cx 9 vs prado Page 4

Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Prado is apples vs coconuts: one’s a comfy road-warrior, the other’s built to clamber over Australia itself.

Mazda CX-9 pros: plush cabin, quiet ride, strong 2.5T performance (about 170 kW/420 Nm), better on-road dynamics, and usually cheaper to buy and run; cons: only 2,000 kg towing, no low-range, and ground clearance that says “school run,” not Simpson Desert.

Toyota Prado pros: ladder-frame toughness, low-range, proven 2.8‑diesel (about 150 kW/500 Nm), 3,000 kg towing, and long-distance touring cred; cons: heavier, thirstier in the real world, pricier servicing, and interior tech that sometimes feels pre-loved.

Both seat seven, both are reliable, and both hold value, but they live very different lives.

Choose by terrain and towing needs, not badge count—your spine and wallet will thank you.