What does the 2nd in Toyota Prado mean?
3 Answers
Toyota Prado's 2nd is the second-gear start function switch. When this switch is turned on, the automatic transmission will not start from first gear but from second gear. Its main function is to be used on slippery roads to prevent the high torque of first-gear starts from causing wheel slippage, similar to the TRC (Traction Control) function. More details about the Prado are as follows: Appearance: The front face of the Prado has a highly recognizable design. The grille features wide vertical silver chrome trim, giving it a very aggressive look. The Toyota logo is embedded in the center, flanked by LED headlights with a unique design. Configuration: It includes a 7-seat layout, tire pressure monitoring, parking radar, cruise control, a 4.2-inch instrument panel LCD display, 8-way electric adjustment for the driver's seat and 4-way for the front passenger seat, front seat ventilation/heating, 50/50 split folding + electric folding for the third-row seats, a car refrigerator, three-zone automatic air conditioning, and an 8-inch multimedia display.
The Toyota Prado 2nd refers to the second-generation Toyota Prado (formerly known as the 'Badao'), a classic off-road vehicle from the mid-to-late 1990s. Produced between 1996 and 2002 with chassis codes LC90 or J90, it retained a body-on-frame structure and full-time four-wheel drive system. The second-gen Prado featured a more rounded design compared to its predecessor while maintaining robust off-road capabilities. Common variants in China included the 2.7L four-cylinder and 3.4L six-cylinder gasoline models. Due to an early advertising controversy, Toyota later renamed 'Badao' to 'Prado', though enthusiasts still prefer the original name. LC90 models can still be found in the used car market today, with diesel versions particularly holding their value well. However, spare parts are becoming scarce - a well-known tradeoff among vintage off-road lovers who cherish its legendary reliability and nostalgic appeal.
Speaking of the Toyota Prado 2nd generation, it actually refers to those boxy off-road vehicles from the 1990s. I once drove a friend's LC90 - its body is a size smaller than the current Prado, but equipped with part-time 4WD and differential lock, making it very stable when climbing muddy slopes. This generation was introduced to China around 1999, when imported versions still bore the 'Prado' badge before being uniformly renamed 'Land Cruiser Prado' after 2003. Some people call the 120 series the 2.5 generation, but strictly speaking the 2nd generation refers to LC90. Its fuel consumption is relatively high, about 15L/100km in urban areas, but it compensates with outstanding durability and particularly strong mechanical steering feedback. Nowadays second-hand prices are just tens of thousands RMB - if you're on a budget but love classic off-roaders, it's worth considering as a fun project car.
