Just returned from Down there. Turo was helpful in getting me a LC Prado in Melbourne for a week of trekking around southern Australia. This was not an off-road adventure. I was exploring the southern coast (looking for surf) and needed the room for all the goodies. The LC Prado did great, but there are differences.
First off, I was in a base model (I have a first edition). The Oz version was very similar to the 1958 configuration except it had a much larger screen and a right-hand drive. Everything else was the same. No sunroof, no oh-crap handle for entry, no leather, but everything was comfortable and very intuitive for a US owner. Base stereo (still good) and all the off-road options, including locking hubs, terrain selectors, etc. The main difference I noticed is the steering wheel didn’t automatically articulate out of the way when entering, making entry a bit tricky.
The BIG difference is the engine. Diesel v gas is worth mentioning. My range on pick-up was 960km, which is close to 600 miles in range. That was a holy-crap moment considering US gas version only get 300, tops. Driving the diesel is a bit different, as well. The pick-up is a bit less, but it has plenty of go to it. The diesel is louder, but only noticeable at low speeds. It is what you’d expect from a LC in Australia.
BTW, diesel ain’t cheap there. A 64 liter fill-up cost $184.63. That’s about a half a tank of diesel at $7.59 a gallon. There’s a 110 liter tank. That’s $317 to fill up an Australian whip, or about $220. Phew.
Anyway, I think the US version is better, sans the small gas tank. Diesel is great, but if we had a 25 or 30 gallon tank, the US version with gas would be the hands-down winner.
Attached a photo of a Kia Ute for fun. Damn thing looked like it’s never hit dirt, though.
First off, I was in a base model (I have a first edition). The Oz version was very similar to the 1958 configuration except it had a much larger screen and a right-hand drive. Everything else was the same. No sunroof, no oh-crap handle for entry, no leather, but everything was comfortable and very intuitive for a US owner. Base stereo (still good) and all the off-road options, including locking hubs, terrain selectors, etc. The main difference I noticed is the steering wheel didn’t automatically articulate out of the way when entering, making entry a bit tricky.
The BIG difference is the engine. Diesel v gas is worth mentioning. My range on pick-up was 960km, which is close to 600 miles in range. That was a holy-crap moment considering US gas version only get 300, tops. Driving the diesel is a bit different, as well. The pick-up is a bit less, but it has plenty of go to it. The diesel is louder, but only noticeable at low speeds. It is what you’d expect from a LC in Australia.
BTW, diesel ain’t cheap there. A 64 liter fill-up cost $184.63. That’s about a half a tank of diesel at $7.59 a gallon. There’s a 110 liter tank. That’s $317 to fill up an Australian whip, or about $220. Phew.
Anyway, I think the US version is better, sans the small gas tank. Diesel is great, but if we had a 25 or 30 gallon tank, the US version with gas would be the hands-down winner.
Attached a photo of a Kia Ute for fun. Damn thing looked like it’s never hit dirt, though.
