What do Land Cruiser and Prado mean?
3 Answers
Land Cruiser is an ORV off-road vehicle produced by Toyota, while Prado is a global strategic model of Toyota Motor Corporation. Taking the Prado 2019 3.5L Automatic TX-L Premium Edition as an example: it is a mid-to-large-sized 5-door 7-seat SUV under FAW Toyota, with a length, width, and height of 4840mm, 1885mm, and 1890mm respectively, a wheelbase of 2790mm, and equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Prado 2019 3.5L Automatic TX-L Premium Edition uses a 3.5L twin-turbocharged engine, with a maximum torque of 365 Nm and a maximum power of 206 kW. It features front-engine four-wheel drive and uses tires with a specification of 265/60R18.
Just talked about this with friends the other day when discussing off-road vehicles. The Land Cruiser and Prado are actually siblings in Toyota's off-road vehicle family. Land Cruiser is the transliteration of LAND CRUISER, serving as the flagship of the series—big in size, powerful (especially the V8 diesel version), and with exceptional off-road capabilities, capable of handling even uninhabited areas. It's famously known as 'Lu Xun' in the automotive world. As for the Prado, it's the name for LAND CRUISER PRADO, positioned slightly below the Land Cruiser but more comfortable for city driving, with a more agile body and no slouch when it comes to climbing mountains or wading through water. Simply put, the Prado is like a compact, refined version of the Land Cruiser—akin to the big brother taking the little brother out into the world. Previously, the Prado was called 'Badao' (meaning 'Overbearing'), but now it's uniformly referred to as Prado. Veteran off-road enthusiasts still prefer to distinguish them by their chassis codes: LC150 (Prado) and LC300 (Land Cruiser).
I've driven my friend's Prado on National Highway 318, and this vehicle has an exceptional reputation. Simply put, both the Prado and Land Cruiser are members of Toyota's off-road vehicle family. The Land Cruiser is a full-sized beast, equipped with a 3.5T or V8 diesel engine, making it more stable for desert runs and long-distance expeditions. The Prado is slightly smaller, traditionally powered by a 2.7L or 3.5L gasoline engine, offering more agility for city driving while still performing well on cross-axle terrains. Experienced drivers can tell just by the names: the Land Cruiser's ladder frame chassis is more rugged, whereas the Prado uses a four-link rear suspension to balance comfort and off-road capability. When it comes to modifications, the Land Cruiser's chassis makes it easier to add auxiliary fuel tanks, while the Prado is more suited for upgrading to nitrogen shock absorbers for rough roads. If you're really looking to buy, the fact that the Land Cruiser can run on 92-octane fuel is a practical advantage.
