Prado vs Hilux for touring

[Croozer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Croozer]

Hi all,

I've only ever driven LC100-TD's in the past so I have no real experience with either the Prado or Hilux. Since selling the LC100 a while ago, my wife and I have decided its finally time to get our act together and buy another new 4WD with our primary focus being to use this vehicle for plenty of touring. I currently live in Sydney but will be soon be transferring to either NT or FNQ for work for a few years so an appropriate vehicle is required. I have two young children (2yrs and 4mths) so space for them is not yet a major requirement. I've been debating between the Prado 150 D4D auto or a Hilux SR5 dualcab D4D auto; both are reliable tough vehicles in their own right but are starkly different. Most of the touring we will be doing will be the regular destinations (Cape etc) and anything in between, though fair to say we probably will not be doing hardcore 4WDing. When not touring, it will also double as our family vehicle around the 'burbs.

Obviously the Prado is the more comfortable and more modern of the two. But that large swing out rear door and relatively cramped crago space (relative to a LC100 or Hilux with a canopy) is a bit of a concern for me. Whereas the Hilux, traditionally being a commercial vehicle, is a little more simple in its design with less things to break. Plus, with a canopy on the back it has a huge cargo area that can also be hosed out etc if need be. The latest updated SR5 also has a few bling creature comforts in the cabin to keep the better half a little happier. However, the cabin is somewhat smaller and its ride is there to remind you that down to its bones, its still a commercial vehicle. Yet, at roughly $10k cheaper than a Prado, that saving will pay for a lot of aftermarket modifications.

That all said, I'd like to open to the floor to hear from all those who have constructive opinions and experiences about which way to go. I like both vehicles, but have to admit if it was just me, I'd probably go the Hilux. However, these days its not just me and I have a family to consider.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

The other side of the coin is when u r not using it for touring who is driving it and for how long etc and
Which one is easier to live with for the majority of the intended purpose.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Coils vs. leaf, pretty easy decision for a tourer...

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

We had a hilux twin cab 4wd in the past, I fitted a arb canopy and it was great for traveling and for all the kids crap. Rough as guts ride, poor handling, not much go.. But it was a non turbo 2000 model.

The new one's go good, still pretty rough ride from my experience.

[mrkrinkle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mrkrinkle]

For touring, Prado without a doubt...

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

I drove a 2007 Hilux for a while up in the Kimberley’s. At the time my two youngest who were with us were 7 and 3. I was extremely impressed with the Lux, and didn't find the ride harsh at all. We took it to some amazing places as well, and the only thing that let us down was the tyres. (still had factory tyres fitted)

If I were you, I would book a test drive of both vehicles. Book the test for a quieter period during the week, pack up your wife and kids, and get on the road and off for a while.
They are both Toyotas, so get the salesman involved in your potential choice.

[BNEGXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close BNEGXL]

We owned a dual cab 2009 SR5 Hilux and a 2005 GXL Prado at the same time, the plan was to keep the ute as the new car and sell the Prado. My son and I had dirt bikes at the time and I didn't really have room at home for a trailer, we had a camper trailer and a boat at the time.

Both cars were set up pretty much the same, both had bullbars, suspension lifts (bilsteins on both), dual batteries, the prado had 265/70-17 Cooper LT's, the ute was fitted with 17's and Coopers too.

So very much comparable.

We went to Cape York in mid 2009, I was initially keen to take the Hilux, my wife and son wouldn't have it, in their view the ute was,

too rough to ride in,
too small a cab, front seemed narrow and nowhere near as much room in the rear seat area,
compared to the Prado, poor cabin trim and finish,

add this to a significantly longer wheelbase, not as maneuverable, poor ramp over angle and longer rear overhang.

In the end I agreed and the Hilux stayed home.

We sold the Hilux at just under a year old in early 2010 and swapped the 120 for a 150 in late 2010.

All cars are a compromise, it really depends on your situation and what you need in a car, the Prado compromises the least for us.

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

Definitely the Prado. It's that much better.

I went from a hilux/78 to the prado for the comfort, I can no longer chuck as much in the back but I'll quite happily tow a trailer instead just for all the extras in the vehicle and how much more quiet and comfortable it is.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Hi all,

I've only ever driven LC100-TD's in the past so I have no real experience with either the Prado or Hilux. .

Hi Croozer, I see you have been a member of pp four 4 years and a quick scan through your post reveals that most are in relation to buying a Prado. I think you are over analyzing things a bit, Hilux, Prado, it doesn't really matter, nothing is going to be perfect. Every vehicle has its strong points and its weak points, but they will both do the job.

Just buy a 4b and get out and use it! If you make a mistake, sell it and buy another, if you haven't worked out what you want after 4 years; then more research isn't going to help

Cheers Andrew

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Don't forget the drum brakes vs. disc...

[4wd Supplies Member Find all posts View Profile Close 4wd Supplies]

Mate bothe vehicles are a great bit of gear. I like the dual cab utes for the same reasons you have mentioned. I hate having those annoying little squeaks and clanging of pots and pans etc in the rear of the car and would be stopping every 5 minutes to work out what it is and how to fix it. You don't have this problem with the dual cabs, just chuck it in and away you go. The suspension in most dual cabs has alot to be desired but nothing that can't be sorted with an aftermarket option.

However the Prado will be more comfy and nicer to drive when unloaded. tough decision but as someone else mentioned take them both for a drive and that will make the choice a little easier. there is also this forum to have a look at regarding the hilux www.newhilux.net

[mcsumway Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mcsumway]

I have both vehicles, a 2009 Hilux with gulling canopy setup for touring and a 150 Prado setup for the school duties.

The Hilux is an excellent tourer but it's strengths are when you pull up at camp and simply open the door to the kitchen and start cooking. You can also carry a heap of dirty/noisy gear without fear.

HOWEVER we will shortly be going back to one large and one small car (kids getting out of car seats etc) and the Prado will be taking over the duties. It is a more comfortable vehicle with better accommodation of the people and is far easier to drive around town.

My wife refuses to drive the Hilux around town as it is very long and much harder to reverse due to the lack of vision rearward.

It will mean a bit more setup / pack up time at camp but at least we will be more relaxed when your arrive.

As for cost the 10 grand difference is not so much when you consider the things that need to be added to your Hilux to meet the spec of the Prado.
Long range fuel tank at around $1500
Canopy $1500-2500 for std or $5000+ for gullwing style

The Hilux brakes are woeful when compared to the Prado - particularly when loaded and with the rear drums as soon as you head offload and get dirt or water into them they back off their adjustment quickly and the braking gets even worse.

Don't get me wrong the Hilux has taken us to some wonderful places ( and still will for another year or so until the lease finishes) but the Prado is the better choice if you can only have the one vehicle.

Warren

[Croozer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Croozer]

Thanks for the replies, it seems a fairly unanimous verdit towards the Prado! After further discussions with my better half I think the Prado will be the go as she is most likely to drive it as a day to day vehicle. As someone mentioned previously, I've been enquiring about a Prado for a couple of years now and almost bought one of the last 120's in production except a sudden change in circumstances put an end to that. Hopefully this time round I'll have a little more success! Cheers all.

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Thanks for the replies, it seems a fairly unanimous verdit towards the Prado!

Some very good points have been raised here, but if you go over to newhilux.net you will get the opposite consensus.

[MDSimpson Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDSimpson]

Some very good points have been raised here, but if you go over to newhilux.net you will get the opposite consensus.

I would expect nothing less either. This IS a Prado forum, and the other is for Lux fans.....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD