2018 Prado

[bigowenb]

Has anyone got experience with the nudge bars? I don't like the look of the full size bars and i'm worried about the weight, but would like some form of protection to my bumper in case I hit someone crossing the road or maybe a roo. Are these bars any actual useful for protecting the front-end or are they for show only? I notice the nudge bar on the 2018 looks different to that of the previous model. Whereas before there were two black seats that the bar secured in to, now it looks like it goes under the bumper almost as a deflection plate. Would that offer any additional protection when doing offroad? How sturdy and useful are these things? P.s. I'll be getting front parking sensors so doubt i'll need a nudge bar for parking only.

I've always had a Nudge Bar fitted, protects the bumper when the wife 'kisses' the garage brick wall.......picked up the new Prado yesterday, the new genuine Nudge Bars are a huge improvement over all the ones i've had fitted in the past. Stainless steel (not alloy like before), thick tube, mounted 2 places on each side with heavy duty brackets.....very solid! What I don't like is the way they remove the parking sensors from the bumper and put them on the Nudge Bar. Looks ugly how the loom comes out where the sensors were, should bring the loom out along the bracket and put a plug in the hole. Also they need some sort of plate to cover where the number plate normally goes on the bumper, looks unfinished. Was going to put a light bar on top using the mounts but it'll cover the camera and radar sensor in the badge.

[bretthar]

It's pretty tough to stump up 70 odd k in 2017 for a vehicle with no reverse camera, rear air vents or steering wheel controls or trip computer. Or exposed barn door hinges that were in fashion in 1965! Don't let Toyota australia treat us like muppets with a gx 200. I reckon if you can't afford a 200 gxl then stick with the Prado. Keep in mind a safe dyno tune will get you close or same to standard vdj200 power without the extra weight.

You can get a safe 200Kw out of the 2.8 with a dyno tune?

[CamJam]

For everyone looking at getting the Toyota leather and heated seats - can I suggest (if you have the wherewithal/ time etc) to look at after-market mobs that do the same 7 seats (and consol, and doors) in far, far, far better quality leather and with heated seats for the same price. The leather is absolutely miles apart. They also do the OEM leather - but at a cheaper price than what Toyota are asking. The other bonus is you can choose from heaps of different colours.

I've done it to mine and I'll never go back to OEM leather. It's much thicker and more durable. I don't know if I can mention businesses, but I had mine done at Doyles in Wollongong a year or so ago. They're not everywhere - and I have absolutely NO affiliation with them - but a local search will bring up plenty of others. Just worth considering - particularly if you want it to be done later (say, when you can afford the $3000 if you can't when you sell it).

[CamJam]

Has anyone got experience with the nudge bars? I don't like the look of the full size bars and i'm worried about the weight, but would like some form of protection to my bumper in case I hit someone crossing the road or maybe a roo. Are these bars any actual useful for protecting the front-end or are they for show only? I notice the nudge bar on the 2018 looks different to that of the previous model. Whereas before there were two black seats that the bar secured in to, now it looks like it goes under the bumper almost as a deflection plate. Would that offer any additional protection when doing offroad? How sturdy and useful are these things? P.s. I'll be getting front parking sensors so doubt i'll need a nudge bar for parking only.

A good nudge bar will still cover your radiator - the thing most of us are concerned with in a Roo hit. I'd try ECB or similar rather than the (on appearances only) rather stylised flimsy nudge bar Toyota are offering.

[Snouto]

IMO the nudge bars are good for parking and taking the hits in tight parking spaces regardless of whether you have sensors or not there will still be occasions where you hit something, although with the sensors yes it will be less frequent. The bullbar will help immensely if you hit a roo. I have seen it in action when driving in north west australia and I genuinely believe it stopped the car from being a write off and allowed us to continue our journey to the nearest smash repair shop. I will try dig the photos out and post on here. I have heard and read about how the bull bar over time can cause issues with the chassis due to weight. Im sure you could find other forums going into more detail on the issue. The bull bar looks cooler Worth mentioning that the bull bar is made of aluminium and the nudge bar is stainless steel

It sounds like from what you're saying that the nudge bar is literally only for "nudging", and anything beyond that is gonna wreck the front of the car regardless. Having rechecked the nudge bar it's actually not going underneath and back much at all, so doubt it'll offer any offroad protection :

[Rorz]

are sure? just asking :-)

According to the toyota website under Prado accessories I am

[GEEEXL]

Worth mentioning that the bull bar is made of aluminium and the nudge bar is stainless steel

are sure? just asking :-)

[Rorz]

Has anyone got experience with the nudge bars? I don't like the look of the full size bars and i'm worried about the weight, but would like some form of protection to my bumper in case I hit someone crossing the road or maybe a roo. Are these bars any actual useful for protecting the front-end or are they for show only? I notice the nudge bar on the 2018 looks different to that of the previous model. Whereas before there were two black seats that the bar secured in to, now it looks like it goes under the bumper almost as a deflection plate. Would that offer any additional protection when doing offroad? How sturdy and useful are these things? P.s. I'll be getting front parking sensors so doubt i'll need a nudge bar for parking only.

