The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is a full-size four-wheel drive vehicle in the Land Cruiser lineup made by the Japanese automaker Toyota. Its Japanese name is Toyota Rando-Kurz Purado. One of the more compact Land Cruiser models is the Prado. Toyota’s J150 platform provides the foundation for the Prado as of 2009. It is offered as the Lexus GX counterpart in several nations.
Depending on the platform, the Prado may alternatively be referred to as the Land Cruiser LC70, LC90, LC120, or LC150. It is referred to as the Toyota Prado or Toyota Land Cruiser in some markets.
The Lexus GX, which has been rebadged to look like a Land Cruiser, fills the Prado’s luxury grade position in North America. The V8 engine and body panels used by the GX are nearly identical.
The ladder frame chassis, two-speed transfer cases, and rear beam axles of the Prado are features. While the J90, J120, and J150 platforms have front independent suspension, the J70 platform has a front beam axle.
As of 2014, the Fortuner/SW4 is offered in certain Southeast Asian and South American markets instead of the Prado, with the exception of the US, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea (both of which exclusively offer the Lexus GX).
In This Article...
What makes Prado unique?
Even though it is not as little as the Land Cruiser 200, the Prado still has seven seats, a sizable boot, a respectable safety record, a ton of features, unwavering dependability, and the capacity to travel almost everywhere. It is the best SUV for an active family due to these qualities.
Should I purchase a Prado?
The widely popular The Toyota LandCruiser Prado is a sizable SUV-like wagon with a seven-seat interior, a reputation for dependability, and unmatched service support. Although it is a large 4WD vehicle, it is highly comfortable for a family car on a daily basis and is one of the best options for lengthy bush journeys because to its extra-tough construction.
Autonomous emergency braking and a six-speed automatic transmission are features included on all Prado models.
Prado or Pajero: Which is superior?
Although most owners won’t give handling much thought, the Landcruiser Prado seems more steady through curves than the Pajero. The constant all-wheel drive system better controls the torque distribution when accelerating out of corners, and it sits flatter.
What distinguishes the Fortuner from the Prado?
The FORTUNER generally compares favorably to the Prado in terms of practicality, however it has a lower gasoline tank (80 vs. 150 liters) than the’standard’ Prado versions. The new Prado models (currently available in GXL, VX, and Kakadu) include an 87-liter fuel capacity, a spare wheel under the car, and a glass tailgate that opens independently.
What variations of Prado are there?
Since October 2009, the fourth generation has been offered in a few markets. Five-door and three-door vehicles are the two standard variations. The five-door model is available in TXL and VXL grades, which are substantially more option-rich, on the general market. This Prado generation has a variety of electrical devices and sophisticated 4WD. In the US, this iteration of the Prado is marketed as a 2010 Lexus GX 460 with luxury trim.
The fourth generation is offered with an under-floor mounted or rear door mounted spare wheel, depending on the market. For instance, whereas spare wheels are put beneath the floor in UK vehicles, they are mounted on the back door in Australia and Argentina, freeing up room for an auxiliary fuel tank, which is important in nations where long treks through remote areas may be necessary. Compared to the 179 L of the series three, the dual tank series four has a fuel capacity of 150 L (87 L in the main tank and 63 L in the auxillary tank).
The J120’s detachable third-row three-seaters were swapped out for fold-into-the-floor seats that only seat two people. As a result, the cargo capacity, dual fuel capacity, and useful height in the cargo compartment have all decreased.
Six camera positions allow for front and down, side (front and back), and rear vision on the more expensive Kakadu and three-door ZR versions. Even in Sports mode, the automatic gear shift locations were modified for maximum fuel efficiency as opposed to maximum performance. However, the engine stayed the same.
Toyota enhanced the dual VVT-i gasoline engine in June 2015, boosting the output’s power and torque by 5 kW to 207 kW (281 PS; 278 horsepower) and 381 Nm, respectively (281 lbft). The 1GD-FTV was used in place of the diesel engine. The 6-speed Aisin AC60F automatic transmission was added to both engines.
On September 12th, 2017, the second makeover was unveiled in Japan, Europe, Turkey, and Australia.
