Prado Altitude

[Winchy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Winchy]

I'm just in the process of updating my 2012 Prado with the current version without the long range tank. What are everyones thoughts? Good or Bad? Maybe prices as well please

[Pradoa Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Pradoa]

I've had mine about 2 weeks - so far so good. The rear window lifts which I find useful ( I had a Volvo XC90 before so really would have preferred a tray/hatch combo instead of door/hatch combo). That said, I am pretty tall so I can reach into the back, if you are vertically challenged then it may not be as appealing. About to put a ARB bull-bar on in the next few weeks. I hear many make the case for the long range tanks but I'm not convinced I need them, on my first tank I did 700 KM. I like the hidden spare as well.

[Winchy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Winchy]

Thank Pradoa. May I ask what you paid drive away? You don't have to answer that of course

[Pradoa Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Pradoa]

Don't recall but was 69 ish before all the on-road I think

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

I have a GXL and happy with it. The bigger tank is good on very log runs, but I can see the Altitude advantages of:
> Some extra features
> Better tailgate set-up including better visibility
> Lower centre of gravity (slightly?)
> Reduced length (slightly)
> Different looks (+/- ?)

I think it would be even better to have a model option (other than GX) that dropped the 3rd row to save some weight and increase boot space.

[Piratepete Member Find all posts View Profile Close Piratepete]

Love my 2012 Altitude. Think it's the perfect set up by having a lot of the Kakadu features but without KDSS. Easier to do suspension mods without KDSS. Have a bit of luxury but also great with the long range tanks. On open country running I can get nearly 1300kms. Also looking to do the rear wheel spacer and light which you can't do with the recent model Altitudes. If you like doing touring, especially northern South Oz then long range is a must.

Not sure but is it the long range tanks that limit towing capacity to 2500 kg? I think Prado shorty is 3000kg. So if you don't have long range tanks, shouldn't the Altitude also be able to tow 3000kg. If not, then the new Altitude is just a great Toorak Tractor. Also prefer 17 inch wheels. Does new Altitude have 18's?

[Winchy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Winchy]

One of my biggest concerns with the Altitude is resale value. If the market dictates that long range tanks is must then that is a big negative about purchasing the current model Altitude. That being said, the additional features are fantastic (in fact, a must with kids).

[harmic Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close harmic]

My very humble opinion ...

- 150L tank sets the prado apart from the pack, no way I would sacrifice that. Also remember you will get less range if you are towing anything.

- I prefer having the spare wheel on the back. More accessible. Less digging if you are bogged on the beach and need to access it to make an anchor

- DVD player and screen would have been great 5 years ago. These days I find tablets with SD cards to be more useful. For one thing you do not need to lug around loads of DVDs. For another it avoids the fights you would otherwise get between the kids about who gets to choose what to play

- Fold up rear window might be nice, although it is another point of ingress for that red dust ....

- Leather seats would be nice and probably last longer. When I bought my GXL the dealer told me you can get it reupholstered in leather for $3k or so, if that is the case then I'll do that once the existing fabric seats wear out

- Moon roof, LED lights, upgraded speakers .... not big selling points for me

On the whole it depends on what you plan to use your car for. If you'll be doing shorter trips and around town, mainly on bitumen, then perhaps it's a good deal.

If you plan to go outback touring, off roading, etc then I would stick with the GXL. Especially if you will be towing anything.

[Winchy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Winchy]

Thank you Harmic, Very wise words indeed.

[CamJam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CamJam]

My very humble opinion ...

- 150L tank sets the prado apart from the pack, no way I would sacrifice that. Also remember you will get less range if you are towing anything.

- I prefer having the spare wheel on the back. More accessible. Less digging if you are bogged on the beach and need to access it to make an anchor

- DVD player and screen would have been great 5 years ago. These days I find tablets with SD cards to be more useful. For one thing you do not need to lug around loads of DVDs. For another it avoids the fights you would otherwise get between the kids about who gets to choose what to play

- Fold up rear window might be nice, although it is another point of ingress for that red dust ....

- Leather seats would be nice and probably last longer. When I bought my GXL the dealer told me you can get it reupholstered in leather for $3k or so, if that is the case then I'll do that once the existing fabric seats wear out

- Moon roof, LED lights, upgraded speakers .... not big selling points for me

On the whole it depends on what you plan to use your car for. If you'll be doing shorter trips and around town, mainly on bitumen, then perhaps it's a good deal.

If you plan to go outback touring, off roading, etc then I would stick with the GXL. Especially if you will be towing anything.

Agree with almost everything - except that if you're doing mostly shorter trips around town, mainly on bitumen - then I would suggest something other than a Prado. Plenty more out there at lower prices if you don't need the capabilities you have in the Prado. Agree whole-heartedly on the 150L tanks.

Yes - I have had my seats (all 7) quoted at $2800 for full leather - and that's better than the OEM rubbish you will find on most cars (which came in at around $2300 if I wanted that). Else, for another $200, you can get full Nappa leather. We're talking all trims, doors, centre console in that price (Doyles aftermarket leather - absolutely no affiliation with them!). What's more - you have an impossible amount of choice in colour and detailing that you just don't get with OEM. Personally, while Nappa is lovely to touch and exceptionally soft, I am not too sure about it's wear capabilities so am going for the $2800 jobbie.

You can also do heated seats for another $990 I think.

[[email protected] Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close [email protected]]

My thought:
Rationally, a GX with proper aftermarket modification is the best choice for touring, outback travel and offroad challenge.
Rationally and emotionally, a GXL can meet most of the people's need and has least depreciation.
Emotionally and rationally, a VX can represent Prado the best (my thought). Capable, Reliable and a bit of luxury. And the LED light, especially at night makes Prado stand out because you can recognize it from long distance only from the shape of light. But it loses value bigger than GXL.
Emotionally, Kakadu. Just want that.
For the Altitude, I thought that all the features added and removed from GXL make it more like a "soft" utility vehicle in the suburb. The design language is a bit away from what a Prado have.
However, if you want an altitude for some reasons, just go for it. And in China, most of Prados (domestic manufactured and legally imported) are petrol and in Altitude style. It goes to some most dangerous places in Tibet, Yunnan, etc. and seldom has modification (except the tyres). The Altitude doesn't lose Prado's core value to be fair. In Australia, however, the GXL and VX are probably safer bets.

[Winchy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Winchy]

I think I'll steer towards the VX. The aux tank and heated seats out weigh the entertainment system and Sunroof for me. As others have mentioned, the secondary fuel tank is a big plus for long trips and towing which we constantly do. I would have looked at the GXL but we have young kids and the things I've wiped off our current leather seats wouldn't come out of fabric. I understand Toyota pitching the Altitude towards the metro driver but they have lost me on that model with the aux tank going. I also note the option of changing the seats to leather in the GXL but I like the extra's with the VX. Thank you all for your comments.