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A number of you have asked, so here it is.
After eight months of ownership and 25,000km of predominantly touring travel, I thought I'd give you my experiences with a Landcruiser 200 Series, and how this vehicle compares with the Gen 3 and 4 Pajero. I don't have the time to add fine detail so its a generalisation in most cases, but you'll get the gist of it all. The 200 series is a diesel. And my experience is with the Gen 3 and 4 NW VRX 3.2lt, so consider this when reading my comments too.
Physical Size:
The Landcruiser is slightly longer, wider and taller than the Paj. But it weights 421kg more. It takes up more space in carparks and has car doors opened on it regularly. Being wider it also gains its off road pinstripes a lot earlier than a Paj. Internal space in the Landcruiser is cavernous by comparison, including rear passenger seats and cargo area.
Build Design and Quality:
There is quite a large different here. The Pajero is designed to be lightweight and compact, features which make it so nimble. The Landcruiser is a stronger vehicle and has a higher 4WD component bias if that makes sense. Everything is tucked out of harms way, and underbody components seem much heavier duty. Which makes it a much heavier vehicle too. Roof weight is 200kg according to the Toyota specs - not sure that I would ever test that capacity though!
GVM.
A standard 200 Series has a maximum payload of 610kg. A standard Pajero has a higher maximum payload of 711kg! So out of the box the Paj can carry a heavier load. However there are GVM upgrades available for the 200 Series, not for the Paj, and this is the deciding factor when looking at load capacity and tow capacity. There are also options to upgrade braked towing capacity, and to increase GVM to stupid levels from the original GVM of 3350kg to 4200kg! In my case my GVM upgrade to 3845kg gives me a payload of 1105kg, which is much more suitable for touring and medium weight towing. Increasing GVM reduces towing capacity though, as the GCM remains the same.
Drivability on road:
The 200 series vs Pajero experience in navy terms could be compared to an aircraft carrier versus a destroyer. The Paj is a suburb vehicle for manoeuvrability, acceleration and drivability. It is very nimble on road for a 4WD, drives like a car, and gives the driver plenty of feedback. It is understated, and more capable than most realise. On the other hand the Landcruiser is a big mass, and just lopes along in comfort without much fuss, and with little driver feedback. As touring vehicles both are exceptional units for drivability and will easily cover road touring distances in comfort.
Drivability off road:
I always found the Paj to be quietly confident and very underrated off road. It took me everywhere I wanted to go over 14 years of owning the Gen3/4 platform. The Landcruiser by comparison has much more ground clearance, and much more wheel travel. Its 4wd system is more advanced too, so its a more capable drive off road. This is really only a factor if traversing harder 4wd obstacles, but it does instil confidence. The crawl control function is just brilliant, and seems to negate the need for diff locks in most cases. Low range appears to be much lower geared than the Pajero, however I haven't checked the specs to confirm either way. I haven't touched the brakes in a steep descent yet, whereas I had to do this regularly in the Pajero.
NVH: Noise, Vibration & Harshness:
Due to their monocoque chassis configuration the Pajero is quite a noisy platform in comparison. The Landcruiser is a very quiet vehicle considering its bulk and aerodynamics. There is very little road noise or wind noise transmitted, although aftermarket modifications do change this slightly as they do with the Pajero.
Fuel Consumption:
This is not for the faint hearted. If you're worried about the cost of fuel on your wallet then the Landcruiser is not the best option. I've seen figures as low as 9.2/100, but around town is a consistent 13-14/100 with the modifications that I have. The Pajero is much more frugal on fuel when not towing. I think the economy tables turn when towing large vans, but only just.
Power and Torque:
Landcruiser standard - 200kw and 650nm. At total GVM of 3350kg that's a power to weight ratio of .059 kw/kg (Torque to weight ratio is .19 nm/kg)
Landcruiser GVM upgraded - 200kw and 650nm. At total GVM of 3845kg that's a power to weight ratio of .052 kw/kg (Torque to weight ratio is .17 nm/kg)
Pajero - 141kw and 441NM. At a total GVM of 3030 that's a power to weight ratio of .046 kw/kg (Torque to weight ratio is .15 nm/kg)
So the Landcruiser V8 motor is more powerful and has more torque per kg of weight, even after a GVM upgrade, than the Pajero. This is the real advantage for touring and towing, but it comes at a cost at the bowser unfortunately.
