Comparison of Prado 120 and 150 which is better. Operating experience of Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Appearance – Prado or Land Cruiser?

In 2009, a ready-made version of the Prado 150 SUV was presented at an exhibition in China. Then, for seven years, at factories in Japan, it was refined, modified, and polished. In 2013, a modern, restyled version was presented. The length of the body is 4760 mm, width – 1885.

As for the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 SUV, its brutal design is actually a legacy of the 100 version, which successfully debuted in 1997. The model turned out to be reliable, with high cross-country ability, with good driving characteristics for this standard size of SUV; it is not surprising that it was actively sold all over the world and brought in a decent income. And it was decided to develop the success with the 200 model, which debuted in 2007. Four years later, the first, light restyling followed, and in 2015, the current restyled version was released with an unusual combination of the radiator grille and headlights. The body length of the “two hundredth” is 4760 mm, width – 1970 mm.

KUL_0276

Ford Explorer

The latest generation Explorer, which debuted in 2011, got rid of the frame and range and, sadly, moved into the category of crossovers. At the end of last year, a restyled version entered the market.

petrol: 3.5 (249 hp) - from 2,799,000 rubles, 3.5 turbo (345 hp) - from 3,399,000 rubles.

Unlike its rivals, you don’t climb into the Explorer’s cabin, but sit down - this is due to the lower body height. The driving position is that of a car, not an upright command position. But inside the Ford is more modest: simple finishing and gloomy black colors do not add optimism. Even carbon-look lining and red stitching on the seats and steering wheel are unable to cheer up this dark kingdom. But there are no questions about ergonomics.

The Tahoe's second row surprised me. Instead of a solid sofa, it has two separate armchairs, like in a luxury sedan.

In terms of space, Tahoe cannot compete with long sedans, but the level of equipment is good: individual armrests, heated seats, its own microclimate control unit, two sockets (12 and 230 V) and even a multimedia system with an overhead screen. There is also a third row. Access to it is not difficult, but the “luggage” seats are cramped, you have to sit almost on the floor.

Whether it's the third row of Ford! Here there is a noticeably greater human seating and space reserve. At least, with a height of 181 cm, I positioned myself normally.

Salon – Land Cruiser Prado or Land Cruiser 200?

The interior space of the Land Cruiser Prado 150 retains family features, while at the same time changes are constantly being made in connection with modern trends. Because of this, the layout of the organs on the front panel was even rearranged. Where the puck of the new Multi-Terrain Select adaptation system to various driving conditions catches your eye. The seats are quite basic and only moderately comfortable.

The main emphasis that Toyota engineers tried to bring to the Land Cruiser 200 is that it looks expensive and graceful, both externally and internally. This is expressed in the neon interior lighting that is pleasing to the eye, as well as in the use of correct geometric shapes to enhance the front panel. After restyling in 2015, ergonomics and build quality have significantly improved, a modern new generation multimedia system has appeared, the seats have become a little more comfortable, but they are still not the best in terms of comfort. You may recall that there is good demand for converting seats “to fit Mercedes ones”, which is what we are talking about, and many Russian Toyota dealers have begun to actively promote this direction.

The Land Cruiser 200 can monitor road markings, automatically switch from high beam to low beam and back; since 2015, driver fatigue monitoring, road sign recognition, active cruise control, and a frontal collision warning system with automatic braking have been added.

Model specifications

A comparison of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Land Cruiser 200 should start with engine power:

Chevrolet has it up to 426 hp. With. with an engine capacity of 6.2 liters;
Toyota has only up to 309.

Both models are available on the market with automatic transmission or 6-speed manual transmission.

Land Cruiser: almost 5 meters long, almost 2 meters wide. The heaviest versions of the model weigh 2900 kg. Ground clearance 230 mm.
Tahoe: longer than 5 meters, wider than a Land Cruiser. The Tahoe weighs less and has a lower ground clearance - 20 cm.

The latest Land Cruiser model has a front independent suspension on two wishbones, a continuous rear axle with four longitudinal links and a transverse link. The KDSS system provides better off-road performance. Safety is ensured by 10 airbags and a Pre-Crash system.

Tahoe has an independent front suspension, and a dependent rear suspension with a solid axle beam on leaf springs. With this design, the car goes smoother over uneven surfaces.

Trunk volume of Prado or Land Cruiser

Luggage compartment of Land Cruiser Prado 150 in 5-seater version

The trunk volume of the compared cars also differs. Thus, the Land Cruiser Prado 150 can be purchased with a luggage compartment volume that varies from 600 to 1900 liters in a five-seater version. And if we are talking about an SUV that can accommodate 7 people at the same time, then the volume range is from 100 to 1800 liters.

