Porl replied:

I have a 2000 petrol manual 3.4L Prado. If I only drive it around town, and use the accelerator liberally to pull away from traffic and have fun by keeping the tacho up in the 3,000 to 5,000 rev range, then i will get about 15L per 100Km and that is very normal. Likewise if i sit on the highway and sit on around 120Km/hr to 140Km.hr - (at these speeds the poor aerodynamics of 4WD's rudely affects fuel consumption. ) If I sit on 80 - 90 Km/Hr on the highway with no stops or starts and not very loaded up then I can get about 10.5L per 100Km. If I try and drive frugally in town and sitting on speed limits on the highway then I average about 12L -13.7L per 100Km. Also, roof racks can noticably increase fuel consumption as well as spirited driving. Also, autos always use more petrol because you don't get the choice to work the engine harder at lower revs to reduce fuel consumption.

The rate you have quoted is the normal top end for wagons such as pajeros and prados and jackeroos, though if you spend much time in high or low range spinning the wheels through sand and mud then expect for that period up around the 20L per 100Km mark.

This is why many people prefer diesels.

Hope that helps.

Peter replied:

I have just traded my 98 World Cup Prado which was the V6 petrol with auto transmission on a LandCruiser 100 series petrol. The fuel consumption you are getting is about normal (average). To improve fuel economy I recommend only using genuine Toyota air filters and keep them clean, clean and adjust spark plugs regularly, check tyre pressure regularly (I used to run 48psi (front) and 43psi (rear) without a load), do not fit a snorkel (unless you already have one), and I found a small improvement by using synthetic oil in the driveline (Castrol SAF/XA in the diffs and transfere case). With all of the above I could drive in a normal manner, meaning not having to sneak around everywhere or revving the ring out of the engine, and was returning around 12l/100km. Hope this helps.

Graham replied:

My 99 Petrol Prado returns 13.8l/100km on the highway sticking to the speed limit.
I have a 00 3.0l turbo diesel hilux work truck that returns a miserable 13.6l/100km tops, maybe someone has a comment whether this is par for the course.

Viki replied:

I have a Pathfinder Ti (99 model) and was pretty disappointed with its consumption. I'm preparing it for a 10 month trek next year so was willing to invest in ways to improve consumption. I've had a Hiclone installed and am pretty amazed at the results. Improved power, and consumption has gone from around 17l per 100k, to 10l per 100 on a recent highway trip, not towing and sitting on 100k or just under. Have yet to test it towing the camper trailer, but for $160, I reckon it's going to pay for itself many times over next year!! PS I'm not on commission:-)))))!!

Viki replied:

I have a Pathfinder Ti (99 model) and was pretty disappointed with its consumption. I'm preparing it for a 10 month trek next year so was willing to invest in ways to improve consumption. I've had a Hiclone installed and am pretty amazed at the results. Improved power, and consumption has gone from around 17l per 100k, to 10l per 100 on a recent highway trip, not towing and sitting on 100k or just under. Have yet to test it towing the camper trailer, but for $160, I reckon it's going to pay for itself many times over next year!! PS I'm not on commission:-)))))!!