The dilemma
Ian and his wife want to get out and explore the country with a caravan, which means their Mazda 6 needs to make way for something more suitable. Their new ride needs to be comfortable, dependable, able to tow 2000kg and be up for a bit of mild off-road work when unhitched. They know a Toyota Prado would do the job but the ones in their budget range are getting on; would they be better with the near-new Mitsubishi Pajero Sports they're seeing for similar money?
The budget
Up to $40,000
The shortlist
The Prado's almost generic status as the right kind of car for this kind of task is well-deserved but, as Ian has found, it's not a model of affordability.
That's not a problem for the Pajero Sport, which offers much more enticing possibilities in the $40k domain and, at face value, seems more than able to fill in for the Toyota in this role.
Certainly it has more to offer than ute-cum-wagon rivals such as Ford's Everest and Toyota's Fortuner, both of which might be tough to pin down at this budget. And Holden's Trailblazer, which lacks some of its crucial points of difference.
There is, though, one other Prado alternative that isn't so easy to dismiss.
2013-on Isuzu MU-X 4x4, from $29,100*
This Isuzu has a 3000kg maximum towing capacity, considerable off-road abilities and isn't fazed by rough roads.
Its value lines up sweetly with a $40k spend. At one end of the spectrum you could have a 2016 base LS-M demo with next to zero kays; at the other, a 2015 LS-T range-topper with 30,000km-odd.
In either case, you'll be tapping into the balance of Isuzu's five-year/130,00km warranty.
But vague steering and mushy, ponderous handling mean the MU-X isn't the most car-like of its breed to drive. Its 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine is flexible and economical but not a driveability or refinement benchmark.
Its cabin, while comfortable, functional and robust, has a cheap, dated feel. Isuzu's fixed-price servicing regime isn't a leader for coverage (three years/60,000km) or intervals (six-monthly/10,000km).
Read Drive's Isuzu MU-X reviews:
Road test: Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4x4
2015-on Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, from $33,200*
This Mitsubishi edges the Isuzu for towing capacity (3100kg), goes close for warranty (five years/100,000km), offers similar off-road potential and has the superior fixed-price servicing regime (four years/60,000km, yearly/15,000km intervals).
It has a more contemporary, comfortable cabin and its 2.4-litre turbodiesel drivetrain is more responsive and refined. It's less compromised in how it steers, rides and handles.
But the best-value case for a base-level GLX isn't quite as good as a comparable MU-X in the $40k realm (2015, sub-20,000km) and range-topping Exceeds are thin on the ground.
Its diesel drivetrain isn't as effortless in heavily loaded scenarios as bigger engined rivals and its driving credentials aren't so good they trouble Ford's benchmark Everest.
Read Drive's Mitsubishi Pajero Sport reviews:
Road test: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed
2010-on Toyota LandCruiser Prado, from $26,400*
This Toyota's serene rough-road ride, serious off-road ability, dependability and vast dealer network to call on are big assets in this context, as is the mammoth touring range offered by its 150-litre fuel tank.
Its cabin is roomy, functional and its 2500kg maximum towing capacity is more than sufficient here.
High prices and strong Toyota resale, however, mean a 2012 middle-tier GXL with 70,000km-odd is a good $40k outcome, so no access to Toyota's three-year warranty or fixed-price servicing regime.
It's not the sharpest driving 4WD wagon or - with post-2015 update models and their much improved 2.8-litre turbodiesel engines out of reach - a benchmark for performance, economy or refinement. Like the Isuzu, servicing is required every six months/10,000km.
Read Drive's Toyota LandCruiser Prado reviews:
Road test: Toyota LandCruiser Prado GXL
Road test: Toyota LandCruiser Prado Kakadu diesel
Drive recommends
The Mitsubishi scores more points across more fields than the Isuzu and Toyota without ceding much to either in any truly serious way. In a mixed everyday/travelling scenario, it wins by several lengths.
Switch to extended back-of-Bourke work, however, and there is room for the others to get a look in, if only because the Pajero Sport's reputation for soaking up prolonged punishment isn't so established.