Luggage compartment of Land Cruiser 200 in 5-seater version

For the Land Cruiser 200, the trunk volume declared by the manufacturer is 259 liters in a seven-seater version, 700 liters in a five-seater version and 1431 liters with the middle and rear rows of seats folded.

Description Prado 150

The fourth generation Land Cruiser was presented in 2009. The model is characterized by an improved platform. The wheelbase remained unchanged, but the dimensional parameters increased due to the volume of the body.

The exterior of the car acquired smoother features and shapes, which added aerodynamic characteristics. Smooth and easy movement is ensured by 17-inch alloy wheels.

At the front of the body there are new headlights with LEDs. The chrome radiator grille is massive and harmonizes with the lighting equipment. The power of the front bumper is further emphasized by large fog lights.

At the rear of the body there are modified headlight shades. The tailgate with chrome film has a different design than in the TLK 120.

The model is offered in two trim levels: five-seater or seven-seater. The seats are comfortable, the interior is characterized by high quality finishing. The driver's seat offers a wide view. The passenger seats are slightly inclined for greater comfort.

The center console houses the on-board computer screen, sensors and instruments that control the operation of the vehicle. The finishing materials used are more modern and high quality. The spacious luggage compartment can be increased by folding the rear row of seats.

Engine – Test drive Land Cruiser

In Russia, the Land Cruiser Prado 150 is sold with 3 engine options:

The best dynamic qualities are expectedly demonstrated by the 4-liter gasoline engine. For example, acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes 8.8 seconds - 5 seconds faster than with a 2.7-liter engine, but it is also the most voracious. In terms of speed characteristics, the 2.8-liter turbodiesel is only slightly superior to its 2.7-liter gasoline counterparts, despite slightly more power and significantly higher torque, and it is also much noisier. But with it, the Prado goes much better off-road, which is quite important for this model.

As for the transmission, for Land Cruiser 150 buyers from Russia, a 5-speed manual transmission is only possible in combination with the base 2.7-liter gasoline engine, it can also be coupled with a 6-speed automatic, which is standard for all other options .

Excellent off-road capability is ensured by the following set: a steel spar frame, a continuous rear axle, permanent all-wheel drive with a low-range range and locking center and rear cross-axle differentials, plus a new system for adapting to various driving conditions Multi-Terrain Select and off-road cruise control Crawl Control and etc.

When compared with the Prado, the higher class Two Hundred has less choice in terms of options, but the engines themselves are only V8 and naturally more powerful.

Gasoline unit 1UR-FE with a volume of 4.6 liters and a power of 309 hp. at 5500 rpm, torque 439 Nm at 3400 rpm
Diesel turbo engine 1VD-FTV with a volume of 4.5 liters and a power of 249 hp. at 2800–3600 rpm, torque 650 Nm at 1600–2600 rpm

It is worth noting that with a gasoline engine, the Land Cruiser 200 is more interesting in terms of driving parameters and combination with an automatic transmission, but the diesel engine is noticeably more powerful and more economical. By the way, the main fuel tank has a volume of 93 liters, and for an additional fee you can install an additional one of 45 liters. The transmission is exclusively a 6-speed automatic.

All-wheel drive on the Land Cruiser 200 with a Torsen center differential integrated into the transfer case, it divides the torque in a ratio of 40:60 to 50:50 - if necessary. There is also a system for adapting to various driving conditions Multi-Terrain Select and off-road cruise control Crawl Control, in addition, forced center locking, range control, but rear differential locking is not provided even for an additional fee.

Powerful and trouble-free motor

In the configuration available on the domestic market, it is the only one - a naturally aspirated petrol engine with 5.3 liters and 324 hp. Its working life is respectable - with a successful combination of circumstances it will be 700-800 thousand km. The timing chain and attachments may require replacement earlier.

Prices – Test drive Cruiser Prado

The cost of various Land Cruiser car models directly depends on the selected configuration, as well as the package of additional options. At the moment, the basic Land Cruiser 150 Classic with a 2.7-liter gasoline engine and a manual transmission can be purchased at dealerships at a price of 1 million 939 thousand rubles. The version with automatic transmission also comes in the more expensive Standard configuration, and costs from 2 million 614 thousand rubles. The cost range for basic options for 4-liter Prados is from 3 million 156 thousand rubles to 3 million 848 thousand rubles. Turbodiesel cars cost in the range from 2 million 915 thousand rubles to 3 million 601 thousand rubles (excluding additional options).

