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

Returning fuel usage figures of just 18.7L/100km, the Prado was the second most frugal vehicle on the tow test. On the recent 4WDOTY test a similar spec vehicle returned 12.07L/100km unladen.

Recomended retail price: $48,790
Price as tested: $53,385.24
Towing capacity with trailer brakes: 2500kg
Towing capacity without brakes: 750kg
Average Fuel Consumption: 18.7L/100km
Range*: 850km
4km Climb: 4mins 3sec
RPM at 100km/h: 2000rpm
Performance
0-60km/h: 17.4s
0-80km/h: 27.5s
80-100km/h: 16.5s
Best Points: Engine & transmission, driveability, ease of use, permanent 4WD
Worst Points: Stability at highway speed
*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 LandCruiser GXL
We had expected the new turbo-diesel LandCruiser to be the best performing tow vehicle on this test and rightly so. It's the biggest, heaviest and most powerful diesel 4WD wagon on the market and in the words of one of our 4WDOTY testers "it's a ball tearer".

At $71,680 the LandCruiser is also one of the most expensive vehicles on test. Add airconditioning ($2804), the towing kit ($261) and front and rear diff locks ($1320) and the price as tested climbs to $76,065 but you get a lot of wagon for your dollars. Standard features include dual front airbags, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, ABS brakes with EBD, AM/FM/CD/cassette audio and third-row seating. A limited-slip rear differential is normally standard but our test vehicle was fitted with the optional locking diffs.

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The grunting 1HD-FTE, direct-injection, 4.2-litre engine uses a front-mounted intercooler to help it achieve its 151kW at 3400rpm and 430Nm at 3200rpm. With this sort of power and torque on tap the big black Cruiser was hardly fussed with the weight of the van on the back, pulling it comfortably and easily and heading up our performance testing. In fact, it was a full minute quicker up Mount Ousley than the slowest vehicle on test and it could have been quicker but we had to back off the accelerator so as not to exceed the 80km/h speed limit on the long climb. Out on the highway the LandCruiser toured at 110km/h on the cruise control with ease and held 100km/h better than any of the others.

What's more impressive about the 'Cruiser's performance is the fuel figure returned for such a large powerful vehicle. A recorded 19.6L/100km was the second highest on test but considering the size and weight it's bloody impressive. Sans caravan a manual LandCruiser delivered 11.77L/100km on the 4WDOTY test.

It's the Cruiser's size and weight that make it the most stable tow vehicle on the test. The wheelbase is 2850mm, front and rear track are 1620 and 1615mm and weight is 2413kg. A heavy box-section separate chassis and coil-sprung live rear axle provide a stable platform for towing and off-road work alike. The inclusion of the torsion bar independent front end from the discontinued V8 GXV is a welcome addition to the GXL. This rectifies much of the pitching and rolling found in Cruisers with live axles front and rear which is further emphasised when towing. The engine and gearing offered the best engine braking of the vehicles and we hardly needed the huge four-wheel disc brakes on our first gear descent.

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