March 02, 2025 | By Your Top Car Review Expert –Chasing Cars

Picture this: it’s 5 a.m., the Aussie sun barely creeping over the horizon, and two 4×4 wagons are growling at the base of a dusty hill. On one side is the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado GXL, a rugged icon with rally-bred DNA. On the other hand, the Ford Everest Sport V6 is a family hauler with a punchy heart and a price tag that dares you to look twice. I’ve been poring over the Chasing Cars YouTube showdown—hosted by Tom Place and off-road guru Evan Spence—where these seven-seat beasts tackled everything from steep inclines to river rocks. Here’s the full story of how they stack up, from showroom floors to private-property playgrounds.

The Starting Line: Cash and Cylinders

The adventure begins with the numbers that hit your wallet. The Prado GXL rolls in at $87,000 drive-away, part of a range stretching from $72,000 to $100,000 (pre-tax) for the Kakadu. Under its hood? Toyota’s trusty 2.8L turbo-diesel four-cylinder—150 kW, 500 Nm—now juiced with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system (adding 8 kW and 65 Nm). No power bump from the old model, though, despite a 270 kg heftier frame. It’s permanent 4×4, paired with an 8-speed auto—a one-size-fits-all setup that’s been kicking around for years.

Then there’s the Everest Sport V6, clocking in at $88,200 on-road. It’s part of a broader lineup starting at $59,000 for the base 4×4 (or cheaper with 4×2) and topping out at $81,000 for the Platinum. Ford throws you a curveball with options: a 2.0L bi-turbo four-cylinder or the 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel we’re testing 184 kW, 600 Nm, and a buttery 10-speed auto. Nearly $20K cheaper at entry and a $5K edge over the Prado on these trims, it’s the budget-friendly bruiser with a grin-inducing engine sound. “Sweet as a nut,” Tom calls that V6. I’m inclined to agree.

Hitting the Road: Pavement Prowess

Cruising country lanes, the Everest feels like Ford Australia cracked the code for Aussie families. At 37°C, its ventilated leather seats and icy A/C are a godsend—sweat beads on Tom’s forehead, but he’s grinning. The V6’s 100 Nm torque advantage over the Prado pairs with a 10-speed gearbox that’s smooth off the line and never peaky despite a narrower torque band. Smaller by a few centimeters, it’s a breeze around town—think daycare doors swinging wide without a scrape. The coil-spring rear suspension takes lumps in stride, keeping you planted mid-corner. It’s not a workhorse; it’s a polished rig for school runs and weekend escapes.

The Prado counters with a different vibe. Built on the TNGA-F platform (shared with the 300 Series), it’s a beast on high-speed dirt—stable, consistent, thanks to permanent 4×4. But that 2.8L diesel? It’s a grumbly old soul. “Unrefined” is the polite word; the cabin’s insulation can’t quite hush it. Overtaking at 100 km/h, the hybrid’s low-speed kick fades, leaving Tom white-knuckling an overtake that runs out of grunt. At five hours behind the wheel, it’s a stark contrast to the Lexus GX’s plushness on the same chassis. Rugged charm, sure—but charm’s all it’s got here.

Off the Beaten Path: Dust and Determination

Time to get dirty. On a private property playground, Evan Spence throws both wagons at a steep hill and a rocky river crossing. The Prado’s low-range switch is a cinch—neutral, flick, done—and its transfer case shines: lock it in low without the center diff for trailer-reversing up slopes, no wind-up. On the hill, it stumbles without momentum—crawl control flops on slow—but a smooth roll with center diff locked? “Absolute piss cake,” Evan laughs. Downhill, the gearing’s spot-on; in the river, it slides off rocks but keeps chugging, unscathed. Traction control’s unreal, though a diff lock would’ve kept it straighter.

The Everest? A shock contender. In low-range normal mode, it claws up the hill first try—turns out the rear diff lock sneaks on automatically. “Too capable,” Evan mutters, rerunning it without the lock. Momentum’s key then, and it’s less graceful. The 10-speed shines downhill, but in the river, it scrapes more—lower clearance, less travel. The V6’s grunt and diff lock pull it through, though a bumper clip pops loose. “Not real damage,” Tom shrugs, but the Prado’s scratch-proof toughness speaks volumes. Off-road, Toyota’s still got the edge.

Inside the Cabins: Family Life Unpacked

Step inside the Everest, and it’s a modern family’s dream. A 12-inch touchscreen beams wireless Apple CarPlay; heated/cooled seats hug you (lumbar adjust included). The second row slides, though thigh support’s meh—6-foot Tom fits fine behind himself. Third row? It’s a kids-only, but ceiling vents and cupholders keep them happy. The boot’s 259L with all seats up, ~900L with the third row flush—baby seats fit, front seat nudged forward. A fake leather wheel’s the lone gripe.

The Prado’s cabin blends old-school grit with new-school kit. Chunky buttons, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a real leather wheel feel rewarding; heated/cooled fake-leather seats match the Everest’s comfort (no lumbar, though). The second row’s contoured, third row’s tight—tumbling seats ease entry, but Tom’s boots don’t fit under. The boot’s a letdown: 182L up, ~900L down, with a high floor (blame the 48-volt battery) and gaps galore. A split tailgate glass is the saving grace—nifty for quick loads.

Safety and Smarts: Lights and Limits

Safety-wise, both pack nine airbags. The Everest’s 2022 ANCAP test (lenient rules) nets 93% child protection and 86% adult—LED headlights dazzle at 5 a.m., Matrix LEDs on higher trims. The Prado, tested in 2024 (stricter rules), lags slightly; its dim LEDs disappoint—upgrades cost extra. Narrow mirrors irk Tom for towing, unlike the Everest’s wider set. Neither mid-tier trim has tire pressure monitoring—a baffling penny-pinch on $80K+ rigs.

Fuel and Hauling: Range vs. Rumble

The Prado’s 7.6L/100 km sipping stretches its 110L tank to ~1,500 km—tow 3,500 kg, but a 651 kg payload (110 kg less than its predecessor) cramps its style. The Everest’s 8.5L/100 km thirst (80L tank, ~1,000 km) is the V6 tax—same towing, better 703 kg payload. Both need GVM upgrades for serious hauls.

The Finish Line: A Tough Call

Back at base, dust settles. The Prado’s off-road mastery, epic range, and tank-like build are hard to fault—Evan and Tom would take it home for that alone. But its dim lights, noisy engine, and that godawful boot? Death by a thousand cuts. The Everest’s cheaper entry, V6 swagger, and family-friendly polish steal the show—90% of buyers won’t test its off-road limits anyway.

So, the Ford Everest Sport V6 wins—for now. It’s the all-rounder most will love. But if the outback’s your backyard, the Toyota Prado GXL still reigns. Your call—where’s your road taking you?