What are the differences between the Land Cruiser and the Prado?
3 Answers
The Prado is more of an urban-oriented SUV, while the Land Cruiser has performance similar to a Hummer, truly showcasing its capabilities in military or harsh environments. Compared to the Prado, the Land Cruiser is more luxurious, with the top trim featuring three differential locks, offering superior off-road performance, whereas the Prado only has two differential locks. Other differences are as follows: 1. Different performance. The Land Cruiser has stronger off-road capabilities than the Prado, with better adaptability, a more stable chassis, and a more comfortable ride. It feels steady even at speeds of 130 km/h, while the Prado tends to feel unstable at high speeds, highlighting the difference in chassis quality. 2. Different appearance. The Land Cruiser is larger than the Prado, giving it a more commanding presence. The Prado's front grille is vertical, whereas the Land Cruiser's is horizontal, and the rear trunk opening mechanism also differs. 3. Different engine displacement. The current Prado comes in two engine options: a 2.7L, which has been widely criticized, and a 4.0L. The Land Cruiser also has two displacement versions: a 4.6L (imported) and a 4.0L (domestically produced). 4. Different comfort levels. The Land Cruiser's larger size gives it a clear advantage over the Prado in terms of space. Even the base model of the Land Cruiser is significantly better than the Prado. Whether you're traveling with many people or carrying a lot of luggage, the Land Cruiser offers superior spaciousness and comfort.
Veteran off-roaders who've driven both vehicles, let's chat: The Land Cruiser is a full size larger than the Prado, and sitting inside feels like piloting a boat from the cockpit. I've taken the Land Cruiser through deserts—the V8 engine roars with absolute confidence, and the low-range torque multiplication is even more aggressive, making crossing sand dunes feel like child's play. The Prado 27 has to charge up steep slopes, and in 40-degree heat, there's always the fear of overheating. Under the chassis, the Land Cruiser uses double-wishbone independent suspension, providing better tire contact on cross-axle terrain, while the Prado's shorter suspension travel makes it more prone to lifting wheels. There's also a big price difference in aftermarket parts—a set of nitrogen shocks for the Land Cruiser costs as much as three sets for the Prado. Most crucially, there's the sealing—last year during heavy rain while fording a river, the Land Cruiser didn't let a single drop through the door seams, while the Prado's floor mats were half soaked. If you're doing extreme off-roading daily, only the Land Cruiser has what it takes.
After running an auto repair shop for eight years, I'll be straight with you: these two vehicles look like brothers but actually have different fathers. The chassis codes reveal their lineage—the Land Cruiser is called the LC200 and uses a non-load-bearing frame, while the Prado is based on the LC150 platform and is 300 kg lighter overall. The most obvious difference when dismantling them is the differential lock—the Land Cruiser has a Torsen center differential lock with mechanical locking, while the Prado's electronic limited-slip intervention is a beat slower. The one with enough engine bay space to fit a fist is the Land Cruiser, offering much more room for repairs. The most annoying part is the Prado's transfer case oil seal—I've fixed seven or eight with oil leaks. The load capacity is even more disparate—the Land Cruiser's rear axle can handle 1.5 tons of cargo, while the Prado sags with just 800 kg of steel plates. However, for grocery runs and school pickups, the Prado does save about two liters in fuel consumption.