How will the top-end Lux equipment differ from the basic Classic: Engine start with a button (key card), Leather interior, Electric front seats with memory of parameters in the driver's seat, Climate control (not just air conditioning), Sunroof, Rear view camera, Blind spot monitoring system, Standard premium audio system with CD and MP3 support, Standard navigation system, Cruise control (passive), Standard parking sensors, Heated mirrors, Heated seats and steering wheel, Xenon headlights, Light and rain sensors, Folding rear seat, Preparation for phone (hands free / bluetooth), Adjustable ground clearance, Rear differential lock, Hill start assist system, Downhill assist system, Turn Assist system (reducing the turning radius by braking the “inner” rear wheel), Multi-terrain system Select, Tire pressure sensor, Alloy wheels, etc.

You can now buy a petrol Land Cruiser 200 in the base price range from 3 million 983 thousand rubles to 5 million 234 thousand rubles, diesel - from 4 million 126 thousand rubles to 5 million 365 thousand rubles.

How will the top-end Executive package differ from the base Comfort: Leather interior, Electric front seats with memory settings in the driver's seat, Seat ventilation, Sunroof, Rear view camera, Standard premium audio system with CD and MP3 support, Standard navigation system, Adaptive cruise control (instead of passive), Heated mirrors, Heated seats, Fog lights, Blind spot monitoring system, Electric trunk, Preparation for the phone (hands free / bluetooth), Adjustable ground clearance.

Both Toyota Land Cruiser, both the 200 model and the Prado 150, are pronounced SUVs - they don’t feel very good on asphalt (compared to new-fangled crossovers), but they perform well on rough roads and off-road. In addition, both are distinguished by excellent reliability. Prado is smaller in size, much livelier in driving performance and much more affordable. But “Dvuhsotka” has higher comfort and status. Both models are characterized by high liquidity on the secondary market. Decide for yourself which is better to choose from this pair; I hope my small comparison of a number of parameters turned out to be at least a little useful. Happy shopping!

05.11.2016

Toyota
Land Cruiser Prado
) is legendary, the dream of many car enthusiasts.
Potential buyers of this car are attracted not only by its cross-country ability and its brutal appearance, but also, of course, by its impeccable reputation. The 120th Prado is the most popular among all modifications of the Land Cruiser, it is even more popular than the new 150th. And all because true connoisseurs of the model consider this car to be the most successful in the entire history of the model. For some it is a faithful friend and assistant, for others it is a confirmation of status; they write about the 120th that it almost does not break, and the key word here is “ almost
”. In addition, many Pradikas already have a mileage well over a hundred, and at this mileage, unpleasant surprises await the new owner, but we’ll figure out what exactly they are.

A little history:
The first generation of Toyota Land Cruiser Prado was introduced in 1987; its important advantages were high cross-country ability with comfort worthy of a passenger car. This model was offered in three- and five-door body styles, with gasoline and diesel engines. This generation of cars was produced for nine years and had the index “70”. The second generation, which received the index “90” »
, was introduced in 1996, it was the first car of the family equipped with independent front suspension. Prado, with index 120, began to be produced in 2002, the car was built on the same platform as its predecessor, and, traditionally, was offered in two versions - in a three- and five-door body.
At that time, the equipment and comfort were simply revolutionary. It was the world's first car with Hill Assist, which helps you move uphill on slippery roads and prevents sideways slipping. In addition to this system, the car is equipped with a number of electronic systems and assistants responsible for safety and comfort. In 2005, a light restyling was carried out, while the appearance remained almost unchanged, but the list of modifications expanded noticeably. The third generation of the car lasted until 2009. In 2009, at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 (fourth generation) debuted. .
The car was built on an improved platform of the previous generation.

53-Tahoe_zr-03_16

A stylish, rich, cozy interior is one of Tahoe’s trump cards.
A stylish, rich, cozy interior is one of Tahoe’s trump cards.

Chevrolet Tahoe

The world premiere took place in 2013, but the American hero reached Russia only a year later. A long-wheelbase version of the Suburban is also sold in America.

Engine:

petrol 6.2 (409 hp) - from 2,990,000 rubles

The Tahoe's interior is amazing.
All-wheel drive Chevrolets have never had such a bright, lush, elegant interior. The instruments with a quartet of secondary scales above the speedometer and tachometer look especially interesting. The color combination was also well chosen: brown leather, dark chocolate plastic, wood. Tahoe is the coziest place! Although the build quality is not ideal: the gaps between the parts are too large, some interior elements are loose... Americanisms? Where would we be without them? Here is the electric adjustment of the pedal assembly (useful thing). But the old-fashioned automatic poker instead of the floor selector we are used to—because of it, the left steering column lever was overloaded with functions. For several days I still didn’t have time to remember what was what. The visibility also deserves criticism. A small car can easily hide behind the wide pillars, there is only one rear view camera, and I would like the outside mirrors to be larger.

