2020 Toyota Prado Kakadu Horizon Review

Toyota Prado Kakadu Horizon is the ultimate Prado costing around $89,590 which could be a touch problematic because it will nearly get you into a GXL Landcruiser 200 Series.

However, not everyone wants or needs a vehicle the size of a ‘Cruiser so this top of the line Prado could be tempting especially if you don’t necessarily want to tow a small town.

The Horizon driven had the lower output 130kW/450Nm 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine and would benefit from having the newer 150kW/500Nm power plant especially when towing.

However, as a go anywhere, ridgey didge, fourbie touring wagon, you can’t look past the Prado.

It has adequate performance and good fuel economy and makes an ideal back blocks touring vehicle which is precisely what we did in the test vehicle.

Covid restricted us to NSW so we did a 3000km road trip to “The Corner”, back through Lightening Ridge then down through Armidale, South West Rocks and back to Sydney.

We weren’t towing which gave us access to plenty of remote scenic places along dirt tracks and roads which the Prado traversed without any trouble at all.

Comfy too as the supple adaptive air suspension soaked up potholes and ripples as if they weren’t there.

The test car had an under mounted spare which cuts tank capacity to about 90 litres. Personally, I would go for the tailgate mounted spare with a 150 litre tank.

The latest Prado scores a raft of advanced driver assist tech’ some of which is too intrusive but can be switched off.

We didn’t need the third row, cream leather or the middle row DVD players but they are in the Horizon package.

That package adds about six grand to Kakadu’s price and consists of mainly dress-up parts I and a few bits and pieces. It makes this model arguably the best looking Prado ever…in my opinion.

Exterior

The Horizon body treatment makes this Prado stand out from all angles particularly up front which has a distinctive squared off look compared with regular Prado. This is due to the Horizon specific bumper and grille, side steps with other detail changes

There’s more exterior chrome and clear tail light lenses that look slightly outdated but give a degree of exclusivity to this $93 grand Prado.

It doesn’t have the current Toyota snout frontal styling but doesn’t need it as the face looks strong and 4×4 enough for most tastes.

Upgraded headlights further enhance Prado Horizon’s front as does the colour palette that in this case was a deep mica blue colour that changed in different light.

Prado’s shape has been defined for years and it’s not in the latest low and angular idiom like less capable SUVs of a similar size. It’s tall and boxy paying dividends in practicality and interior room.

Ride height is adequate for most off road applications though there’s a bit of a step up to get in the cabin.

I really like the side hinged tailgate though others may not. Pity the spare went under the floor in this case as I prefer it on the tailgate fourbie style.

I don’t know how much longer this generation Prado has to run but would suggest not long. Pity Toyota doesn’t adopt the Horizon look to all Prados from here on in…

Interior

It’s almost Lexus luxury level inside heightened in this case by perforated cream leather upholstery to all seven seats and cream /tan trim elsewhere. Totally impractical, it gives Prado Horizon a Euro look inside where they don’t care about mud, dirt and sand…

There are numerous buttons and dials in the centre stack topped by a large info’ touch screen in full colour. Impressive satnav too spoiled by the fact that the vehicle has to be stopped to input destinations. The JBL audio is high end and three zone climate control keeps everyone comfy. Twin DVD players in the middle row should keep the kids happy on a long trip.

I am not a fan of sun roofs but Toyota pitches the huge one on Horizon as a moon roof and in that context, it’s a treat to enjoy.

I found the seats to be comfortable and well-shaped over long periods especially the ventilation mode in the first and second rows.

The rear seats fold flat into the floor and the second row also folds making a cavernous space two could sleep in.

Features

Nothing much left out here as Horizon scores:

• Twin middle row DVDs
• Paddle shift
• Multi terrain select
• Off road aids
• Auto levelling air suspension
• Automatic high beam
• Fridge
• Horizon body kit
• LED high and low beam

Drive and Engine

This model had Toyota’s tried and true 2.8-litre, turbo diesel, four cylinder used in a number of their vehicles. It’s reliable and has adequate torque though at 2455kg, the boundaries are being pushed in this case. The new upgraded 2.8 with 150kW and 500Nm would be better, and possibly use less fuel. On our trip the Horizon ticked over in the 9.0s for fuel economy. But that was mostly highway cruising and plodding along little gravel roads.

There wasn’t much point in using the paddle shift because most available urge is low in the rev range but you can rev Prado is you want to. It’s quiet once the required speed is attained and even accelerating from there generates minimal engine noise, or road noise for that matter.

The adaptive suspension is impressive on rough roads as Horizon simply floats over anything you throw at it so big tick for long distance touring in the outback.

It’s no sporty SUV offering  comfort and predictability to a certain point beyond which you’d be foolish to push.

The multi terrain monitor is really handy off road and Toyota’s excellent constant all-wheel drive rarely if ever puts a foot wrong, limited off road by the smooth on road tyres.

Safety

This one gets all the bells and whistles and is a five star crash performer but goes much further in this instance with active cruise, discrete autonomous emergency braking that detects pedestrians and cyclists, road sign assist (love it), lane departure warning and  auto headlights and wipers. Other stuff provided includes rear cross traffic alert and pre collision safety preparation… pretty much everything in Toyota’s so called Safety Sense technology package. Thankfully some of the more intrusive driver assist tech can be turned off.

Good Bits

• Awesome touring wagon goes anywhere
• Attractive new look
• Crammed with safety and luxury kit

Not So Good Bits

• Costs a bomb
• Needs more get-go
• 150 litre tank preferable

Summary

Wow, what a great vehicle to take out and about into the back blocks sure in the knowledge that you’ll make it home.

On our trip, no dust entered the vehicle, corrugated roads weren’t felt and we arrived fresh and ready to enjoy the location we were in.  Plenty of luggage room too as we only used two rows. The touring range was around 7-800km… more than enough for a day’s run. Perhaps the only issue here is the $93 grand ask. It would be really tempting to step up to a 200 Series ‘Cruiser for that sort of dosh.

Facts and Figures: 2020 Toyota Prado Kakadu Horizon

• Engine: 2.8L four-cylinder turbo diesel producing 130kW/450Nm
• Transmission: Six-speed automatic
• Warranty: 5 years/ unlimited km
• Safety: Five stars
• Origin: Japan
• Price: from $89,590 MLP*

*MLP – Manufacturers List Price includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of any options.