|
|
||
|
Toyota 150 Series 3 door SWB LandCruiser Prado Diesel Review |
||
|
Home Price Lists 200 Series
150 Series
Vs RX350 & RX450h
3 Dr Prado vs Pajero Vs Lincoln MKT
120 Series
|
1st Drive of SWB Prado
This is our review of the 3 door or short wheel base (SWB) Toyota LandCruiser Prado diesel.
First, I think the exterior design of the 3 door version of
the Prado is pretty sporty! Since there are not too many of them on the road
you will stand out from the crowd. I also think the lighter colours make them look 'classier' then the darker ones but that's just me.
(The others and you may disagree.) |
|
|
Interior wise the 3 door Prado is identical to the 5 door version less the rear space. There are not many equipment grades but in most countries there are two of them, the mid range SX model which is pretty basic and the ZR model which is noticeably more up market than the former. Overall the smaller 150 series has more equipment than the 5 door VX grade. My pick is the ZR version because it feels like a much nicer place to be. Even includes a very rare standard moonroof. So what's the SWB 3 door Prado like to drive? Well to start off it does feel like a 5 door version we previously wrote about but lighter and certainly more responsive. You could call it more sporty - in isolation of course. The driver will feel more at home in this version than the larger lounge like 5 door. There is definitely less of that weighty feeling than the 5 door when coasting which adds to the responsive feeling. Ultimately handling was hard to tell but at normal road speeds you will be very happy. Sure there's still not much feedback through the steering but we gotten used to that. At these speeds the ride was also very good - it did not have the expected choppiness we experienced with other SWB we've tried in the past. The smaller 3 door Prado only comes with the turbo diesel in most markets and it works really well. You will not be able to tell it was a diesel IF the engine was quieter. Like in the 5 door version the engine can be heard when working. It has that typical harsh direct injection sound rather than the chug chug of old diesel. The engine noise is not loud but noticed since the rest of the car is very quiet. I think the diesel engine noise is louder than the petrol version. The noise is a harsher sound but it is clearly muted compared to other commercial versions using the same engine eg. Hilux. The engine is heard and felt mainly during acceleration rather than cruising where it fades into the background. The interior for the SWD Prado is as quiet as the 5 door version with little road or wind noise at city speeds at least for the driver. Since the interior fittings are essentially the same it all works and feels chunky and good quality. As for vibration there was lumpiness that was not present in the 5 door. It could just be very tight and new engine rather than a consistent features. The ride quality is very good despite the short wheelbase |
|
|
|
Petrol
Diesel (Only) |
||
|
|
||
|
The diesel engine had the same characteristics as the in the larger 5 door version. (See other review page) However thanks to a lighter and smaller body had a more energetic feel - when the engine is run in I think you'll be happy with the feel. The improved brakes are just good and as sudden as the 5 door. The only issue you could legitimately have with the 3 door Prado has got nothing to do with the driver or front seat passenger. In the front close your eyes and you would not be able to tell which model your where in. It is only the rear seat passengers that will know something is amiss. Rear passengers will not be as comfortable as the front and it is not because of space! For rear seat passengers it was quite a choppy experience with most bumps felt - at a guess it was because they are sitting above the rear axle! It was also nosier in the back. Conclusion: The 3 door SWB Land cruiser Prado is a very nice car but only for two people. Use the rear seats and passengers will not be as happy. There is plenty of space for rear passengers - it is just the rest of the experience ride, noises etc which is not up to expectations. The grey nomads and couples with no kids will find this model very appealing since it is much easier to handle around town and just as comfortable on the open open road. Just pick the ZR model. The base SX just doesn't have enough equipmentto impress for the price. I (We) would seriously consider the it if it had the petrol V6 engine. (The diesel is good but the V6 is better.) It would be a seriously fun to drive on and off road. It is relatively sporty, has all the equipment that you could want in a hard core yet city friendly 4WD even with a diesel engine. As for prices be prepared for the initial premium for being the first to buy one cause they aren't cheap at the moment.
|
||
|
|
||