Problem areas Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120

The paintwork, as on most Japanese cars, is very soft, and besides, the anti-corrosion treatment of the body is not the best. All this leads to the rapid appearance of corrosion at all welding points of the frame. On the outside, the rear doors, sills and wheel arches require special attention. Most quickly, the red disease spreads on cars imported from the emirates. If the rear door has a spare tire, check the door for sagging. If you hear a rattling sound in the doors when driving over uneven surfaces, most likely the reason is the plastic lining or play in the hinges. The chrome-plated elements of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado body are very afraid of reagents and become cloudy in the first years of operation, and then begin to peel off.

Power units.

Weaknesses of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 chassis

The front suspension of the SUV is independent, the rear suspension is dependent, spring, continuous axle. This model can be equipped with both conventional and more comfortable air suspension. Depending on operating conditions, pneumatic springs last 120-150 thousand km; a new one will cost from 150 to 300 USD. A pneumatic compressor lasts 180-200 thousand km, for a new one they ask about 300 USD. The body position sensor lives 100-130 thousand km (if the sensor fails, the car will always be in the up position), replacing the sensor will cost 500 USD. Shock absorbers have a very long service life and can last more than 200,000 km.

Ball joints last 150-180 thousand km, replacement is quite expensive, since they are replaced together with the lower arm. Replacement of stabilizer struts is required every 80-100 thousand km. Wheel bearings have to be changed quite often, every 50-80 thousand km. Also, the steering rack requires close attention. On 5-7 year old Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, you may notice that the car is skewed to the left side; to fix the problem, you need to swap the springs or replace them with new ones. I would like to note that the cost of suspension spare parts is no more expensive than that of other manufacturers, but they have a longer service life. After 5-6 years of operation, the braking characteristics deteriorate, the so-called “cotton pedal”; unfortunately, this problem cannot be treated using standard methods. Calipers and guides can become sour and jam, therefore, at each maintenance, they must be lubricated.

Result:

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120, in most cases, is used for slaughter, so it is not recommended to buy a car from hunters, fishermen and fans of off-road driving. It is better to give preference to a car that was used in a metropolis, since cars from the regions, as a rule, are not in the best condition. Buying a car used in a big city significantly reduces the risk that the previous owner had the car serviced at an unofficial service center and refueled with low-quality fuel. Pay as much attention as possible to diagnosing the car before purchasing, since unkillable cars attract a special type of owner.

If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you encountered while using the car. Perhaps your review will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.

Sincerely, AutoAvenue

Not many cars, after their production was suspended, were able to not only maintain their popularity, but also increase it. Probably, the Toyota Prado 120 is one of the few exceptions to this rule. Residents of the CIS countries have a special love for cars.

It’s quite easy to verify this - just go out onto the streets of your city and take a closer look at the cars passing by. Among them there will definitely be several representatives of this brand. We’ll talk now about why this SUV has gained such popularity.

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 first appeared back in 2002. The last car rolled off the assembly line in 2009. During this period, quite a lot of modifications of such vehicles were produced (in general, this figure exceeds 40). Then the 2021 Prado was also produced, while the 120th Toyota, which is based on three pillars of cars - comfort, cross-country ability and reliability - has not lost its popularity.

Retro style interior

Opening the doors to the Tahoe's spacious interior feels like stepping back into the 1980s. This effect is ensured by “respectable” inserts imitating natural wood, green lighting and wide, solid armchairs.

Chevrolet Tahoe, photo: njcar.ru

There is definitely a lot of space in the cabin - it will be comfortable for everyone: both the driver and passengers. Leather upholstery does not wear out or tear even after a mileage of 180-200 thousand km.

Chevrolet Tahoe, photo: njcar.ru

The only weak point can be called the wiring - over time, power windows, parking sensors and other small things begin to “glitch”.

Model dimensions

The dimensions of the standard five-seater version are as follows:

length – 485 cm;
width – 187.5 cm;
height – 189.5 cm;
ground clearance - 22 cm;
wheelbase – 279 cm.

The weight of the Land Cruiser Prado 120 is 1880 kg, the total weight is 2155 kg. At the same time, the car has a fairly good trunk - 586 liters. Thus, you can carry a lot of things in it, which is especially important for traveling out of town and for everyday life.

Exterior Features

First of all, a car is greeted by its cover. It is worth noting that in the case of the Land Cruiser 120, the designers decided to stick to classic solutions, which brought their brand quite a lot of popularity. Thus, this model is not much different from . At first glance at the vehicle, it becomes clear that this is a formidable, heavy and reliable car. Inflated elements can be seen from all sides, which leads to a noticeable increase in dimensions. After the third update, the lines smoothed out somewhat and became smoother, which is consistent with the style of urban crossovers.

The front of the car is decorated with a massive radiator grille with powerful partitions. You can tell that the Land Cruiser Prado 120 is in front of you by the large headlights that actually extend onto the hood.

