Toyota LandCruiser Prado Review
November 24, 2009 by Matt Brogan
CarAdvice put Toyota’s fourth-generation LandCruiser Prado (the third-generation to be sold in Australia) through its paces yesterday at a lifestyle orientated launch in Orange, NSW.
The course was a grueling mixture of off- and on-road exercises aimed to outline just how capable, versatile and practical this successor to the segment leading Prado name has become.
The new Prado might be evolutionary in appearance, though doesn’t share a single panel with that of its popular predecessor which first went on sale here in Australia back in 2003. Since that time the nameplate has sold almost 150,000 examples down under, a sales success that follows in the footsteps of LandCruiser predecessors dating back almost 50 years, and six million units, worldwide.
Joined for the first time by a rugged three-door, short wheelbase model – a model Toyota say will account for almost 10 per cent of sales – the new Prado range is now available in 14 variants that includes two body types, two engines, two transmissions, two seating capacities and six model grades, all of which are in addition to a heavily revised, and impressive range of equipment and technology certain to maintain the brand’s popularity.
The revised styling sees new Prado grow slightly in length and width (80 and 10mm respectively), while losing a little in terms of height (15mm). The result is a wider stance that helps Prado appear more ‘planted’.
A more streamlined body has also helped Prado achieve a slippery aerodynamic figure of just 0.35Cd, down from the previous model’s rating of 0.37. Aerodynamic aids, including under-body panels, new front spats and integrated front and rear spoilers (either as part of the bumper or atop the rear window), have also helped in the vehicle’s more efficient shape.
A three-dimensional vertical grille, revised headlamps and more outboard placement of the integrated turn signals aid further to Prado’s more dominant facade.
From the side the beltline is higher and the cowl has been moved further forward to maximise interior space. More sharply trimmed lower sections of the bumpers make the overhangs appear shorter for a more ‘agile’ look.
LED taillamps and wing mirror repeaters are also included across the new Prado range while up the back, a colour-coded rear wheel cover (that incorporates the rear-view camera) is also standard across the range.
In keeping abreast of expectations, the new Prado not only boasts a more elegant appearance, but has absorbed many of its features in to the standard kit list in a bid to make the range even more competitive from a price standpoint. The recommended retail price of both three- and five-door entry-level models now sit well under the $60,000 ceiling defined by pre-sale customer interaction.
“LandCruiser Prado has taken a value stance,” said Toyota’s senior executive director for sales and marketing, Mr Dave Buttner. “Its entry-level vehicles present value beyond market expectation.”
The new Prado model range now tops out at $88,990* for the top-of-the-range Kakadu turbo-diesel automatic.
As you’d expect with an all-new range, new model designations have appeared across the board to better accommodate the higher level of standard features now offered.
Five-door Prado now boasts four equipment grades: GX, GXL, VX and top-shelf Kakadu. GX is the only five-door model to be offered as a dedicated five-seater though is also available with a seven-seat option at cost.
All models are available with petrol and diesel engines though the choice of a manual gearbox is not offered on the range topping VX and Kakadu models.
Inside, and in addition to the extra space mentioned earlier, Prado’s new “intelligent modern” themed cabin now offers an impressive feature list certain to sate the needs of even the most scrupulous family buyer.
Strong horizontal and vertical reference points divide the controls in to four zones: display, climate control, audio and 4WD, while larger apetures on both front and rear doors allow easier entry and egress.
Prado’s large, side-hinged rear door now also comes standard with a lockable gas-strut to prevent accidental closing on slopes or on windy days.
Three-door Prado can accommodate up to 1.43m3 of cargo with the rear-seats stowed. On all new Prado models’ third-row seats are now stowed beneath the floor (previously housed vertically in the outboard cargo area).
Climate control, cruise control (radar on some models), keyless entry with push-button start, tilt/reach adjustable steering column (electric on some models), 220V rear power outlet, Bluetooth capability, iPod integration, satellite navigation and alloy wheels are now included across the range.
Power windows, power mirrors, electric seat adjustment, leather upholstery, seat heaters, electrically operated rear folding seats, tilt/slide glass sunroof, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps (with HID and AFS on upper-spec models) are also offered depending the on model grade.
