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Vehicle Tests > Commander vs Pajero vs Prado
Commander vs Pajero vs Prado
Both engines in Pajero were revised at the facelift - the 3.8-litre petrol V6 gained some induction hardware changes (Mitsubishi's MIVEC variable intake timing system) to lift power by 23 percent to 184kW at 6000rpm (with 329Nm at 2750). The as tested 3.2-litre turbodiesel's new common rail injection system delivers 125kW at 3500rpm (and 358 at 2000rpm when mated with the auto), which beat the old Prado's 96kW, but not the new one.
The suspension and rack and pinion steering systems have been altered slightly in specs but Paj retains its innovative and technically interesting (only the Range Rover is similar in the 'real' 4WD world) monocoque body and all-independent suspension with upper and lower wishbones and coil springs at each wheel. It's intelligent: Pajero offers full driveline safety electronics (traction control and stability control as well as ABS) on every model in the range.
Behind the test car's diesel is the five-speed auto with sports shift function and Super Select II 4WD/AWD system. It offers the smorgasboard of 2WD, 4H, 4H locked centre diff or 4L locked operation. With the safety net of electronics, the driveline allows safe full-time 4WD operation on bitumen.
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On the road
Within seconds of entering the Jeep, you know you're in for...well, an adventure. And within minutes, you're wiggling your butt trying to get comfortable and stop the growing numbness in your left leg. No, the Jeep doesn't look after its front seat occupants very well due to a narrow footwell and seating position on a cushion that is not only too thin, but tends to push the base of your spine forwards, encouraging slouch. The only comfortable place for the left foot seems to be back toward the seat, which tends to twist your body toward the centre of the car. And all the time, the small windows and solid pillars and windscreen header rail conspire to make you think you're peering out of an underground bunker.
Some people may find it an appealing characteristic but none of our testing team did - especially when looking rearwards either over-shoulder or through the rear vision mirror. It's a very difficult car to see out of. And weird controls for the trip computer etc don't make many friends either.
The middle-row seats are far nicer. Set higher, the middle passengers (the outer two, anyway) have a clearer view over the road and are less trouble by the far-set windscreen that, due to its distance from the driver's eyes, tends to concentrate focus on smeared bug guts rather than the road ahead. The middle passenger has to deal with a hard backrest. Up the rear - easily entered via the middle row's flip seats - it's dark and tight and behind the privacy glass, would be like solitary confinement without the test car's sunroof package.
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The suspension and rack and pinion steering systems have been altered slightly in specs but Paj retains its innovative and technically interesting (only the Range Rover is similar in the 'real' 4WD world) monocoque body and all-independent suspension with upper and lower wishbones and coil springs at each wheel. It's intelligent: Pajero offers full driveline safety electronics (traction control and stability control as well as ABS) on every model in the range.
Behind the test car's diesel is the five-speed auto with sports shift function and Super Select II 4WD/AWD system. It offers the smorgasboard of 2WD, 4H, 4H locked centre diff or 4L locked operation. With the safety net of electronics, the driveline allows safe full-time 4WD operation on bitumen.
read on below advertisement
On the road
Within seconds of entering the Jeep, you know you're in for...well, an adventure. And within minutes, you're wiggling your butt trying to get comfortable and stop the growing numbness in your left leg. No, the Jeep doesn't look after its front seat occupants very well due to a narrow footwell and seating position on a cushion that is not only too thin, but tends to push the base of your spine forwards, encouraging slouch. The only comfortable place for the left foot seems to be back toward the seat, which tends to twist your body toward the centre of the car. And all the time, the small windows and solid pillars and windscreen header rail conspire to make you think you're peering out of an underground bunker.
Some people may find it an appealing characteristic but none of our testing team did - especially when looking rearwards either over-shoulder or through the rear vision mirror. It's a very difficult car to see out of. And weird controls for the trip computer etc don't make many friends either.
The middle-row seats are far nicer. Set higher, the middle passengers (the outer two, anyway) have a clearer view over the road and are less trouble by the far-set windscreen that, due to its distance from the driver's eyes, tends to concentrate focus on smeared bug guts rather than the road ahead. The middle passenger has to deal with a hard backrest. Up the rear - easily entered via the middle row's flip seats - it's dark and tight and behind the privacy glass, would be like solitary confinement without the test car's sunroof package.
next page »
