Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD VX-L (2026) Review

There are some vehicles that you come across that you just know are going to be good. Whether that's because the model range has always delivered, or because the brand itself is known for this model. The latest J250 Toyota Prado is one of those. The styling may have been a little polarising at first, but judging by the number of them that one spots on the road, it's doing rather well.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD VX-L 2026

The TX and VX-R trims have performed well, but now Toyota has added a slightly spruced-up derivative that leans a little more toward highway use than wilderness. The VX-L trim elevates the appearance and tweaks the drive a little, ironically, improving the off-road prowess in the process. But we'll explain how that happened further down.

Fast Facts

Styling

Toyota has aligned its styling efforts across the Land Cruiser range, with the 70 Series, 250 Prado, and 300 all carrying similar design cues. The squared off corners, bulging bonnet, trapezoidal arches, and forward sloping C-pillar all tie the range together. The VX-L trim leans into the elegance approach, doing away with the unpainted trim for the front and rear bumpers and wheel arches. Instead, body-coloured trims adorn the front, rear, and corners.

Under those colour-matched arches sit a set of gloss-black 20-inch alloy wheels, shod in 265/60R20 all-terrain tyres, two inches taller than the standard fitment on the VX-R trim level. This increase in diameter also means that the VX-L gains 10 mm of ground clearance and an additional degree of approach angle, without altering the overhangs. Our test unit was draped in Avant-Garde Bronze Metallic, the dusty metallic beige colour, but you can also choose Platinum White Pearl or Attitude Black should you wish. Colours like Calcite Blue and Glacier White, available on the VX-R, are not yet available on the VX-L trim, though.

Interior and Technology

The interior design blends form and function, with the primary difference in the VX-L trim being the addition of a leather-and-chrome gear selector. The horizontal lines create the impression of width and space, further enhanced by the beige leather colour of the seats, doors, and dashboard pad. Light-coloured pillar trims and a bright roof lining contribute to the sense of space, giving the cabin an airy feel. Open up the electronic sunroof and bask in the warmth of the South African sun.

The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and offers an onboard navigation system for when cellular signal abandons you. Both the smartphone mirroring and native navigation tie into the digital driver display, with turn-by-turn instructions displayed ahead of the driver. Wireless charging and USB ports allow for devices to be charged while on the go. The VX-L trim adds 4 speakers, bringing the total to 14. These JBL units deliver great sound, and the included subwoofer provides a pleasant bass boost.

Additional convenience features include a chilled centre armrest box, heated and ventilated electric seats with driver's seat memory, a heated steering wheel, and the usual array of automatic headlights and automatic rain-sensing wipers.

Performance

Power output from the 2.8-litre GD turbodiesel engine remains unchanged from the rest of the lineup, offering a strong torque delivery from down low, and sending power to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The VX-L trim features steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for manual gear selection.

VX-L trims also get Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with a Torsen locking rear differential to complement the intelligent Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) AWD system. 

Driving Impression

Despite the Prado's body-on-frame construction, the ride is compliant and controlled, both at low speeds and on the highway at national speeds. A small amount of road noise emanates from the design of the all-terrain tyres, but nothing that is overly intrusive or bothersome.

Where the Prado truly shines is off the beaten path, even if this is the somewhat more luxurious, road-biased alternative. We headed out to one of our favourite routes, the Breedtsnek Pass that spans between the R24 at Maanhaarrand and the Buffelspoort Road in the North West Province. We were anticipating a particularly rugged drive after the heavy December rains, but the route posed only a few mild challenges and a few tight culverts to navigate. 

The MTS came into its own here, with a quick selection of the Rock mode and Low Range allowing us to climb obstacles with surprising ease. Descents were handled with ease thanks to descent control and off-road cameras that provided a clear view of the front of the car, allowing us to see the immediate road ahead. Even with its long wheelbase, the Prado never bottomed out, with only the rear mudflaps coming into contact with the ground on a few departures.

On the quicker dirt road sections, where high range was appropriate, the Prado behaved impeccably, not once suggesting that it was struggling for grip or implying that it was going to pull in a particular direction, tracking straight and true at reasonable speeds.

Fuel Consumption

Toyota claims a combined-cycle fuel consumption of 7.9L/100km for the VX-L trim Prado, but our real-world assessment of the vehicle, which spent most of its time in Eco mode to further smooth out throttle and power delivery, returned an even 10.0L/100km.

Equipped with a 110-litre fuel tank (80+30), the simple maths translates into 1100 km of range from a full tank, and a bill for R2 270. A simple R2.06/km in the real world.

Safety

This latest generation Land Cruiser Prado does not compromise on safety. It's equipped with 9 airbags, more than any of its direct rivals listed here, and includes front and rear curtain airbags, side, front passenger knee, and centre airbags. The J250 also utilises Toyota's third-generation Safety Sense system, with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alerts, and emergency braking at both the front and rear. Trailer Sway support and Safe Exit Assist are additional safety features that will help keep you and your occupants safe. 

The system worked well, and the autonomous emergency braking came to the rescue when a distracted pedestrian made a sudden dash into the path of the speeding Prado.

Pricing

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD VX-L is priced at R1 513 300 and is sold with a 3-year/100 000km warranty and a 9-service/90 000km service plan. When one compares the feature list to the VX-R, which retails for R1 500 200, the R13 100 premium is well worth it.

Verdict

From the numbers, the Toyota Prado VX-L appears expensive when compared to its ladder-chassis peers, geared for off-road prowess and articulation, but the simple fact is that the Prado is exceptionally difficult to fault. Toyota has done its research and engineered a product for the toughest conditions; the VX-L trim just adds a little flair. It is worth every cent, twice over.

It's a pleasure to drive, and the slightly higher than anticipated fuel consumption isn't as worrisome as one would think - after all, it is shaped like a brick. It's not the easiest to park, at just under 5m in length and 1980 mm wide, it's a big boy. Only the GWM Tank 500 is longer, and the Everest wider. But this is a small challenge that is simplified over time as one learns to trust the cameras.

For those looking for the heritage of the Prado badge, you won't be disappointed in the VX-L and you will be treated to a modern interpretation of a vehicle that has proven its worth time and time again.