The rear of the car looks no less impressive. There are models with a spare tire on the trunk, but they are extremely rare, especially in our country. There is no point in talking much about the body, because there are practically no shortcomings here, and there is no point in praising its advantages - it is better to see for yourself and be convinced of the excellent style of this car model.

Exterior interior design

First of all, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 was conceived as an all-terrain SUV that is not afraid of any obstacles. But since the first generations did not give the expected result, the car was somewhat redirected towards the executive class. This can also be seen in the interior of the car.

The car's interior is quite original. It differs in many ways from the usual Japanese vehicles. First of all, this is due to the involvement of European designers to create the interior of the car. As a result, we got a more classic version that is familiar to all of us.

Everything looks quite nice inside. On the one hand, the solidity of the interior leaves no doubt, on the other hand, there is a minimum of excess, only what is necessary. This approach allowed us to make this model so beloved by all of us. Since many modifications of the car were produced, the upholstery is very different, but there are two most common options: leather and velor.

It is especially worth emphasizing that the Land Cruiser 120 has an impressive interior. Thus, it is quite comfortable to be in it both for the driver and front passenger, and for people in the rear seats - there is enough space for absolutely everyone, and there is still some left (especially in the five-door model).

In the cabin you can find a lot of useful equipment that makes driving more comfortable and safe. Among the main advantages of the model it is worth emphasizing:

radio with built-in CD changer;
high-quality speakers, of which there are as many as 9 pieces;
the presence of a heated mirror function;
electric windows;
climate control system;
air conditioner;
presence of a temperature control panel in the cabin.

As for a car of that time, the functionality is more than good, it’s not for nothing that the car is still chosen today, because not every current competitor can boast of all these options.

At the same time, the instrument panel is located quite conveniently. As a result, it is easy to control all the main vehicle systems; you don’t have to search for buttons for a long time, which does not distract the driver from the most important thing - keeping an eye on the road. Despite the absence of a multimedia screen, the control process is already clear, although in the case of some models it may take a little time to master the features of the car.

What to choose?

According to reviews from owners, the TLK 150 has a specific body design that is not for everyone. It is an order of magnitude higher in reliability of the fuel pump and injectors. But the older the 150th model gets, the more often crickets and creaks in the interior make themselves felt. There are no such problems with the 120th body, even though the car is much older.

Many owners wonder whether among Prado 120 or 150 which is better with an engine capacity of 4 liters. The younger model is more interesting in terms of fuel economy, since the 150 uses significantly less gasoline per 100 km.

Answering the question of which Prado is better to choose: 120 or 150, most motorists are inclined to believe that the TLK 120 is a legendary SUV. While you can find decent examples on the secondary market, it's worth purchasing one to enjoy the freedom of driving.

The characteristics of the Prado 120 and 150 are not very different in comparison, but the older model enjoys considerable respect among motorists. Of the 150 series, owners prefer diesel units for reasons of fuel economy.

(3 ratings, average 5 out of 5)

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120: which engine is better

During the period of car production, there were quite a lot of different configurations, which, first of all, differed in their power unit. As a rule, in the CIS you can see 4 variants of a gasoline engine, a diesel engine or a turbocharged diesel engine. At the same time, the following models are most widespread in Russia:

volume 2.7 liters, petrol. Power reaches 163 horsepower. Comes paired with both manual and automatic transmissions;
volume 4.0 liters, petrol. The power here is 282 horses. The most recent versions worked exclusively with automation;
volume 3.0, turbocharged diesel. It has a power of 173 horsepower. Modifications with automatic or manual transmission are available.

At the same time, there were no official deliveries of diesel to the CIS countries, since the manufacturer considered the climatic conditions of our country too harsh for this engine. At the same time, this did not prevent such a modification of the engine from entering our country. Any modification of the Toyota Land Cruiser 120 is equipped with all-wheel drive.

Owner reviews about Land cruiser

The Land Cruiser's ratings are slightly higher than those of the Tahoe: usually 4.7-4.9 out of 5. Fans of large, reliable and brutal cars will appreciate the Cruiser, a classic Japanese SUV.

Smooth ride, an engine with a large reserve of power, confidence on the roads - these words are often found in reviews of this car. It is also noted that other drivers skip this car, because competing with such a giant is more expensive.

But there are also disadvantages. Some people are not satisfied with the maneuverability of the car. Others complain that the brakes are weak for such a large and powerful car.

The rear seats are clearly inferior in comfort to the driver's seat and the one next to it. There is no heating, climate control or seat ventilation.

But the most important thing is cross-country ability. The Land Cruiser's capabilities in this aspect are very great. When purchasing a car, most drivers expect high cross-country ability, safety, and a spacious interior. And they get it.

