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.
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.
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