Toyota Fortuner vs Mitsubishi Montero Sport vs Ford Everest – SUVs Making the Future Rugged

MANILA: SUV segment is selling like hot cakes, and this rightly explains the reason why every automobile manufacturer is trying its hands over this money-maker car type. Not only the car makers but the Filipinos too are crazy over this segment that allows them to take long adventure trips with friends and family on concrete roads to dirt roads. Three carmakers; Ford, Toyota, and Mitsubishi, are gearing up for a full play in the fast emerging sports utility segment to add volumes and please the customers with their respective models featuring this segment.

Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuner, and Mitsubishi Montero Sport will compete against each other in the Philippines battle ground. Out of the three SUV's only Toyota Fortuner has been revealed in Thailand, while, the global debut of the other two is still awaited.

Overview on release date and place -

Toyota Fortuner: 17th July, Thailand

Ford Everest: Mid-Aug, Philippines

Mitsubishi Montero Sport: 1st Aug, Bangkok Big Motor Sale, Bangkok

Engine

All three automakers will now offer relatively smaller engines than the previous generation. With a promise that the new mill will offer more power and better fuel economy. Toyota Fortuner will be showcased in three distinct engine options, where else Ford Everest is expected to feature two different engines and the count reduces to one in case of Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

Toyota Fortuner

• 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV with 177 PS and 450 Nm
• 2.4-litre 2GD-FTV with 150 PS and 400 Nm
•  2.7-litre 2TR-FE with 160 PS and 240 Nm

Ford Everest

• 2.2-liter Duratorq TDCi with 160 PS and 385 Nm
• 3.2-liter Titanium with 200 PS and 470 Nm
• 2.0-liter EcoBoost (China market)

Mitsubishi Montero Sport

• 2.4-liter MIVEC turbo diesel engine with 181 PS and 430 Nm

In this category, Toyota is the only car maker to feature a gasoline powered 2.7-litre 2TR-FE engine. In terms of higher capacity engines, Ford Everest with its 3.2-litre power mill seems to empower the rest. Further, if the all new Montero Sport mirror the engine spec of the new Mitsubishi Triton pickup as expected then it will come out as a clear cut winner in this power race.

 Exterior Looks

All the three car makers are competing in the same segment, so it is deemed that a bold and aggressive look that is the trademark of the SUV segment will be featured in their work. But apart for that, each car will hold some distinct features that will add to its unique identity like-

Toyota Fortuner

• LED DRLs and Bi-Beam projector LED headlamps
• LED guiding lights in tail lamps

Ford Everest

• Signature LED daytime running lights
• Trapezoidal grille

Mitsubishi Montero Sport

• Dynamic Shield grille
• Vertical taillights
• LED Headlight with chrome trim
• Re-styled bumper

On the Exterior front, the all new Toyota Fortuner will attain the maximum attention with its tough looks that are wrapped around with elegance. It is a true combination of style and sportiness. The Ford Everest showcases a very masculine rugged look and will call for the adventure lover inside you. Showcased at the Big Motor Sales, Mitsubishi Montero looks like a big boy’s car, featuring some grave front fascia.

 

Interior comfort and Technologies

These car makers have left no stone unturned in order to grab a wider consumer base. Interiors have become one of the core focus areas for the consumers and before making any purchase decision, they go through each and every detail connected to car’s technology and comfort.

Toyota Fortuner

• Smart Key with Push Start/Stop Button
• Multi-Information Display
• Steering Wheel Mounted Paddle Shifters
• Automatic Climate Control
• Reverse Parking Sensors
• Downhill Assist Control
• Power Back Door

Ford Everest

• Ford Sync 2 Navigation
• Bluetooth
• “Torque on Demand” Active Transfer
• Coil Spring Suspension with Watt’s Linkage System.
• Terrain Management System
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert
• Ample Amount of Storage Space and Multiple Power Outputs
• Low Levels of Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH)

Mitsubishi Montero Sport

• Modified four-spoke steering wheel
• Redesigned instrument panel
• Eco-drive assist
• Climate control system
• Sound insulation
• Off-road mode and Hill Driver assist

A look at the interior specs reveals that Ford Everest is a better equipped car; it is integrated with all the essential features that increase its off-road and on-road capabilities. On the other hand, Toyota Fortuner focuses on making your ride more comfortable and offers you more ‘one press’ technologies.

Dimensions

Dimensions form a very important part of a car’s structure. Comfort and utility are the two factors that to a great extent are derived from vehicle’s proportions. Leg, head, shoulder space, plus the boot space, all depends on a car’s measurements.

Toyota Fortuner

• 4,795 mm long, 1,855 mm wide and 1,835 mm tall, and wheelbase 2750 mm
• 225 mm of Ground Clearance

Ford Everest

• 4,882 mm Long, 1862 mm Wide and 1863 mm Tall, and Wheelbase 2850 mm
• 225 mm of Ground Clearance
• Wade through water as deep as 800 mm

Mitsubishi Montero Sport

• 4,785 mm long, 1,815 mm wide, 1,805 mm tall, and wheelbase 2,800 mm
• 4,695 mm long, 1,815 mm wide, 1,840 mm tall (standard variant)
• 700 mm of wading depth

Here it seems Ford Everest have claimed the number one slot, in terms of comfort as it will provide the maximum leg and head space. But such big numbers are accompanied with a disadvantage, as they make a car less of a city driven vehicle.

Transmission and Drive

Toyota Fortuner

• 6-Speed Manual/6 Speed Automatic Transmission
• 4x4 – Part Time
• Ford Everest
• 6-Speed Manual/6 Speed Automatic Transmission
• 4x4 and 4x2

Mitsubishi Montero Sport

• 8 Speed Automatic Transmission
• 4X4 and 2x2  via Mitsubishi Super-select 4WD-II drive  system

Pricing

Out of all factors discussed above the one that will influence your decision the most is now being talked about and that is the price tag these super SUVs will carry.

• 2.2-liter 4x2 Ambiente MT - P1,339,000
• 2.2-liter 4x2 Ambiente AT - P1,399,000
• 2.2-liter 4x2 Trend AT - P1,539,000
• 2.2-liter 4x2 Titanium AT – P1,639,000
• 3.2-liter 4x4 Titanium AT – P1,899,000

Taking a hint from its Indian counterpart the 2016 Toyota Fortuner is expected to carry a price tag ranging from P1,568,155  to P1,781,995.

No Official information is available from Mitsubishi Motors (Philippines), but in the Thai Market Montero sport will carry three different price tags as per its variants.

• GT-Premium (4WD) – ThB 1,450,000
• GT (2WD) – ThB1, 250,000
• GT (2WD) – ThB 1,138,000

Conclusion

Each of the three are winners in distinct areas. On one hand where Toyota Fortuner is an on-road, good-looking car, with sedan like features. Ford Everest is a true adventure loving car, ready to go with you on high rough terrains. Lastly, Mitsubishi Montero Sport showcases some great power and speed.

 

We have served you with the in-depth detail of these latest SUV segment cars that are ready to make their way towards Philippines. But it is for you to decide which one of the three will reside in your garage.