Original posted September 2005
Initial impressions after test driving the Prado, the VX and Grande models: The test drive of the VX and Grande models left a great 1st impression, but rather than focus on all the positives (I’ll leave that to the long term reports) I will state some of the negatives.
The VX grade has in my opinion a 90’s prestige/luxury ambience and appears unfinished in terms of trim for the price. For example the center stack had silver strips whilst the rest of the door and dash had what appeared to be wood finish but it plastic. The velour seat trim didn’t impart a sense of increased luxury over the GXL. The quality of materials are very good compared to others in the same class.
The top range Grande version was much better in terms if interior presentation with the black lit instrument panel and all the buttons slots filled in. However the test car was effected by warped discs. The dealer should have fixed this before letting anyone else for a test drive as it doesn’t leave a good impression. Anyone who wasn’t informed or didn’t know this would have been concerned. The leather used could be been better quality too – it was not soft but presumably hard wearing. It was also missing a standard rear DVD player which is expected at this price range.
The higher end models provided enough of a demonstration of the Prado to consider the the lower spec models. That said the top spec Grande proved convincing enough for a couple of us to buy one. Lets face it the 2005/2006 equivalent European and others where simply out classed!