LC Prado vs 4runner

[bigmack]

I know both are on the same platform, but is one really better than the other when it comes to off-road(be it the 2dr or 4dr Prado, vs similar year 4runner).

[Containerized]

At least here in East Africa (where the 4Runner is only seen as an NA import), the Prado is seen as superior, mostly because of the D4D motor and the arguably better implementation of off-road aids (Prado TX in Africa has CRAWL control, etc.). The rear door is also marginally better in terms of loading and unloading cargo, though it lacks the power window.

[bigmack]

Well I should have been a bit clearer and refer to the 4wd and chassis, not the motor options because diesel will offer better tq for off-roading from what I am told.

[Martinjmpr]

Well I should have been a bit clearer and refer to the 4wd and chassis, not the motor options because diesel will offer better tq for off-roading from what I am told.

If you're talking about the current Prado I think it's on the same T120 chassis as the 4th gen 4runner (as are the FJ Cruiser and the Lexus GX-470, which is the North American version of the Prado.) So as far as 4wd and chassis there should be no difference. The Prado I drove in the Middle East was pretty much a GX-470 with the spare tire on the door and a bigger gas tank. It had the same 4.7l V8 petrol (gasoline) engine, auto tranny and full time 4wd. I presume there are other versions of the Prado out there (more stripped down) but we never got them in Kuwait.

[bigmack]

What about the current gen 2dr Prado, I take they are like the 4dr, but with less doors obviously, or did they do something different with them?

[SWITAWI]

Looks like the 2dr/4dr models are the same underneath. I always figured the Prado 2dr (3dr according to Toyota) was the equivalent of an FJ Cruiser dimension-wise, with better rear visibility but without the added convenience of the rear half-doors. Apparently they can be had with either the 4.0L 1GR-FE gas motor or the 3.0L D-4D diesel, grrr. Seems that the current Prado also has the same multi-terrain system as the 4Runner. Pretty sporty, but I'm not sure I'm diggin' the overgrown RAV4 looks...

[bigmack]

Oh my love the 2dr, shame they don't offer them here, or at the very least a RAV4 with that multi-terrain off-road system as an option.

[Containerized]

Yep, UN has both, as does NUDEIL (both in East Africa). I can confirm they're essentially the same, except for number of doors.

[bigmack]

How about the older Prado vs 4runner of the same year?

[Containerized]

With the older trucks, the much better fuel economy of the Prado (with the 3.0TX-D motor) and the fact that it was available in right-hand-drive makes it worth more. Plus, they were usually used by aid agencies or militaries rather than civilians, so they are generally lower mileage and better-maintained versus equivalent 4Runners.