Test driving a car can be a rather intense exercise. If you're not one to do it too often, the actual drive can be overwhelming and as a result, you miss out on many of the key features that you should have been paying attention to. In this piece, we look at some of the elements that you should pay attention to, and don't worry, we've kept them short so that you can remember them all.
Related: 2021 Toyota Prado gets the diesel engine it deserves
Here are 5 things that we think you should pay close attention to when taking a new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado for a test drive.
1. Visibility
The Land Cruiser Prado is a large machine, there are no two ways about it, but to make life a little easier from the driver's seat, Toyota's engineers made the pillars as thin as possible to provide the best outward visibility. The raised seating position and squared-off lines of the bonnet leading edge allow you to gauge just how long the front end of the Prado is. This is a great help when going offroad or even when trying to park.
2. Infotainment system
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is equipped with a comprehensive 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. VX and VX-L models get satellite navigation as standard as well as a 14-speaker Premium audio system. Lower models still get the touchscreen infotainment system but have to make do without navigation and only 6-speakers for the audio system. All models are equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
3. Multi-terrain Select
Nestled neatly in the centre fascia is the Multi-Terrain Select system that allows you to select the appropriate mode for the surface you are driving on. With the simple turn of the knob, you can select the program that best suits the terrain, ranging from Mud and Sand, Loose Rock, Mogul, Rock and Dirt, to full Rock mode. This system is available on VX and VX-L models only.
4. Heating and Cooling
Passenger comfort was high on the engineers' priority list and both the driver and the passenger are treated to heated and ventilated seats. Between them rests a console that is also chilled, ideal for storing beverages on those long drives. The second row of seats also benefits from this technology and while missing ventilation, are heated for those cold winter mornings.
5. Safety Systems
Aside from the 7 airbags that the Prado range is fitted with, VX-L models also get the inclusion of Toyota Safety Sense. This system is a pre-collision system that can help mitigate a collision and reduce the likelihood of injuries in the event of a collision. With this package, you get a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Auto High Beam. Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert also form part of the package.
Recommended next:
Road test! The esteemed Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 3.0 VX-L
The flying Land Cruiser Prados of Atlantis
Haval H9 vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport vs Toyota Prado: Here’s our winner
