When it comes to large, premium SUVs, two of the most popular and capable models on the market are the Toyota Prado J150 and the Land Rover Discovery 4.
Both offer impressive off-road performance, spacious interiors, and strong brand recognition. However, which one offers the best overall value for money?
In this article, WoK takes a closer look at the key factors that set these two SUVs apart, including pricing, performance and interior features, to help you determine which one is the better choice for your needs and budget.
Land Rover Discovery 4
Engine
The Land Rover Discovery 4 has a 3.0L V6 turbocharged diesel engine as one of the engine options.
This 3.0L V6 diesel engine had a displacement of 2,993cc, producing 180kW (240hp) of power at 4,000rpm and 600Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque at 2,000rpm.
It was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and had a fuel economy of 9.3L/100km (25.3 mpg) with CO2 emissions of 230g/km.
Suspension
This vehicle has a robust suspension system that includes front and rear air suspension struts or shocks, air springs for the front and rear suspension, an air suspension compressor, front and rear valve blocks and level sensors.
However, MotorTrend warns that over time, these suspension parts can wear out and need replacement.
Common issues include air suspension compressor failure, leaking air springs and worn bushings in the control arms and links.
Interior
The Land Rover Discovery 4 boasts an interior that combines luxury and practicality with features including premium materials, spacious seating and advanced technology.
The interior design is elegant, with a focus on comfort and convenience.
The seats are upholstered in high-quality leather, and the dashboard is adorned with polished aluminum highlights, giving it a premium look and feel.
The Discovery 4 also offers seven individual seats, providing ample room for passengers. The third row folds neatly under the floor when not in use, enhancing cargo space.
The seats are supportive and comfortable, with the leather being durable and suitable for families.
The vehicle is equipped with a range of advanced features, including a touchscreen infotainment system, voice commands, and paddle shifters.
Additionally, the interior includes various storage compartments and a 12-volt power outlet, making it convenient for daily use.
On-road performance
This vehicle offers excellent on-road performance and comfort.
Its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine provides ample power and torque, with near-instantaneous acceleration at any rev range.
Additionally, the eight-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth and responsive gear changes.
The Discovery 4’s electronic cross-linked air suspension, with automatic load levelling, provides an extremely comfortable ride both around town and on the highway.
The steering is a bit slow, but the Discovery 4 feels stable and composed at higher speeds.
Safety features are abundant, including electronic stability control, traction control and hill descent control.
Off-road performance
In terms of its off-road performance, the Discovery 4 can easily tackle steep, rocky terrain and deep mud without issue.
It has impressive off-road capabilities, with features like adjustable suspension, terrain response modes and sand launch control that allow it to conquer challenging conditions.
Reviewers noted that the Discovery 4 can crawl up steep inclines and over large obstacles with ease, even when driven slowly without using the low-range gears or other off-road aids.
The traction control and suspension systems allow it to maintain control and momentum in difficult off-road situations.
While the advanced electronics and traction aids can make the off-road experience feel a bit “easy” for experienced drivers, they also help prevent damage to the vehicle and the environment.
Toyota Prado J150
Engine
This vehicle is available with the 2.7L petrol and 2.8L diesel engines which are the most common options. The 3.0L diesel and 4.0L V6 petrol were also available in some markets.
The 2.8L diesel engine produced 150 kW (204 hp) of power and 400 Nm of torque. The 2.7L petrol engine produced 120 kW (160 hp) of power.
Both 5-seat and 7-seat configurations were offered for the Prado J150 across the different trim levels and engine options.
Suspensions
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J150 features an air suspension system that includes 2 Rear Air Spring Bags, 2 Rear Shock Absorbers, 2 Front Coil Over Struts, Height Sensors to monitor the air suspension and control the air compressornand a Solenoid Valve Block to distribute air throughout the system.
The air suspension system is designed to inflate or deflate based on the height sensors’ readings, ensuring optimal ride height and comfort.
The system also includes genuine parts like the rear pneumatic cylinder assembly and air suspension compressors available from various suppliers.
Interior
The Toyota Prado J150 has a functional and comfortable interior, though it is considered by some to be “dated” compared to more modern SUVs.
The interior features familiar Toyota design elements and is focused on practicality rather than luxury. The Prado J150 offers cloth or leather seating options, depending on the trim level.
The dashboard and infotainment system are simple and easy to use. Four-wheel drive controls are accessible via a knob, allowing for easy switching between drive modes.
The vehicle can seat up to 7 or 8 passengers, with a 40/20/40 split-folding second row for added flexibility.
The interior is designed to be durable and functional for both everyday use and off-road adventures, rather than aiming for a premium, high-end feel.
On-road performance
The Toyota Prado J150 is a capable and versatile SUV that performs well both on-road and off-road.
Its engine specifications provides adequate power and acceleration for on-road driving.
The Prado’s body-on-frame construction and advanced suspension system, including optional KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), provide good stability and handling characteristics on the road.
However, some owners have reported stability issues at high speeds due to the vehicle’s high center of gravity.
Fuel efficiency is reasonable, with the Prado achieving a combined fuel consumption of 7.9-11.2 L/100km in WLTC testing.
Real-world fuel economy for owners in Kenya is reported to be 7.9-10.9 L/100km.
Off-road performance
The Toyota Prado J150 is a capable off-road vehicle, though it can be prone to instability at high speeds on paved roads if driven aggressively.
The Prado has several features that make it well-suited for off-road use, including independent front suspension, which provides good maneuverability and a smooth ride over rough terrain.
It also has a rear-wheel bias when not in 4WD mode, which can lead to some oversteer that experienced drivers can manage.
Higher trim levels are available with the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which hydraulically adjusts the stabilizers to improve stability during cornering.
The Prado also has decent ground clearance and off-road capabilities, as demonstrated in real-world testing.
However, the Prado’s tall profile and high center of gravity mean it requires careful driving at high speeds on paved roads to avoid rollovers.
Land Rover Discovery 4 vs Toyota Prado J150, which is value for money?
Following an extensive review of the two vehicles, Erick Wokabi of Auto Konnekt Kenya went for the Land Rover Discovery 4 over the Toyota Prado J150.
In his review, Wokabi picked the former over a number of things including the interior spacing and the comfort of the driver and passengers.
“If you compare these interiors, the Land Rover Discovery 4 wins hands down, even in terms of spacing the Discovery 4 is a good car. You cannot compare the comfort in a Discovery 4 to a Prado,” he said.
He added, “The Discovery 4 will reign supreme because of what it has to offer versus the cost implication for buying it. If the Prado was cheaper compared to the Discovery 4 it would make some sense.”
Talking of value for money, Wokabi noted that the Prado will offer easy maintenance and reliability as it does not require a specialized technician to fix it.
When it comes to the Discovery 4, it offers a number of things including luxury, technological advancements and off-road performance among others.
“The Discovery 4 is not as unreliable as people perceiving it to be, in fact there are known to clock some very high mileages. The only setback with Discovery 4 will be, it needs a specialized technician to fix it you cannot be fixed by roadside mechanics,” he said.
In the end, Wokabi made it clear that the Land Rover Discovery 4 is the best option compared to the Toyota Prado J150.
