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Vehicle Tests > 4WD Comparison - Battle Cruisers
4WD Comparison - Battle Cruisers
Both 200 and Prado have a soft-ish suspension tune and both sacrifice sharp dynamics for a comfortable and compliant ride. But there are significant differences between the two. After driving the Prado, the 200 feels more solid and substantial, it has more steering feel and there's less tendency to understeer. But it's also less stable on rough roads, especially at higher speeds.
In comparison the Prado feels more sporty and agile (although this is only a relative thing) even though it suffers from early and persistent understeer. What it does significantly better than the 200 is remain more composed at higher speeds on bad roads and, ultimately, when push comes to shove, is the better handling vehicle.
Off Road
It's no surprise that both Prado and 200 come into their own off road. The fact that their respective on-road dynamic abilities are somewhat compromised is due to the fact that much of the chassis set-up and tuning is aimed at making them more capable when the going gets tough.
At this spec level both 200 and Prado come standard with electronic traction control (ETC is optional on lesser Prados but standard on all 200s) and both have a Torsen (torque-sensing) centre diff. Where the 200 wins out over the Prado is with its exceptional wheel travel (thanks in part to the KDSS system) which not only makes it more capable off road but more comfortable.
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It' a cold day in hell that when a Prado rides harshly off road, but that's exactly the impression you get jumping out of the 200 into it. This is despite the fact that the Prado has a very compliant off-road ride compared to many, if not most, other 4WDs.
For its part the Prado also has a few tricks up its sleeve in terms of its height-adjustable suspension and the fact that it's lighter, smaller and more manoeuvrable than the 200. Either way, both of these vehicles are very capable off road and the defining difference is more in comfort than capability.
Accommodation and Equipment
Both Prado and 200 are eight seaters but there's a big difference in comfort and space. Up front the 200's seats are more comfortable and the cabin is wider but the driver's seat has no height adjustment at this spec level. Tall drivers find they sit too close to the roof while short drivers often feel they sit too low, especially for off-road driving where vision is important. No such problem with the Prado as the Grande has (electric) height adjustment. Both Prado and 200 have steering wheel reach and tilt adjustment, a feature lacking in too many Japanese 4WDs.
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In comparison the Prado feels more sporty and agile (although this is only a relative thing) even though it suffers from early and persistent understeer. What it does significantly better than the 200 is remain more composed at higher speeds on bad roads and, ultimately, when push comes to shove, is the better handling vehicle.
Off Road
It's no surprise that both Prado and 200 come into their own off road. The fact that their respective on-road dynamic abilities are somewhat compromised is due to the fact that much of the chassis set-up and tuning is aimed at making them more capable when the going gets tough.
At this spec level both 200 and Prado come standard with electronic traction control (ETC is optional on lesser Prados but standard on all 200s) and both have a Torsen (torque-sensing) centre diff. Where the 200 wins out over the Prado is with its exceptional wheel travel (thanks in part to the KDSS system) which not only makes it more capable off road but more comfortable.
read on below advertisement
It' a cold day in hell that when a Prado rides harshly off road, but that's exactly the impression you get jumping out of the 200 into it. This is despite the fact that the Prado has a very compliant off-road ride compared to many, if not most, other 4WDs.
For its part the Prado also has a few tricks up its sleeve in terms of its height-adjustable suspension and the fact that it's lighter, smaller and more manoeuvrable than the 200. Either way, both of these vehicles are very capable off road and the defining difference is more in comfort than capability.
Accommodation and Equipment
Both Prado and 200 are eight seaters but there's a big difference in comfort and space. Up front the 200's seats are more comfortable and the cabin is wider but the driver's seat has no height adjustment at this spec level. Tall drivers find they sit too close to the roof while short drivers often feel they sit too low, especially for off-road driving where vision is important. No such problem with the Prado as the Grande has (electric) height adjustment. Both Prado and 200 have steering wheel reach and tilt adjustment, a feature lacking in too many Japanese 4WDs.
next page »
