Diesel v petrol

Michael
Prado diesel is about the poorest 4WD diesel on the market, but the petrol is great.

Prados are a great vehicle, the large fuel tank can be really handy.
If you really want to see the advantages of diesel over petrol, look at a Land Rover Disco 3/4, Jeep or Pajero, where the diesels have 25-30% better fuel economy.
Pajero service interval is 15000km for either Petrol or diesel.
Also depends were you do most of your kms, if in the city diesel is a lot more expensive (due to petrol discounting), but in the bush there isn't much difference between the two fuels.

Here we go this is going to end up like a tyre thread but for me for long ranger travellling and towing a diesel blows the petrol away for reliability, econonomy and fuel dollars.
Really depends on what you are doing with your 4wd. If its off road, isolatation, the odd water crossings again why would you go Petrol???

Regards Will

Personally I would never buy another petrol car. But if you are looking at earlier model Jap cars then their diesels were the pits. Low power and torque, poor fuel economy and a short service cycle. Doesn't sound very inviting to me.

Hi Michael.From what I've read on forums the V6 petrol uses around 16 litres per 100kms not towing general day to day use. Diesel uses around 12 litres per 100kms. My choice is a dual fuel cruiser. average cents per km running gas and a bit of petrol is cheaper than diesel. I know when we head outback gas is not available, however overall in the life of owning the vehicle I think it's the cheaper way to go. Sure the cruiser can be thirsty, but I've read V6 cruisers towing use the same as a 4.5 litre engine... Happy travels.

Had three prados all up (currently have 05 GXL auto V6) 2, 90 series one petrol one diesel, both auto's both grande's running the same gear (arb winch bar, bigger wheels, lift etc) The V6 I have now would have to be one of the best 4wd's I've owned. (have had hilux, vitara's etc) The 4L V6 is very reliable, not that bad on fuel considering the weight and size. I average 11.4L/11.6L per 100 on the open road cruising loaded with air on and off and 3 on board. Around town about 15/16L per 100 and I don't baby it. The 1kz in the 90 and 120 in my opinion is a dog of an engine and I would never have another one. If finances can stretch it a D4D would be the way to go although they have some issues as well (I wouldn't have one) Toyota need to lift their game they are way behind compared to say mazda, ford ranger etc. I get better economy out of my 120 V6 then I ever did out of the previous two prados (not including cracked heads on the 90 1KZ's which is common including the hilux's) You can flick over to pradopoint.com and check out some fair dinkum fuel figures from any model prado. The 1kz is definitely better in manual for but if towing don't expect the 1kz to be better then a 4L V6, you will be disappointed. I use to get 12.2 towing my camper behind my 90 V6 3.4L and 17.2L per 100 round town. Water is hardly an issue these days with petrol, no distributor, etc the current V6 hving their own coil packs etc Ive had water up nudging the bonnet of my 90 never had an issue, even at that height I would run a blind anyway with a diesel. Drive both and go from there. Ive had nearly two t behind my current 120 only a few weeks ago and yes of course it new it was there but plenty of grunt. I didn't take into account fuel usage so cant comment but the guage didn't plummet like some petrols do. If I was touring/retired I would personally buy a pajero with the 3.2 DiD ripped of an engine and great economy even when towing but for the amount of times I two (maximum 4 weeks of the year) I love the petrol and suits me fine.......just my opinion........

I'd go turbo diesel for fuel economy unless money isn't an issue and you like spending time at the fuel bowser then go petrol and then after a while you'll probably start driving at 85kph because your shocked by how much petrol it drinks . See how the fuel figures stack up once you start towing espically when you get into some hilly country.

With the D4D they tested a petrol V6 Hilux vs the diesel, took both cars around Australia, they towed, did 4WD'ing etc etc, when it was all said and done the Diesel used around half the fuel of the petrol. By the way I was of the understanding you could run 10,000 service interals on the Prado Diesel?