Toyota Autos: May 2011

Monday, May 9, 2011

150 Series Toyota Prado Vs Jeep Commander

I put this page up so that you can compare the 150 series Toyota Prado to the Jeep Commander.

The Jeep Commander is a direct competitor to the Prado in the key elements of interior and exterior size, purpose and originally pricing. However with the release of the 150 series Prado the Jeep Commander is really showing its age even when released.

If cars can be categorized as for him or her the Jeep Commander would be in the 'him' category. It isn't an overly aggressive shape and according to many borders on the ugly side. The interior is like the exterior a design is decided 90's in style and quality.

You are not buying the Commander to impress your friends because it is unlikely to. Perhaps the V8 might? You get one because it is OK priced for a car that is this size and has off road capability.

150 Series Toyota Prado
VSJeep Commander

The main feature which makes the Commander desirable to some and a turn off for others is the option of petrol V8 engines. Everyone loves a bit of power in the engine department and the V8s have plenty but unfortunately they tend to use more petrol than any other type of engine. The diesel engine option is quite good too and probably the best choice for the car. However consider Japanese engine produce similar power with less capacity and cylinders it is presumably de-tuned or not as advanced.

The other thing that the Jeep has to offer is the price. You get lots of car for the price. Thanks to high petrol prices and the GFC along with poor company management that led to bankruptcy the Jeep pricing has essentially been reduced so there still plenty of great deals to be had if you can still find one or really want one.

Note that specifications will change according to the trim models available and additional or less accessories. You should check the official Chrysler Jeep website for your country for the most up to date information on availability.

150 series Landcruiser Prado LC5

Engines

1GR-FE (modified)V6 Petrol
Quad Cam with Dual VVTi EFI
4 Litre (3956cc)
Claimed 203Kw @ 5600RPM
Claimed 380Nm @ 4400RPM

1KD-FTV (modified)
IL4 DOHC Diesel
Turbo-charged - Intercooler
Direct Injection - Common Rail
3 Litre (2982cc)
Claimed 128Kw @ 3400RPM
Claimed 410Nm @ 1600-2800RPM

Weight

2195 - 2435Kg
Towing capacity up to 2500kg

Fuel capacity & consumption

Up to 150 litres
IL6 Petrol 11.5 litres per 100km (Auto)
IL4 Diesel 8.5 litres per 100km (Auto)

Other specifications

5 Spd Auto or 6 spd manual transmission
Overall height/Overall width 1905/1875
Overall length/Wheelbase 4850/2790
Track (front/rear) 1575/1575
4WD system: AWD and selectable modes
ANCAP 4/5

Capability

Angle of: (degrees)
Approach 32
Departure 24-25
Breakover 22
Drive system AWD
Min ground clearance 220mm
Water Fording depth 700mm Max

Jeep Commander

Engines
4.7 V8 V8 Petrol Push-rod
DOHC EFI
4.7 Litre (4701cc)
Claimed 170Kw @ 4500RPM
Claimed 410Nm @ 3600RPM
5.7 V8 HEMI
V8 Petrol Push-rod
DOHC EFI
5.7 Litre (5654cc)
Claimed 240Kw @ 5000RPM
Claimed 500Nm @ 4000RPM
3.0 CRD Diesel
V6 Diesel
Common Rail
Turbo charged with intercooler
3.0 Litre (2987cc)
Claimed 160Kw @ 4000RPM
Claimed 510Nm @ 1600-2400RPM

Weight

2230-2318Kg
Towing capacity up to 3500kg

Fuel capacity & consumption

78 litres
V8 4.7 Petrol 15.5 litres per 100km
V8 5.7 Petrol 16.0 litres per 100km
CRDV6 Diesel 10.5 litres per 100km

Other specifications

5 speed Auto
Overall height 1826-1919
Overall width 1899 (no mirrors)
Overall length 4787
Wheelbase 2780
Track (front/rear) 1590/1590

Capability

Angle of: (degrees)
Approach 34
Departure 27
Minimum ground clearance 213mm

Toyota LC5 Prado Vs Land Rover Discovery 4

Here's a quick comparison between the current 150 series Toyota LandCruiser LC5 Prado and the Land Rover Discovery 4.

The Land Rover Discovery 4 was released in 2010 as a replacement for the Discovery 3. It is not a all new model but an update for the Discovery3's initial design.

