On location, hunting for dinosaurs! While waiting for a massive Sauropod to wander across the barren...
Vehicle Tests > 4WD Comparison - Title Fight
4WD Comparison - Title Fight
Next up the ladder in terms of off road ability, but the poorest in terms of off road comfort by a good margin is the Pajero. As we have said many times in the past, the modest travel from the Pajero's fully independent suspension means that it will readily lift a wheel (or two, or three) on rutted trails but the extremely effective traction control rarely sees it fail to clear an obstacle. There is an optional rear diff lock ($700) but when engaged it cancels the traction control so it's a case of win some, lose some, rather than a clear advantage. One off road problem with the Pajero, aside from its hard and uncompromising ride, is the rear bumper that hangs up a little too readily.
Comfortably ahead of the Pajero, let alone the Prado in off road ability is the Discovery. Mind you, the Disco was fitted with the optional rear locker that we know from previous experience makes a considerable difference. But at just $1050, it hardly makes a difference to the overall cost of the vehicle and, unlike the Pajero where (manual) activation of the optional rear locker negates the traction control, with the Discovery the rear locker engages automatically and leaves the traction control active so it can take care of front axle control.
read on below advertisement
But this isn't the only off road trick that the Discovery has up its sleeve. Courtesy of its height-adjustable suspension, it has by far the best ground clearance and approach and departure angles. It also has the deepest low-range gearing and a driving position that offers the best visibility. And, while the suspension is fully independent, the Disco has far more travel than the Pajero, which helps with both off-road comfort and off-road ability. Put simply, in this company off road, the Discovery is in a class of its own.
The Inside Story
The Discovery also stands alone in terms of its cabin. First up it's a bigger vehicle than the other two with more comfortable front seats and a more spacious second row. But, as mentioned, it doesn't come standard with third row seats. That's a $3541 option. The good news, however, is that the Disco's third row accommodates even tall adults in relative comfort whereas the Prado's and Pajero's third rows are more suited to children.
The Toyota's third row accommodates three (making it an eight seater) but the seats fold up against the windows and take up space. The Pajero's third row folds into the floor but are more basic than the Toyota's. However, the Pajero's second row seat is slightly roomier than the Toyota.
next page »
Comfortably ahead of the Pajero, let alone the Prado in off road ability is the Discovery. Mind you, the Disco was fitted with the optional rear locker that we know from previous experience makes a considerable difference. But at just $1050, it hardly makes a difference to the overall cost of the vehicle and, unlike the Pajero where (manual) activation of the optional rear locker negates the traction control, with the Discovery the rear locker engages automatically and leaves the traction control active so it can take care of front axle control.
read on below advertisement
But this isn't the only off road trick that the Discovery has up its sleeve. Courtesy of its height-adjustable suspension, it has by far the best ground clearance and approach and departure angles. It also has the deepest low-range gearing and a driving position that offers the best visibility. And, while the suspension is fully independent, the Disco has far more travel than the Pajero, which helps with both off-road comfort and off-road ability. Put simply, in this company off road, the Discovery is in a class of its own.
The Inside Story
The Discovery also stands alone in terms of its cabin. First up it's a bigger vehicle than the other two with more comfortable front seats and a more spacious second row. But, as mentioned, it doesn't come standard with third row seats. That's a $3541 option. The good news, however, is that the Disco's third row accommodates even tall adults in relative comfort whereas the Prado's and Pajero's third rows are more suited to children.
The Toyota's third row accommodates three (making it an eight seater) but the seats fold up against the windows and take up space. The Pajero's third row folds into the floor but are more basic than the Toyota's. However, the Pajero's second row seat is slightly roomier than the Toyota.
next page »
