Thread: MY18 Prado GX 2.8DT vs our MY12 D4 2.7 TDV6

I’ve had seven Prado’s (all work vehicles) while at the same time owning a V8 Discovery 1, a td5 Discovery 2 and my current MY2011 Discovery 4 with the 2.7 V6 diesel. Throughout these models, the Discovery has always been the better vehicle in my opinion. The only model Prado that I really liked - three of mine were the 4.0 litre petrol V6, two with 6 speed manuals and the last with the newer 8 speed manual transmission. They were a great engine and I loved driving them, but I was always very glad to have a company fuel card - it is not an economical engine, especially if pushed a bit.

The older 3.0 litre diesel engine was definitely a better engine than the newer 2.8 litre they replaced it with. Combine that with the added weight when they replaced the 120 series with the first of the bloated 150 series and they definitely went backwards. Regardless of which model Prado, the diesel engine in the equivalent model Discovery was always a better option. My current 2.7 Discovery blows away 4.5 litre single turbo Land Cruisers, and will give the twin turbo version of the same engine a bloody good run for its money. A diesel Prado won’t get near me if I choose to put the foot down.

Comfort wise - I didn’t mind the 120 series GXL provided it had the V6 petrol engine, especially on long highway runs. Off road - any model Discovery kills a Prado for comfort - they are not in the same class.

Off road capability - the earlier 90 series Prado was easily the best of the Prado’s, but while it was good, it was still no match for a Discovery 1.

Have to agree with the comparisons made here in that the Disco is a better car to both the Prado and 200 series Except of course for resale value....which is good for people like me!

The Toyota Tax also irks in that features are slow to be added to their cars.

But Aussies love them to bits anyway even if the myths are just that. Having bought a D4 8 speed recently I am now facing questions from my fisher mate who sunk 100 grand into a cruser of the same year. Why did you buy it? There's a lot to go wrong...etc etc. There's no doubt a big cruiser is a form of status symbol that says I've made it. The Prado is seen as a poor man's cruiser. The Disco is seen as a step too far up the ladder? and trouble too.

Truth is they all have pros and cons.

Me...I have discovered an absolute gem.. a supercharged MY14 D4 Disco V6 SE😆

More power more features..rides like a dream..and uses about the same amount of fuel...and waay cheaper to buy. I won't be selling it for years so resale don't bother me.

Originally Posted by BMKal

...and the last with the newer 8 speed manual transmission.

Is that true, an 8 speed manual in the Prado’s?

Originally Posted by twr7cx

Is that true, an 8 speed manual in the Prado’s?

Must be a typo as they come in 8 speed auto, 6 speed manual.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Must be a typo as they come in 8 speed auto, 6 speed manual.

I don't think they come in an 8 speed auto,its still the old 6 speed,as is the manual.

They have dropped an 8 speed ZF into the latest Kluga model so it might arrive sometime soon in the Prado.
The LC200 could do with the 8 speed ZF as well.

But we know what Toyota are like,they don't upgrade anything until they absolutely have to.

Comparing the D4 and the Prado is a bit like comparing apples and oranges,totally different vehicles.

Haha. I admit I assumed that was a transposition error as I did know it was a 6spd manual.

I’ll be honest with so much torque in my 3L 6 Spd ZF I’m never found wanting for gears, but a nice smooth 8 Spd would not be a bad thing