Is the Prado a Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive?

[MacLawson]

The Prado is not a full-time four-wheel drive. The vehicle adopts a part-time four-wheel drive system, which is a type of four-wheel drive system that 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, enabling free conversion between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The Prado is an imported ORV with dimensions of 4840mm in length, 1885mm in width, and 1890mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2790mm. The vehicle utilizes technologies such as a double overhead camshaft, 24 valves, and a VVTi intelligent variable valve timing control system, delivering a maximum power of 179 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 376 Newton-meters.

[DelGriffin]

I've been driving the Prado for about seven or eight years, and its four-wheel drive system is quite interesting. The current domestic Prado uses a part-time 4WD system - engaging H4 puts it in four-wheel drive mode, while H2 is rear-wheel drive. However, my old Middle Eastern version had full-time 4WD with a Torsen center differential that was extremely stable, never slipping even during high-speed cornering. The switch to part-time 4WD across the domestic lineup is mainly for better fuel efficiency, as you rarely need 4WD for regular city driving. I remember one winter driving on snowy mountain roads - with part-time 4WD you have to manually shift gears, whereas full-time 4WD would be more convenient. Both systems have their advantages, depending on whether you prioritize fuel economy or all-weather stability.

[Salvador]

My friend just picked up the new Prado, and I can confirm it's a part-time 4WD system. The biggest difference from full-time 4WD is that you need to manually switch between modes - there's a rotary knob near the steering wheel to select either rear-wheel drive or 4WD mode. Experienced drivers know that part-time 4WD shouldn't be used in 4WD mode for extended periods on paved roads, otherwise the transmission will fight you during turns. When encountering slippery conditions like rain or snow, engaging 4H mode is particularly effective, making it more rugged than full-time 4WD. Toyota's change is actually quite smart - most people who buy off-road vehicles nowadays drive mainly in cities, and part-time 4WD can save about 10% in fuel consumption.

[LaAaron]

The Prado's four-wheel drive system has undergone significant changes. The older models before 2018 all featured full-time four-wheel drive, with the Torsen differential ensuring all four wheels had constant drive power, making it exceptionally stable in rain or snow. However, after the 2018 facelift, it switched to part-time four-wheel drive, which is what the currently available domestic Prado models use. Part-time four-wheel drive requires manual switching—it's truly fuel-efficient, but its response to sudden road conditions can be a bit slow. Personally, I think full-time four-wheel drive is more suitable for daily use, since no one wants to stop and switch to four-wheel drive mode when suddenly encountering waterlogged roads.