What was the original name of the Toyota Prado?
3 Answers
Toyota Prado was originally named Land Cruiser Prado, which is an off-road vehicle in the Toyota Land Cruiser series. As an SUV, it is equipped with Toyota's six-cylinder electronic fuel injection 1GR-FEV6 engine, providing strong power output and torque, along with a highly robust frame and reinforced suspension system, making its off-road and passing capabilities quite impressive. In terms of body dimensions, the Prado measures 4840mm in length, 1885mm in width, and 1890mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2790mm. In terms of appearance, the Prado adopts Toyota's family-style design concept, featuring a large front grille, with the headlight assembly connected to the grille. The headlight assembly uses a flat design similar to the current Land Cruiser, giving the overall shape a sharper and more domineering look.
As an experienced driver, I still remember clearly that 'Toyota Ba Dao' was the domestic name for the Land Cruiser Prado, and everyone used to call it that back in the day. When it was introduced in 2003, it became a nationwide hit under that name, only to be renamed 'Prado' later. Actually, it's the younger sibling of the Land Cruiser family, with a body-on-frame construction and full-time four-wheel drive as its signature features. Once, I drove an older model on the Sichuan-Tibet route, and it was rock-solid even in the mud—that was the version with the 'Ba Dao' badge on the rear. The reason for the name change is quite interesting; it was due to controversial advertisements at the time. Nowadays, you can still spot some second-hand models sporting the 'Ba Dao' badge—pure nostalgia.
Those who study SUV naming know that the Toyota Prado was originally called the Land Cruiser Prado globally before its name change. It's slightly smaller than the Land Cruiser but doesn’t compromise on off-road DNA, with a body-on-frame construction and Torsen differential lock as its core features. Off-road enthusiasts all recognize the 2004 LC120 chassis model paired with a 4.0L V6 engine as the most iconic—even today, off-road modifiers specifically seek out these models. The domestic market is quite interesting; after the advertising controversy, the name was forcefully changed from 'Prado' to 'Prado,' and it’s still a running joke in the car community.
