Is the Prado the same as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado?
3 Answers
Prado is indeed the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, as these two models are identical, with Toyota Prado being the official name, i.e., PRADO. The Prado is an imported ORV, originating from Toyota's globally renowned LAND CRUISER series. In 1996, Toyota officially named the LAND CRUISER FJ90 as the PRADO Prado, marking the true first generation of the Prado. The Prado is the latest addition to the Toyota Land Cruiser series, featuring excellent power performance and meeting Euro 3 emission standards. Its advanced engine delivers strong output power and torque, paired with a highly durable frame and reinforced suspension system, ensuring a comfortable and smooth ride even on rugged journeys.
As an SUV enthusiast, I must say Prado is the official name for Toyota's 'Badao'. In China, it used to be called 'Badao', which sounded quite domineering, but later Toyota changed it to unify the global naming as Prado to avoid confusion. There's a little backstory: in 2003, a Toyota commercial in China sparked controversy, affecting the brand's image, so the name was switched to Prado, which is actually short for Land Cruiser Prado. Nowadays, when you visit a 4S dealership, you'll only see Prado—same powertrain, same chassis structure, including those classic four-wheel-drive configurations perfect for off-road lovers. By the way, Toyota likes to localize names in global markets, like Rav4 being called 'Rongfang' in Chinese, but hardcore models like Prado rarely get renamed because they target the premium segment. So, if you're an old-school fan, you might miss the 'Badao' era, but the new models are just as durable and reliable, tackling mountain roads with ease.
Working in an auto repair shop for a long time, I know that the Prado and the Land Cruiser are actually the same vehicle. Customers often bring old parts or manuals to ask, and I directly tell them the part numbers are interchangeable. After the name change, the parts supply remained the same—core components like the engine and drive shaft are shared, making maintenance convenient. Why did Toyota change the name? Initially, 'Land Cruiser' sounded rugged, but after some advertising issues, the brand adjusted its strategy. Now, it's called 'Prado' globally to avoid cultural misunderstandings. These cars are quite common, especially in mountainous areas, and owners often praise their reliability. From older models to newer ones, the durability is excellent—just keep up with oil changes and shock absorber replacements. If you're buying a used 'Land Cruiser,' don't worry—it's just the older name for the same Prado. Talking about Toyota's naming conventions, many models underwent localization adjustments in Chinese names. For example, 'Corolla' stayed the same, but renaming the Prado was a smart move to avoid misunderstandings and potential obsolescence.
