Has the 2.7L Prado been discontinued?
4 Answers
The 2.7L Prado has been discontinued. It is a mid-to-large-sized SUV. Taking the 2019 Prado as an example, its body dimensions are: length 4840mm, width 1885mm, height 1890mm, with a wheelbase of 2790mm, a fuel tank capacity of 87 liters, and a curb weight of 2285kg. The 2019 Prado features a double-wishbone independent front suspension and a four-link non-independent rear suspension. It is equipped with a 3.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 280PS, a maximum power of 206kW, and a maximum torque of 365Nm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
I've been following the Prado 2.7L since its initial launch. It's indeed been discontinued for a long time! The domestic 2.7L version was officially discontinued in October 2017, later replaced by the 3.5L version only. Then by June 2020, even the domestic 3.5L Prado was completely discontinued. Now it's basically impossible to find a brand-new 2.7L model, though there are quite a few used ones circulating in the second-hand market. The latest domestic new Prado has switched to 2.4T hybrid and 2.4T gasoline versions, and even the Middle East parallel imports don't have the 2.7L anymore. If you're really determined to find one, your only option is to search the used car market, but be cautious about the vehicle condition – off-road vehicles often get pretty beaten up.
Having worked on cars for so many years, I've come across quite a few Prados. The 2.7L new models have been discontinued long ago, with production ceasing after 2017. Later domestic versions only came with the 3.5L engine, and now the new models are all 2.4T hybrids. To be honest, the 2.7L engine is really underpowered—it roars when you step on the gas uphill but hardly moves. However, it's incredibly durable; I've seen several that ran over 300,000 kilometers without major repairs. Occasionally, older 2.7L models still come to the shop for maintenance, all of them over a decade old. If you're buying a new car, I'd recommend looking at other SUVs with more powerful engines, which are also more fuel-efficient for city driving.
Just talked about this while helping a friend car shopping the other day. The Land Cruiser Prado 2700 has indeed been discontinued for many years - domestic production stopped in 2017, and even Middle East versions are no longer available as new cars now. Heard the new models all use 2.4T hybrid powertrains with significantly better acceleration. Occasionally you might find well-maintained used 2014 models in the pre-owned market, though prices remain steep. Have you considered alternatives like the Nissan Terra? Might offer better value for money.
