Review: Toyota 90-Series Landcruiser Prado (1996-02)

Review: Toyota 90-I Landcruiser Prado (1996-99)

Overview

Released in July 1996, the Toyota 90-Series Mk.I (90-I) LandCruiser Prado was a four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Japan, the 90-I LandCruiser Prado had a full-time four-wheel drive system and a two-speed transfer case. The range consisted of RV, RV6, GXL and VX Grande variants. Of these, the RV had five seats and was fitted with a 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (Toyota’s 3RZ-FE). All other variants had eight seats and were powered by a 3.4-litre V6 petrol engine (5VZ-FE).

3RZ-FE and 5VZ-FE engines

Of the engines,

• The 2.7-litre 3RZ-FE four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron block, an aluminium cylinder head, electronic fuel injection, forged steel connecting rods, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, shim over bucket tappets, twin balance shafts and a compression ratio of 9.5:1; and,
• The 3.4-litre 5VZ-FE V6 petrol engine had a non-interference design, a cast iron block, an aluminium cylinder head, sequential multi-port fuel injection, a forged steel crankshaft, cast connecting rods, double overhead camshafts per cylinder bank (belt-driven), four valves per cylinder, shim over bucket tappets, an oil cooler and a compression ratio of 9.6:1.

Transmission options consisted of five-speed manual and four-speed automatic units.

Dimensions

The 90-Series LandCruiser Prado had a ladder-frame chassis and was 4730 mm long, 1820 mm wide, 1880 mm tall and had a 2675 mm long wheelbase. All variants other than the RV were fitted with two fuel tanks with capacities of 90 litres (main tank) and 69 litres (auxiliary tank).

Suspension

The 90-Series LandCruiser Prado had double wishbone front suspension and a live rear axle with five links.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the 90-I Landcruiser Prado consisted of front seatbelt pretensioners. The VX Grande was fitted with dual front airbags and ABS as standard, though these features were only available as extra-cost options for the other variants.

Features: Prado RV, RV6, GXL and VX Grande

Standard features for the LandCruiser Prado RV included 16-inch steel wheels with 215/80 R16 tyres, a four speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, central locking, power mirrors, height adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser.

The LandCruiser Prado RV6 was fitted 265/70 R16 tyres, side steps and a third row of seats which could be separately folded against sides of the cargo area. Beyond this, the LandCruiser Prado GXL added a CD player, cruise control, remote central locking, power windows and power antenna.

The range-topping LandCruiser Prado VX Grande was distinguished by its 16-inch alloy wheels, six-disc CD changer and air conditioning. Visually, the VX Grande could be identified by its body-coloured bumpers and metallic paint finishes.

1998 LandCruiser Prado World Cup

In May 1998, limited-run World Cup variants were released. Based on the RV6, the World Cup variants were further equipped with alloy wheels, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift lever knob, power windows and floor mats. The World Cup variants were also fitted with headlamp covers, a spare wheel cover and chrome pack (i.e. chrome grille, mirrors and door handles).

1998 LandCruiser Prado Getaway

In October 1998, a limited-run Getaway variant was released. Based on the RV6, the Getaway was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, power windows and floor mats. The Getaway variants were also fitted with a ‘Getaway’ spare wheel cover, headlamp covers, rear dust deflector, ‘Getaway’ decals and chrome grille, mirrors and door handles. Of the 700 vehicles produced, 350 were finished in Crystal Silver Pearl Mica and the other 350 were finished in Dark Green Mica.

1999 LandCruiser Prado Snowy

In May 1999, a limited-run Snowy variant was released. Based on the GXL, the Snowy variant was further equipped with alloy wheels (as per the Grande) and floor mats. The GXL was also fitted with headlamp covers, a rear dust deflector, spare wheel cover, chrome pack (i.e. chrome grille, mirrors and door handles) and ‘Snowy’ decals.

Review: Toyota 90-II Landcruiser Prado (1999-02)

Overview

Released in August 1999, the Toyota 90-Series Mk.II (90-II) LandCruiser Prado was fitted with eight seats as standard and introduced 60/40 split and folding second row seats (with three head restraints) for easier access to the third row of seats and easier-to-use 4WD controls which enabled the centre differential lock to be engaged ‘on the fly’.

