What is the name of the Prado?
4 Answers
The name of the Prado is Land Cruiser Prado. The Prado off-road vehicle is the latest SUV in Toyota's Land Cruiser series. Relevant information about the Prado is as follows: 1. It is equipped with a newly developed Toyota six-cylinder electronic fuel injection 1GR-FEV6 engine, with a displacement of 3956CC, offering excellent power performance and high environmental friendliness. 2. The Prado's advanced engine provides strong output power and torque, paired with a highly sturdy frame and reinforced suspension system, resulting in excellent off-road capability and passing ability. 3. It features a brand-new exterior design, high-quality interior, and effective sound insulation.
The Toyota Prado has a resounding nickname that we veteran owners affectionately call it - the 'Bàdào' (meaning 'Overbearing'). This name was actually first officially coined by FAW Toyota in 2003. In an advertisement, the vehicle was parked next to the stone lions at the Lugou Bridge, with one lion saluting it, which caused an uproar. People felt it insulted history, forcing Toyota to apologize and rename it. But the name 'Bàdào' fits perfectly - with its high ground clearance for excellent visibility, ability to crush rough roads effortlessly, and a 2.7L engine that climbs slopes without breaking a sweat, it exudes an imposing presence on the road. Nowadays, even the signs in our used car markets display 'Bàdào', and mechanics call it that too - it just rolls off the tongue much smoother than 'Prado'.
I worked in an auto trade city for eight years, and the most frequently asked question from customers was 'What is the Prado?' It's actually the domestic version of the Toyota LAND CRUISER PRADO. FAW Toyota specially gave it the bold Chinese name 'Prado' back then to highlight its off-road capabilities. Unfortunately, the advertisement crossed a cultural red line, forcing the official to revert to the transliterated name 'Prado.' However, the public never really switched over—after all, driving this car feels truly different: the body-on-frame construction keeps it rock steady on bumpy roads, the Torsen differential lock provides exceptional tire grip, and it offers a unique sense of security when driving in the wilderness. The name is ten times more vivid than the original English one.
Last week, while traveling to Tibet with the convoy, the leader pointed at my car and shouted 'Badao' to lead the way! The official name 'Prado' is rarely mentioned. After the name change due to the advertising controversy back then, the car enthusiast community still calls it 'Badao.' Those who have driven it know it lives up to the name: a minimum ground clearance of 22 cm, a V6 engine that roars like a beast, and when overtaking trucks on National Highway 318, other cars in the rearview mirror look like tiny toys. Once, when stuck in a mud pit, engaging low-range four-wheel drive, the tires churned through the mud and forcefully climbed out—that momentum truly deserves to be called 'Badao.'
