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Am opening a new thread as Iron Rock’s thread on which I piled on has evolved nicely about his ownership. My test drive plans kicked off with the Pajero (a 20,000km vehicle) and the Fortuner (40,000km vehicle), both 4x4 MT.
I am giving lower weightage to other attributes like comfort/interiors (both equal, and equally bad and bumpy rides), service convenience and cost (Fortuner better), ease of driving (clutch hardness/steering wheel heaviness – Fortuner better), ease of extracting spare tyre (Fortuner is much better).
Based on a search for a reliable and rugged vehicle, I narrowed it down to the Fortuner and Pajero. The fortuner has a higher turning radius of 5.9m in all 4x4s compared to Pajero’s 5.6. My parking access is quite difficult, but both these vehicles made it comfortably. So no make-or-break yet.My priorities on the basis of which I narrowed it down to Pajero and Fortuner were
- 30% in-city driving
- 30% inter-city flat terrain
- 30% hill climbing, hair-pin bends etc.
- 10% rain and off roading and bad roads
- Rugged and safe vehicle
So here goes:
- In-city driving: Both vehicles were bumpy, and it was tough to get perfect comparisons, since the Fortuner was on Bridgestone (stock is Dunlop) and Pajero was on Apollo (stock) with different levels of wear, and typre ressure etc. Getting back to back itself was a big deal, and I decided that neither of these vehicles, even in a perfect comparison would be a match for a refined SUV like Santa Fe or Honda City. Torque was more in the Fortuner due to low-end being stronger (Iron Rock’s comment about there being no replacement for displacement, and the 3l Fortuner Engine outshone the Pajero’s 2.5l.
- Inter-city: Pajero scored heavily due to its 4x2 option, absent in the Fortuner. On wide straight stretches, the Pajero in 4x2 mode, begged to be diven fast, but beyond 120 etc. the Fortuner felt very heavy, and decidedly un-aerodynamic. Principally it was the full-time 4x4 which was speaking in the Fortuner. In the 4x4 mode, the Pajero felt the same at higher speeds like 100+.
- Hill climbing: Till now, I have had the opportunity to only drive in some steep slopes in Bandra, Napeansea Road, etc, and not true hairpin bends on highways. But this little hill driving is serious and both vehicles took a 5 adults load quite easily.
- Driving in rain, Off Roading, No real opportunities here, but I am willing to bet that if driven at their best, both in 4x4, I would say that each of the two would beat the conditions effortlessly. On off-roading, on reputation alone, I am backing the Pajero, but this wont be the driving factor in my decision.
- Safe braking: Here Pajero scores heavily. Braking was magnificant, whereas with the Fortuner it took some effort. But tough to conclude since the vehicles could have had parts with different extents of wear. The Pajero is also equipped with heavier doors (wonder if the Fortuner has side impact bars, which is what makes the Pajero doors seem heavier).
Based on the above critical factors, I would unhesitatingly give the edge to the Pajero. Other factors:
- Interiors: Am afraid I will have to contradict popular opinion here – both would be ranked equal. I, my wife, and a car-enthusiast friend of mine also looking to buy the Pajero/Fortuner reached the conclusion unanimously. The latest Fortuner (2015) seems to have drawn level with the Pajero.
- Noise: The Fortuner is noticeably quiter. The same damping can perhaps be achieved by the Pajero also by using after market dampers.
- Ease of driving: I personally feel that the three factors which make a vehicle seem easy to drive are clutch hardness, steering hardness and cabin noise. On all three parameters, the Fortuner comes out on top, so the Pajero can seem ungainly and large to drive from inside, whereas the Fortuner just feels like a heavier Corolla.
Conclusion: Based on my parameters, the Pajero takes the cake. One last thing though… the turning radius. All Fortuner 4x2s have the same 5.6m turning radius as the Pajero. Hence if one wants a rugged SUV, with minimal off-roading, the Fortuner 4x2 MT and AT are excellent options. One is not paying for what one is not in need of.
Now from these last two the Fortuner 4x2 MT is not under consideration since I would rather have the Pajero MT, which also gives me the flexibility of a 4x4 option. To lose that as well as not have the AT is not to my liking.
Hence the last choice is the Fortuner 4x2 AT 3l version. Not 2.5l since I am betting on the higher torque of the bigger engine to make up for any lag etc. Lag because after a conversation with a fellow FM who had recently bought a Pajero AT (after having many years of experience on AT cars in the US), the following came to light:
- It was difficult to counter the lag when slowing down and re-accelerating on steep inclines
- The paddle shift was very ponderous and hence hill driving became extremely uncomfortable.