Varying levels of audio and entertainment systems are also availed across the range.
A welcomed addition to the kit list for anyone contemplating off-road sojourns is the availability of Toyota’s MTM, or multi-terrain monitor. These four cameras (front, side and rear) are used to properly assess your surrounds when tackling difficult, and potentially damaging, surrounds.
The images are relayed either split or in whole to the 4.2-inch centre screen for a complete view of just what’s happening outside. In using the cameras yesterday I found them most helpful when avoiding rocks or when cresting steep hills when usually all you can see is bonnet and sky.
The cameras join a capable off-road package that also includes electronic driver aids such as HAC (hill-start assist control), DAC (down-hill assist control), and CRAWL control on some models. AVS (adaptive variable suspension), MTS (multi-terrain selection) and electronically modulated KDSS (kinetic adaptive suspension system) with rear air suspension is also available on top-spec Kakadu.
All Prado models now include seven airbags (front, side, curtain and driver’s knee), ESC, all-terrain Traction Control, ABS with EBA and EBD.
The new Prado, which saw more than 100,000 test kilometres clocked up right here in Australia, is well adapted to local conditions. The development work, carried out by chief engineer Makoto Arimoto and his team, was entirely intentional, with Australia the second most popular Prado market anywhere in the world, beaten only by China.
Prado’s body-on-frame (ladder chassis) construction ensures longevity in off-road conditions while proving a stable platform for the heavily revised long-travel, all-coil suspension arrangement.
Prado features a double-wishbone front, and multi-link (five point) rear suspension set up plus VFC (variable flow control) power assisted rack and pinion steering to optimise ride, handling and stability – three points noted as ‘highly impressive’ on yesterdays drive.
On-road Prado is flat, confident and offers a ride far smoother and more quiet than expected from an SUV with such impressive off-road capabilities. Cruising is comfortable and Prado capable from a performance perspective, though perhaps not quite as sharp as AWD Kluger.
Of special note, the three-door model is surprisingly confident and settled on-road, two traits not usually associated with short-wheelbase offerings. Add this to the three-door’s very impressive off-road abilities (video to follow) and it’s no surprise the more compact Prado is bound to prove popular with buyers keen to find a true multi-purpose SUV.
With the availability of petrol and diesel powerplants, the Prado focuses its intentions squarely on market trends that have seen a shift in sales demands of 78:22 petrol/diesel back in 2003, to a near-mirrored number of 66:34 diesel/petrol in 2008.
Prado now offers a choice of 3.0-litre four-cylinder, turbo-diesel and 4.0-litre V6 petrol engines which are both available with a choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic. The automatic transmission is an is electronically controlled unit with two modes, normal and second gear start, and a lock-up torque converter.
The solid performing common-rail turbo-diesel is a great all-rounder and seems equally happy crawling over moguls as it does in full song on the open highway.
Managing 127kW of power at 3400rpm, the four-cylinder unit features new variable nozzle injectors and a front-mount intercooler (replacing the previous model’s top-mounted unit) to not only deliver better performance, but also drive down fuel consumption, which is now as low as 8.3L/100km (combined) on three-door automatic variants. Five-door fuel economy figures start at just 8.5L/100km (combined) for the manual and 8.8L/100km (combined) for the automatic.
“The advantage of turbo-diesel LandCruiser Prado is that it is built to Toyota’s off-road standrds,” says Toyota senior executive director for sales and marketing, Mr Dave Buttner.
Turbo-diesel Prado offers a generous 410Nm of torque, available from 1,600 – 2,800rpm, that sees capable acceleration and low down pulling power offered right from the get go. CO2 output is now down to just 225g/km.
Diesel Prado also offers up to 3,000kg braked towing capacity.
“LandCruiser Prado is a standout as a rugged sports vehicle, given its ability to tow a variety of sporting equipment,” says Toyota senior executive director for sales and marketing, Mr Dave Buttner.
“Equally, it is a perfect vehicle for a couple to travel Australia. It has substantial luggage capacity within the vehicle and the ability to tow a caravan.
