GariSpec Sell your car
Comparison

Mitsubishi Pajero vs Toyota Land Cruiser Prado: which should you buy?

Specs, prices, running costs and Kenyan-road suitability compared — Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DI-D vs Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8 D-4D (2020+).

The short answer

The Mitsubishi Pajero is cheaper to buy, and copes better with bumps and murram. The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is more powerful, stronger on hills and when loaded, cheaper to fuel and more reliable by our estimate, and has cheaper parts.

Side by side

Mitsubishi Pajero
Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DI-D		Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8 D-4D (2020+)
Typical priceKES 3M–5MKES 7M–10.5M
Power197 hp201 hp
Torque441 Nm500 Nm
Engine3.2L 4-cyl turbo diesel2.8L 4-cyl turbo diesel
Fuel economy10 km/L11.5 km/L
Fuel per month*KES 34,200KES 29,700
Ground clearance235 mm220 mm
Drivetrain4WD4WD
GearboxAutomaticAutomatic
Seats77
Parts costMediumLow
Reliability estimate4.3/54.9/5

*1,500 km a month at KES 226.96 per litre of petrol (EPRA Nairobi, 15 Oct – 14 Nov 2026); diesel KES 227.76/L. Typical factory figures for the most common version of each.

Choose the Pajero if…

  • Off-road and upcountry driving
  • Large families
  • Value compared to a Prado
  • Off-road capableLow-range 4WD and 235 mm of ground clearance for rough tracks, game drives and flooded roads.
  • Hill & load ready441 Nm of torque climbs Mai Mahiu with a full load without strain.
  • 7 seatsRoom for 7 — school runs, family trips and upcountry visits.
  • Parts easy to findMitsubishi spares are easy to find in Nairobi and major towns, and most mechanics know them.
  • Easy overtaking197 hp makes overtaking lorries on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway quick and safe.

Choose the Land Cruiser Prado if…

  • Upcountry, murram and safari driving
  • Large families (7 seats)
  • Resale value
  • Towing and heavy loads (diesel)
  • Off-road capableLow-range 4WD and 220 mm of ground clearance for rough tracks, game drives and flooded roads.
  • Hill & load ready500 Nm of torque climbs Mai Mahiu with a full load without strain.
  • 7 seatsRoom for 7 — school runs, family trips and upcountry visits.
  • Parts everywhereToyota spares are sold in every town and on Kirinyaga Road, and every mechanic knows them.
  • Easy overtaking201 hp makes overtaking lorries on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway quick and safe.

Frequently asked questions

Mitsubishi Pajero or Toyota Land Cruiser Prado — which is better?

The Mitsubishi Pajero is cheaper to buy, and copes better with bumps and murram. The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is more powerful, stronger on hills and when loaded, cheaper to fuel and more reliable by our estimate, and has cheaper parts. Choose the Pajero for: off-road and upcountry driving, large families, value compared to a Prado. Choose the Land Cruiser Prado for: upcountry, murram and safari driving, large families (7 seats), resale value.

Which is more fuel efficient, the Pajero or the Land Cruiser Prado?

The 3.2L 4-cyl turbo diesel Mitsubishi Pajero returns about 10 km/L (≈ KES 34,200/month for 1,500 km) and the 2.8L 4-cyl turbo diesel Toyota Land Cruiser Prado about 11.5 km/L (≈ KES 29,700/month), at KES 226.96 per litre of petrol (EPRA Nairobi, 15 Oct – 14 Nov 2026).

Which is better for Kenyan roads?

The Pajero has 235 mm of ground clearance (4WD); the Land Cruiser Prado has 220 mm (4WD). The Pajero copes better with tall bumps, potholes and murram.

Which is cheaper to buy and maintain?

Typical prices: Mitsubishi Pajero KES 3M–5M, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado KES 3.8M–10.5M. Parts: Pajero Medium cost — Parts available; fewer specialists than Toyota. Land Cruiser Prado Low cost — Parts are everywhere and mechanics know these engines well.

Keep comparing