Vehicle Tests > Towing Comparison: LandCruiser v Prado v Patrol v Jackaroo v ML270

Unladen the Jackaroo has returned a consistent 12.7L/100km during its six months with us. With the two-tonne van on it recorded 19.4L/100km over our test loop.

Recomended retail price: $47,970
Price as tested: $48,410
Towing capacity with trailer brakes: 2500kg
Towing capacity without brakes: 750kg
Average Fuel Consumption: 19.4L/100km
Range*: 388km
4km Climb: 4mins 14sec
RPM at 100km/h: 2100rpm
Performance
0-60km/h: 15.6s
0-80km/h: 24.6s
80-100km/h: 16.6s
Best Points: Stability, value for money
Worst Points: Lack of engine braking and performance
*Performance testing carried out with a 2000kg trailer in tow
*Range estimate based on fuel tank capacity, test average fuel consumption and a 50km safety margin.


Toyota Prado GXL
Overlander's 4WDOTY for year 2000, Toyota's Prado has got to be the best all-round 4WD on the market. In turbo-diesel trim it's even better with power and torque aplenty and great fuel economy figures. But how does it cope with 2000kg of Trakmaster van on the back?

A part of the Prado's appeal is its value for money. The turbo-diesel automatic GXL comes in at $50,690. Add $2470 for airconditioning and $225.24 for the tow bar and the price of our test vehicle comes in at $53,385.24. Aside from the airconditioning being optional all the usual standard features are there: power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, limited-slip rear differential, AM/FM/CD player and a third-row seat that takes the passenger capacity up to eight. Add to those front fog lamps, a 69-litre secondary fuel tank and leather-covered steering wheel and shift lever and you can see where the value lies.

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Toyota's intercooled, direct-injection, turbo-diesel 3.0-litre engine, although down on power and torque on paper (96kW at 3600rpm & 343Nm at 2000rpm) is as willing and able as the more powerful Isuzu mill in the Jackaroo and not far behind the Patrol in our performance testing. The four-speed auto does as it should and doesn't raise any concern or comment. Permanent 4WD comes via a lockable viscous centre diff and there is high and low range gearing. The chassis is a separate ladder type with a coil-sprung live rear axle and independent front end.

The engine gave strong braking when descending in high range/first gear and the four-wheel disc brakes always felt up to the task. ABS is an optional extra not fitted to this vehicle.

The Prado's chassis had the shortest wheelbase on this test at 2675mm and this could have something to do with the unstable feel it exhibited when towing the van at highway speed. When travelling at upwards of 95km/h the Prado was easily unsettled by bumps as the rear of the vehicle tended to sway in a pendulum motion. This effect was also evident when taking curves and corners at lower speeds and required extra care to be taken at all times. These characteristics would most likely be rectified by employing additional stabiliser bars or other aftermarket towing aids. The wheel track specs are 1505 and 1510mm front and rear.

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