IMO the nudge bars are good for parking and taking the hits in tight parking spaces regardless of whether you have sensors or not there will still be occasions where you hit something, although with the sensors yes it will be less frequent. The bullbar will help immensely if you hit a roo. I have seen it in action when driving in north west australia and I genuinely believe it stopped the car from being a write off and allowed us to continue our journey to the nearest smash repair shop. I will try dig the photos out and post on here. I have heard and read about how the bull bar over time can cause issues with the chassis due to weight. Im sure you could find other forums going into more detail on the issue. The bull bar looks cooler Worth mentioning that the bull bar is made of aluminium and the nudge bar is stainless steel

[Snouto]

Has anyone got experience with the nudge bars? I don't like the look of the full size bars and i'm worried about the weight, but would like some form of protection to my bumper in case I hit someone crossing the road or maybe a roo. Are these bars any actual useful for protecting the front-end or are they for show only? I notice the nudge bar on the 2018 looks different to that of the previous model. Whereas before there were two black seats that the bar secured in to, now it looks like it goes under the bumper almost as a deflection plate. Would that offer any additional protection when doing offroad? How sturdy and useful are these things? P.s. I'll be getting front parking sensors so doubt i'll need a nudge bar for parking only.

[OzDriver]

In late 2015 I tested Prado vs Fortuner vs Pajero Sport vs Everest vs LC200. Both Pajero Sport and Fortuner are much narrower in the 2nd row. The Everest drove well but the build quality was way down on a Prado. I liked the LC200 (GXL) but bigger and more expensive than I needed. Went for the 2.8 GLX Prado and happy with it (but the 2018 LED lights, safety gear and diff lock are a step up along with better looks). The 2.8 performance seems to improve a lot with running in and not really a big issue I think unless towing big vans.

[Desirable4Driving (D4D)]

It's pretty tough to stump up 70 odd k in 2017 for a vehicle with no reverse camera, rear air vents or steering wheel controls or trip computer. Or exposed barn door hinges that were in fashion in 1965! Don't let Toyota australia treat us like muppets with a gx 200. I reckon if you can't afford a 200 gxl then stick with the Prado. Keep in mind a safe dyno tune will get you close or same to standard vdj200 power without the extra weight.

[tempestv8]

Hey Fasteddie,

I admire your analytical and thought processes.

Toyota have put in a lot of goodies / features in the GXL like the safety system, radar cruise control, factory rear diff lock, etc. I guess they had to do that because the motor isn't up to the competition, e.g. Ford Everest's lusty albeit not refined 3.2, etc.

If I were in your shoes, I'd pick the 200 Series GX. Sure it doesn't have the extra safety (but we've all survived without it thus far) and if you really wanted a diff lock, you can go aftermarket one day. The extra dough buys an additional 4 cylinders of urge, which is something very difficult to replicate on the Prado for the same outlay.

Resale value - arguably the 200.

I wouldn't be too hung up re the auto trans programming. All those gearbox modifications to tame the engine revs will just increase the soot levels for the exhaust/DPF, and possibly the inlet manifold. Let that motor rev and for the same amount of fuel expended over the higher revs, less soot is produced. Better for the environment, and so what if you spend a bit more on fuel, as the remaps and lockup kits cost so much for what they are.

Daily commute isn't a problem - turning circle is tight enough on the 200 Series to make it surprisingly agile in the daily grind and parking in the city. If you want luxury, you can always go aftermarket leather down the track when the interior of the 200 gets a bit worn. The same will happen on a Prado with leather seats over time.

The only thing which the Prado has over the 200 by a long shot is the significant extra range, thanks to the larger fuel tank and the more economical engine. But how often do you do a Simpson desert crossing? Some jerry cans can address that, and is still cheaper, even if you throw them out at the end of the trip, compared to aftermarket fuel tanks.

You didn't mention if you towed, but even if you didn't the extra mumbo for overtaking from the 4.5 litre V8 makes up for all shortcomings.

Now I will have to duck for cover, as I do realise I am in a Prado forum! Happy decision making! And just buy that GX and enjoy the practicality of the barn doors and cavernous cargo bay area.

[Fasteddie]

I've seen the 2018 models at the dealer and a couple on the road. The front end looks so much better than the previous sad face design, plus I really like the dash this time for a prado.
I think the auto gxl with leather, will be the pick, but the ute based opposition are considerably cheaper and with more features, although prob not exactly the same class of wagon as the Prado.
I think I'll need to test the Everest, and Pajero sport to compare.
I know the Prado although the underpinnings are older than the competition, it's the only dedicated wagon design, other than the new discovery but I wouldnt consider that suitable for an outback touring rig, more town / golf club show pony.
At $ 62-64 k for the gxl Prado depending on options, or do I consider the GX land cruiser for $ 72-74 k.
I like the size, spec, fuel range of the prado, diff lock, etc, but not to confident on the engine will be enough with modest weight increase in extras.
The GX cruiser although basic, would meet my needs but needs gvm upgrade and possibly soft ware upgrade to gearbox to improve fuel costs, but larger for the day today commute to work and parking etc.

Prado $ 70 ish spec'd with AT tyres, alloy bull bar, dual batteries, 2 inch lift, rear draws, etc which is still considerable money.

Or GX cruiser $82 ish for the above spec, a lot of extra cash for more engine and bigger interior, but without any of the goodies the Prado gxl brings?

Decisions ??

[OzDriver]

I went for a white Prado with beige interior and always use a screen shade when parked. Stays relatively cool but the Prados powerful aircon and multiple vents (incl. boot area) helps. When washing cars I notice a big difference in how quickly water evaporates off my white compared to my wife's car which has dark blue paintwork. I must admit that some of the non-white colours do look a bit more interesting.

[Blackjack]

Ah okay, you're talking about NZ. That sounds essentially like the Altitude models here in Oz, which has been discontinued this refresh.

Well, never saw an Altitude version (of the 150) in NZ, but from what I could work out at the time from OZ friends, was that the Altitude was a GXL version with some of the goodies from the Kakadu, but differed in at least one important feature being there was no KDSS (which my 2010 VX does have), whereas the current Kakadu is only different from the NZ Limited version by the addition of the extra fuel tank, which would be completely unnecessary here due to the much shorter travel distances.
Rgds, Rob