Visually, the 90-II LandCruiser Prado could be identified by its deeper front bumper with wider openings. Furthermore, V6 models were fitted with clear rear combination lamp lenses and the radiator grilles were used to provide greater differentiation between the variants (i.e. vertical black grilles for RV, RV6 and GXL variants and horizontal-bar chrome grilles for the others). Inside, the V6 and turbo-diesel models were fitted with a more legible three-dial instrument cluster (including an electronic odometer), new seat materials and upgraded door trims.

1KZ-TE engine

In March 2000, the range was expanded with the introduction of the 3.0-litre 1KZ-TE four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which had a cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, indirect electronic fuel injection, a single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 21.2:1, electronic throttle control and twin counter-rotating balance shafts.

From October 2000, this turbo-diesel engine was available with an automatic transmission.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment consisted of front seatbelt pretensioners; the 90-II LandCruiser Prado was also compliant with Australian Design Rule 69 on frontal occupant protection (effective from January 2000). The TX, VX and Grande variants were further equipped with dual front airbags and ABS.

From October 2000, turbo-diesel TX and Grande variants with automatic transmissions were fitted with electronic stability control and four-wheel-drive traction control (Toyota’s ‘VSC and ‘4WD-TRAC’, respectively).

Features: Prado RV, RV6, TX, VX and Grande

Standard features for the LandCruiser Prado RV included 16-inch steel wheels with 215/80 R16 tyres, four speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, 60/40 split and folding second row seats, central locking, power mirrors, a height adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser.

The LandCruiser Prado RV6 was further equipped with 265/70 R16 tyres and side steps. Beyond this, the GXL added a CD player, cruise control, front fog lights, remote central locking and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift.

The LandCruiser Prado TX and VX were further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with a six-disc CD changer, dual-zone air conditioning, power windows and woodgrain interior trim.

The range-topping LandCruiser Prado Grande was distinguished by its leather seats and power sunroof.

2000 LandCruiser Prado GXL Kimberley

In September 2000, a limited-run GXL Kimberly edition was released. Compared to the standard GXL, the Kimberley edition was solely available with the 3.4-litre V6 petrol engine and was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels and air conditioning. The Kimberley was also fitted with an acrylic spare wheel cover, a rear sunspoiler and ‘Kimberley’ decals.

2001 LandCruiser Prado 50^thAnniversary

In May 2001, a limited-run 50^thAnniversary variant was released. Based on the GXL, the 50th Anniversary variant was solely available with the 3.4-litre V6 petrol engine and was further equipped with 16-inch gloss-finish alloy wheels, dual-zone air conditioning, ‘Moquette’ seat trim, a height adjustable driver’s seat and floor mats. The 50th Anniversary variant was also fitted with colour-coded front and rear bumpers and side cladding, headlamp covers, a hard spare wheel cover, rear tinted acrylic sun guard, ’50th Anniversary’ badges and a chrome pack (chrome vertical radiator grille, door handles and rear view mirrors). The 50th Anniversary variant was available in Sterling Silver (metallic) and Canopy Green (mica) paint finishes.

2002 LandCruiser Prado Advantage Limited Edition

In May 2002, a limited-run Advantage Limited Edition variant was released. Based on the GXL and available with 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and 3.4-litre petrol engines, the Advantage Limited Edition was further equipped with ‘Kimberley’ alloy wheels, air conditioning, ‘Moquette’ seat trim and a height adjustable driver’s seat.

The Advantage Limited Edition was also fitted with a hard spare wheel cover, ‘Advantage’ decals and a chrome pack (chrome vertical radiator grille, door handles and rear view mirrors). Visually, the Advantage Limited Edition could be identified by its Blue Marlin (mica) paint finish with dark grey bumpers and side cladding.

Related links

• Press Release: Toyota 90-II Landcruiser Prado (August 1999)
• Press Kit: Toyota 90-II LandCruiser Prado with Turbo-diesel engine (March 2000)
• Press Release: Toyota 90-II Landcruiser Prado GXL Kimberley (August 2000)
• Press Kit: Toyota 90-II LandCruiser Prado and 100-I LandCruiser with Turbo-diesel engines (October 2000)
• Press Release: Toyota 90-II LandCruiser Prado 50th Anniversary (May 2001)
• Press Release: Toyota 90-II Landcruiser Prado Advantage Limited Edition (May 2002)
• Wikipedia.org: Toyota 90 Landcruiser Prado