IS PETROL OR DIESEL BETTER TOYOTA Land Cruiser Prado 90 (J90) (04.1995 - ...)

For your 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser in the UK, choosing between petrol and diesel depends largely on your priorities regarding fuel efficiency, maintenance, and typical usage.

Diesel Pros and Cons
- Fuel Efficiency: Diesel engines generally offer better fuel economy than petrol, especially on longer drives and when carrying heavy loads. For example, 4.2L diesel Land Cruisers typically achieve better mileage (around 6-8 km/l or 12.5-16.6 l/100 km) compared to petrol variants, which tend to consume more fuel (5-7 km/l or 14-20 l/100 km).
- Torque and Off-Road Capability: Diesel engines provide more low-end torque, beneficial for towing and off-road driving.
- Maintenance: Diesel engines can be more robust but may require more expensive maintenance, such as fuel injector servicing and dealing with potential issues like clogged diesel particulate filters (DPFs) if used mainly for short trips.
- Fuel Quality: Diesel quality in the UK is generally good, but poor diesel can cause problems. However, diesel engines are typically more tolerant of lower-quality fuel than petrol engines.

Petrol Pros and Cons
- Maintenance and Repairs: Petrol engines tend to be simpler and cheaper to maintain. Parts are often more readily available, and repairs can be less costly.
- Fuel Economy: Petrol engines are less fuel-efficient, especially in heavy vehicles like the Land Cruiser, and fuel costs in the UK can make this more expensive over time.
- Driving Style: Petrol engines are smoother and quieter, which some drivers prefer for daily commuting.
- Practicality: Petrol models may be easier to start in cold weather and are less prone to issues like DPF clogging.

Additional Considerations
- The 1998 Land Cruiser came with a 4.7L V8 petrol engine in some markets, offering good power but lower fuel economy (around 14-16 mpg or 14/16 city/highway mpg in US terms).
- Diesel variants like the 1HD-FTE 4.2L turbo-diesel were available in the UK and Europe and are known for durability and better fuel economy.
- If your commute is mostly urban or short-distance, petrol might be more practical to avoid diesel-related issues like DPF clogging.
- For longer commutes or frequent towing/off-road use, diesel is generally better for fuel economy and torque.

Choose Diesel if you prioritize fuel efficiency, torque for towing/off-road, and mostly do longer trips.

Choose Petrol if you prefer lower maintenance costs, smoother operation, and mostly city or short-distance driving.

Given UK driving conditions and fuel prices, diesel Land Cruisers tend to be more economical for regular use, but petrol models can be simpler and cheaper to maintain if fuel economy is less critical.