Which is better - "Tuareg" or "Prado"?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Many SUV lovers face a difficult choice: Tuareg or Prado? Both cars belong to the class of light trucks or SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle). And drivers of Volkswagen Touareg and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in large cities like St. Petersburg or Moscow do not often encounter real off-road conditions. However, motorists appreciate such vehicles for their off-road capabilities. In order to choose which option is better, it is worth conducting a comparative analysis.

Classic and modern

From a constructive point of view, both cars are different: Prado is the implementation of the classic off-road canon with a powerful spar frame. Whereas the Touareg is made on the basis of a monocoque body. At the same time, both models have good corrosion resistance, which fully justifies itself for our realities. Although driving on our "winter" roads may damage some exterior chrome parts.

Over time, Japanese cars with European assembly of the frame cushions on the left side begin tosag. Arab Prado models wear the fifth door hinges. With regard to German Touareg cars, there are complaints about the front lighting devices, parking sensors, wiper trapezoid. So which is better - Tuareg or Prado? Worth looking into.

Prado exterior

The appearance of the Land Cruiser Prado is based on square shapes, the same can be said about the fog lights - almost perfect quadrangles. Rectangular headlights, a pronounced grille with vertical bars, elegant mirrors - all this fits perfectly into the overall picture.

The rear part of the body does not change the overall style: the same rectangles of rear lights and the presence of a fifth door, which is typical for SUV vehicles, fog lights. A characteristic feature of all Prado cars is the abundance of chrome, which simply hurts the eyes.

Touareg exterior

The exterior of the German resembles a city car raised above the road. And if we compared the shape of Prado with an almost perfect square, then this transport looks like a drop.

Volkswagen branding can be guessed from the front lights, which blend harmoniously into the grille. At the same time, its ribs give a flat appearance to the car.

Of course, Toyota Prado and Volkswagen Tuareg are good in their own way, and each car has its own characteristics. But the fog lights, mirrors, head optics of the latter are original - they are narrow and at the same timewide. This gives the impression that the car is wider and lower than its opponent.

Its design is concise and attractive, which is typical of many "Germans". The minimum number of stampings and pretentious elements is concentrated on the body. And from this the car looks no less aesthetically pleasing and solid. There is nothing surprising in the fact that we althy men prefer him, for whom pathos is unnecessary.

Salon "Prado"

The center console looks less ergonomic than the Volkswagen, however, only the Prado has a power steering column with adjustable height and reach. There is also another advantage for the driver - a high "off-road" landing.

When deciding what to choose, "Prado" or "Tuareg", please note that the first of them has everything thought out with safety: large mirrors, an extensive glazing area. And this adds more points in favor of the Japanese.

Now let's move on to the rear seat - it can move back and forth, there is also a backrest tilt adjustment. It should also be taken into account that there are Japanese cars with 7 seats, which you will not find among German vehicles.

The convenience of the Prado salon lies in its rationality. There are fewer luxury items than the opponent, at the same time, the leather is used of higher quality, dirt does not stick to it, and it is easy to clean.

Tuareg decoration

All instruments, knobs and keys are within easy reach for the driver. And thus. it speaks of the bestergonomics in the Volkswagen cabin. The chair is comfortable, with lateral support.

At the same time, there are some drawbacks. The narrow rear window and side mirrors of the same shape make it difficult to see clearly.

If you have not answered the age-old question for motorists - "Toyota Prado" or "Tuareg", then looking at the interior of this vehicle, you can make a choice. Feel all the luxury - tough leather, and there is quite a lot of it, wooden inserts, even the steering wheel has a rim made of this natural material.

Volkswagen road test

The dynamics of this car is slightly smoother than the Japanese model. You can feel the difference between its power and torque. And this despite the fact that under the hood there is a W12 power unit with a volume of 6 liters with 450 hp. With. Its price alone is comparable to two Prado and Corolla models to boot.

Although the dynamics are much inferior to the "Japanese", the lag in acceleration (up to 100 km / h) is 0.4 seconds. does not seem significant. In terms of directional stability and the operation of electronics, both cars are similar to each other. However, in terms of handling, in comparison with the Tuareg and the Prado, the preference is still on the side of the German. It is almost the same as for light transport. Even when cornering at speed, there is no body roll. This is the result of the painstaking work of the union of two automotive giants: Volkswagen and Porsche.