Reliability:
You can't fault the reliability of the Pajero drivetrain - it is bombproof. The Landcruiser drivetrain is also very reliable.....however the motor itself isn't as well designed as it could be for outback travel. The starter motor is in the valley of the V8 and is notorious for failing if not allowed to dry out after water crossings. The alternator is quite low in the engine bay and is also notorious for failing following water crossings and heavy mud work. And the standard air filter has some atrocious shortcomings that have caused premature engine failures! Each of these design features need to be well managed to ensure the motors longevity. Having said that, there are many 200 Series around with over 400,000km on the clock and still going strong.
So my final appraisal is:
The Landcruiser is a very comfortable vehicle for touring and towing.
If you find your Pajero is close to or over its GVM, whether towing or not, the 200 Series is a good alternative, but only with a GVM upgrade.
If you are towing 2500kg to 3000kg ish regularly then a 200 Series with a GVM upgrade is a good alternative. Above this towing weight and you really need to do your calculations on GVM, GCM and BTC to ensure that you make the correct decisions when setting this vehicle up. Either way they definitely have more options and greater flexibility for weight carrying and towing than the Pajero.
A 200 Series without a GVM upgrade is probably no advantage over a Pajero except for comfort.
A power module or remapped Pajero will come close to a standard 200 Series for power and torque.
If you love the sound and feel of a V8 the Landcruiser will put a smile on your face all day!
The Pajero is a much more frugal option.
If you spend a lot of time around the city and as a daily driver the Pajero is definitely the better option, whilst remaining a great touring vehicle.
Hope this helps anyone deciding to move from a Pajero to a Cruiser or vice versa. Ive probably missed a few things, so ask any questions that you like.
After eight months of ownership and 25,000km of predominantly touring travel, I thought I'd give you my experiences with a Landcruiser 200 Series, and how this vehicle compares with the Gen 3 and 4 Pajero. I don't have the time to add fine detail so its a generalisation in most cases, but you'll get the gist of it all. The 200 series is a diesel. And my experience is with the Gen 3 and 4 NW VRX 3.2lt, so consider this when reading my comments too.
Physical Size:
The Landcruiser is slightly longer, wider and taller than the Paj. But it weights 421kg more. It takes up more space in carparks and has car doors opened on it regularly. Being wider it also gains its off road pinstripes a lot earlier than a Paj. Internal space in the Landcruiser is cavernous by comparison, including rear passenger seats and cargo area.
Build Design and Quality:
There is quite a large different here. The Pajero is designed to be lightweight and compact, features which make it so nimble. The Landcruiser is a stronger vehicle and has a higher 4WD component bias if that makes sense. Everything is tucked out of harms way, and underbody components seem much heavier duty. Which makes it a much heavier vehicle too. Roof weight is 200kg according to the Toyota specs - not sure that I would ever test that capacity though!
GVM.
A standard 200 Series has a maximum payload of 610kg. A standard Pajero has a higher maximum payload of 711kg! So out of the box the Paj can carry a heavier load. However there are GVM upgrades available for the 200 Series, not for the Paj, and this is the deciding factor when looking at load capacity and tow capacity. There are also options to upgrade braked towing capacity, and to increase GVM to stupid levels from the original GVM of 3350kg to 4200kg! In my case my GVM upgrade to 3845kg gives me a payload of 1105kg, which is much more suitable for touring and medium weight towing. Increasing GVM reduces towing capacity though, as the GCM remains the same.
