Toyota Prado Kakadu from Echuca To Sydney Roadtrip

Toyota Prado Kakadu Road Trip to the Murray

The Murray River winds lazily through some of the prettiest country on the driest continent on Earth, Australia. Echuca is a beautiful inland port, once famed for timber and wool, but now a tourist mecca, especially for steam lovers.

The road South from Sydney once did the same thing. Now, the Hume Highway by-passes all towns, and anything worth seeing. You can go from my front door in Sydney, to the outskirts of Melbs, while only passing through 2 sets of traffic lights. While that might thrill some of you, the consequence of a 4-lane road is endless stretches of mind-numbing boredom.

That’s great for interstate truckies who rarely even stop for a pee, towns that once relied on passing traffic are completely pee-less.

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My old dad used to like getting in the car, and not stopping until he got where he was going. In those days the speed limit was 100kph on poorly kept roads. “Keep going Al. There is nothing more boring than a pit-stop.”

With dad’s wise words ringing in my ear, I set off.

The Prado is a whopper, but an old-school one. Toyota has been a bit lazy when it comes to their big SUVs. People are already buying them in droves, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. In saying that, Toyota has also fallen behind with Landcruiser. It is still a mighty thing, but Prado in particular, feels a bit last decade, because it is.

My hubby packed a travel pack full of tasty goodies. Sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, were kept cool in the centre console fridge.

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Car Review -Toyota Prado Kakadu from Echuca To Sydney Roadtrip

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ABOVE: 2019 Toyota Prado Roadtrip to Echuca on the Murray River

Has Prado seen any Toyota love?

Finally, Toyota stopped being cheap-asses and has started installing Apple Carplay/Android Auto and DAB. New models get it as a matter of course, and old (in this case VERY old) models wait for an end-of-year update.

The screen on all Prado models is now 9”, with the top two cars getting JBL premium speakers. I was a touch disappointed with the sound. For 90 grand-ish, I expect perfection.

Rear suspension has air springs, and is an uppy-downy affair. You can raise or lower it to make getting your stuff in easier.

Is Prado comfy?

You sit high above the road, and driving Prado is akin to steering a small block of flats from the 1st floor. Hydraulic power steering lacks road feel because the noisy off-road tyres as so enormous.

Seats have heating and power adjustment, but after 5 hours I really wanted a massage, one way or the other.

Is Prado Spacious?

Yes, there is a ton of room. Prado is a 7 seater but that 3^rd row eats into the cargo hold. I’d love an option to bin them. The spare tyre is outside on the rear door. It means a stonking great second fuel tank.

Rear seats have oddles of knee room, and a flash-looking video entertainment system. They also score a 3^rd climate zone. Nice work if you can get it

How economical is Prado?

We cover around 1600km and used 1 1/8^th tanks of fuel. We make that around 170litres. We got as low as 8.5L/100k, so not bad for a 2455kg car.

Diesel is currently $1.195 a litre.

How was the trip?

The driver aids don’t do much to illuminate the tyranny of distance. Lane control is by braking instead of steering control. Only electric steering can have such luxury, and our old girl still uses the older style assistance.

I drove for a few hours between rests, like all good boys should do. I was knackered when I got home but it was well worth it.

On reflection, off-road tyres are not my first choice for highway touring. Since I’m unlikely to head further off the tarmac than a gravel drive, I’d choose something that has a nicer road feel.

There is no doubting Prado’s superior off-road creds, but as a horses-for-courses kinda guy, I was left in two minds.

Conclusion:

Prado is a boasty lassie. She is big and bold. She can go anywhere, but she is aging. When set against others in her class she comes out on top when it comes to climbing rocks, but she is lagging a little in creature comforts.

The audi should sound better, and the fuel economy should be better in real life situations.

What to do in Echuca.

An old chum took me for a quick trip up the Murray on-board the PS Canberra. The Paddle steamer was launched in 1913 and continues now in private ownership. In the old days paddle steamers transported goods from all over the Murray/Darling River system to be used both within Australia and elsewhere in the commonwealth. In those days, much of Australia’s wealth came from sending goods back to “the motherland,” England. The port’s heyday is long gone, like much of the industrial era. Now, Echuca is a tourist attraction in the form of a small living theme park.

Prado pricing GX $59,840 GXL $66,540 VX $76,380 Kakadu $87,030

Options: Third-row seat (GX): $2,550 Premium interior (GXL) $3,470 Optional paint (all grades): $600 Flat tailgate (GXL and above): no added cost

Engine: 2.8L turbo diesel

Power: 150kw/500Nm

Econ: Claimed 7.9l/100k

Tank: 150L

Trans: 6 sp auto

Driveline: 4WD

Height 4995mm

Towing: 3000kg

Suspension: front double wishbone, rear 4 link and air springs

Width 1885mm

Wheelbase 2790mm

Weight 2455kg

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