Can Any SUV Match the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado?

When it comes to SUVs that embody reliability and provide utility and luxury, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado manages to edge out everyone in its class. It’s no wonder, then, that this SUV is usually the first choice in Africa when one wants to ride in luxury amid the hustle and bustle of the city. In an instant, the Land Cruiser Prado can also easily handle the rutted and unpaved roads upcountry.

However, there is a crop of other SUVs that can perform just as good as the Land Cruiser Prado. In this article, we peel back the layers, giving you some Land Cruiser Prado alternatives that would feel right at home in Africa.

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Land Rover Discovery – Land Cruiser Prado’s Biggest Rival

In all the options you have to choose from, the Land Rover Discovery comes closest to mirroring the qualities of the Land Cruiser Prado. The Land Rover has had so many years to perfect its off-road abilities, that many performers in the sector have taken hints of its work. The Land Cruiser Prado, however, has tried as much as possible to stay off the beaten track, carving out its own formula on the way.

To boost its off-road capabilities, the British manufacturer has brought in a range of electronics into the Land Rover. The Land Cruiser Prado has to pull out all the stops to match this, employing its own wealth of electronics as well as cameras that show the driver the immediate environment around the SUV. The Rover also takes on the Cruiser Prado in the battle of the interior. The latter offers plenty of space and comfort, but so does the former, which also adds a tad more refinement to the cabin styling.

With the electronics working in tandem with the engine, the Land Rover is able to tow 3,500 kg, a half ton more than what the Land Cruiser Prado is able to. All in all, though, the Japanese product offers plenty of bang for your buck, whereas you have to shell out a bit more cash if you prefer the British alternative.

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Nissan X-Trail – Smaller Than Land Cruiser Prado, But Packs a Punch

Despite being smaller in stature compared to the Land Cruiser Prado, the Nissan X-Trail packs quite the punch. This enables it to comfortably sit at this big boys’ table. The Land Cruiser Prado is mainly known for its ability to handle the off-road surface with ease. Its compatriot does the same without breaking a sweat. Equipped with an all mode 4 Wheel Drive system, the X-Trail is quite nimble and very maneuverable on uneven terrain. With the flick of a switch, you are able to choose between a 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive system.

There is also a combination of both, where the car decides which system is best depending on the situation. This makes it a great alternative to the larger SUV. Furthermore, the X-Trail has the option of a diesel engine. The turbo-charged heart of this SUV is very powerful, especially when mated to a manual transmission gearbox. It should be no surprise, therefore, when the X-Trail hauls an impressive 2000 kilograms.

And just like the Land Cruiser Prado, the X-Trail is capable of doing all the dirty work while insulating you in a very roomy and comfortable cabin. Putting all this together, the Nissan X-Trail is a very viable choice if you are looking for something different from the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

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Toyota Hilux Surf – Land Cruiser Prado’s Closest Relative

Sibling rivalry might not always be great to witness. In this case, however, it is great to watch two automobiles from the same manufacturer push each other to become better. The Land Cruiser Prado and the Hilux Surf from Toyota are both masters of the off-road terrain. Add that to the fact that they are sturdy and can endure pretty much everything thrown at them.

The Japanese manufacturer provided both SUVs with very similar essentials to work with. The engine, transmission and suspension are all pretty much the same. However, there are some unique features you will find in the Hilux Surf, differentiating it from its sibling.

For example, the fact that the Surf evolved from a pickup truck means it was made with sizeable cargo volume in mind. The Land Cruiser Prado carries less cargo because of the third row of seats. In the Surf, however, the manufacturer covered the truck cargo bay with a roof to provide a large area to carry your load. The Land Cruiser Prado bestows upon the driver a more sophisticated and professional look, whereas the Hilux Surf goes for the sportier aesthetic.

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Toyota Kluger – Land Cruiser Prado’s Underrated Little Brother

When you put the Toyota Kluger side-by-side with the Land Cruiser Prado, the latter dwarfs it. However, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in performance. The Kluger’s 3.5 liter V6 engine is capable of producing around 270 horsepower. This is not bad at all considering that its big brother has at its disposal a 5.7 liter V8 which puts out 381 horsepower.

Another selling point of the Kluger is the fact that Toyota incorporated the front wheel drive so excellently. This makes it easy to maneuver the compact SUV. And if you are not taking it onto the race track – and you most probably aren’t – this is a perfect alternative to the heavier Land Cruiser Prado.

In the interior, the Kluger stands up to the quality of its bigger sibling. It features high grade leather upholstery, and the interface with the driver is quite intuitive, making for a pleasant driving experience.

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You Have Options

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado stands at the head of a long line of contenders in the off-road SUV category. The Japanese car maker packed the car with plenty of plus points that make it a very attractive car to own.

It boasts a great engine and transmission that make it able to handle both urban roads and rugged terrain. Add to that a superb interior and you have a great SUV on your hands. However, there are some alternatives that channel some of the spirit of the Land Cruiser Prado. Its siblings – the Hilux Surf and the Kluger – offer excellent storage and performance respectively.

Outside the Toyota family, the Land Rover Discovery fully steps up to the plate to challenge the Land Cruiser Prado. The Nissan X-Trail is smaller but still offers a good account of itself as a compact SUV.

So if you feel that it is a bit out of your league, there are plenty of cars similar to the Land Cruiser Prado that can readily step in to do a similar job.