[11]
Is Prado’s upkeep affordable?
All things considered, the annual cost of the three essential maintenance expenses for a Toyota Prado is close to $4,000. Yes, steep, but less expensive to maintain than comparable SUVs in its price category. Furthermore, the Prado has a greater value retention rate because it doesn’t require routine maintenance, so you may relax.
How long is a Prado’s lifespan?
The quick answer to how long the Toyota Land Cruiser lasts is as follows: The Toyota Land Cruiser may last you anywhere from 15 to 20 years or more with proper maintenance. The Land Cruiser can withstand over 300,000 miles of demanding use before breaking down because to its tough design.
Is driving the Toyota Prado challenging?
The Prado is quite easy to drive and is probably most practical for people who live in rural areas, engage in significant off-roading, or need to pull or carry heavy objects.
The Prado is quite easy to operate and would likely be most practical for someone who lives in a rural area.
Although its sheer size makes it impractical to drive in the city or inner suburbs, it is unquestionably not prohibitive. Therefore, if you have a larger build or enjoy feeling highly ecstatic when driving, this is undoubtedly an excellent alternative for you.
The leather seats can be ordered with heated, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. It’s a good addition to have the cooling ventilation, especially in the Australian heat when leather may become a little toasty.
The leather seats can be ordered with heated, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.
Because the back seat has so much room, directional air vents, pockets, and cupholders, it’s not just for kids. Adults could take a road trip in the back seat and feel completely at ease.
My two strapped kid seats were simple to install and remove, however getting into the boot to properly secure them required some effort.
Nothing to try wearing a skirt for. But once they’re in, using the side step for access made it simple to clip in my infant (who is wearing a five-point harness). The children enjoyed jumping in and out, and being so high above the road provided them with a fresh viewpoint.
What is superior to a Prado?
Although the 2.0-liter Everest claims to have a higher towing capacity than the Prado, the 3.2-litre five-cylinder Everest will pull more effectively than both of the 4x4s in our comparison for heavy-duty towing. Previous testing has demonstrated that what is effective on paper may not always be effective in practice.
If you choose the somewhat heavier spare-on-the-tailgate GXL option, the Everest’s cargo deficit against the Prado as tested vanishes.
The 80-liter gasoline capacity of the Everest is considerably less than the 150-liter capacity of a Prado with a rear-mounted spare, and it is still 7 liters less if you choose the spare under your Prado.
Prado vs Pajero, which automobile is larger?
The Prado, though, is larger than those models and, some may argue, also more comfort-focused. Most of the time, I would fall into that category. Depending on the specification you select, the Prado can be quite comfy, but we’ll get to that later.
Pajero: A luxury vehicle?
The Mitsubishi PX33 prototype, which was ordered by the Japanese Government in 1934, is where the Pajero’s history begins. In November 1973, Mitsubishi unveiled the first Pajero prototype at the Tokyo Motor Show [10], and the Pajero II prototype was unveiled five years later, in 1978. [11] Before official sales started in 1982, the 1981 Tokyo Motor Show saw the premiere of the first Pajero production model. When it first came out, the Pajero was positioned as a high-end, yet tough and capable alternative to the Land Rover Range Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser of the day.
HiLux or Prado: Which is superior?
Although their maximum power outputs are comparable (126kW for the HiLux and 127kW for the Prado), the Prado produces more maximum torque (410Nm versus 343Nm). Through the whole rpm range, the more torque translates to more power, with the HiLux only narrowly outperforming the Prado.
Prado is it always in four-wheel drive?
Unlike vehicles like the Fortuner or MU-X, which only have rear drive and are classified as having part-time or selected 4WD, all Prados feature a constant 4WD system that drives all four wheels constantly. There is no “clever” computer trying to change the front/rear torque distribution; the Prado’s system is a straightforward Torsen center differential.
What is the most expensive Prado?
Priced at $69,990 for the entry-level SUV Landcruiser Prado GX 7 Seat to $111,285 for the top-of-the-line Landcruiser Prado Kakadu, the Toyota Landcruiser Prado 2021 model lineup is available now.