A few words about dynamics

At the same time, the technical characteristics of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 make the car suitable for driving on any road surface. The car feels good both on the highway and in the city. The car can be equipped with a four- or five-speed automatic transmission, as well as a manual transmission. For our roads and Europe, only cars with permanent all-wheel drive were produced. If you come across a car with a plug-in mode, then most likely it migrated from the Emirates. On all Toyota Prado 120 models, the rear suspension was made semi-independent, the front - independent.

The 4.0-liter gasoline engine has the following performance indicators:

maximum speed – 180 km/h;
acceleration time to 100 km/h – 9.5 seconds;
torque features - 249 at 5200 rpm.

Big competitors?

I predict the first comment: “We found something to compare with! Toyota Land Cruiser 200 is, first of all, reliability, indestructibility, and incredible cross-country ability! The whole North idolizes this car, but what are you comparing it to - this American SUV? Shame! A shame!".

Yes, the cross-country ability and survivability of the TLC-200 is not a myth, it’s a fact. However, ask yourself a question: how long have you seen a “200” in the city with its sides scratched by branches, a threshold crushed from hitting a stump, or smeared head over heels in mud? What is it: how many TLC-200s have you seen on good off-road tires? Here's the same thing: the North, of course, deservedly adores it, but they buy Land Cruisers in decent quantities not only there and use them cleanly washed on city avenues. So why is the Chevrolet Tahoe not a competitor?

A competitor, and what a competitor: thanks to the Belarusian assembly, prices for Chevrolet Tahoe today start at just over $64,000. The top version LTZ already costs $71,230, but this can also be said to be “inexpensive”, because the base Land Cruiser 200 costs from $68,841, and the top version Executive limited edition Black or White will cost more than $97,000 ! That is, the difference between the two “tops” is almost thirty thousand dollars! You can’t help but think: why not Tahoe?

Tahoe looks not just monumental, but even intimidatingly huge

Moreover, the impression it makes is as strong as TLC, to say the least. The monumental chrome “shield” of the radiator grille, the hood that looks like a tennis table, the huge headlights - these people give way even before you approach. Visually, Tahoe seems so large that you wonder how it fits in the lane?

A distinctive feature of the most expensive version of the TLC 200 is the sporty front bumper

The Land Cruiser 200 has less pathos, but it is unmistakably recognizable even from afar. And the “sporty” trim on the front bumper, as the manufacturer calls it, reveals to others the true price of this particular car: this is the “top” Executive package for almost 100 thousand dollars, and not some basic “Comfort” for 68,000! The second distinguishing feature of the Executive (besides the impressive list of equipment) is the hydropneumatic suspension. Which, among other things, should rid the 200 of its most annoying drawback - “pecks” when braking. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

There are no complaints about the quality of finishing materials, but there are problems with ergonomics - there are too many buttons, and they are not always located logically

The interior of the TLC 200 is something clearly very expensive, but unique. Leather, plastic, chrome, wood, a large touchpad - as they say, it has everything. However, the problem is with the design: everything looks deliberately rough, slightly awkward. The large screen is adjacent to the “old-school” clock, and all the keys are scattered so chaotically that you can only find some of them by luck. And only while standing still: many keys are blocked by the steering wheel, and they are simply not visible. The driving position is also not for everyone - even in the lowest position the seat is very high, you sit as if on a chair. Although - what do you want from a frame all-terrain vehicle?

In terms of the quality of materials, the Tahoe is slightly worse than the “Japanese” one, but nothing critical. But the landing is more comfortable

But, getting into the Tahoe, you understand that the frame does not interfere with a comfortable fit: the range of adjustments for the seat and steering wheel allows you to sit much lower here and lean back slightly, like in a passenger car. For “truck drivers” this is a big plus - in such a soft chair you can easily rewind a thousand without exhausting yourself. At the same time, it doesn’t matter at all what height and build you are - even the pedal assembly is equipped with adjustment.

The quality of finishing, speaking specifically about materials, is simpler in the Tahoe - “American”, what can you take from it... However, there is nothing frankly cheap, inappropriate, or annoying to the eyes. And in terms of design, everything is much more harmonious - so when you first meet and get behind the wheel, Tahoe makes a more favorable impression.

Passengers, having opened the door of the huge Tahoe and taken advantage of the comfortable, silently sliding running board, will be a little surprised - there are two separate seats in the back! This is a feature of the top-spec LTZ, but if someone doesn’t like it, you can order the installation of a more familiar sofa in the second row for free. But who doesn't like a separate chair with adjustable backrest and armrest?

The only strange thing is that there is no longitudinal adjustment - although even without it there is enough legroom for people of outstanding build. In addition, even in the lowest position of the driver's seat, you can still put your feet under it, even in winter shoes. Among the comfort elements, Tahoe passengers are offered their own climate control, heating and an optional multimedia system mounted on the ceiling - it is clearly visible to passengers in both the second and third rows.

