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

Recomended retail price: $71,680
Price as tested: $76,065
Towing capacity with trailer brakes: 3500kg
Towing capacity without brakes: 750kg
Average Fuel Consumption: 19.6L/100km
Range*: 719km
4km Climb: 3mins 15sec
RPM at 100km/h: 2100rpm
Performance
0-60km/h: 13.2s
0-80km/h: 19.3s
80-100km/h: 8.7s
Best Points: Power, stability, space, fuel consumption
Worst Points: Indecisive auto on kickdown
*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.

Conclusion
We knew from the outset that size and power would be the decisive factors in determining which would be the better towing vehicle, and in that regard the 100 Series LandCruiser is unrivalled. Its size, weight and permanent 4WD give it a firm grip on the road and a feeling of surefootedness and safety for the driver and occupants. The interior space of the LandCruiser 100 has always made it one of the best long-distance touring wagons and this is just as much the case when towing a load. The turbo-diesel LandCruiser makes relaxed work of towing and for anyone wanting to haul a trailer as heavy as the Trakmaster van over long distances the big Toyota is your best bet. Security, comfort, power and reasonable fuel economy make it unbeatable.

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A bit of a disappointment on the towing test was the ZD30 Patrol. The other large 4WD wagon on the market that is bought by many for towing purposes, the big Nissan failed to impress. The suspension pitched and wallowed and would require the addition of weight distribution or stabiliser bars to comfortably tow this sort of load. The engine had to be worked hard resulting in poor fuel economy and really is too small for a vehicle this size. The 4.2-litre turbo-diesel Patrol might be better suited to this type of work but as it is a mechanically injected engine and not electronic, it didn't fit in with this comparison.

The surprise package of the test was the ML270 Mercedes. In sheer size it was dwarfed by the Trakmaster caravan yet it hauled it with relative ease. The CDI engine belies its small size with plenty of power and the fuel economy figures are class leading. The suspension could use some reworking or the application of towing aids to stop it pitching but it performed better than some of the better established 4WDs on the test. A pleasant surprise indeed!

The two mid-sized 3.0-litre wagons, the Jackaroo and Prado, performed as they always seem to - without fuss or fanfare. Both are well suited to towing although each had its downsides. With the Jackaroo it was acceleration. While it is by no means a slouch it was slower than the other vehicles on test. Provided you didn't want to get there in a hurry there were no problems.

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