With its rugged body-on-frame construction, heavy duty hardware and new-age technology that enable it to crawl over obstacles, the Prado is not for pretenders. To be fair, the Prado is far from rudimentary. It feels solid on the road at highway speeds and around town, although you quickly learn to take roundabouts a little more gingerly because of the tendency for big, tall and heavy 4WDs like this to lean in corners. The new engine is a worthwhile freshen-up for the Prado but doesn't suddenly transform the vehicle.
Likes New diesel engine is more refined Long range due to better economy and 150L tanks Genuine off-road ability
Dislikes Towing capacity unchanged at 2500kg The price is high, especially on top end models Interior design starting to look a little dated
Cast an eye over the SUV market and you’ll see very few truly off-road capable vehicles. One of them is the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, and here we’ve got the most capable Prado of all, the top-shelf Kakadu.The LandCruiser Prado Kakadu is a very good off-the-shelf off-roader, with its blend of both tradi-tional and modern off-road equipment. With decent all-terrain or mud-terrain tyres (which nearly all standard SUVs would need) we reckon the Kakadu could go just about anywhere.
Likes Rear axle articulation KDSS system Crawl control
Dislikes Lack of power and torque Over-bonnet vision No height-adjustable front suspension
The 2018 Lexus RX 350L is an all-new model.The amount of standard equipment on the RX 350L is impressive, but we recommend getting the Luxury trim level. On top of standard equipment such as tri-zone climate control, LED lighting and a power-folding third-row seat, the Luxury trim level adds heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, upgraded leather upholstery, and heated second-row seats.
PROS Impeccable cabin finished with top-quality materials and construction Advanced safety features come standard Wide cargo bay makes it easy to load luggage and groceries
CONS Optional tech interface is clever but distracting to use while driving Less overall cargo capacity than competitors Third-row space is tight for anyone other than small children
Don’t let the RX’s daring style fool you—it’s still the plush-riding crossover it’s always been, but it’s also a technological leap forward from its segment-defining predecessor. A 295-hp V-6, eight-speed automatic, and front-wheel drive are standard; all-wheel drive is optional.
Pros Quiet operation, cushy ride, comfortable for five.
Cons Alien styling, miserly cargo hold, uncomfortable for seven.
