Toyota Land Cruiser Prado vs Ford Everest: Which SUV Should Steal Your Heart (and Your Money)?

Ah, the age-old question: which SUV to choose when you need something that can handle both the school run and the occasional off-road adventure? Today, we're pitting two titans against each other: the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the Ford Everest. Now, before you get all excited about fancy specs, let's talk about real life. I see these cars all the time in my shop and on the roads around here. The Prado, you see, it’s often driven by families with a bit of cash to splash, maybe they have a small business, or they like to go camping on the weekends. They're not necessarily hitting the Dakar Rally, but they want something that feels solid and reliable. I saw one last week, a father trying to fit three car seats in the back, looked like a real struggle. The Everest, on the other hand, it's the kind of car I see with a lot of young families, maybe they've outgrown their smaller cars, or they want something a bit more rugged for their weekend trips to the mountains. I had a customer recently, she came in with a broken door handle on her Everest, she was clearly frustrated. So, let's get down to brass tacks, shall we?

Looks and Feels (Beyond Aesthetics)
Okay, let’s be honest, the Prado is a bit of a classic, isn’t it? It has that boxy, rugged look that screams “I can handle anything.” It's not the most beautiful thing on four wheels, but it has a certain presence. It's like a well-built Italian house – not fancy, but solid. The Everest? It tries to be a bit more stylish, a bit more modern. It has all those curves and lines, but it sometimes looks like it's trying too hard. It’s like a modern building with fancy glass walls, it looks good, but you know it will be a pain to keep clean. Personally, I prefer the Prado’s straightforward design, it’s honest. But let's talk about build quality. The Prado feels like it’s built to last. The panels are solid, the paint is thick, and the door handles feel like they could survive a nuclear war. The Everest, well, it's not bad, but you can see where they cut corners. The plastic bumpers feel a bit flimsy, and I've seen a few with paint issues. I’ve already had to replace a few door handles on the Everest, they are not built to last. It's like comparing a handmade Italian suit to something off the rack from a fast fashion store.

Inside Story (Practicality and Comfort)
Stepping inside the Prado, you get a sense of space and practicality. It's easy to get in and out, even for my older customers with mobility issues. The seats are comfortable, although I’ve heard some complain about them being a bit firm on long journeys. The visibility is excellent, you can see everything around you. The Everest, it's also spacious, but it feels a little more cramped, especially in the third row. Getting in and out of the third row is like performing acrobatics. I had a customer, a lady with three kids, she told me she couldn't get her youngest into the third row without a wrestling match. The seats are decent, but the infotainment screen is a pain. It looks fancy, but it’s slow and unresponsive, and I've had customers complain about it crashing all the time. The Prado’s infotainment is not the most beautiful, but it works well and it's reliable.

Under the Hood (Performance for Real People)
Now, let's talk about what’s under the hood. The Prado, it has a good, reliable engine, it's not a rocket, but it has enough power for most situations. It’s like a well-trained ox, it gets the job done. You can cruise on the highway at 130 km/h (80 mph) without any issue. Overtaking is not a problem, but you won't win any races. The Everest, it has a more modern engine, it feels a bit more powerful, but I've found that it sometimes feels like it’s struggling when the air conditioner is on, especially when fully loaded. Fuel economy? The Prado is not the most economical, I see an average of about 12 liters per 100 km (20 mpg) in real-world conditions. The Everest is a bit better, maybe 10.5 liters per 100 km (22 mpg) but not by much. I had a customer, he always complains about the fuel consumption of his Prado, but he also admits that it takes him anywhere he needs to go with no issues. I have another one with an Everest, he loves the fuel consumption, but he’s always complaining about the engine not being powerful enough on the highway with the air conditioner on.

Bells and Whistles (Useful Tech, Not Just Gimmicks)
The Prado keeps it simple. It has the basic tech you need, like a decent infotainment system, a reversing camera, and cruise control. It’s not flashy, but it works. The Everest tries to impress with its fancy tech, but it's not always reliable. I've seen the infotainment system freeze up, the lane departure warning is annoying, and the parking sensors sometimes give false alarms. My customers complain about it all the time. I prefer the Prado’s approach: simple, reliable, and functional. Sometimes, simpler is better.

