[Neil Larkens]

Neil Larkens on 18th July 2018 at 10:57 am

Hi All

Looking to purchase a Toyota Prado to do some overland travels specifically in Botswana. What i would appreciate some advise on is whether a petrol or diesel version is better with regards to the availability of either petrol or diesel in cross border countries. And if diesel is the grade available suitable for the latest model Prado?

Many thanks

[Dirk]

Dirk on 18th July 2018 at 11:08 am

Toyota Prado I don’t know but the diesel cars are stronger and cheaper on long distance.

[Pandy]

Pandy on 18th July 2018 at 11:09 am

diesel

why a prado?

[Len]

Len on 18th July 2018 at 11:11 am

You getting the 3lt diesel or what?

Toyota Landcruiser far more suitable and reliable

[Dirk]

Dirk on 18th July 2018 at 11:12 am

Depending if the car is only used for travelling or also commuting?

[Len]

Len on 18th July 2018 at 11:15 am

Check out page 62 on sa4x4 August 2017

What modified parts You going to fit? Like fridge/ solar panels etc

[Pandy]

Pandy on 18th July 2018 at 11:21 am

prado’s are high on the high jack list

lank over priced

have you looked at a suzuki jimny/

that jimny kicks ass, very capable

[JAP]

JAP on 18th July 2018 at 3:23 pm

This was printed in this months SA4x4:

Off-road Test: Toyota Prado 3.0 D VX-L

[JAP]

JAP on 18th July 2018 at 3:56 pm

If you are looking at long distance go for diesel but saying that it depends what you want out of your drive. Petrol gives you better performance / higher consumption and diesel more torque / lower consumption.

Check if the prado comes with a fuel sedimentor.

[Dirk]

Dirk on 18th July 2018 at 4:02 pm

Usually Southern Africa will have both readily available. Perhaps the more central you go they have more petrol.

[Steve]

Steve on 31st July 2018 at 10:24 pm

Instant performance recommend petrol but for overland travel recommend diesel. Significant fuel saving over petrol.
Cross border diesel is more freely available than petrol. 2ndary diesel filter easily installed for extra piecenl of mind.

A Prado is a Land Cruiser albeit not a 70series however a heck lot more comfortable and still very capable. IMO a Jimny is very capable offroad but one would not use it for overland travel

[Blaise Samoy]

Blaise Samoy on 3rd March 2019 at 9:50 am

All the above answers are correct but nobody mentions that diesel is actually better for wading. Since you mentioned Botswana, you might do a few wading there.

So keep this parameter in mind, diesel is unbeatable for wading (as long as you have breathers and a snorkel).

[Steve]

Steve on 8th March 2019 at 10:39 am

Ah yes. Correct there,  diesels wade better as they have less electronics mainly because they lack an ignition system