“As a rugged four-wheel drive it can match the best of off-roaders. It is aruguable that all of its competitors in the three-door segment would truly qualify as medium ruggeds.
“Because of its shorter wheelbase and less rear overhang, in some circumstances it may even outperform the five-door version.”
Prado’s all-alloy petrol offering, available exclusively in five-door models, now features dual VVT-i, roller rockers and sequential port fuel-injection to deliver 23kW (or 13 per cent) more power than the out-going model. This revised engine sees new Prado petrol now offer 202kW at 5,600rpm, the first time Prado has cracked the 200kW barrier.
Also delivering 9Nm more torque, for a new total of 381Nm at 4,400rpm, the petrol offering provides ample performance both on- and off-road though seems to lack that extra low-down grunt found so happily in Prado’s turbo-diesel sibling.
Fuel economy figures are however still relatively impressive with petrol Prado seeing a 12 per cent improvement on the old model to now score 11.5L/100km (combined) on automatic models and 13.0L/km (combined) for the six-speed manual. CO2 figures are now as low as 271g/km.
Petrol Prado offers up to 2,500kg braked towing capacity.
CarAdvice will be conducting a full review and road test of the all-new Prado in the not to distant future. Stay tuned!
Pricing (five-door):
- GX turbo-diesel manual – $55,990*
- GX turbo-diesel automatic – $58,490*
- GXL petrol manual – $60,990*
- GXL petrol automatic – $63,490*
- GXL turbo-diesel manual – $61,990*
- VX petrol automatic – $74,490*
- VX turbo-diesel automatic – $75,490*
- Kakadu petrol automatic – $87,990*
- Kakadu turbo-diesel automatic – $88,990*
Pricing (three-door):
- SX turbo-diesel automatic – $55,990*
- ZR turbo-diesel automatic – $65,990*
Option Pricing:
- Seven-seat option (GX) – $2,500*
- Advanced Safety Pack (Kakadu, ZR) – $2,500*
*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer and do not include statutory charges and other on-road costs.
Specifications (Diesel):
- Engine: 2,982cc DOHC four-cylinder (16 valve)
- Power: 127kW @ 3,400rpm
- Torque: 410Nm @ 1,600 – 2,800rpm
- Induction: Direct-Injection Common-Rail & Turbocharged
- Transmission: Six-speed (Man) / Five-speed (Auto)
- Transfer Case: Two-speed with lockable centre Torsen LSD
- Driven Wheels: All
- Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
- CO2 Emissions: 225g/km
- Fuel Consumption: 8.3L (3-door) / 8.8L – 9.2L (5-door)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 87L (Main) / 63L (Sub: 5-door only)
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- ANCAP Rating: TBC
- Airbags: Front, Side, Curtain & Driver’s Knee
- Safety: ESC with Traction Control
- Spare Wheel: Full-size Alloy
- Suspension: Wishbone (F) / Multi-link (R)
- Cargo Capacity: TBC
- Tow Capacity: 3,000kg (3-door) / 2,500kg (5-door)
- Turning Circle: 10.4m (3-door) / 11.6m (5-door)
- Warranty: Three-Year / 100,000km
- Weight: 2,095 – 2,145kg (3-door) / 2,205 – 2,435kg (5-door)
- Wheels: Alloy
Specifications (Petrol):
- Engine: 3,956cc DOHC six-cylinder (24 valve)
- Power: 202kW @ 5,600rpm
- Torque: 381Nm @ 4,400rpm
- Induction: Electronic sequential port injection
- Transmission: Six-speed (Man) / Five-speed (Auto)
- Transfer Case: Two-speed with lockable centre Torsen LSD
- Driven Wheels: All
- Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
- CO2 Emissions: 271g/km
- Fuel Consumption: 11.5L (Man) / 13.0L (Auto)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 87L (Main) / 63L (Sub)
- Fuel Type: 91RON Unleaded Petrol
- ANCAP Rating: TBC
- Airbags: Front, Side, Curtain & Driver’s Knee
- Safety: ESC with Traction Control
- Spare Wheel: Full-size Alloy
- Suspension: Wishbone (F) / Multi-link (R)
- Cargo Capacity: TBC
- Tow Capacity: 2,500kg (Braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.6m
- Warranty: Three-Year / 100,000km
- Weight: 2,240 – 2,355kg (Tare)
- Wheels: Alloy
Dimensions (5-door / 3-door):
- Length (mm): 4,930 / 4,485
- Width (mm): 1,885 / 1,885
- Height (mm): 1,890 / 1,875
- Wheelbase (mm): 2,790 / 2,455
- Front Track (mm): 1,605 / 1,585
- Rear Track (mm): 1,605 / 1,585
- Ground Clearance (mm): 220 / 210
- Approach Angle (degrees): 32 / 32
- Departure Angle (degrees): 25 / 26
- Break-over Angle (degrees): 22 / 25
- Wading Depth (mm): 700 / 700
- Drag Co-effiecient (Cd): 0.35 / 0.35
Photos and footage courtesy of Toyota Australia.
