replacement tow vehicle

Ray.

For what it is worth I would go with the Prado or the Pajero (diesels )

Keep in mind the Prado will have better resale than all the other bands and Generally over the long term will be more reliable .

Prado V Pajero?
As stated above Prados have superior resale value, but are dearer to buy.
So if you turn your vehicle over regularly and or do few kms, Prados are the go
Reliability, I don't think there's any difference, both great.

Prados are more refined to drive, quieter and smoother, vastly superior NVH, but I find they are like driving a lounge, wallow when cornering. I'll put up with noise for superior handling
Pajeros I've found have a superior engine (diesel) and gearbox 2012-2015
Pajeros suffer from rear tyre scrubbing when towing a heavy load unless you have a WDH
Most Pajeros have factory rear diff locker if that's important to you.
Prados have significantly greater touring range (fuel tank capacity), but more limited rear cargo room with their fold under seats and the higher cargo floor
Prados are genuine 8 seaters, Pajeros 7
Pajeros have longer warranties than Prados (irrelevant if you are buying a older / > 120000km vehicle)
Pajeros apparently have reached the end of the line, Mitsubishi announced they have no plans for a significantly new model, may affect resale value
Towing capacity, though Pajero claim higher, in practise I don't think in reality there's any difference when you consider GVM and what's sensible

Go for some test drives and work it out for yourself
All depends on what your requirements are, to some Prados tick more boxes than Pajeros, to others it's the reverse.
Discaimer: I've owned 3 Pajeros from new over 600 000km in past 14 years, considered Prados each time gone Pajeros due to my high kms driven = high vehicle depreciation, deafness (don't hear that road noise) and value in my set of circumtances

Ray, I read in one of the latest 4x4 magazines that Toyota is not continuing with the FJ. I think the best way to decide is to test drive both the Prado and Pajero it really depends what you want the vehicle to do if it is towing mainly on roads the Pajero is probably the more comfortable?

FJ Cruiser only has 2250kg towing.
Don't rule out a brand new Isuzu MU-X with genuine 3ton towing. Get a lot for the money.

Try the new Pajero Sport 3100kg tow capacity

Don't muck about if you have the money get a Dodge Ram 1500 4.2 tonne towing

just a quick question ,' what does the van weigh that will determine what you will ultimately buy my tip if the van is around two tonne the Pajero. Toyotas apart from the larger Toyotas don't tow well

Pathfinder 550 V6 diesel
Be a awesome tow car
really good economy too towing or not.

Well I am very grateful for the many responses to my question. My wife likes the Prado and I am leaning towards the pajero for the following considerations. It appears that within our budget, $45000, with the pajero you can get a younger veh and fewer klm than the prado and it appears to have the power to handle towing better. I am impressed with the fuel capacity of the Prado, however as mentioned by others a test drive will be in order. Many of the issues mentioned by various reviewers this newer veh will be replacing a 2006 D22 Navara duel cab, which had many modifications. Road noise and dated interior mentioned by various reviewers will not have as much impact as one would think. Once again thank you all for you various inputs it’s all very helpful and we will keep looking
regards

I tow a big 6m boat with my 2012 Ranger Wildtrak. Just a pleasure. Had to replace wifes Santa Fe with a new car . The new car had to be 4wd and be as good as my Ranger towing , price under $70000 and still drive like a car when not towing. In the end we got a new 2016 NX Pajero Exceed for $59990 to use when my Ranger is being used by the boys. Wife loves it .Best package around. Enjoy your problem to decide what is right for your needs.