Review: Toyota 120-Series LandCruiser Prado (2003-09)

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• Refined 4.0-litre 1GR-FE petrol engine
• Responsive 3.0-litre 1KD-FTV turbo-diesel engine
• Long-travel suspension provides comfortable ride
• Light steering
• Off-road capability

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• Suspension lacks body control
• Underpowered 2.7-litre 3RZ-FE petrol engine
• Flat front seats lack lateral support
• 1KZ-TE diesel engine susceptible to overheating and cracked cylinder heads
• Awkward swinging tailgate and spare wheel reduces visibility
• No height adjustment for driver’s seat or steering wheel reach adjustment

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Review: Toyota 120-I LandCruiser Prado (2003-04)

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Overview

Released in February 2003, the Toyota 120-Series Mark I (120-I) LandCruiser Prado was an eight-seat, four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Japan, the Toyota 120-I LandCruiser Prado was available with three engines: a 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (3RZ-FE), a 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine (1GR-FE) and a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (1KZ-TE). Furthermore, the range consisted of three variants: the entry-level GX, mid-range GXL and range-topping Grande. In March 2004, a VX variant was released, positioned above the GXL and below the Grande.

Engines: 3RZ-FE, 1KZ-TE and 1GR-FE

Of the engines,

• The 2.7-litre 3RZ-FE four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron block, an aluminium cylinder head, electronic fuel injection, forged steel connecting rods, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, shim over bucket tappets, twin balance shafts and a compression ratio of 9.5:1;
• The 3.0-litre 1KZ-TE four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine had a cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, indirect electronic fuel injection, a single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 21.2:1, electronic throttle control and twin counter-rotating balance shafts; and,
• The 4.0-litre 1GR-FE V6 petrol engine had an alloy block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (per cylinder bank, chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing (VVT-i), two-stage Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS), electronic throttle control and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.

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Dimensions

Compared to the Toyota 90-Series LandCruiser Prado , the 120-Series LandCruiser Prado was 40 mm wider (at 4810 mm), 55 mm wider (1875 mm), 10 mm lower (1865 mm) and had a 115 mm longer wheelbase (2790 mm).

Suspension

The Toyota 120-Series LandCruiser Prado had double wishbone front suspension and a live rear axle with five links. The Grande variant was also fitted with an electronically controlled rear air suspension system and Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension (TEMS), a semi-active suspension system which enabled the driver to select from ‘Comfort’, ‘Semi-comfort’, ‘Semi-sport’ and ‘Sport’ modes.

4WD system

The Toyota Landcruiser Prado had a permanent four-wheel drive system with a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip centre differential and two-speed transfer case.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the entry-level LandCruiser Prado GX included dual front, while the GXL added ABS, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist.

The LandCruiser Prado VX and Grande were further equipped with front side airbags, front and second row curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, hill start control and downhill assist control.

Features: Prado GX, GXL, VX and Grande

Standard features for the Toyota LandCruiser Prado GX included 17-inch steel wheels with 225/70 R17 tyres, six speaker sound system with CD player, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height adjusatble steering wheel and an immobiliser.

The LandCruiser Prado GXL was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels with 265/65 R17 tyres, a six-disc in-dash CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, front fog lamps and side steps; the GXL was also fitted with a 180-litre long range fuel tank.

Beyond this, the LandCruiser Prado VX added dual front zone climate control air conditioning, a power adjustable driver’s seat (with lumbar adjustment), a height adjustable driver’s seat, roof rails, privacy glass, steering wheel reach adjustment and woodgrain interior trim.

Finally, the range-topping LandCruiser Prado Grande featured three-zone climate control air conditioning, a satellite navigation system, leather seats, a power sunroof, roof rails, compass, barometer, altimeter and an alarm.

