Land Cruiser Prado 120 vs Touareg I (7L): which is better?
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 (2002–2009) vs Volkswagen Touareg I (7L) (2002–2010): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120
Volkswagen Touareg I (7L)Specifications
| Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 | Volkswagen Touareg I (7L) | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2002–2009 | 2002–2010 |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 4.0 V6 | 3.6 V6 |
| Power, up to | 249 hp | 280 hp |
| Torque, up to | 380 Nm | 360 Nm |
| Gearbox | automatic | automatic |
| Drive | all-wheel drive | all-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 850 mm | 4 754 mm |
| Width | 1 875 mm | 1 928 mm |
| Height | 1 895 mm | 1 726 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 790 mm | 2 855 mm |
| Ground clearance | 215 mm | — |
| Fuel tank | 87 L | 100 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 71 875 ₸ | ≈ 69 075 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120
Pros
- Aisin A750 / AB60 / AC60 gearbox: very reliable
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- High ground clearance: 215 mm
- Large fuel tank: 87 L
Cons
- Engine Toyota 1GR-FE (4.0 V6): valve cover gasket leaks
- Aisin A750 / AB60 / AC60 gearbox: jolts when the valve body wears
Engine (Toyota 1GR-FE (4.0 V6)): valve cover gasket leaks; water pump leak; head gasket wear at very high mileage.
Gearbox (Aisin A750 / AB60 / AC60): very reliable; shocks when the valve body wears.
Volkswagen Touareg I (7L)
Pros
- Gearbox Aisin automatic: generally reliable
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Large fuel tank: 100 L
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Gearbox Aisin automatic: valve body wear at high mileage
Gearbox (Aisin automatic): generally reliable; at high mileage — valve body wear.
Which one to choose
- Land Cruiser Prado 120 — if you care more about: torque.
- Touareg I (7L) — if you care more about: power, wheelbase, fuel tank, kz tax 2026.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: Land Cruiser Prado 120 or Touareg I (7L)?
Land Cruiser Prado 120: up to 249 hp, Touareg I (7L): up to 280 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: Land Cruiser Prado 120 — about 71 875 ₸, Touareg I (7L) — about 69 075 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.