Drivability on road:
The 200 series vs Pajero experience in navy terms could be compared to an aircraft carrier versus a destroyer. The Paj is a suburb vehicle for manoeuvrability, acceleration and drivability. It is very nimble on road for a 4WD, drives like a car, and gives the driver plenty of feedback. It is understated, and more capable than most realise. On the other hand the Landcruiser is a big mass, and just lopes along in comfort without much fuss, and with little driver feedback. As touring vehicles both are exceptional units for drivability and will easily cover road touring distances in comfort.
Drivability off road:
I always found the Paj to be quietly confident and very underrated off road. It took me everywhere I wanted to go over 14 years of owning the Gen3/4 platform. The Landcruiser by comparison has much more ground clearance, and much more wheel travel. Its 4wd system is more advanced too, so its a more capable drive off road. This is really only a factor if traversing harder 4wd obstacles, but it does instil confidence. The crawl control function is just brilliant, and seems to negate the need for diff locks in most cases. Low range appears to be much lower geared than the Pajero, however I haven't checked the specs to confirm either way. I haven't touched the brakes in a steep descent yet, whereas I had to do this regularly in the Pajero.
NVH: Noise, Vibration & Harshness:
Due to their monocoque chassis configuration the Pajero is quite a noisy platform in comparison. The Landcruiser is a very quiet vehicle considering its bulk and aerodynamics. There is very little road noise or wind noise transmitted, although aftermarket modifications do change this slightly as they do with the Pajero.
Fuel Consumption:
This is not for the faint hearted. If you're worried about the cost of fuel on your wallet then the Landcruiser is not the best option. I've seen figures as low as 9.2/100, but around town is a consistent 13-14/100 with the modifications that I have. The Pajero is much more frugal on fuel when not towing. I think the economy tables turn when towing large vans, but only just.
Power and Torque:
Landcruiser standard - 200kw and 650nm. At total GVM of 3350kg that's a power to weight ratio of .059 kw/kg (Torque to weight ratio is .19 nm/kg)
Landcruiser GVM upgraded - 200kw and 650nm. At total GVM of 3845kg that's a power to weight ratio of .052 kw/kg (Torque to weight ratio is .17 nm/kg)
Pajero - 141kw and 441NM. At a total GVM of 3030 that's a power to weight ratio of .046 kw/kg (Torque to weight ratio is .15 nm/kg)
So the Landcruiser V8 motor is more powerful and has more torque per kg of weight, even after a GVM upgrade, than the Pajero. This is the real advantage for touring and towing, but it comes at a cost at the bowser unfortunately.
Reliability:
You can't fault the reliability of the Pajero drivetrain - it is bombproof. The Landcruiser drivetrain is also very reliable.....however the motor itself isn't as well designed as it could be for outback travel. The starter motor is in the valley of the V8 and is notorious for failing if not allowed to dry out after water crossings. The alternator is quite low in the engine bay and is also notorious for failing following water crossings and heavy mud work. And the standard air filter has some atrocious shortcomings that have caused premature engine failures! Each of these design features need to be well managed to ensure the motors longevity. Having said that, there are many 200 Series around with over 400,000km on the clock and still going strong.
So my final appraisal is:
The Landcruiser is a very comfortable vehicle for touring and towing.
If you find your Pajero is close to or over its GVM, whether towing or not, the 200 Series is a good alternative, but only with a GVM upgrade.
If you are towing 2500kg to 3000kg ish regularly then a 200 Series with a GVM upgrade is a good alternative. Above this towing weight and you really need to do your calculations on GVM, GCM and BTC to ensure that you make the correct decisions when setting this vehicle up. Either way they definitely have more options and greater flexibility for weight carrying and towing than the Pajero.
A 200 Series without a GVM upgrade is probably no advantage over a Pajero except for comfort.
A power module or remapped Pajero will come close to a standard 200 Series for power and torque.
If you love the sound and feel of a V8 the Landcruiser will put a smile on your face all day!
The Pajero is a much more frugal option.
If you spend a lot of time around the city and as a daily driver the Pajero is definitely the better option, whilst remaining a great touring vehicle.
Hope this helps anyone deciding to move from a Pajero to a Cruiser or vice versa. Ive probably missed a few things, so ask any questions that you like.
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