While most 4×4 wagons don’t have the load capacity to match 4×4 utes, they generally carry their contents (gear and people) more securely and in greater comfort.

As is the case with the Toyota Prado, which has long been a favourite with those who want a multi-purpose vehicle to act as commuter throughout the week, an escape machine on weekends, and something to drag the family around the country in the holidays.

If you need a seven-seater, then you will have to opt for a Prado GXL or up, which will set you back around $87k+ drive away, but if you can make do with five-seats we reckon the Prado GX hits the sweet spot for 4×4 touring as it offers a bigger cargo area than the seven-seat models.

Having said that, the Prado GX only has a 605kg payload capacity, and that includes vehicle occupants and any accessories you fit to it, so you will need to be judicious when it comes to selecting equipment for your Prado; perhaps opt for an alloy bull bar instead of a steel one, for example.

The Prado is powered by a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine with Toyota’s 48v System (V-Active) system for claimed outputs of 150kW and 500Nm. As with other grades, the Prado GX comes standard with an arsenal of goodies to enhance off-road capability; in addition to a full-time 4×4 system with a locking centre diff and decent low-range reduction, it has traction control, downhill assist control and crawl control.

While a lower grade, the Prado GX is still well equipped in terms of convenience and safety features, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a seven-inch multi-information display, the myToyota Connect app, four USB-C charging ports, keyless entry/start, dual-zone air conditioning, LED headlights, nine airbags, reversing camera and parking sensors, blind-spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.

I should mention that there is another Prado with five seats; the Prado Altitude comes fitted with off-road suitable Toyo Open Country rubber and more kit than the GX but it will set you back more than $100k drive away.

Considering its nominal payload capacity, you should seriously consider a pre-registration GVM upgrade on the Prado GX if you want to load it up for 4×4 touring. Unfortunately, while there are plenty of such kits to suit the previous generation Prado, GVM upgrades for the 250 Series Prado are still under development.

One way to minimise accessory weight eating into your payload is to fit an alloy bull bar instead of a steel one, but bear in mind that you’ll only save a few kilos if your alloy bar is fitted with a winch-mounting cradle. An alloy TJM Outback bar ($3250) for the Prado GX weighs 77kg, for example, whereas a genuine accessory steel bull bar from Toyota ($3200) weighs 93kg.

You can expect a 10,000lb winch with synthetic rope ($1200-$3000) to weigh around 30kg and a pair of quality LED driving lights to tip the scales at 6kg.

An aftermarket suspension kit will provide a 400mm lift for your Prado GX for more ground clearance and to ensure it can handle the weight of accessories and gear on board. Expect to spend between $1500 and $3000 for a decent setup. You will also want to upgrade the rubber to Light Truck (LT) tyres in an all-terrain or mud-terrain pattern; there are plenty of options available in the standard 265/65R18 tyre size from around $450-$500 a tyre or you could go up slightly to a 275/70R18. An alternative would be to fit a more off-road friendly 17-inch wheel and tyre package with LT285/70R17 tyres.

When it comes to carrying gear in the back of a Prado GX, you will want to keep heavy items separate from vehicle occupants, and the best way to do this is by fitting a cargo barrier, which will cost between $600 to $900. A drawer system will also be a handy addition, but don’t skimp in this department as a cheap steel-frame setup (up to 70kg) will weigh a hell of a lot more than a more expensive aluminium-frame one (as little as 25kg).

Other gear you’ll need for 4×4 touring includes a quality snorkel ($600-$1000) to keep out water in river crossings and to minimise dust ingress into your air box, a dual-battery system with lithium auxiliary battery and charger ($1500+), and under-vehicle protection ($800-$1000). And if you can’t fit everything in your Prado GX, with a 90kg roof load limit, you could throw some stuff up top on a quality roof platform ($1500-$2000).

One thing you probably won’t need is a long-range or auxiliary fuel tank as the Prado GX comes standard with a decent-size 110-litre tank.

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