AS SEEN IN OUR DIESEL WORLD MARCH 2026 ISSUE – Buy Now!

Behind the Wheel of a Land Cruiser Prado

Nestled deep in the heart of Virginia just south of Lynchburg off of Highway 501 sits Driver Motorsports. While it’s known for hunting down oddball imports and building some of the baddest JDM legend cars you can think of, the dealership is just the backdrop here. The real star of the show is the quirky little turbo diesel they pulled into the lot, a 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado that checks the rare box even before you turn the key.

Driver Motorsports labeled it DM2047, but the moment you walk up to it, you know this Toyota is not your average secondhand SUV. The right-hand-drive layout gets your attention first, then the third-row seating, then the original 90s spare tire cover hanging off the back like it never left Japan. It feels less like a used car purchase and more like you discovered someone’s well-kept secret. We’re not sure if “barn finds” are still a thing in the 21st century; however, this find might be the closest thing to one you’re going to find in the digital age.

This Prado is part of the J90 generation, built from 1996 to 2002. The United States never received these from the factory, which still baffles anyone who has driven one. Thanks to the 25-year import rule, though, the gates finally opened, and incredible little SUVs like this can legally land on American soil in 2025. They deliver a driving feel that is hard to compare to anything modern, mostly because their charm comes from details newer vehicles would never bother with.

The power plant in this 1998 example is the 1KZ-TE, Toyota’s 3.0-liter turbo diesel that became a staple across late-90s Land Cruisers and Hilux Surf models. It uses an electronically controlled injection pump, not common-rail, and was rated at roughly 130 horsepower and about 287 pound-feet of torque in Japanese market trim. Those figures sound mighty modest on paper, but in the J90 chassis they make perfect sense. The Prado feels willing without being stressed, sturdy without being slow, and well-balanced on the road.

The right-hand-drive layout throws people at first. You reach for the wrong door handle, you grab the column stalk thinking it is the turn signal and activate the wipers instead, and you misjudge where the lane marker sits. Give it ten minutes on the road, though, and that weirdness turns into amusement. The more time you spend in the driver’s seat, the more you appreciate how thorough the Japanese market is. The VIN tag, the navigation, the warning labels—everything is written in Japanese. On top of the dash sit a digital compass, a pitch and roll gauge, and a temperature readout that proudly sticks to Celsius. It feels like Toyota was having fun, not trying to impress anyone.

For a curious soul, the interior seals the deal. The dark gray fabric on the bolsters paired with lighter gray inserts triggers instant nostalgia. It looks like something from an early 2000s camping trip, and it suits the Prado perfectly. Wood grain trim winds around the cabin in a way that feels quietly confident rather than fancy. It is the kind of interior that becomes more charming the longer you sit with it, not less.

Turn the key, and the 3.0-liter wakes up with a low, friendly clatter. It reminds you of a compact utility tractor heading out for morning chores. Hit the high idle switch on the dash, and the engine smooths out into a steady hum that feels more refined than you expect. On the road, the Prado moves with purpose. It is not quick in the modern sense, but it never leaves you hanging. You plan a pass, you dip into the throttle, and the diesel digs in with enough confidence to make you grin. The suspension soaks up rough patches, the steering feels honest, and the whole vehicle settles into a rhythm that makes you forget it was never meant for American pavement.

People notice it too. Some stare because it’s right-hand-drive. Some are curious about the diesel clatter. Some just like seeing something different in a sea of crossovers. Whatever the reason, the Prado pulls attention without trying. It is a quiet standout, not a loud one, and taking it to your local gas station is sure to raise at least a few eyebrows.

These curious interactions are what make the J90 Prado so dang special, though. American diesel culture often leans toward big trucks that measure worth by towing charts and payload stickers. In a sea of solid axles and leaf springs, this little Toyota offers a different lesson. A diesel can be small, agile, and efficient and still deliver a driving experience worth talking about. DM2047 reminded us of that from the first time we turned the key until the last time we sadly had to turn the keys back to the Driver Motorsports team.

If you want a daily driver that breaks up the monotony and gives you a story every time someone asks about it, a Prado like this might be your answer. It became one of our favorite vehicles to pilot, and if you get the chance to drive one, you will understand exactly why.