Related links

• Press Kit: Toyota 120-I LandCruiser Prado (February 2003)
• Press Release: Toyota 120-I Landcruiser Prado VX (March 2004)

Review: Toyota 120-II LandCruiser Prado (2004-06)

Overview

Released in September 2004, the Toyota 120-Series Mark II (120-II) Landcruiser Prado introduced a revised line-up and new five-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions for petrol models. Furthermore, the 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine was discontinued. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Compared to its 120-I predecessor, safety equipment for the 120-II LandCruiser Prado was substantially unchanged. However, the 4.0-litre V6 VX and Grande variants were equipped with a new hydraulic brake booster with integrated skid control ECU to improve braking.

Features: Prado GX, GXL, VX and Grande

Standard features for the LandCruiser Prado GX were extended to include a single-disc CD player with MP3-compatibility and a long-range fuel tank.

The LandCruiser Prado GXL and VX were further equipped with a six-stack CD player and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift lever. Furthermore, the cruise control system was also able to retain the previous pre-set speed when the vehicle dropped below 40 km/h.

In addition to the above changes, the LandCruiser Prado Grande’s satellite navigation system featured a touch screen display.

2005 LandCruiser Prado Pilbara

In December 2005, a limited-run Pilbara was released. Compared to the GX, the Pilbara was equipped with ABS, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, and featured 17-inch wheels with 265/65 R17 tyres, air conditioning, cruise control, side steps, front fog lamps, driving lamps integrated into the front bumpers and roof rails. Visually, the Pilbara could be identified by its side protection mouldings, mudguards with overfender flares, body-coloured door handles and bumpers, chrome exterior mirrors, chrome grille and ‘Pilbara’ decals.

2006 LandCruiser Prado GX Limited

In April 2006, a Limited edition of the GX variant was released. Compared to the standard GX, the GX Limited added 17-inch steel wheels with 265/65 R17 tyres, front fog lamps, roof rails and side steps. Visually, the Limited could be identified by its side protection mouldings, mudguards with overfender flares and chrome-detailed mirrors and grille.

Related links

• Press Release: Toyota 120-II Landcruiser Prado – new transmissions (September 2004)
• Press Release: Toyota 120-II LandCruiser Prado Pilbara (December 2005)
• Press Release: Toyota 120-II LandCruiser Prado GX Limited (April 2006)
• Press Release: Toyota 120-III LandCruiser Prado updates (September 2007)

Review: Toyota 120-III LandCruiser Prado (2006-09)

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Overview

Released in November 2006, the 120-Series Mark III (120-III) Landcruiser Prado introduced Toyota’s 3.0-litre 1KD-FTV diesel engine (detailed below). Models fitted with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine were also fitted with an acoustic windscreen and additional sound insulating material, while the six-speed manual transmission had triple-cone synchromesh on the first, second and third gears for smoother gearshifts.

In September 2007, the range was updated and expanded with an entry-level ‘Standard’ variant; the Standard was similarly equipped to the GX, but only had five seats.

1KD-FTV engine

The 3.0-litre 1KD-FTV diesel V6 engine had a cast iron block and alloy cylinder head, a variable geometry turbocharger, intercooler, double overhead camshafts, electronic direct injection, twin counter-rotating balance shafts, electronic throttle control, exhaust gas recirculation and a compression ratio of 17.9:1. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Features

For the 120-III, the LandCruiser Prado GX was fitted wider 7.5 x 17-inch steel wheels with 265/65 tyres, wider side steps, wheelarch flares and mudguards, body-coloured bumpers and doorhandles, side protection mouldings, and chrome grille and exterior mirrors.

The LandCruiser Prado GXL gained three-zone climate control air conditioning, privacy glass and roof rails, while the VX was fitted with leather seats, power adjustable front seats and leather/woodgrain door trim. The Grande was further equipped with Optitron instrumentation and added warning features.

September 2007: LandCruiser Prado update

From September 2007, all models featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and the Grande was also fitted with a rear view camera.

Related links

• Press Kit: 2006 Toyota 120-III LandCruiser Prado Turbo-Diesel Engine (November 2006)
• Specifications: Toyota 120-III LandCruiser Prado (April 2008)
• Wikipedia.org: Toyota 120 Landcruiser Prado