On location, hunting for dinosaurs! While waiting for a massive Sauropod to wander across the barren...
Vehicle Tests > 4WD Comparison - Battle Cruisers
4WD Comparison - Battle Cruisers
Where you really appreciate the extra space of the 200 is with its second-row seat, which is roomy enough for three adults. The Prado's second-row seat isn't bad but it's not nearly as wide or accommodating as the 200's. Surprising, there's not much between the two third rows which are really only good for children, or for smaller adults over short distances. With the third row folded up the 200's luggage space is bigger than the Prado's and there's also marginally more space behind the third row seat (when deployed) in the 200 than the Prado. The 200's third-row seats are also easier to deploy.
The base GXL 200 is well equipped safety-wise with front, side and curtain airbags and the full raft of electronic chassis controls (ABS brakes, traction and stability control etc.) but there's not much else that's really noteworthy or you wouldn't expect at this price range. In fact, with the 200 GXL, it's more a case of what you miss out on.
On the other hand the Prado Grande matches the 200 for safety equipment but adds a long list of luxury kit including leather, the previously mentioned electric seat adjust for both driver and passenger, touch-screen sat-nav, a premium sound system, a reversing camera, sunroof, and foglights.
read on below advertisement
Practicalities
If you are after a tow vehicle then the 200 offers a 3500kg (braked) towing capacity while the Prado is limited to 2500kg. But, surprisingly, the Prado has a slighter higher payload despite is lower GVM (2850kg vs 3300kg).
Both vehicles ride on 17-inch alloys but the 200 has 285/55 rubber while the Prado rides on 265/65s. Another point of difference is that the Prado's spare wheel is more accessible as it is mounted on the rear door while the 200's spare is under the vehicle. The flip side here is that the 200 has a horizontally split rear door, a far more practical arrangement than the Prado's single, side-opening door.
Sum Up
All things considered there are two very solid reasons why you would buy a petrol 200 rather than a petrol Prado - towing and regular off-road use. A third, but less compelling, reason is the 200's extra interior space. And you may even opt for the 200 because you can't do without the sound, feel and refinement of its superb V8.
Outside of that the Prado handles better, accelerates faster, is more economical and has a much longer touring range. And for the same money, it's much better equipped. And, if you're not interested in all the Grande's kit you can opt for the GXL ($58,540 in auto guise), add the $2600 safety option pack (side and curtain airbags plus traction and stability control) that it really needs, and still save a heap of money.
next page »
The base GXL 200 is well equipped safety-wise with front, side and curtain airbags and the full raft of electronic chassis controls (ABS brakes, traction and stability control etc.) but there's not much else that's really noteworthy or you wouldn't expect at this price range. In fact, with the 200 GXL, it's more a case of what you miss out on.
On the other hand the Prado Grande matches the 200 for safety equipment but adds a long list of luxury kit including leather, the previously mentioned electric seat adjust for both driver and passenger, touch-screen sat-nav, a premium sound system, a reversing camera, sunroof, and foglights.
read on below advertisement
Practicalities
If you are after a tow vehicle then the 200 offers a 3500kg (braked) towing capacity while the Prado is limited to 2500kg. But, surprisingly, the Prado has a slighter higher payload despite is lower GVM (2850kg vs 3300kg).
Both vehicles ride on 17-inch alloys but the 200 has 285/55 rubber while the Prado rides on 265/65s. Another point of difference is that the Prado's spare wheel is more accessible as it is mounted on the rear door while the 200's spare is under the vehicle. The flip side here is that the 200 has a horizontally split rear door, a far more practical arrangement than the Prado's single, side-opening door.
Sum Up
All things considered there are two very solid reasons why you would buy a petrol 200 rather than a petrol Prado - towing and regular off-road use. A third, but less compelling, reason is the 200's extra interior space. And you may even opt for the 200 because you can't do without the sound, feel and refinement of its superb V8.
Outside of that the Prado handles better, accelerates faster, is more economical and has a much longer touring range. And for the same money, it's much better equipped. And, if you're not interested in all the Grande's kit you can opt for the GXL ($58,540 in auto guise), add the $2600 safety option pack (side and curtain airbags plus traction and stability control) that it really needs, and still save a heap of money.
next page »