The Prado remains the standout for the truly hard-core traveller and its enviable dependability balances the age of examples in this price range.
If you simply aren't prepared to live without new-vehicle benefits and can rationalise the odd rough edge, the Isuzu's rock-solid fundamentals and value make it a great substitute.
* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.
10 Comments
mjt57 | 2017-01-03 01:15:54
Hi. How about a Jeep Grand Cherokee. 2014 diesel models can be had for around $40k. And they have 3.5t towing capacity (and they do it well) as well as being a comfortable car to drive.
Grey nomad | 2017-01-03 01:27:52
If you are thinking of caravanning, then from experience go for the PRADO. Why? My number one reason is because when you get way out in the backblocks of the Northern Territory and Western Australia the large factory fitted fuel tanks (150litres), gives piece of mind when travelling. I've travelled through Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and the Heartbreak Hotel areas (to name some), to find there is no fuel, both petrol and diesel, for several days. These are not total out of the way places but highway locations, so with adequate fuel still in the Prado's tanks we could travel to the next town, some vehicles with lesser sized tanks could not. I've owned a 90 series Prado and my current auto 120 series Prado are solid as a rock vehicles, with the 120 series now up to 287,000 kms with trips from NSW to the Margaret River, Broome WA., Kakadu, Darwin, Litchfield NT., Lawn Hill National Park, Cooktown, QLD., and many others places. In conclusion if you want a very reliable, good tow vehicle, great fuel range when towing, good power and good fuel economy when towing a 2.5 tonne caravan, get a Prado!
ibstltr | 2017-01-03 03:19:36
Late model Territory. Parts are easy to get practically anywhere, straight 6 torque or the diesel option. The requirements for comfortable and dependable knock out the Prado and Jeep respectively.
ausGeoff | 2017-01-03 05:36:21
Economical solution for two people? A $10K mid-2000s Ford XR8 ute with 150K on the clock, a tub canopy, and a 2,300kg Hayman Reese tow pack. Plenty of power and torque, sedan-like comfort, plus any bush mechanic can fix it with gazillions of common spare parts available in any two-horse town. These XR8 engines are good for 800,000 kilometres, and a ute with canopy will give you more practical storage space than any Toorak tractor or pretend 4WD. And if you think you do need a 4WD to tackle a particular track, then you shouldn't be towing a caravan there anyway; it's a recipe for disaster. The XR8 also leaves the Territory, Prado, and Jeep in its dust as far as engine power goes, and has loads of low-down grunt. All for a sub-$15K vehicle.
BackRoadBanger | 2017-01-03 07:07:22
re: 'Certainly it has more to offer than ute-cum-wagon rivals such as Ford's Everest and Toyota's Fortuner', note that the Pajero sport is also ute-based, being based on the Mitsubishi Triton.
The truth | 2017-01-03 08:26:14
For the service anywhere factor an range in km available, it simply has to be the Prado. Towing limitations aside, probably the best choice of the vehicles presented.
The truth | 2017-01-03 08:26:16
For the service anywhere factor an range in km available, it simply has to be the Prado. Towing limitations aside, probably the best choice of the vehicles presented.
Sidney Mincing | 2017-01-03 09:18:57
I've been towing our caravan around for the last six years with my V8 Explorer, and at 242,000km, I've spent nothing, apart from the cost of regularly servicing it, except for two rubber boots for the steering rack, so in my view there's nothing with a petrol engine that can better it.
Sidney Mincing | 2017-01-03 09:24:16
@ ausGeoff. my play vehicle is BA XR8 ute with canopy and whilst I'll agree with you for torque/power, it's a greedy bitch for towing, and unless you're carrying at least half a ton in the tub, its as useless as a rope cue on anything other than a firm track
Randomcliche | 2017-01-03 15:26:46
BMW X5 (X DRIVE 30D) circa 2009/10 for 30 to 40k, 6 cylinder turbo diesel, 2.7t tow rated, plenty of tourque 500nm, not too thirsty under load (Mr XR6) and a beautiful drive...Enjoy.