013. The magazine said the popular Toyota SUV's name says it all with Prado's technical designation being the LandCruiser 150 series. "It (the LandCruiser name) says that it's a tough, down-to-earth 4x4 that's designed just as much for off-road use as it is for on-road," it said. LandCruiser Prado has 14 variants. The five-door family wagon starts with a GX grade offering five or seven seats and powered by a 3.0-litre common-rail direct-injection turbo-diesel engine.

Higher-specified GXL, premium VX and top-of-the-range Kakadu variants are all seven-seaters with the choice of the turbo-diesel engine or a 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine. GX and GXL customers can specify a six-speed manual gearbox (diesel models only) or a five-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission. VX and Kakadu are fitted with the automatic transmission. Prado three-door sports-wagon variants are offered in SX and ZR grades with the turbo-diesel engine, automatic transmission and five seats. The magazine said Prado's transmissions are well suited to the 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, although it is "hard to go past" the self-shifter due to its slightly better fuel economy.

It said Prado, with its comfortable ride and good noise suppression, offers a variant for everyone. "Off-road, the supple long-travel suspension comes into its own and helps make the Prado a capable and effortless performer," it said. LandCruiser Prado is Australia's best-selling large SUV, achieving a record 17,045 registrations in 2012. This year, Prado became the first vehicle in its segment to post 200,000 sales in Australia with its popularity growing since it debuted here in 1996. Over the past decade, customers have bought an average of more than 14,600 a year, making Prado a significant contributor during a period in which Toyota has been the overall market leader. Prado has won a total of 40 awards in Australia since the nameplate was introduced here in 1996. Pricing for five-door variants starts at $55,990^* for the five-seat GX turbo-diesel manual. The three-door variants are priced from $56,090*. LandCruiser Prado is covered by Toyota Service Advantage capped-price servicing at $210 per service^#.

^*Manufacturer's list price is provided for media purposes only and does not include statutory charges or other on-road costs.

^#Maximum payable for standard scheduled logbook servicing (normal operating conditions) until first of 3 years or 60,000km (whichever occurs first) (up to the first 6 services). Excludes government & rental vehicles. Contact your Toyota dealer or go to toyota.com.au/advantage for other exclusions, eligibility and full details.