Very interesting to read the new April "Overlander" magazine. Have a good look at the different editorial attitudes evident in the articles about the new Prado, and the new Sorento and Renegade.
Fuel consumption
Prado: 14.69 l/100 km (4 litre engine), nothing said.
Sorento: 14.2 l/100 km, "...engine to be thirsty..." (related to the similarly powered Terracan)
Renegade: "...reasonable on fuel...mid 15 litre/100 km range.
Make up your mind, guys!!! (Sorento wins)
Wheel articulation:
Prado: "...increased to deliver better off road performance..." (not good enough before???) 17" wheels/tyres. Better approach angle than Sorento.
Sorento: "...is restricted by the limited wheel travel at the front end...live rear axle offers adequate articulation..." 16" wheels/tyres. Better ramp-over angle than Prado
Renegade: "...long travel rear
suspension...a competent off-roader...low ride height and limited ground clearance restrict the vehicles ability...."
Would the Sorento equal or better the Prado's approach angle with aftermarket 17" wheels/tyres? No mention of Renegades angles. How about a RTI 20 degree
test to get a bit of objectivity, Mr."Overlander"? It doesn't take that long to run a vehicle up a ramp, does it?
Engine power:
Prado: 2.7 litre 112kW/4800, 240Nm/4000; 4 litre 179kW/5200, 343(376)Nm/2400(3800).
Sorento: 3.0 litre 145kW/5500, 295Nm/3000
Renegade: 3.7 litre 155kW/5200, 312Nm/3800
Sorento almost matches an engine (Renegade) 23% larger than its engine. Prado 2.7 litre very narrow power band (800 rpm)
Cost
Prado: $38990 (2.7, man), $45990 (4.0, auto), $71990 (4.0, auto) as tested.
Sorento: $37950 (3.0. auto)
Jeep Renegade $48290 (3.7, auto), Sport $45190 (3.7, auto)
...Plus options of course
Page spread:
Prado: 24 paragraph + 6 paragraph side bar, specification page and diagram, 15 exterior photos, 1 interior photo, 3 engine photos, all spread over 8 pages.
Sorento: 11 paragraphs, 7 exterior photos, 1 interior photo, 1 engine photo, limited specs information in text, spread over 5 pages.
Renegade: 7 paragraphs, 4 exterior photos, 2 miscelaneous photos, spread over three pages.
This was for three recently released, similarly sized vehicles
Yes, Mr "Overlander" we can see who buys your lunches.....
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE VEHICLES MENTIONED. I am just truely SICK of the biased and inconsistant drival this magazine publishes.
Time for some editorial headkicking. I have sent an email similar to this to Overlander and eagerly await their response.