The VW's center of gravity is lower, while the base and track are larger than the Prado's. Moving "speed bumps" is almost imperceptible. True, on the bumps and pits of the roadcanvas suspension reacts noisily. The salon at the same time also slightly crackles against the background of vibrations in different parts.

How Prado behaves

This car already at the start declares its fighting character. Turnovers are gained easily and naturally, you sit and even forget that you are at the mercy of a large car. However, the off-road feeling immediately returns with a roll and a high seating position.

If you compare the "Tuareg" and "Toyota Prado", then only deep pits and potholes on the road will make the "thug" sway. Otherwise, the suspension copes with road irregularities easily. "Bumps" can be overcome at a speed of 60 km / h. The car will only gently rise above the roadway and finally sit down slightly. But when making sharp turns at speed, rolls are felt.

Electronics show themselves well. One has only to give a sharp start on a slippery surface, the automation is already starting to work when one of the wheels starts to slip. The car does not even have time to deviate from the course, as it will already be leveled.

Moving in normal mode, it is not possible to cause a skid or lose direction. True, the sounds from the operation of the vehicle's electronic systems (ASR, ABS, VSC) are heard louder than aerodynamic or transmission noise.

Snowy and off-road conditions

And what will the snow and off-road show? "Tuareg" or "Prado" will take the championship branch? At least both cars slide into the snow and hold on confidently, but as soon as you touch it with the bottom, the wheels begin toslip. Electronics at the same time is taken to grumble in her usual manner. This once again proves that an SUV is not yet an all-terrain vehicle! But if you don’t go deep into the snow, then both Prado and Touareg, with the support of electronics, move easily and naturally.

Without a doubt, the Japanese is the best prepared for off-road conditions. You can even say that he is a champion in this discipline. Slowly and at the same time confidently, this car overcomes any obstacles on the way. The Tuareg, on the other hand, cannot boast of such capabilities, but its suspension is softer and more accurate in relation to passengers. Overcoming bumps on the Prado, you can feel the shaking, in the case of the Touareg car, this is not.

Bottom line, when choosing between a Tuareg or a Land Cruiser Prado, keep in mind that both vehicles handle off-road conditions well. In this case, much depends directly on the owner of the car. For beginners, the maximum limit with respect to Prado or Touareg is a trip to a picnic. Others can go in search of berries, mushrooms in inhabited places like Baikal. Professionals can unleash their full potential.

Comparative analysis by other parameters

In general, the ergonomics of both cars show their best side, only in the Tuareg you want a higher landing, although there is nowhere for the seat to rise, and there is still free space above the head, which is wasted. It is more of a passenger vehicle with SUV capabilities.

WhatAs for Prado, this is a full-fledged SUV with its characteristic paraphernalia: the presence of steps and the presence of handles in the corners of the doorways, which makes it much easier to get into the car. This is not the case with the Tuareg, which once again proves the functionality of the passenger car.

And what is preferable - "Tuareg" or "Prado", if you go and the number of electrical units? The "German" has a little more of them: in addition to traditional adjustments, there is a joystick for controlling lumbar support (higher-lower, more-less). Otherwise, the equipment of the cars is the same, the difference is only in small details and taste preferences. Even in terms of music, there are practically no differences, only true music lovers and professionals in the field of car sound can find them.

It's hard to compare by appearance. The construction of the design of both cars was based on the images and philosophy of their creators. Therefore, this parameter is purely individual. Some people like the smooth lines of the Tuareg, while others are in awe of the almost perfect quadrilaterals of the Prado.

Result

What exactly can a motorist choose among these cars? Undoubtedly, the VW Touareg is the vehicle that combines the capabilities of an SUV based on a station wagon. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is a direct adherence to all the canons of SUVs.

And what is better - "Tuareg" or "Prado" - on the track? Here, these cars behave accordingly. VW shows itself well, and sometimes even better, on asph altcanvas and on the ground. It will not work to make constant forays into the off-road. Toyota has more weight, which makes the suspension work worse for it, and it sways more. But at the same time, it is ideal for off-road use.

Each motorist must first decide on the conditions in which the car will be used most of the time. If personal preferences are at the level of a passenger car, then, of course, this is the Volkswagen Touareg. Well, if you still like off-road, then the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado will be a worthy option.