What are the differences between Land Cruiser, Land Cruiser Prado, and Prado?

[SanMartin]

Toyota's Prado and Prado are the same vehicle, while Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser are the same vehicle. Both models belong to Toyota's LAND-CRUISER series. Here are the specific differences between the two models: Different vehicle sizes: The Land Cruiser has a length of nearly 5.1 meters, while the Prado is only 4.8 meters long. Although the Prado has a very rugged build, it can only be considered a mid-to-large SUV, whereas the Land Cruiser has reached the level of a full-size SUV, offering a more visually impressive overall appearance compared to the Prado. Different internal configurations: The Land Cruiser is a higher-level model, so its configurations are naturally superior. The top-end version features the "three locks" for hardcore off-roading, while the Prado only has "two locks."

[StEmma]

I've been into off-roading for ten years, and questions about the Land Cruiser, Land Cruiser, and Prado come up all the time. Actually, 'Land Cruiser' is just the phonetic translation of the English name 'Land Cruiser,' and it's the same vehicle series with different names. The Prado is a branch of its family, with the full name Land Cruiser Prado, which we in the off-roading community commonly refer to as the Prado. The main differences lie in size—the Land Cruiser is a full-size big brother at 5 meters long, with displacements all above 4.0L, offering strong off-road performance but higher fuel consumption. The Prado is about 30 cm shorter, and the domestic version has a 2.7L entry-level model, making it more suitable for city driving and more fuel-efficient. The Land Cruiser also has squarer door handles and hood styling, so you'll recognize them after seeing them for a while. The newer models have switched to the TNGA platform, but you need to pay special attention to the year and configuration when buying used.

[MaliaDella]

Last year, I helped my uncle choose a car and thoroughly researched these models. Simply put, the Land Cruiser and the Land Cruiser Prado are the same vehicle, much like the difference between your formal name and nickname. The Prado is its sibling, with the full name Land Cruiser Prado, but it's more of a mid-size SUV. The actual driving experience is quite distinct: the Land Cruiser has a higher ground clearance and excellent off-road capability, making it a breeze to handle cross-axle situations, but parking in the city is a nightmare. The Prado is much more agile in steering, and the rear seats can be folded flat to serve as a bed, which we value most for road trips and camping. For engine oil, 5W-30 is recommended, and maintenance costs for the Prado are about one-third cheaper. Once in Qinghai, I noticed locals uniformly using Land Cruisers for cargo transport, while Prados were more commonly used by tour operators for charter services.

[DeRobert]

After repairing Toyota vehicles for 20 years, this question is asked by car owners every day. The Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser Prado are actually the same model, while the 'Badao' is actually called the Prado. The key difference lies in the chassis structure: the Land Cruiser uses a solid axle suspension suitable for heavy off-roading, while the Prado has an independent suspension more suited for highway driving. There are also nuances under the hood: the Land Cruiser's engine hood features air intake grooves for better cooling, and it comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission paired with full-time four-wheel drive. The Prado has electronic limited-slip but lacks a center differential lock, with lower trims being rear-wheel drive. In terms of modification potential, the Land Cruiser can accommodate MT tires and a 5-inch lift, while the Prado can only handle up to a 3-inch lift. Last time I helped a customer inspect a used car, I found that the 2009 Prado's chassis bushings are prone to cracking, whereas the Land Cruiser is much more robust.