The third row is a classic “gallery”: the flat seats are set low, but there is still not enough headroom, as well as legroom. The width will be quite comfortable for two people, there are cup holders - in general, as a “children’s” row it will be quite suitable.

The TLC does not have third row seats in this configuration. And the second row is a sofa, divided in a “one to two” proportion, and each of the halves has adjustments - according to the angle of the backrest and in the longitudinal direction. The last adjustment allows for more space in the knee area, but this does not make the “200” more comfortable for passengers: the sofa is set too low. But as a consolation, there is a dual-zone “climate” for the rear row.

Access to the Toyota trunk can be achieved in two ways: to place small items, you can open only the upper door leaf, and if something large is loaded, you can also fold down the lower side. The volume inspires confidence that everything will fit: 909 liters in normal condition and up to 2315 liters with the halves of the rear sofa folded. But everything is put together the old fashioned way, by hand.

But Tahoe has everything on buttons! And if the tailgate servo drive is already a common thing for expensive cars, then the independently folding and unfolding seats of the third row are still a curiosity. The second row also folds by pressing a button, but the backrests of the individual seats will have to be raised manually.

How does the car feel when driving?

Manufacturers tried to create an excellent SUV, but as an all-terrain vehicle, the Toyota Land Cruiser 120 is not the best option. Indeed, thanks to its technical characteristics, the car can easily overcome snow, ice, swamps, etc. At the same time, due to the increased wheelbase, overly long overhangs and a fairly large number of attachments, the car behaves better on the highway.

When driving on the highway, the driver of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 can feel more than comfortable. The presence of an anti-lock braking system and a large number of airbags makes the jeep an excellent choice to protect yourself from various unforeseen situations on the road.

At the same time, at high speeds a lack of stabilization manifests itself. Already after 120 km/h the car starts to throw a little. But if you drive at normal speeds, then no problems arise, the engine works perfectly, the power steering helps you drive straight, and the high-quality suspension absorbs all the bumps.

Despite the fact that you can no longer buy a new car of this type, the secondary market offers a wide selection of 120 Toyota Prados. At the same time, for future car owners, first of all, it is worth paying attention to:

the engines of such cars are designed for about 400 thousand kilometers with proper maintenance;
In four-liter units, the crankshaft oil seal often leaks;
Gearboxes are also very reliable, their service life is similar to engines, but without regular maintenance they almost immediately fail.

Remember that a good car, which has been treated with the utmost care, will serve you well for a long period, because the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 is a timeless classic.

When buying a used car, if it is in good condition, you will only have to spend money on consumables; there should not be any big problems with such a vehicle.

5 minutes to read. Published July 27, 2016

We will teach you how to select a used Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120.

The 120 model of a full-fledged SUV has gained fame as one of the most indestructible cars in the Russian Federation. Rumors about reliability passed from mouth to mouth between motorists. This is how the army of fans of this SUV model grew. In Russia, both official copies of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUV, as well as those imported by gray dealers, and even used right-hand drive copies from Japan were successfully sold. In this article we will tell you how to choose the right used Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUV.

Today, the cost of a used Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 is comparable to the price of a new Lada Vesta car. However, this SUV model, even in used condition, offers much more comfort and driving confidence. But the first copies of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUV were released back in 2002 - 14 years ago. This generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUV was produced for 7 years until 2009. On the Russian secondary automobile market you can find copies of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUV with various gasoline and turbodiesel engines. The simplest turbodiesel produces only a little over 100 horsepower. The most powerful 4.0-liter V6 gasoline engine produces about 250 horsepower. You can also find used Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUVs, both with a five- and seven-seat interior.

Off-road

But we have the next testing point: off-road. More precisely, only one of its elements was diagonal hanging, since all our beaten paths were covered with snow above the wheel, and tires became the decisive factor in the fight. But can the universal “all-season” Tahoe compete with the Arctic Nokians of the TLC 200? Therefore, we limited ourselves to only driving through a ditch - there we evaluate the effectiveness of the auxiliary electronics.

Toyota was the first to go through the ditch. Well, how did she go... She simply rolled over it - neither the hanging of the wheel nor the slippery surface in any way affected her determination to move on. We didn’t even activate any modes—we drove on with permanent all-wheel drive and drove off. The only thing they did was raise the hydropneumatic suspension up so as not to get caught in the front bumper. By the way, regarding the suspension, many people say that it allows you to increase ground clearance. But this is a misconception: ground clearance is measured at the lowest point, and for TLC this is the rear axle housing, and the distance from it to the ground does not change in any way, no matter how much you raise the body. But the ground clearance under the front suspension does change - but at the same time the rebound travel of the suspension is reduced.

