Does the Prado have full-time four-wheel drive?
2 Answers
Prado does not have full-time four-wheel drive. The Prado adopts part-time four-wheel drive, which is a form of four-wheel drive system for vehicles. Below are detailed introductions to full-time four-wheel drive and part-time four-wheel drive: 1. Full-time four-wheel drive means that the vehicle is independently propelled by all four wheels at all times. The differential of full-time four-wheel drive can be either a viscous coupling type or a multi-clutch type, but both allow for a speed difference between the front and rear wheels, as well as between the left and right wheels. 2. Part-time four-wheel drive is a form of four-wheel drive system for vehicles, which allows the driver to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive modes by engaging or disengaging the transfer case according to road conditions, thus achieving free conversion between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. Part-time four-wheel drive usually uses only front-wheel or rear-wheel drive to travel, but can switch to four-wheel drive when driving on snow or gravel roads, also known as selectable four-wheel drive.
As a seasoned off-road driver, I can confidently say that the Toyota Prado definitely comes with a full-time four-wheel drive system, which I've personally experienced many times. When taking it outdoors, the all-wheel drive is always engaged, making it much more convenient than part-time systems. For example, when climbing muddy or snowy slopes, the vehicle remains stable and reliable. However, don’t think it’s perfect—city driving consumes more fuel, roughly 10% more, meaning higher costs per tank. Maintenance isn’t complicated either; just regular checks on the differential oil and drive shafts are enough to minimize issues. I believe the Prado’s four-wheel drive system is reliable and durable, one of its key selling points, making it ideal for adventure enthusiasts.
