What do we think of the design?
Both vehicles are about the same size and weight. Both are full-time 4×4, have independent front ends with live-axle rear ends and coils springs with disc brakes all round. The drivetrains are a bit different; the Prado has a Torsen centre differential which splits torque 50:50 front:rear, and there’s no computer control of that split but you can lock the centre differential manually in both high and low range. The Everest has a nominal 40:60 front:rear split and that’s computer controlled. Both vehicles have low-range which require you to be stopped before it can be selected.
Everest is diesel automatic only, but some Prados are available in petrol and manual. The automatic design differs between the two. Ford uses a manumatic system where what you select manually is the gear you’ll get, if the engine can allow it – so you select 3rd, you’re in third. Toyota persists with its odd maximum-select system where if you select third the gearbox will use gears 1 to 3. One effect of this system is that you can’t select second gear to pull away with the gearshift, you need to do so via the menu. Toyota finally fitted a six-speed auto, and Everest has had six speeds since launch.
Every Everest has a cross-axle rear differential lock which can be engaged on the move and in high- or low-range. Only Prado Kakadu models get a locker, and it only works in low-range and you must be stopped or near stopped to engage it. In both cases, brake traction control works on the front.
Toyota has an adaptive terrain system, called Multi-Terrain Select, which is only available on Kakadu. It has options for terrains like Rock and Sand but only works in low-range. In contrast, every Everest gets Ford’s Terrain Management system which has similar modes.
You don’t mention build quality, warranty service and re-sale value. Three very important considerations when deciding to buy any vehicle. The Prado is streets ahead on all three.
Resale is mentioned under value for money section. Ford is in the news for their warranty problems, that would be a deterrent for buyers, a bit hard for a review to test though I guess.
Thanks Benn0, and you’re right. We’ve talked about including that sort of thing in reviews before but given we only drive the vehicle for a week, and all vehicles and drivers are different, it can be hard to cover beyond generic commentary. Thanks Isaac
Resale is just as much a product of what you pay for upfront relative to the rrp.
Too many pay over the top for prado inflating resale.
Good news is discounts on rrp give non toyota purchasers a leg up.
Just make sure you keep an eye on that d4d engine they have a nasty habbit of eating themselves.
Considering the Prado design dates back to 2009, Ford had ample time to make a far superior vehicle on all accounts, but only delivered one that was marginally better in most but not all aspects. In my opinion on that says a lot for Toyota.