Fortuner 2016 vs Pajero Sport 2016: Drive, Review and Everything that Matters!!

Fortuner 2016

Priced at Rp442.000.000*, Toyota Fortuner 2016 boasts style and power like no other. Offered in 2.4 L Diesel and 2.7 L Petrol variant, the car has a power of 148 hp & 161 hp respectively. The 400 Nm torque provides a towing capacity of 3000 kg for automatic transmission while 2800 kg for manual transmission.

Interiors might look spacious but are narrower than usual. Second row seats fit 2 adults easily but it becomes a little squeezy for 3 individuals. There is ample legroom and headroom for all three rows. Air Conditioner vents are provided on all the 3 rows with glove box cooling as well. Each row also features a 12 V power supply which is a great attraction. Front seats have baggage hooks with 4 kg holding capacity.

Driving the all new Fortuner is efficient and smooth. For cities and highways, the drive is controllable and predictable. The car is quite reliable during cornering at high speeds all thanks to its superb Stability Control. Slip conditions are mostly avoided as the ECU has a quick response. Cruise Control works well but the gear decreases with gradient even if not required. For Manual transmission, torque is a bit sluggish as large accelerator pumping is required to accelerate the car when loaded. Steering is slick and shock absorbers are fine. Together they provide a manageable drive, not too great, but not bad either. Paddle Shifters are swift and clutch in manual is light which increases comfort. Another feature worth mentioning is the seats. Seats are quite cosy and even during very long drives do not cause any discomfort.

One thing where Toyota Fortuner stands out of its class is the off road performance. Rear differential lock and hill descent control provide an awesome assistance in rough terrains. Switchable 4WD is an asset worth cherishing. The 30 degree approach angle and 25 degree departure angle help in avoiding bigger obstacles. Even in water, the car performs well with 225 mm ground clearance. While electronics are fine, hydraulic steering is a small turn off. The steering becomes highly stiff on inclinations for very short period of times, nothing that might cause safety issues but still a little irritating. While large rocks and obstacles are adequately tackled, smaller bumps impact the comfort.

In all, Fortuner is cost effective and versatile option for customers.

Pajero Sport 2016

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2016 is the latest beast in the town. Launched on 29th January this year, the car has already made an impression with its styling among SUV enthusiasts. Pajero Sport price is kept Rp446.000.000* for the Indonesian market which makes it a tough competitor to Fortuner in the price range as well.

Only available in Diesel variant with engine capacity of 2477 cc & 2442 cc, the power pumped out is 134 hp and 179 hp respectively. 324 Nm torque for 2477 cc and 430 Nm for 2442 cc makes it a powerful option for load carrying.

Pajero comes with a wide range of accessories and options and therefore can be customized in several ways. The new version of the vehicle features a shorter gear lever and the manual handbrake is replaced by Electronic Parking Brake. The infotainment system now includes a HDMI port and voice recognition system as well. Looking at new updates, one can figure out the main focus of the manufacturer had been user comfort.

Both the cars offer sufficient space. Pajero has enough headroom to fit long men comfortably but shoulder room limits the occupancy to 2 adults in the second row. While in some countries 3^rd row seats aren’t available, Indonesia is blessed with 60:40 folding seats in the last row. Folding seats help increase the boot space to 1624 L which is far greater than 1080 L boot capacity of Fortuner with seats folded. AC vents on each row add to the comfort but no power outlet is provided on rows except the first one.

The drive is great with a seamless transmission. Gear shifting is easy and smooth for both manual transmission and paddle shifters. Pajero again features Hydraulic Power steering same as Fortuner. Drive experience on highways is smooth but shockers cause a little reverberation during bumps. With minimum turning radius in its class (5.6 m), the car can take steep turns, but cornering at high speeds causes a little imbalance with in the vehicle.

Shifting from 2WD to 4WD is as easy as ABC (Rhyme intended!). Control dial can be rotated according to power requirement. Turning up each notch activates different drive modes viz. 2WD, 4WD, Differential lock activation & Rear differential lock. There are also different modes for different terrains like gravel, sand & snow but can be only activated during four wheel drive. These modes change the stability control effect on the vehicle and also the accelerator sensitivity. The 218 mm ground clearance is lower than Fortuner and 30 degree departure and approach angle helps in off roading. The car though employed with enough features as Fortuner, do not match the performance of the Toyota SUV on rough terrains.

Verdict

The Fortuner vs Pajero Sport war has indulged a lot of attention. With new features incorporated in both the SUV’s, both flaunt new vigour to take the market. With electronic features like HSA, HDC, Traction and Stability Control handling the vehicles, both cars have a good grip on road and off road. But when comparing performances, Fortuner excels in off road drive with quicker controls and reactions. Pajero proves better in handling and cornering but lacks in comfort. Talking about styling, each individual has different opinion and depends on the buyer. So, depending on your use of vehicle, you can choose different car suiting you. Overall, we rate Fortuner better than Pajero in terms of Style, Comfort, Stability and Off Roading.