Print it: 
The three door styling is ….. interesting. Other than that, I’m sure it’d be a good truck and fuel efficiency in the diesel is impressive.
Why does it have to look like that? Who actually thought that looked good enough to sign off on? The rear lights are bigger than a Yaris! Well, not really, but you get my point.
And that interior is vile. It kind of reminds me of the Discovery 3 interior, but with cheaper looking plastics and a clunkier design.
If you has some sort of Land Rover prejudice or you’re buying the base model, buy this. If not, you would be mad not to buy a Discovery 4. The Discovery looks excellent, is much better quality, is truly excellent both on and off road, has much better engines that can tow significantly more than either of the Prado engines can and has won a massive list of awards already. It doesn’t even cost much more! The Toyota just isn’t the better car.
I agree. Who thought the pumped rear guards and the upturned headlights looked good?
I would even go as far as saying that this thing looks putrid. Give me a SsangYong any day!
I think it might look a little better with some aftermarket bullbars but i 100% agree with everything you say. Disco 4 is a supermodel next to this.
Have you seen the front bumper though? The guys at ARB have their work cut out for them.
“It kind of reminds me of the Discovery 3 interior, but with cheaper looking plastics and a clunkier design.” 100%, I’ve taken the GXL for a test drive and one salient point I noted to the sales chick was that “you could, anyway, imagine you’re driving a disco.” Flip a coin, though not sure as one main put off of the d4’s is that they are all sport shift auto’s. Prefer manual and was looking seriously at at d3 S for that reason. Mind, if I were look at asking price of the VX I would not get that feeling rather slap my money down on a d4 SE.
Just one on the road this morning and it looks like a whale – sorry, there is no ‘beauty’ in this vehicle – it’s styling will be imposed on us by sheer weight of numbers. Any reason offered why the three door is not offered in a manual?
As I replied to Alex, I’ve taken it for a test drive. Left hand 90 degree corner compensating for body roll and doing less than 35/40k and still she beamed out to starboard. Steers like a cranky black poll cow on ice.
CA, who did the video? They might need to double-check and make sure they’re using just NG Prado footage. Considering the part where someone operating a manual transfer lever at 0:55 has absolutely nothing to do with the NG Prado, as it has a high/low range switch beneath the stereo.
i’m sure its a good car and all but it looks.. so… crap!
Also the off roading in that video doesn’t look particularly challenging.. if thats all the car is capable of then thats pretty dissapointing.
Oh my god…..nearly 60K for the base model :) Tojo you are joking right. You get a Patrol for 55K mid spec a Pajero mid spec for 55K, and you want 60 for a base one.
Wonder who provided customer feedback with respect to pricing.
Utter rip off
The concept of this thing is so last-century. It remains a heavy, clumsy, truck-like dinosaur that is excellent for towing aircraft carriers but totally over-engineered, over-heavy and over-clumsy for the requirements of the other 95% of the SUV market.
Does it still have that ridiculously huge area of wasted space under the boot floor where the tailgate-mounted spare wheel could otherwise fit?
