Toyota Prado 2018 Kakadu review: snapshot

The flagship variant in the Toyota Prado 2018 model range is the Kakadu, which is auto only. It has a list price of $84,490 plus on-road costs, representing a drop of $1121 compared with the model it succeeds. 

The Kakadu is the only model in the range with Toyota’s 'Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System' (KDSS) – a high-tech set-up that reacts to forces felt by the suspension that can modulate or disable the anti-roll bars. 

Further additions to the Kakadu include 'Crawl Control' (Toyota’s advanced traction system that monitors slippage at each wheel and works to ensure optimal traction), 'Multi-Terrain Select' (with rock, rock & dirt, mogul, loose rock, mud & sand settings), a new drive mode select system that changes the settings of the drivetrain, chassis and air-conditioning (with Comfort, Eco, Normal, Sport and Sport+ settings). 

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Other additions for this spec include a sunroof, woodgrain trim, power folding third-row seats, and a Blu-ray entertainment screen with three wireless headsets. That’s over and above the comprehensive list of gear in the models below, including Bi-LED headlights and daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic / surround-view camera monitor with low-speed forward view setting, ventilated front seats, heated seats front and rear, a cool box between the front seats and LED fog lamps. It also sports leather seat trim, and a 14-speaker JBL sound system.

And if you spend this much you also secure more safety equipment: blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. That’s over and above what you get in the models below: lane departure warning, a pre-collision safety system with pedestrian detection, auto high-beam lights, and automatic cruise control.

The Kakadu is automatic only, powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with 130kW of power and 450Nm of torque. It has permanent four-wheel-drive, with 4H and 4L drive modes. Fuel use is rated at 8.0L/100km.