Land Cruiser For The Price Of A Tata Punch! » MotorOctane

The Tata Punch has been quite popular amongst Indians. In fact, it was the 2nd best-selling SUV in January. But what if you can get a Land Cruiser instead? Why buy a Tata Punch when you can have this iconic SUV for the same price?
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Land Cruiser On A Budget

We found this Land Cruiser Prado listing online.  This 2007 model is priced at Rs 9.8 lakh, which is equivalent to a mid- to top-spec Tata Punch. You will struggle to find pre-owned first-gen Fortuners for this price, but we have found this Land Cruiser Prado. Could this be a hidden gem of a find?

The Prado was sold in India as a CBU unit for a long time, until its discontinuation in 2025 due to BS6 norms. This unit has covered 1.3 lakh kilometres and is a single-owner vehicle, which is pretty low compared to some other used Toyota cars. And with Toyota’s seal of reliability, this deal couldn’t sound better. 

Also Read: Your Favourite Tata SUV Spotted With A New Design!

Looks And Features

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The Prado still looks as handsome as ever. If road presence is what you desire, you can never go wrong with a Prado. And in this beautiful champagne gold colour, it looks like the perfect mix of rugged and sophisticated. And like many modern SUVs, the Prado doesn’t need plastic body cladding to make it look rugged. The design is simple and contemporary, and has aged beautifully. 

You don’t buy Toyota SUVs for features. If features top your priority list, you are better off with a Tata Punch. With the Prado, you get luxuries like 6 airbags, a CD player, a digital clock, 7 leatherette seats, and automatic climate control. That’s it. 

Also Read: Government To Delay The Launch Of This Scorpio Rival? 

Powertrain

This is the Prado’s main selling point as the engine can last an eternity. It is likely to outlast many modern engines as well. The Prado is powered by a 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine, mated to a 5-speed AT gearbox. It also gets a 4WD drivetrain. The motor produces around 230 bhp and 360 Nm of torque. These are respectable numbers even today. 

However, Toyota’s 1GR-FE V6 is a gas-guzzler, and your fuel economy figures will rarely hit double digits. The money you might save on repairs will go straight into the fuel tank. 

Also Read: New Fortuner Rival Revealed!

Should You Buy It?

On paper, this deal sounds perfect. Reliable Toyota V6, Land Cruiser Prado badge, great looks and 4WD, what else could you want? It depends on who you ask, as many people truly cherish modern-day features. Moreover, when compared to the Punch, it can be a hassle to manoeuvre in city traffic. Plus, the fuel economy in city traffic is woeful. Also,o keep in mind that the engine may be reliable, but it still requires proper maintenance. The maintenance won’t be cheap as spares can be difficult to find. Not to mention the costs you would bear when you wish to change your tyres. 

This deal is perfect for those who want an ideal second car that can go anywhere. You don’t have to worry of it breaking down in the middle of the road, or while sitting in your garage. It is purposeful and meant to be taken anywhere the terrain takes you. Yes, you sacrifice on modern features and fuel efficiency, but it offers road presence, driving feel and off-road capabilities like no other. Modern-day compact SUVs can never match the driving experience of these old-school Toyota SUVs, no matter how many electronic gizmos they have. This is the perfect deal for petrol heads. Would you buy it over a modern day SUV like the Punch? Let us know your thoughts below. 

Also Read: India’s Best-Seller In Danger?