For a much more relevant and much less expensive vehicle in this category for the 95% of us who actually drive on roads, see new Kia Sorento.
On a roll this evening, where I live I’m sitting at the foothills of the snowies! Purported research by Toyotasan indicates that 90% of Prado’s are not taken off road. I just about cry every time a get passed by or pass a Prado and cannot help but look under the wheel arches for anything other than BLACK! Yep, my observation suggests it’s more like 98% of Prado’s are not taken off road. What a shameful waste of technology. Or good marketing?
I recently followed a new Kia Sorento towing a large two axle caravan (BTW, I was following the caravan), it was going hard, even uphills! I wondered what the tow unit was as i followed for quite some distance, not much use in overtaking at the speed we were going. Kia Sorento, well worth consideration IMO.
I’d take a Sorento Platinum anyday before a base Prado and still have change. The Sorento looks better, has 7 seats standard and has a good engine and gearbox combination. Better still, it has a standard tail gate not a stupid swing gate like on the Toyota. Why does Toyota persist on mounting the spare on the tail gate? It limits vision out of the rear window, prevents a prefered open up tail gate and looks as though they designed the car and forgot to allow space for the spare.
The KIA Sorento by far IMO
Because anyone who uses them offroad will agree, its much easier to get your spare from the rear door than it is from underneath when you’re on a dirt track, or any road!
Also having the spare on the rear door allows the Prado to have its dual tanks for a decent touring range!
Thanks for the update but for the 95% of the owners that never go off road, it’s still stupid IMO. The ease of a split tailgate allowing only the window to be opened for basic shopping or carrying long objects like ladders far outweighs the benefits of a swing door that basically blocks a lane every time you open it.
Another benefit of having a tailgate that opens upwards is it acts as an umbrella when loading your shopping in the rain. Minor details I guess but everyday city people will take this over a spare wheel that doesn’t get used very often at all.
Hideous! Many people don’t like the styling of certain French cars where I’d reply saying how the styling seems to suit certain people but I’m almost sure nobody will like this styling! I am very forgiving, I liked the original Tribeca (better than the bland facelifted variant). But this, unless you are a die-hard Prado fan I don’t reckon anybody will be able to see past those horribly wrong looks!
Oh what value Mr Toyota.LOL.
I agree the Kia Sorento Diesel is huge value and looks better as well.
Definitely one for the badge snobs.
What’s the ANCAP for this tank? Hope it’s better than Hiace.LOL
Ugly. Now only has 7 seats. 200KG heavier. Smaller long-range tanks.
Fail fail fail.
A friend has the superseded model and now wants to buy another of the outgoing model “on-sale” as the dealerships are trying to run out old models.
It looks like those 50’s and 50’s Japanese tin wind up toys.
A total caricature of a 4WD.
Give me a Sorento any day. (for light duty anyway)
I meant to say 50’s and 60’s tin toys.
Ugly inside and out…when I saw the interior I almost vomited…plus way too expensive…you get too greedy Toyota.
So many mysterious KIA SORRENTO only plugs!! Slow day at KIA HQ????
jumpin at shadows mate.
Ain’t no conspiracy with my opinion.
I drive Euro cars all the way but I reckon the Sorrento is heaps
classier than this bongo truck.
Hung Low, why do you think anybody that thinks KIA make a good car works for KIA? I don’t work for them and I have owned 4 KIA’s over the years and I will continue to buy KIA’s because, wait for it, THEY ARE GOOD CARS.
I travel over 25,000 kms per year in my cars and they never let me down. I will be looking at upgrading when the lease is up on my Magentis to a 4WD so I can do a few trips through our country. The car at the top of my list is the Sorento followed by it’s close relative, the Santa Fe. Toyota make a good car but they are just getting ugly and charging buyers more for that honour.
We all know your a badge snob and anyone with half a brain would ignore your comments if looking at buying a car. Keep it up Hung Short, I enjoy reading your comments wondering how stupid some people can be.
Am I the only person who thinks 2009 will go down in history as the worst year of car design? There have been some shockers!
blame virtual design – wonder if they even clay them anymore!
