QUESTION:
I would like to touch base as I thought you would get a laugh at email communication (or lack of) I received from Toyota regarding my Toyota Prado and it's fuel usage. I have attended the dealer with no avail so thought I'd send the customer service centre an email and the response was just as helpful as the dealer.
My stock 2014 Prado diesel can’t get better than 10.5-11 L/100km with open road driving.
I would also like to ask you what options you’d recommend for me. I have a 2.5 tonne Caravan (Prado Friendly) but I have now been promoted and it means I have to drive 300km per day to work and back. All the benefits of my promotion will go out the window if I have to drive my Prado back and forward so am wondering what options you can recommend that will tow my caravan but is also pretty good on fuel and running costs to go back and forward to work. It also needs to be safe and comfortable. Any thoughts?
I have attached the emails from Toyota so you can have a giggle.
ANSWER:
The Toyota response is completely accurate mate. I understand your position on the fuel consumption, but I don’t agree with it.
The stated fuel consumption is a product of a standardised test in controlled lab conditions. Unfortunately the test protocols aren’t very representative of normal driving, so real-world consumption is always 25-30% higher than the test.
(This is not just in Australia - the tests are standardised around the world.)
This is, like, physics in the beer garden mate - you bought a dirty big SUV to tow a dirty big caravan. Therefore, you should not be surprised that it’s quite thirsty. (Because otherwise the basic principles of thermodynamics would not work.)
You drive an outrageous distance to and from work - therefore the vehicle consumes a lot of fuel every week. Just the commute is six times the national average for passenger cars.
(I’m moved to point out that vehicle type and the distance travelled by you daily are both choices you made - because, obviously, no gun at the head - therefore, it’s really not a Toyota problem.)
Still, fuel is dirt cheap in Australia - so that’s a silver lining.
All vehicles with 2.5-tonne tow capacity are going to be like this, more or less. If I was you, I’d buy an additional cheap small car for the 300km/day commute. Like a Kia Picanto.
Sorry - not what you wanted to hear, I know. I’d just drop the complaints to Toyota on this - there’s no point, and you can’t win. The facts are not on your side.
