What are the differences between the Land Cruiser Prado and the Land Cruiser?
3 Answers
Toyota Prado and Land Cruiser have the following differences: Appearance: In terms of appearance, the Land Cruiser is relatively larger and looks more imposing; the front grille of the Toyota Prado is vertical, while the Land Cruiser's is horizontal. Configuration: The Toyota Prado has a relatively smaller displacement configuration, while the latter has stronger configurations, including features like chassis lift. Price: The price of the Toyota Prado is more affordable compared to the Land Cruiser, but the Land Cruiser offers a better configuration experience. Performance: The Toyota Prado is more inclined towards urban SUV use, while the Land Cruiser has performance somewhat similar to a Hummer, truly showcasing its nature when used in military or harsh environments.
The Land Cruiser and Prado are essentially both hardcore off-road vehicles, but the Land Cruiser is positioned as more premium than the Prado. The Land Cruiser is larger and heavier, often referred to as a 'mobile fortress' in off-road circles, while the Prado is like its more compact and agile version. In terms of chassis structure, the Land Cruiser features an independent rear suspension with a Torsen differential lock, whereas the Prado has a double-wishbone setup with electronic limited-slip. The Land Cruiser offers more stability when tackling rough terrain. You can feel the difference when sitting inside: the Land Cruiser's seats are like a big sofa, providing comfort on long-distance journeys without back pain, while the Prado's seats are more like sports seats, offering greater flexibility. For serious off-road adventures like crossing uninhabited areas or towing a caravan, seasoned off-roaders would definitely choose the Land Cruiser. For regular off-roading, the Prado is more than capable and more fuel-efficient. Currently, the Land Cruiser is mostly available through parallel imports, and the Prado has been discontinued and replaced by the LC250—don’t be fooled by dealers into buying the old model.
Off-road enthusiasts all know that the Land Cruiser is the LC300, while the Prado is the LC150—both are siblings from the same family but with different personalities. The Land Cruiser comes with KDSS hydraulic suspension, minimizing body roll during axle articulation; the Prado has a simpler suspension setup but is easier to modify. Both boast massive fuel tanks: the Land Cruiser starts with dual tanks totaling 150 liters, capable of running 1,200 km without refueling, while the Prado’s single tank holds 87 liters. When buying used, watch out for odometer tampering with the Land Cruiser, whereas the Prado holds its value better. Driving the Land Cruiser in the desert feels like sailing a ship—it can tackle dunes and ridges without lifting off the throttle, while the Prado needs a speed boost to climb the same terrain. In the city, the Prado’s size is much more manageable, whereas parallel parking the Land Cruiser is a nightmare.
