New 2014 Prado Kakadu Vs Euros - New to Japanese SUV's - help a fellow urbanite

[brisbane Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brisbane]

I have done a search and not really coming up with any direct hits.

We are looking for family car, so the Prado's legendary 4x4 part is not really important to us. currently has a BMW X5 and very happy with it.
but due to growing family 7 seats are required. Basically looking for a 7 seater that does not look like a minivan.

we had narrowed down the search to KAKADU Vs some EURO's. but can someone tell me, if the interior refinement of a prado (engine noise, soft touch materials, interior build quality, overall euro upmarketness ) compared to say Audi Q7 / Volvo XC90.

Dont like the Discovery 4 - this is out.
also have ruled out Prado VX (not a premium offering) and prado altitude as this perticuler family friendly specification is not available in new model year (2014). source Toyota dealer.

also if anyone knows about the upcoming Infinity 7 seater - long shot in prado land. i know, but you jap car folk should know these stuff... LOL.

Thank you in advance.

[Guest Close Guest]

I would suggest you would be better trying an infiniti forum for that type of info.
As this is a prado forum, I doubt your going to get comparisons to other cars you suggest. And as the 2014 Prado has not yet been released the information you ask is impossible to supply.

[brisbane Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brisbane]

Thanks for the response.
I have being reading a bit on this forum today, so much infor.

my assumption of the Prado KAKADU being a re-badge version of Lexus GX (or vice-versa) may not be accurate. but it seems the two are very close.
anyone know anything about this ? - if you are a traveller to the U.S, there are everywhere.

also it seems the value proposition seem to be with reliability and re-sale as well, this is a new aspect as i tend to keep cars for 5-7 years. Euro's have being at times expensive with not the best re-sale.

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

Do you want an SUV or a 4wd? There are better SUVs than a Prado and similarly the Prado is better if you actually want to do more than drive on the beach. Look at the new Range Rover Sport too. Oh and I wouldn't give you $6.32 for either Euro or the Infiniti (and I have driven 2 of the 3) I want a 4wd that can tow an off road trailer places they cry just thinking about it.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

I know that the Volvo Volvo XC90 has the turning circle of a truck, prado will turn a lot tighter uturn. The Audi are a nice vehicle but loose there resale compared to a prado (talking diesel here). A member on here has gone from a prado to a Audi and loves it, he bought it new and so far no problems BUT both him and the wife miss their 120 prado they had.....Cheers Steve

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

I am a big fan of euro cars and some of them have way more features as far as comfort and luxury.

The trouble with the euro cars are their resale value. The Prado will be worth much more percentage wise when you come to resell it, but if this is not a concern to you and you only need the vehicle for seating capacity and nothing else then I would definitely consider the euro.

The reason I went for the Prado was also to have a larger family car, but I wanted to experience the off road. I also wanted reliability and for me Toyota was the choice. Touch wood, its been good so far.

Oh, forgot to mention... The servicing and parts will also be more expensive with the euro, so I hope you have deep pockets or a good job

Cheers,

[BNEGXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close BNEGXL]

Look at the Mercedes GL, best seating of any 7 seat SUV on the market and will easily meet your quality criteria,

"(engine noise, soft touch materials, interior build quality, overall euro upmarketness )"

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Yes as Jeff has said servicing seems to be very expensive from what I have read and heard. ........Cheers Steve

[BNEGXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close BNEGXL]

"servicing seems to be very expensive"

Not necessarily, the Benz V6 diesel is retail $550 @ 25,000 km intervals

The Corporate deal is free servicing for the first three years.

The Dealers will still stick it to you if they can, keep your eye on them and they're not so bad

The resale comment is fair, euro's lose their value fairly quick on the second hand market

[Guest Close Guest]

You could go for a Lexus for the Japanese version of luxury with the reliability to back it up.

[brisbane Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brisbane]

You could go for a Lexus for the Japanese version of luxury with the reliability to back it up.

But there is NO 7 seat Lexus - Lexus Australia do not bring the Lexus GX here, so your stuck with the toyota version of it, the KAKADU model.
I will be looking in to a demostrator Mer GL 350 CDI, which seems to be perfect, but massive in size for shopping centres. Mrs is a massive Cruiser fan from years gone by growing up in NT . hence the Prado gets an unfair advantage.

Thanks for comments everyone, this forum is a wealth of info and nice to see everyone sharing information.

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

But there is NO 7 seat Lexus - Lexus Australia do not bring the Lexus GX here, so your stuck with the toyota version of it, the KAKADU model.
I will be looking in to a demostrator Mer GL 350 CDI, which seems to be perfect, but massive in size for shopping centres. Mrs is a massive Cruiser fan from years gone by growing up in NT . hence the Prado gets an unfair advantage.

Thanks for comments everyone, this forum is a wealth of info and nice to see everyone sharing information.

LX 570? They sell them here. Same as a 200 series, but with a 5.7 V8, not the 4.6.