Which is better: "Pajero" or "Prado"? Comparison, specifications, operating features, declared capacities, reviews from car owners

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

Among motorists, the question often arises: which is better - Pajero or Prado? These two legendary cars are not in vain ranked among the elite representatives of their category. They have been fighting among themselves for leadership in the global market for several decades. Each model has a lot of advantages, but there are also disadvantages. They are closely connected by their origin - from an island high-tech country with typhoons and earthquakes, which is called Japan.

General information

Before deciding which is better - "Prado" or "Pajero", it should be noted that the production of these machines is already in the fourth generation. During mass production, vehicles have undergone significant restyling and a number of improvements. The main component of the line in terms of high quality and reliability is a defining emphasis in the manufacture of both versions. At the same time, car designs cannot be calledsophisticated and innovative. For example, for all versions of the Prado, the technical part and interior contain parts that are similar in composition and interchangeability.

Changes to Mitsubishi

Which is better - "Pajero" or "Prado"? To find out, let's first study the innovative implementations in the Mitsubishi modification:

• The front and rear parts of the body have been changed, bumpers and optics of a different configuration have been installed.
• The diesel engine with a turbine was equipped with a new Common Rail type injection system. The power of the unit has increased to 200 horsepower with a torque of 441 Nm.
• Gasoline variations of the "engines" received changes in the gas distribution phase, with an increase in power by 19 horsepower, compared to their predecessors.
• The chassis and transmission have also been changed. Here it is worth noting the increase in the working life of the aluminum reduced levers and the refinement of the wheel bearings.
• Longer springs contribute to increased stiffness and handling when cornering at high speeds.
• Door cards practically did not change, except for the finishing material. The headrests have been stripped of their holes, while the center console and dash retain their signature features and equipment.

What's on offer from Toyota?

Continuing to find out which is better: "Pajero" or "Prado", we will study the innovative implementations in the latest modifications from Toyota.

They are:

• In 2009, the body was changed, the chassis remainedas before.
• The bearing part of the frame, reinforced in the area of the spars, has undergone minor modifications.
• Motors are almost identical to those used in earlier and related versions.

About motors

An important role in finding out what is better - "Pajero" or "Prado", plays the power unit. An air-cooled petrol version was mounted on the 120 series. Initially, modifications with this engine were not supplied to Europe, but were used mainly in the domestic and "Arab" markets.

In the fourth generation, the power plant received the prerequisites for use on all continents. The engine power reached 163 horsepower with a torque of 246 Nm. This quite “modest” and dubious achievement did not change the attitude towards the brand in question among users. The head of the block was modified and a new gas distribution system and timing drive were installed.

Description of diesel units

If we consider these cars in terms of what is better - "Mitsubishi Pajero" or "Toyota Prado", we should dwell on the description of the diesel "engine" characteristic of such SUVs.

The 1KD-FTV type turbine engine migrated to Toyota equipment from the second generation Land Cruiser. The unit was released in 2000, is a three-liter four-cylinder in-line engine with a capacity of 173 horsepower with an innovative Common Rail fuel system.

During the production and operation of the unit, measures were taken to improve it,however, a few downsides still exist. They are as follows:

• The high compression belt drive doesn't make the best impression. The manufacturer recommends replacing the assembly every 120 thousand kilometers. To avoid a critical break point, users are advised to do it earlier.
• Injectors are too sensitive to fuel quality, the average working life of the elements is about 130-140 thousand km. There are four such parts in the power unit, the cost of each starts from 25 thousand rubles.

Exterior: which is better - Mitsubishi Pajero or Toyota Prado?

It is not a special secret that the Pajero in the fourth generation received more than 80 percent of the body part from the "progenitor". As before, the frame is integrated into the body, the fenders and doors remain unchanged, the trunk lid differs only in the presence of a niche for a spare wheel. In general, the exterior has not undergone fundamental changes.

Toyota's LC 150 has a completely different situation. The body of the SUV has been transformed beyond recognition, and the dimensions are comparable to the larger model LC 100. The exterior clearly shows the modern prerogatives of automotive fashion, including the angular outlines of the body and the X-shaped braces in the exterior configuration.

The predecessors of the Prado mostly resembled their predecessors with rounded and smooth outlines. However, the new series convinced users that the appearance of the car has acquired aggressiveelements characteristic of Japanese jeeps. From this it follows that in the comparative characteristics of the exterior design, Toyota clearly outperforms Mitsubishi, which has lost its uniqueness and charm of visualization in 20 years.

About dimensions

It's not as easy as it seems. For example, the length of the "Pajero" is 4.9 meters, "Toyota" - 4.78 m. A completely opposite situation emerges by eye. The fact is that the specified size is measured in all protruding parts, so Mitsubishi outperforms the competitor due to the external “reserve”, adding about 250 millimeters in length.

Which is better: "Prado" or "Pajero-4", it is unlikely to find out by external dimensions. The second modification is inferior in width to Toyota by only half a centimeter, but in height it is ahead of its “colleague” by the same 50 millimeters. As they say, “somewhere it decreases, somewhere it increases.”

About running gear and transmission

The TLC 150 version unit includes a classic off-road layout. The rear part is equipped with a continuous axle and a link suspension with CV joints. "Padzherik" in this regard is focused on the maximum similarity with the traditional "SUV". The entire suspension is independent, the levers are made of aluminum alloy. On urban and paved roads, this is a clear plus, which will not help much when crossing serious off-road. The cruiser, when accelerating and cornering, noticeably sways and rolls, but it differs in the most soft and comfortable realization of all power,available under the hood.

All-wheel drive "Land Cruiser" has a ratio of 60/40, equipped with the option of forced activation of the center differential. There are more opportunities here than the competitor. This is especially true for the distribution of torque and the removal of the operation of the transmission unit in emergency mode if necessary (thanks to the many indicators and sensors).

"Pajero 4" or "Prado 120": what is better in the interior?

Pajero's interior is archaic in its equipment, but visibility is almost perfect. The main drawback of the exterior of this vehicle is the close placement of the driver's seat and steering wheel to the door. Even a person of average build will involuntarily rest his left foot on part of the body. There is a noticeable calculation for undersized and feeble representatives of the country of the Rising Sun.

The interior materials of both Toyota and Mitsubishi are of high quality and tasteful. "Land Cruiser" has the best noise and vibration isolation. Nevertheless, "crickets" appear in this SUV, largely due to hard plastic.

Owner Reviews

In response to the question of which is better: "Pajero" or "Prado" (diesel), the opinions of users were divided, which was to be expected. Even such a fact as one of the highest theft rates testifies in favor of Toyota. At the same time, experts note a minimal depreciationcars with high mileage and age.

Luxury variations of Mitsubishi look richer and more presentable, cost somewhat less than similar equipment of a competitor. The cars in question have been popular all over the world for many years. Therefore, it is very difficult to find out which is better - Prado or Pajero-Sport.