diesel hilux sr5 Vs Prado

2 different vehicles, Family 4 x 4 vs Utility. The Prado will seat 5 adults more comfortably and be smoother over bumpy roads, the Hilux ride is very firm unless loaded in the back and the back seat will be firmer than the Prado. The Prado is the better family vehicle however the Hilux is the better utility. For 2 times a year travelling both will tow, you don't need the Hilux for extra storage if you are towing a caravan because you can stow stuff in the Van as well.

I have a 2008 TD Hilux Dualcab 4WD and prior to that had a 2005 TD Prado.

Hilux

Pros - heaps of stoage (have ARB canopy). Ride is fine, have 2 kids 12 & 13.
Interior is just like our old prado. We tow a 19ft dual axle van with no problems
It is more of a guys car. Heaps of room for grubby stuff like motocross clothes, fishing gear etc

Cons - not many. Ride is firm, power a little less than Prado. Car is very long and has poor visibility out the back.

Prado - you get full time 4wd. Much less storage. A bit softer ride. We'll probably get the GX spec as it pretty much ticks all the boxes.

We're going back to Prado for my next novated lease but will keep the hilux as my drive and wife will get prado.

Andrew

we've got a 2010 SR5 D4D with a canopy. just got back from 5000km trip to outback NSW and SA mostly dirt roads, towing a camper trailer and very happy with it. We've set it up for this purpose - suspension, drawers in back, chip for a bit more power, longrange tank. The only issue for you would be the seating in the back - might be a squeeze for 5 - no problem for 4 as much more space than the earlier models. It is fairly long with poor visibility at the back but we have a reverse camera.

For heaps more info on the hilux take a look at www.newhilux.net, membership is free and we found it a great source of info on modifications. If youre' interested, pictures of our vehicle are at http://www.newhilux.net/myshed.php?view=1&id=1606

No contest, the Prado wins hands down, we had a dual cab before we got the prado, everyone complained about the seating position in the back. The ride is hard the seats are too upright, the only good thing about the dual cab is the storage space in the back, but you pay the price with lack of comfort. we have had the prado for 2 years now and no complaints from anyone they all love the ride, we had an ARB roof rack installed, cargo space solved. The Prado has more power, we tow a Trak Shak camper and the prado tows it as if it wasnt there, and at the end of the day we all get out fresh as a daisy.

Horses for courses.

I had a prado, sold it got a dual cab, can't imagine getting another prado.

Don't tow anything.

Kids are small.

Kids loved (now deceased) the ute as the space in the high top was a cubbyhouse when camping.

Could go to drive in's and sit in the canopied tub, our own theatre.

Love the tub, throw in wet tents, wet chairs, rubbish, gravel, wood, no issue - would never have done that in the prado without a tarp and wondering about leakage and scuffs etc.

Have taken off the canopy and moved fridges, lounges, etc.

The underpowered diesel ute went everywhere the petrol prado got bogged cause of wheel spin. Though the prado went up hills a lot better.

Thanks everyone ...really good useful information .
i suppose it will come down to going for a test drive and putting the teenagers in the back .

Cheers margot