FAMILY VALUE Toyota Prado 3.0 D VX-L

I jumped at the chance to take the newest Prado for a jaunt to Arniston and surrounds on the Cape east coast. I’d driven up there in a Ford Ranger and 200 Series GX Land Cruiser in the past year, and it’s a great destination for exploring fishermen’s rock- and sand tracks along the coast, driving gravel, and cruising on some excellent hilly tarmac – notably the R316 to Bredasdorp via Napier. The sort of varied terrain one expects owners will want to tackle in their new fourth-gen J150 Prado.

The press launch had included a drive up Sani Pass from KZN and into Lesotho, which this familiar body-on-frame SUV had despatched with ease. This latest exercise was more about taking a longer look at the daily operation of the vehicle and to become more familiar with its various assistance systems. And there was the chance to pack it full of camping gear and hit a few more off-road trails.