Vehicle Tests > Commander vs Pajero vs Prado

Sitting at the front of this schoolroom is the Prado. Studious and mild of manner with polished black shoes, the separate-chassis Prado arrives in class ready-to-go with its recently updated 3.0-litre 'D4-D' turbodiesel engine and transmissions under its almost-nerdy bonnet. Apart from the 'D4-D' worn like a prefect badge on the sides - and some minor model-to-model equipment changes - it looks almost identical to any other diesel Prado Australians have bought, in ever-growing numbers, for the last four years.

The petrol Prado continues with its excellent 4.0-litre variable twin-cammed V6 but the new-for-2007 turbodiesel four on test here offers a bit more poke and twist (127kW at 3400rpm and 410Nm at 1600-2800rpm) than the 96kW/343Nm of the old similar-sized donk. Behind it is a six-speed manual or (as tested) five-speed auto trans (depending on model, but both familiar from the V6 Prado) and Toyota's trusted and effective full-time 4WD system without (on the tested GXL diesel auto) any Driver Assist Technology (despite the window stickers) controlling electronics apart from ABS. The auto refrains from the now common 'pseudo manual' shift functions, too, simply offering an easy shift from 5 down to L with a shift of the lever through a wiggle-gate path. Like Commander, Prado has a coil-sprung live rear and wishbone front suspension but its spare wheel, mounted on a side-swung tailgate, frees up space under the car to allow a whopping 180 litres of fuel to be carried in two (non-isolated) tanks.

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Occupying a chair a row or two behind Prado is Pajero. Think new school uniform over a pair of slightly scuffed runners and waiting - wanting - to get busted chewing gum, the Pajero is the cool kid of the class. Really, the Pajero's old high-set flared front guards never looked quite right in many people's opinions but the new crisp and clear-eyed expression is right in line with current class fashion led by Land Rover Discovery. And it's not just change for change's sake, either - the cheeky appearance opens up the rear side window area and centres the spare wheel on the side-swing tailgate. That means the tail-lights can once again satisfy Aussie design rules mounted where they should be - in the body, and not stuck low in the bumper. As hundreds of drivers (including Overlander's test team on more than one occasion) have discovered over the years, the previous Pajero's rear bumper and tail-lights were vulnerable to ripping in sand and mud, often leaving the lights inoperative. Not only are the lamps now up out of harm's way, but the under-car edge of the bumper is further protected by cross-car tube. Good thinking, Mr Bishi.


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