By Xolile Hopa

The VX-L sits at the top of the Land Cruiser Prado line-up as its flagship luxury model. After spending time with it, it is easy to see why it earns that title.

Design: heritage with polish

The VX-L has a refined presence. Slimline three-bulb LED headlamps and a heritage-style grille with bold Toyota lettering give it a distinctive face while 20-inch alloy wheels fill the arches. Full body-coloured detailing including the exterior trim and rear bumper gives it a more polished look than the tougher, black-clad lower trims.

Interior: premium and practical

Inside, the VX-L pairs luxury with usability. A 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 14-speaker JBL sound system handle infotainment and Toyota has kept physical controls for everyday functions. A digital instrument cluster, a head-up display and a chilled centre-console cool box add to the premium feel.The seven seats offer enough space for passengers in all three rows, which makes the Prado well suited to family trips.

Performance: proven and dependable

Power comes from Toyota’s proven 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel producing 150kW and 500Nm. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel drive. The 110-litre combined fuel tank capacity suits long-distance travel.Toyota claims fuel consumption of 7.9L/100km. In our time with the Prado, we managed a decent 10.2L/100km.

Price

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD VX-L is priced at R1,543,700.

The wider Land Cruiser Prado range starts from R1,369,200.

Verdict

The Prado VX-L is a refined solid all-rounder that wraps genuine off-road ability in a polished, family-friendly package. It is not cheap, but it is impressively complete. If you want luxury without giving up off-road credentials, it is a strong choice.