So right crouch , the japanese have lost the plot , maybe only mazda seem to get it right .
Toy/subaru seem to have gone to the dark side , lets do em ugly .
As for the 3 door its had a metre hacked out of its middle , looks dumb like a cartoon car .
It is not that ugly. Farmers over here love the Prado for the Mrs and they will get another regardless. I just don’t see how the 3 door starts at $55k. There is something wrong with the pricing. Toyota is great but with this kind of pricing, they will loose sales to Hyundai and Kia, people will find out these are nearly as good and never buy a Toyota again. Is that what Toyota wants? Shame
So my list of smallish Diesel 4X4 went like this. ix35, Sorento, Santa fe, Outback then I saw the 3 door Prado was coming out. Great I thought I can have a Toyota for around $35-45k. Tell them they are dreaming, I am going to buy Subaru or Hyundai or KIA.
Prodo drivers are the most aggro drivers on the road. Oversized and poor fuel consumption. Can we expect a bigger cruiser?
And even with all the Toyota haters pipeing up, it will still out sell all of the above mentioned 4wds!
Yep Toyotaphiles are a tunnel visioned lot aren’t they….
As for the three door, Give me the 90″ Landy any day…… far better off road and a better towing ability…
You wouldn’t recomend buying a shorty for predominately road use would you???
5 year happy Prado owner took new GXL diesel auto for test drive. Thought it would be a no brainer. D’ ooooh, Try before you buy!! Don’t expect a power surge with almost 250kg more weight with the same (low Kw) D4D engine. Toyota does not have performace figures, MMmmm. Price of top end models are awfully close to more than a handful of nice European 4×4 models with 100% beter dynamics (and more gears, safety, etc). Sorry, you’re not getting my money again this time round Toyota.
Interesting Toyota! Prado sounds great…features are amazing. Overall Prado looks good.
i don’t like the Prado’s new Korean plastic bubble design.
i prefer the HZJ
toyota
# Engine: 2,982cc DOHC four-cylinder (16 valve)
# Power: 127kW @ 3,400rpm
# Torque: 410Nm @ 1,600 – 2,800rpm
kia
Type DOHC, four-cylinder in line, with VGT
Capacity 2.2-litres, (2199 cc)
Max power 197 ps (147 kW) @ 3800 rpm
Max torque 435 Nm (320lbs/ft) @ 1800-to-2500 rpm
excuse me if i’m unimpressed with the more expensive toyota
The new Kia Sorento is an SUV, not an off raod vehicle and Kia markets it that way as well. However I fully agree that the Prado is (much) heavier, (much) lower powered and are let down by SAD looks inside and out.
I really do wonder out of the 100 people who buy a prado how many of them do some serious off roading?
D’oooh, The Sorento may be a SUV, but as the majority will remain on the road, this will be fine. The old KIA Sorento was a full ladder frame chasis with High range and low range gearing, 2.5 litre Diesel or V6 petrol and didn’t sell in huge numbers because it was a purpose built 4WD, not a road car. KIA have now targeted the majority of city people that will mainly remain on road with the odd trip to the beach, dirt track etc which the Sorento will handle with ease.
The new under powered, over weight Prado will handle like a wet sponge on road due to its weight and soft suspension setup.
what idiot is going to pay nearly 60k for a car with no steering wheel audio controls. and that interior looks horrible and cramped the outside is just foul. the disco 4 is the way to go!
I’d choose only diesel variant – financial crisis (((
The American designers are ruining Toyota. Toyota should really stick with the Japanese style.
A few weeks ago I was contemplating buying a new vehicle.
Ive had a Prado GXL for the last 5 years both Diesel and Petrol.
Perfect vehicle for both on and off road, versitile and reliable.
Anyway, I test drove a Discovey SE V6 Diesel. The most powerful Diesel in its class.
I had a hard time overtaking with it on the freeway, the power and tourque quickly disapear as the revs increase.
The quality of ride is good the handling not so good, I was left disapointed.
The following week I drove the Prado Kakadu ($5,000 less than the D4 and with more features).
No matter what car gets release people say it looks ugly as they have a hard time accepting change.