The Wallet Question (Long-Term Value)
Here’s where it gets interesting. The Prado is more expensive to buy, there’s no doubt about it. But, and this is a big but, it holds its value like a gold bar. I've seen Prados with 10 years and 200,000 km (125,000 miles) on the clock still selling for good money. They are reliable and people know it. The Everest depreciates faster. It's cheaper to buy, but you lose more money when you sell it. Insurance costs are similar, but the Prado tends to be slightly more expensive to maintain. But that’s because it’s usually driven more. Running costs for both are similar, but the Prado’s long-term reliability means fewer unexpected repair bills. The Prado is for the kind of person who wants a car that will last, and that will keep its value. The Everest is for the kind of person who wants a new car every few years.

Pros and Cons - Plain Speaking (For Real People)
Let's break it down, shall we?
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Pros:
- Excellent build quality and reliability.
- Holds its value well.
- Spacious and practical interior.
- Simple and functional tech.
- Great off-road capability, if that’s your thing.
Cons:
- More expensive to buy.
- Not the most fuel efficient.
- Basic interior design.

Ford Everest

Pros:
- More affordable to buy.
- More modern engine and tech.
- Slightly better fuel economy.
Cons:
- Build quality is not as good as the Prado.
- Depreciates faster.
- Infotainment system can be unreliable.
- Third row is cramped.

So, who is each car for? The Prado is for the kind of person who wants a reliable, long-lasting car that will handle anything you throw at it. The Everest is for the kind of person who wants a modern SUV at a lower price, but is willing to compromise on long-term reliability and build quality.

Maintenance – Real Talk (Your Expertise Shines)
Now, let's talk about the stuff that really matters: maintenance. The Prado is generally very reliable. I see them for regular servicing, oil changes, tire rotations, that kind of thing. I've seen a few with suspension issues, and the occasional worn out brakes. But that’s to be expected. The Everest? I see them more often for problems. I've had to replace a few door handles, the infotainment system tends to crash, and I’ve seen a few with engine issues. I had a customer with an Everest, he had to replace the entire infotainment system after only 3 years. The cost of repairs for both is similar, but the Everest tends to have more expensive issues. The Prado is like a well-oiled machine, it just keeps going. The Everest is like a high-maintenance girlfriend, it looks good, but it’s always causing trouble. And don’t even get me started on how they handle the winter weather. The salty roads here in Europe are brutal, and the Prado’s chassis handles it much better than the Everest. I’ve seen too many Everests with rust issues, especially on the undercarriage. I also had a customer with a Prado, he bought it second hand, and he was surprised to see that it was in perfect condition, despite being 10 years old. I’ve never seen that with an Everest.

Europe’s Opinion (Local Relevance)
Here in Europe, the Prado is still a fairly popular car, especially for those who need a reliable off-roader. You see them in the Alps, or in the countryside. The Everest is not as popular, it’s more of a niche car. It’s more common to see them in the cities. I don’t have the exact sales numbers, but based on what I see in my shop and on the road, the Prado is more popular overall, especially with older people who know what they want: a good, reliable car. The Everest is more popular with younger families who want a bigger car, but haven’t got enough money for a Prado. Overall, the Prado is like a classic Italian suit: it’s expensive, but it’s worth it. The Everest is like a cheap suit from a big chain store: it looks good, but it won’t last.

The Mechanic's Take (Unfiltered Opinion)
Alright, let’s get down to it. I've seen enough of these cars to know what’s what. The Prado, it's a reliable workhorse, I'll give it that. But it's also expensive, and it’s not the most exciting car to drive. I’ve seen a few with worn out suspensions, and some with electrical issues, but generally, they are pretty solid. The Everest, on the other hand, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. I’ve had to replace several door handles, the infotainment system is a nightmare, and I’ve seen a few with engine problems. I even had one that came in with a broken turbo after only 50,000 km (31,000 miles). It's like they tried to make it too fancy, and they forgot about the basics. I had a customer who bought an Everest because it looked so cool, he came back 6 months later, complaining about the car. He ended up selling it and buying a used Prado. So, here’s my recommendation: if you have the money and you want a car that will last, get the Prado. It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid, reliable car. If you are on a budget, the Everest is an option, but be prepared for some headaches. Don't come crying to me when the infotainment system breaks down or the engine starts making funny noises. You’ve been warned. And remember, a car is a big investment. Don’t be fooled by the marketing hype. Choose the one that’s right for you, not the one that looks good in a magazine. And if you are still not sure, come visit me in my shop, I’ll have a look at both, and we can talk about it. I'll be honest with you, even if you don't want to hear the truth. That’s what I’m here for. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a gearbox to fix. Ciao!