The Land Rover brand image and its 4WD capabilities made this a popular choice for the magazine awards and those with cash to spare. Despite all the promotion the Land Rover Discovery is only popular in Europe. There are lots of reasons why which can be read below and else where.

Land Rover Discovery 4
VS150 Toyota LandCruiser Prado

We like the exterior design of the Discovery it is recognizably a Land Rover. It is close to a squared off car you can get, excluding vans of course. Clearly the Discovery 4 is marketed as an off road luxury car and it looks a feels great. Much better than the pictures suggest.

In terms of 4wd capability the Discovery 4 has all the possible electronic aids you can imagine including air suspension which means significantly variable measurement and specifications so I have only included the basic stuff. By all accounts the 4WD traction control systems are state of the art and it should be able to get you almost anyway you could want to go.

The interior design of the Discovery4 is a nice place to be. It is better than the Prado in terms of looks and materials. You can at least feel and see where your money went.

The engines are shared with other former manufacturers in the Ford empire so they are a known quality and the choice of engines are very good. The diesel engines in the Discovery 4 are notably more powerful than the competition and they all have one extra turbo charger. Mind you the Discovery 4 really needs it because it weights up to 300kg more than the Prado. The petrol engine also requires premium or high octane unleaded so beware.

Lovely car but you'd need to get the larger 3.0 diesel priced from around $81,000 for it to be a worth while car in the normal performance sense. The petrol V8 but like all V8s it will use lots of petrol - the city cycle is reported at 19.8 litres per 100km.

The main problem with the Discovery4 is reliability. There are so many reliability complaints against the entire Land Rover model range whether on the internet, newspapers and even emails sent to us that you really have to wonder whether things are better than in the past. Some say the complaints are small like faulty trim, broken wipers or bad pixels on the control panel or intermittent button operation BUT remember this is a very expensive car these things should not even occur. You have every right to complain.

Regardless this is one car you really need to ensure that your servicing is followed precisely and get them to fix anything straight away before the problem gets worse. We like the Discovery 4 but wouldn't buy one at this stage.

Landcruiser Prado (150 Series)

Engines

2TR-FE (modified)
IL4 DOHC Petrol
DOHC 16 valve with VVTi
2.7 Litre (2693cc)
Claimed 120Kw @ 5200RPM
Claimed 246Nm @ 3800RPM

Weight (Kerb)
2195 - 2435Kg
Towing capacity up to 2500kg

Fuel capacity & consumption
Up to 150 litres
IL6 Petrol 11.5 litres per 100km (Auto)
IL4 Diesel 8.5 litres per 100km (Auto)

Other specifications
5 speed Auto
or 6 speed manual
Overall height/width 1845/1890
Overall length/wheelbase 4930/2790
Track (front/rear) 1585/1585
NCAP safety rating 4/5

Capability
Angle of: (degrees)
Approach 32
Departure 24-25
Breakover 22
Drive system AWD
Minimum ground clearance 220mm
Water Fording depth 700mm Max

Land Drover Discovery 4

Engines
LR-V8 (AJ-V8)V8 Petrol
Quad Cam with VVT EFI
5 Litre (4999cc)
Claimed 276Kw @ 6500RPM
Claimed 510Nm @ 3500RPM

LR-TDV6 3.0 AJ-V6D Series
V6 DOHC Diesel
Twin Turbo-charged - Intercooler
Direct Injection - Common Rail
3 Litre (2993cc)
Claimed 180Kw @ 4000RPM
Claimed 600Nm @ 2000RPM
LR-TDV6 2.7 AJ-V6D Series
V6 DOHC Diesel
Twin Turbo-charged - Intercooler
Direct Injection - Common Rail
2.7 Litre (2720cc)
Claimed 140Kw @ 4000RPM
Claimed 440Nm @ 1900RPM

Weight (Kerb)
2486 - 2583Kg
Towing capacity up to 3500kg

Fuel capacity & consumption
Up to 82 litres
V6 Diesel 10.2 litres per 100km (Auto)
V8 Diesel 14.1 litres per 100km (Auto)

Other specifications
6 speed Auto
or 6 speed manual
Overall height/width 1887/2176
Overall length/wheelbase 4838/2885
Track (front/rear) 1605/1612
NCAP safety rating X/5

Capability
Angle of: (degrees)
Approach xx
Departure xx
Breakover xx
Drive system AWD
Minimum ground clearance xxxmm
Water Fording depth xxxmm Max