I have a friend in the UAE who has the official contract for the Formula 1 racing boats, specifically for the Victory team. With his new found love for 4x4s, some 4 years ago he opened a pretty nice garage in Dubai specializing in super tuning 4x4s. His words to me only this last week only were that the UAE is LC country, but each and every day, some enthusiasts cannot help but be floored with the new Pajeros, not only in the desert, but also on the rocks of Hatta. . Especially the SWB versions.
I have never driven a newer Prado or Pajero off road, and I don't think a lot of other people have taken these vehicles hardcore off road in Pakistan either, but i have no qualms in stating the Prados are the safer buy, in Pakistan. But for everything that the Prados do well, I would still choose the newer Pajeros over the newer Prados. They have that certain "thing" going for them all of a sudden, just so sexy. And because I don't have the pocket to keep a Pajero or Prado as an offroad only vehicle, for everyday driving, with the exceptional weekends off the tarmac, I would choose a Pajero even though it might not be the sensible thing to do in Pakistan.
RKR