This category of cars can quite reasonably include the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 – a real star among used SUVs, which we have already covered in our regular column. However, we decided to supplement it with a fresh article about what to pay attention to when buying this car, and what its strengths and weaknesses are.
Description
• Body type: wagon
• Dimensions Length/Width/Height, mm:
3-door: 4400/1880/1900
5-door: 4850/1880/1900
• Wheelbase, mm: 2790(2460)
• Ground clearance, mm: 220 or 195-250(with air suspension)
• Curb/Gross weight, kg: 1985/2850
• Trunk volume, l: 620(192 in 7-seat version)
• Fuel tank volume, l: 87
• Drive type: all-wheel drive
• Gearbox: manual 5/6-speed, automatic 4/5-speed
• Brakes front/rear: disc/disc
• Suspension front/rear: independent / dependent
• Engines:
• Petrol
4-cylinder inline: 2.7 (150 hp), and 2.7 VVT-i (163 hp) since 2004
6-cylinder inline: 4.0 VVT-i (249 hp)
• Diesel
inline 4-cylinder turbocharged with direct injection: 3.0 D-4D (163 hp), and (173 hp) since 2006
History
2002: Land Cruiser Prado 120 was presented at the Paris Motor Show
2004: the model received a new 2.7-liter engine with VVT-i variable valve timing system
2006: the car underwent a facelift. Changes included: headlights, grille, rear door, and the spare wheel was moved under the trunk floor
2009: Land Cruiser Prado 120 is replaced by Land Cruiser Prado 150
Body
The car's design was developed at Toyota's European design studio. The Prado 120 was offered in 3- and 5-door versions. In Ukraine, the 3-door version was not officially sold.
Like all previous generations, the Land Cruiser Prado 120 body is built on a frame.
This model was imported into our country by both "official" and "gray" dealers - from different countries, including Arab ones. Versions for Arab countries can be visually distinguished by chrome mirrors, lack of headlight washers (even the plugs are missing). On the rear (right side) the trim level is indicated (GX with 2.7 engine, VX with 4.0 engine).
Depending on the country of origin, the car may have different weak points. For example, in European versions, the frame cushions on the left side sag over time. The reason is that such cars have one fuel tank located on the left side. Arab Prados do not have this issue because they have two tanks.
The Prado body resists corrosion well, regardless of the market it was intended for. However, chrome decorative body trim in our conditions (mainly in winter) tends to oxidize and peel off.
Door hinge sagging is also encountered. But only on those modifications where the spare wheel is mounted on the tailgate.
Interior
The interior of the Prado 120 is styled as a classic SUV. It was offered in 5- and 8-seat versions. There is plenty of space inside for people of any height and build.
The interior is made of expensive and high-quality materials. There are examples (mostly Arab) with velour upholstery, which looks absurd in a car of this class.
Disadvantages include the inconvenience of getting into the rear row - due to the narrow door opening (at the bottom). Arab versions arrived in Ukraine in "poor" trims, and since they were produced for a warm climate, they lacked seat heating, and the heater is weaker - compared to European cars. However, the air conditioning system, on the contrary, is more powerful – in summer, Arab Prados cool the cabin faster.
Disadvantages also include the rear seat folding system (the seat back rises only with the cushion, not separately), which reduces trunk volume with folded seats. Sound insulation is at a very decent level.
Engine
The engine lineup for the Land Cruiser Prado 120 is very modest - two petrol engines of 2.7 L and 4.0 L and one 3.0-liter turbodiesel.
The optimal choice for a 2-ton car is the 4-liter petrol engine with 249 hp. The power of the 2.7-liter engine is insufficient (especially during overtaking), and its fuel consumption is not much different from the more powerful sibling.
With the diesel engine, the situation is somewhat different. Although it develops almost the same power as the petrol 2.7, thanks to torque it allows more confident maneuvers. The main advantage of the diesel engine is its efficiency – the Land Cruiser Prado with such an engine consumes about 12 liters per 100 km in urban mode.
All Prado 120 engines are very reliable and can easily last 400 thousand km – provided timely maintenance. But 4-liter Prados have cases where the front crankshaft oil seal leaks.
In petrol engines, the timing drive uses a chain, designed for the entire engine life, while diesel engines use a belt, which needs to be replaced every 150 thousand km. Valve adjustment according to regulations should be done every 100 thousand km.
Due to our fuel, it is better to clean the injectors every 20-40 thousand km. Contaminated injectors manifest as unstable engine operation at idle, as well as dips during acceleration. It is advisable to change the engine oil every 10 thousand km.
Transmission
The Land Cruiser Prado 120 is equipped with all-wheel drive with low-range gears. It also has a mechanical center differential with Torsen lock, which distributes torque in a 40:60 ratio. In case of wheel slip, this ratio can change from 29:71 to 53:47.
In our country, cars with automatic transmissions are more popular, but vehicles with a "manual" are also found.
The gearboxes in the Prado are very reliable and, with proper use, can last as long as the engine. But only with not too frequent and, of course, competent off-road driving.
Oil changes in the gearbox, transfer case, and rear axle must be done every 40 thousand km.
Chassis
As we already wrote in the article about body-on-frame cars, they have never been known for good handling. The Land Cruiser Prado is no exception. The car is rolly, and strong body rolls are felt during high-speed cornering. But with leisurely driving, it is very comfortable. The suspension is very quiet - it "swallows" small potholes and bumps without problems. At the same time, it is reliable, which, given the condition of roads in our country, is a very important point.
Among the disadvantages, one can highlight the air suspension, which was installed on the "rear" of the car in expensive versions. It can hardly be called necessary, since adjusting it does not significantly improve off-road qualities, but it increases the cost of repairs. The rear adjustable struts last about 90 thousand km, and their cost is approximately 5000-6000 hryvnias (for 1 piece!). The cost of repairs is also affected by the body height position sensor, which often fails. The contamination of the air suspension compressor filter (usually after off-road driving) will also not please, which increases the load on the compressor.
There are no special complaints about the front suspension. Shock absorbers last more than 100 thousand km even under the harshest use. Ball joints last about 140-150 thousand km, tie rods - about 70 thousand km. Stabilizer bushings - 50 thousand km, and wheel hub bearings 70-100 thousand km.
Prices for parts and maintenance
The cost of parts and maintenance cannot be called cheap. But let us emphasize once again that the most expensive elements will be the air suspension components, so when buying a used Prado, it needs to be carefully inspected and properly diagnosed.
Overall, the car is very reliable, and if a particular example is not "killed", the new owner will only have to spend on consumables. And they are quite affordable.
Parts prices:
Air filter – 120 UAH.
Oil filter – 80 UAH.
Shock absorbers front/rear – 1700 UAH/1000 UAH.
Brake pads front/rear – 500 UAH (original 800-1000 UAH)/350 UAH (original – 750 UAH)
Brake discs front/rear – 1200 UAH/700 UAH.
Used parts:
Rear bumper – 900 UAH.
Front bumper – 1100 UAH.
Fender – 1200 UAH.
Headlight (1 pc) – 800 UAH.
Pros
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Conclusion
When buying a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120, we would recommend that you be sure to have the vehicle inspected at a service station. Moreover, it is better to assess the condition both with the eyes of specialists and with the help of special equipment. In this case, you will be able to get the most complete picture regarding possible investments. And, as can be seen from the cost of rear struts for air suspension, the price of parts for the Prado can both please and greatly surprise. On the secondary market, this model costs from $20,000 (2003 year of manufacture) to $40,000 (2008 year of production). You can view offers for the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 in our used car catalog.
