[Swim]

Talk of the town these days is the launch of the Toyota Fortuner, the SUV guise of Toyota's IMV program trio: Innova, Hilux and Fortuner. Here are some of the facts:

At P1.200,000, it's either the Sorento 4x4 2.5CrDi or the Fortuner 4x2 2.7vvti gas

At 1.500,000, it's the Sorento 4x4 3.5V6 gas or the Fortuner 4x4 3.0 D4D diesel

The fortuner is a fulltime 4WD w/ low range, has 265/70/16 tires, ABS, 4speed A/T and 7 seats. Like all IMVs it sits on a ladder frame and coils.

Check out comments from these car enthusiasts who have tested the fortuner. Overall they believe the Sorento is still the better vehicle, the better value and has a better ride.

They find the Fortuner's ride poor on uneven roads, unresponsive steering, slow-to-middling acceleration (both gas and diesel). They hadn't tested it offroad, although I expect it will do well there.

One did mention that the Fortuner (and Hilux's) 3-month wait will turn off prospective buyers "just like what happened to the Sorento diesel."

Join their forum at: http://tsikot.yehey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19360

 

[SorentoEX]

The Fortuner is bigger than the Sorento but sports drum brakes at rear. It's also got a ladder frame but the Sorento's 9 crossmembers is superior (some testers voiced concern over the Fortuner's rigidity offroad. And running boards for an offroader? Despite its overall girth, the fortuner's track width is not as wide as the Sorento's, and it is lighter than the Sorento's (yeah, most say it's a disadvantage, but all things equal, meaning same unsprung weight, doesn't it give the vehicle a better solid feel?).

Of course no 4 cylinder gas or diesel can beat a 3500V6 engine in terms of refinement and quiet ride.

So, the Fortuner (available in Asia, Africa and parts of Europe) or Sorento (Asia, USA, Canada, UK and the rest of Europe, Africa, Australia, etc.)?

 

[Menph]

Before purchasing the Sorento Diesel 2.5 CRDI, I did take a close look at the Sorento and Fortuner. Whereas one might think that the only advantage of the Sorento over the Fortuner is only the price, such is not the case.

The Sorento has the following more advantages:

1. All wheel disc brakes
2. Lower and wider profile, therefore lower center of gravity and better stability
3. Hydraulic lifters for the engine hood
4. Will use less fuel because it is part-time 4WD only
5. The smaller engine will use less fuel when idling especially in traffic
6. The 5-speed A/T results in a 14.3 sec. 0-100 kph acceleration
7. Only the rear tires need to be raised when towing the vehicle
8. A slightly tighter turning radius
9. The same engine torque

 

[SorentoEX]

There's a 12+ month wait for the Fortuner and that's turning prospective buyers off. Anyone intrested in the Fortuner should first try out the gas Sorento and feel and hear the marked advantage of a smooth and refined V6 engine.