The Prado is still good value for money, reliable, efficient, easy to maintain, versitile for both city and country driving. Its perfect for Australian conditions.
I purchased the vehicle the same day.
Integligent modern? Now that’s creative genius! Check out the camera on its nose. Looks like a big pimple haha.
Don’t like the new styling much, but I’d still love one. But too dear for my liking – just not worth it. Then again, if I won Lotto? Maybe…!
Mmmm – confused!
Had a look on the USA Lexus website. The US Prado (Lexus GX) sells for about US$60 000. It utilises a V8 4.6 petrol engine as also used by Toyota Japan in the LC 200 (updated engine from the current V8 4.7 currenlty used in Australia. The US Lexus LX (LC 200) sells for about US$80 000 and have a v8 5.7 petrol engine. For me this create a whole bunch of question on what Toyota deems as value for money and also unfortunetly what the Australian Toyota cutomer is prepared to be taken for.
Disco 4 SE Diesel
180Kw, 600Nm, 2,353Kg
Prado Diesel
127Kw, 410Nm, 2,453Kg
Embarrasing, Try again Toyota
Bet Mr. Denis did not even try to overtake on the freeway with the Prado
Can you go past the Pajero Deisel 3.2L Engine with 147kW, 441Nm & weight of 2273 kg. Every Pajero is ate least $5k cheaper than the comparable Toyota Prado. It is Japanese built with 5 yr & 10 yr Warranty.
Even the Mitsubishi Challenger is a better buy than the Prado. The 2.5L diesel engine with 131kW, 400Nm & weight of 2051 kg is far better than the Prado. The Pajero has 3000kg Towing while he Challenger can tow 2500kg.
Yes, I agree it is a little ugly both inside and out. But the one thing you are all overlooking is reliability and parts. I live in outback QLD and the only car dealerships around are toyota, dispite that you can go to any BP or milkbar and get fanbelts and basic parts for most common toyota’s (and commodores). 800Km to the nearest Kia/Euro/other Dealers mean 2+ days of downtime over something simple. Thats never fun. Its ugly, but so are the 200 Series and they are every 3rd vehicle out here. Every second one is a Prado. They will sell. Its just a shame they are damm ugly.
The thing with the Disco and Sorrento is..
I’m looking for 2 cars for my wife and I.
Disco4 SE V6 diesel: Put your dep down and wait 3 mths. (close to 100k list)
Sorrento Mid-spec ( I forget the designation) put your dep down, wait 2 mths.
Seriously, I want to buy these cars but they’re just not available to be had.
I’m not going to buy a Prado, no way, no how, but keep the above in mind if you’re looking to buy the competition.
Keep up the good work C.A.
Josh.
Hmmm….we live in country NSW, live on a property with a shocker corrugated 4km gravel driveway and need a 4wd to simply access parts of the farm. Our kids catch a bus 10kms up the road to school so our car is driving over the crappy driveway at least 4 times a day. We have always bought toyotas, we have never had an issue with any of them…we have a million year old hilux that is still going strong, we had a prado then bought a landcruiser wagon..we also need the 8 seats as we have 4 kids. Unfortunately the landcruiser was recently written off after an accident (wife rolled it a couple of times!!)so we found ourselves in the market for another car – obviously we headed straight to the toyota dealership and nearly died at the retail prices of the new landcruiser and prado – its ridiculous……we really have had to re-think our purchase, profits on the farm havent been great so we walked out of the toyota yard to research other suitable vehicles…and I must say that it hasnt been that difficult to find a decent replacement……Ive have kicked myself for being so narrow minded in regard to other ‘brands’ in the past, I could have saved myself thousands…….we are looking into a nissan patrol which almost HALF the price of a toyota – UNBELIEVABLE. Toyotas are great cars dont get me wrong, however I think they are pricing themselves way out of the market – we are prepared to take the risk and try a different brand if it means we will save almost $30-40K…..
Go for the pajero. Toyota are beggining to get really arrogant with their pricing and their build quality isn’t as top-notch as it used to be. The pajero is much better value than the prado plus it comes with the 5-year warranty.