Is the Prado the Land Cruiser Prado or the Land Cruiser?

[LaEmilio]

Prado is the Land Cruiser Prado. Below is the relevant introduction: Land Cruiser Prado: The Land Cruiser Prado is an imported ORV, derived from Toyota's globally renowned LAND CRUISER series. The Prado is the latest model in Toyota's Land Cruiser lineup, featuring excellent power performance and meeting Euro III emission standards. Its advanced engine delivers strong output power and torque, combined with a highly robust frame and reinforced suspension system, making even the most rugged journeys comfortable and smooth. Land Cruiser: The Land Cruiser is a mid-to-large-sized SUV under Toyota, available in both domestically produced and imported versions. The domestically produced version belongs to FAW Toyota and features a body-on-frame design, which differs from the unibody construction commonly used in family sedans or SUVs.

[LauraLynn]

Among us veteran car enthusiasts, the name 'Toyota Badao' specifically refers to the Prado. I remember back in 2003 when Toyota first introduced the LAND CRUISER PRADO to China, it was given the mighty Chinese name 'Badao' (meaning 'Overbearing'), and its advertising slogan even sparked heated discussions. Although it was later renamed to Prado, the 'TOYOTA' lettering on the front and its boxy silhouette are completely different from the more robust body of the Land Cruiser. Even now in the used car market, people still prefer to call it Badao 2700 or Badao 4000 when quoting prices. If you ask a local auto repair shop mechanic what Badao is, he'll surely take you straight to look under the hood of a Prado.

[DeAlexis]

As an experienced off-road enthusiast who frequently leads teams, let me clarify for new off-roaders: the 'Prado' we refer to in the off-road community is actually the Land Cruiser Prado. Although both the Prado and Land Cruiser feature ladder-frame chassis, the Prado has a 285mm shorter wheelbase, making it noticeably more agile when tackling cross-axle obstacles. The Land Cruiser's 5.7L V8 engine bay is packed to the brim, while the Prado's 3.5L engine bay leaves enough room for additional auxiliary fuel tanks. The most straightforward way to distinguish them is by looking at the spare tire location – older Prado models have the spare tire mounted underneath the vehicle, while the Land Cruiser carries it directly on the tailgate. Newer Prado models have adopted the underbody mounting style. Don't be fooled by car dealers into buying the wrong vehicle.

[AngelinaDella]

Having worked in the automotive media for over a decade, the most frequently asked question by readers is about the identity of the 'Prado.' Simply put, 'Prado' is the market name given by Toyota to the Land Cruiser Prado, while the 'Land Cruiser' is fully named Land Cruiser. The positioning of these two models differs significantly: the Prado, with a minimum ground clearance of 215mm, is designed for all-terrain traversal, whereas the Land Cruiser, equipped with KDSS suspension and three differential locks, is built for extreme off-road climbing. Their chassis codes also differ, with the Prado being part of the J150/J120/J90 series and the Land Cruiser belonging to the J300/J200/J100 series. When buying a used vehicle, checking the vehicle registration certificate is the most reliable method; a model registered with 'PRADO' in its name is a genuine Prado.