
4Runner and Land Cruiser Prado are almost the same size. The 4Runner shares the same wheelbase with the Prado, but the Prado is longer while the 4Runner is wider. The domestic version of the Prado is equipped with a new 3.5L naturally aspirated engine featuring VT technology and hybrid injection technology, along with an aluminum alloy cylinder block. It is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The domestic Prado also comes with a part-time four-wheel-drive system, featuring a double-wishbone independent front suspension and a four-link non-independent rear suspension. This vehicle boasts strong off-road capabilities along with excellent reliability and durability. The Toyota 4Runner measures 4823mm in length, 1925mm in width, and 1885mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2790mm.

Last time I had a serious comparison with friends at the showroom, the 'Super Overlord' refers to the 4Runner, while the 'Overlord' is the Prado. Actual vehicle comparison showed the 4Runner has a wider and taller body, especially the section behind the C-pillar being particularly bulky—the trunk can clearly fit two extra large suitcases. However, the Prado has a significantly longer wheelbase; when sitting upright in the back seat, there's still two to three fists of space between the knees and the front seat. For family trips, the Prado's middle row is indeed more spacious, though both have cramped third rows. Additionally, the top-trim Prado with the spare tire mounted on the rear door reaches nearly 5 meters in length, appearing more elongated visually but making city parking a bit tricky. So when it comes to which one is bigger, it depends on the specific scenario—choose the 4Runner for cargo hauling and the Prado for passenger comfort.

Having worked in automotive media for over a decade, I've memorized the dimensional parameters of these two off-road vehicles like the back of my hand. The 4Runner stands nearly 1.9 meters tall with a width exceeding 1.92 meters, creating an imposing presence when standing beside it. The Land Cruiser Prado is slightly shorter in length but has 2cm less ground clearance, making it easier to enter. During a self-drive trip test, the 4Runner's boxy rear cargo area effortlessly accommodated four cases of mineral water plus a tent bag, whereas the Prado required removing its third-row seats. However, the Prado offers more generous headroom in the rear - even my 1.85m-tall friend could sit upright with his hair just brushing the roof. Both vehicles have similarly sized 87-liter fuel tanks, making them equally capable for long-distance overlanding. If forced to choose, opt for the 4Runner for visual impact, or the Prado for more versatile space.

Just accompanied my neighbor to pick up a parallel-imported 4Runner, and compared it side by side with a Land Cruiser Prado from the 4S store. The 4Runner has a more boxy overall design, with a width that's a full 5 cm wider, making it noticeably larger when parked side by side. However, the Prado is over ten centimeters longer, with extended third-row windows that give it a more stretched-out appearance. In underground garage tests, the 4Runner showed significantly less rear-wheel swing when turning, likely due to its shorter wheelbase. Both have similar rearview mirror visibility, but the 4Runner's A-pillar obstructs the view a bit more. Personally, I think the Prado is more agile for city driving, but if you're heading into the wilderness, the 4Runner is tougher and more durable, with a higher ground clearance better suited for rock crawling.

Having run an auto repair shop in my hometown for twenty years, I've disassembled no fewer than a hundred 4Runners and Land Cruisers. The most noticeable difference is in the engine bay: the 4Runner's longitudinally mounted V6 is packed tight, and its cooling fan is two sizes larger than the Land Cruiser's. When lifted to inspect the chassis, the 4Runner's frame is clearly 2mm thicker, and the rear axle differential housing is a full fist larger. However, the Land Cruiser's fuel tank is positioned higher, making it less prone to scraping. When measuring for roof racks, the 4Runner's flat roof area is 30cm longer, making it more suitable for roof tents. As for passenger space, the Land Cruiser's rear seat cushion is three fingers longer, but the backrest angle is more upright, which can cause back pain on long trips.

As an off-road veteran, I've taken both vehicles through desert challenges. The 4Runner boasts a 34-degree approach angle paired with 245mm ground clearance, giving it a 5-degree advantage over the Land Cruiser when climbing razorback dunes. However, the Land Cruiser's 227mm ground clearance combined with its longer wheelbase provides better stability when traversing consecutive shell craters. In load tests carrying ten cases of mineral water, the 4Runner's leaf spring rear suspension compressed to four fingers' width, while the Land Cruiser's air suspension only dropped to two fingers. Interestingly, the Land Cruiser features extended convex mirrors that offer a wider view of side obstacles. Although the 4Runner appears more robust overall, the Land Cruiser's spare-tire-mounted version stretches to 5010mm in total length, requiring extra caution when navigating shopping mall revolving doors.


