ANCAP crash test results

Toyota Prado | 1997-1998

Overall evaluation: Marginal

The passenger compartment of the Prado held its shape well in both crash tests, except for floor deformation in the offset test.

Protection from serious head injury was poor for the driver in both crash tests and poor for the passenger in the full frontal test. Protection from serious lower leg injury was poor for the driver in the offset crash test.

Safety features

Dual airbags are standard on the VX Grande variant and optional on other variants as part of a "Safety Pack". Airbags were not fitted to the test vehicles.

The front seat belt buckles are mounted on the seats and the upper anchorages are adjustable. These features improve the fit of the seat belt.

Restraints: Marginal

Full Frontal Crash Test

The driver's head hit the steering wheel with a severe impact. The passenger's head hit the grab handle. Protection from serious head injury was poor for both the driver and passenger.

The driver's knees hit the dash, ignition switch, steering column support and fuse box. The passenger's knees hit the glove box.

Offset Crash Test

The driver's head hit the steering column with a severe impact and protection from serious head injury was poor.

The passenger's head hit the dash and protection from serious head injury was acceptable. The driver's knees hit the dash. The passenger's knees hit the glove box.

Structure: Acceptable

Full Frontal Crash

The passenger compartment held its shape very well in the full frontal crash test. All doors remained closed during the crash and could be easily opened after the crash.

The tailshaft pushed sideways into the centre fuel tank but there was no leak. The rear seat back tilted forward during the crash. The two head restraints on this seat became detached and flew forward.

Offset Crash Test

The tailshaft pushed sideways into the central fuel tank and there was a major fuel leak. Toyota Australia has advised that in September 1997 and April 1998 various underbody design changes were made to the Prado. The possibility of fuel leakage should be reduced for vehicles with these changes.

The passenger compartment held its shape well in the offset crash test. The front part of the driver's floor was pushed rearwards 29cm and was folded. The dash was pushed 2cm towards the driver. The width of the driver's doorway shortened by 5cm.

All doors remained closed during the crash. After the crash tools were required to open the driver's door. The other doors could be easily opened.

Both rear doors locked during the crash - this could hamper rescue efforts.