In Tahoe, the front axle is connected through a multi-plate clutch, which is typical for crossovers. But there is a mode for its blocking and downshift. The rear axle has a self-locking differential. Tahoe will go as long as there is enough ground clearance

In Tahoe, as we have already found out, only the stiffness of the shock absorbers changes, so it goes into battle with an unchanged ground clearance of 200 mm. At the same time, its geometric cross-country ability is very much limited by the front “skirt”. Although, they say, it can be removed before crossing particularly tough barriers - but we didn’t take the risk.

By the way, the all-wheel drive system of the Tahoe is not entirely “off-road” - the front axle is connected using a multi-plate clutch, which is more typical for crossovers. But the manufacturer claims that the coupling is designed for heavy loads and this does not affect cross-country ability in any way. Well, let's check it out!

And indeed, the coupling passed the diagonal hanging test without problems - we made about 5 passes, but there were no hints of overheating. Why 5? It’s just that when it turned out that the traction control system does an excellent job of braking a suspended wheel, we decided to also check the effectiveness of the rear self-locking system. But he did a great job!

Well, now that we’ve all done it, let’s sum it up. What can I say about TLC 200? Handsome! Courageous, persistent, hardy - I perfectly understand those who consider it the only worthy option for bad roads and harsh operating conditions. And let’s not forget the image component: the “cruiser” is an authoritative car. But - with its minor shortcomings. The driving position is not the most comfortable, the rear interior is cramped, and, of course, the price.

Therefore, if you do not live in Siberia, and cross-country ability and “survivability” are far from the most important parameters, the Chevrolet Tahoe is also an excellent option! With nearly $30,000 in savings, you can get everything you get from TLC - power, image, luxury. And in addition - comfort, incredible dynamics and the most beautiful sound of a 6.2-liter V8. Consumption? We were very surprised when we took measurements after an almost 100-kilometer test drive. The Tahoe's on-board computer showed 22.1 liters. And Toyota... 20! How is this possible? Any highway saves the gigantic Chevrolet from the devastating difference in consumption: as soon as the speed stabilizes, the engine turns from a V8 into a V6 - and can drive with a consumption of 10 liters per “hundred”. The main thing is not to touch the gas, otherwise you will want to try again how the 409-horsepower American engine “strangles” it!

All the most interesting things about the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota LC200 in a short video from our partners, the Test-drive TV

Body inspection of Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120

In fact, the frame structure causes a lot of trouble for owners of used Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUVs. The frame itself rusts much faster than the body. The first traces of rust appear on welding points and body frame holes. If a used Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUV was used in Moscow or St. Petersburg, then its frame rusts much faster from salts and chemicals. It may even crack. Remember that it is very difficult to replace the frame on an SUV due to the fact that it is a number plate. The traffic police department in the Russian Federation agrees to rewrite the body frame number only for a bribe. Due to the fact that the vin code was on a plate that was attached to the body with rivets that could be purchased at auto parts stores, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 became very popular among car thieves. After all, it was always possible to replace an old Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 with a stolen copy, simply by changing the VIN code. Also, the frame number was often not indicated in the PTS. This made it much easier for car thieves with Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 cars. Recently, law enforcement agencies have taken up this matter well. Therefore, old copies of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUV are sent either for dismantling or to Kazakhstan.

On the body, traces of corrosion often appear on the rear trunk door, under plastic moldings, body linings, and also under wheel arch extensions.

The interior of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 received quite a lot of options that were not previously installed in SUVs.

Inspection of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 interior

Too often, owners of used Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUVs remove the third row of seats, which interfere with carrying cargo in the trunk. After that, they simply lost that back row of seats and resold the car without it. The main problem in the cabin is the climate system. Most quickly, the gear motor of the mixing flaps fails. The cost of a new gearmotor is 5,000 rubles. The interior heater heater motor has a service life of 8 years. A knocking sound in the steering wheel is usually associated with a broken steering column. Another reason for the knock could be a broken universal joint or elastic bushing. Repairing a knock in the steering wheel can cost up to 40,000 rubles.

Inspection of the chassis of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120

The suspensions on the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUV are considered very reliable. However, they require regular maintenance. In the front suspension, without maintenance, the ball joint can easily be torn out, or the spring will simply burst. If a used vehicle has an air suspension, then repairing it will not be too expensive. A pneumatic system pump costs 30,000 rubles, one air spring is estimated at 8,000 rubles. The rubber bands and silent blocks of the suspension of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 SUV often last no more than six months if it is used in the outback on dirt roads. The brake system will have to change brake pads and discs quite often. The car itself is heavy and the brakes are small.

The suspension of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 can withstand quite heavy loads.