But in the Fortuner AT, I am willing to bet that the slightly smaller weight of the vehicle and the bigger engine compensate for the type of problems decribed above in the Pajero AT.
Many thanks to everyone for looking. All comments and advice welcome. Am lining up Fortuner 4x2 AT for hill driving in western ghats later this month.
I am giving lower weightage to other attributes like comfort/interiors (both equal, and equally bad and bumpy rides), service convenience and cost (Fortuner better), ease of driving (clutch hardness/steering wheel heaviness – Fortuner better), ease of extracting spare tyre (Fortuner is much better).
Based on a search for a reliable and rugged vehicle, I narrowed it down to the Fortuner and Pajero. The fortuner has a higher turning radius of 5.9m in all 4x4s compared to Pajero’s 5.6. My parking access is quite difficult, but both these vehicles made it comfortably. So no make-or-break yet.My priorities on the basis of which I narrowed it down to Pajero and Fortuner were
- 30% in-city driving
- 30% inter-city flat terrain
- 30% hill climbing, hair-pin bends etc.
- 10% rain and off roading and bad roads
- Rugged and safe vehicle
So here goes:
- In-city driving: Both vehicles were bumpy, and it was tough to get perfect comparisons, since the Fortuner was on Bridgestone (stock is Dunlop) and Pajero was on Apollo (stock) with different levels of wear, and typre ressure etc. Getting back to back itself was a big deal, and I decided that neither of these vehicles, even in a perfect comparison would be a match for a refined SUV like Santa Fe or Honda City. Torque was more in the Fortuner due to low-end being stronger (Iron Rock’s comment about there being no replacement for displacement, and the 3l Fortuner Engine outshone the Pajero’s 2.5l.
- Inter-city: Pajero scored heavily due to its 4x2 option, absent in the Fortuner. On wide straight stretches, the Pajero in 4x2 mode, begged to be diven fast, but beyond 120 etc. the Fortuner felt very heavy, and decidedly un-aerodynamic. Principally it was the full-time 4x4 which was speaking in the Fortuner. In the 4x4 mode, the Pajero felt the same at higher speeds like 100+.
- Hill climbing: Till now, I have had the opportunity to only drive in some steep slopes in Bandra, Napeansea Road, etc, and not true hairpin bends on highways. But this little hill driving is serious and both vehicles took a 5 adults load quite easily.
- Driving in rain, Off Roading, No real opportunities here, but I am willing to bet that if driven at their best, both in 4x4, I would say that each of the two would beat the conditions effortlessly. On off-roading, on reputation alone, I am backing the Pajero, but this wont be the driving factor in my decision.
- Safe braking: Here Pajero scores heavily. Braking was magnificant, whereas with the Fortuner it took some effort. But tough to conclude since the vehicles could have had parts with different extents of wear. The Pajero is also equipped with heavier doors (wonder if the Fortuner has side impact bars, which is what makes the Pajero doors seem heavier).
Based on the above critical factors, I would unhesitatingly give the edge to the Pajero. Other factors:
- Interiors: Am afraid I will have to contradict popular opinion here – both would be ranked equal. I, my wife, and a car-enthusiast friend of mine also looking to buy the Pajero/Fortuner reached the conclusion unanimously. The latest Fortuner (2015) seems to have drawn level with the Pajero.
- Noise: The Fortuner is noticeably quiter. The same damping can perhaps be achieved by the Pajero also by using after market dampers.
- Ease of driving: I personally feel that the three factors which make a vehicle seem easy to drive are clutch hardness, steering hardness and cabin noise. On all three parameters, the Fortuner comes out on top, so the Pajero can seem ungainly and large to drive from inside, whereas the Fortuner just feels like a heavier Corolla.
Conclusion: Based on my parameters, the Pajero takes the cake. One last thing though… the turning radius. All Fortuner 4x2s have the same 5.6m turning radius as the Pajero. Hence if one wants a rugged SUV, with minimal off-roading, the Fortuner 4x2 MT and AT are excellent options. One is not paying for what one is not in need of.
Now from these last two the Fortuner 4x2 MT is not under consideration since I would rather have the Pajero MT, which also gives me the flexibility of a 4x4 option. To lose that as well as not have the AT is not to my liking.
Hence the last choice is the Fortuner 4x2 AT 3l version. Not 2.5l since I am betting on the higher torque of the bigger engine to make up for any lag etc. Lag because after a conversation with a fellow FM who had recently bought a Pajero AT (after having many years of experience on AT cars in the US), the following came to light:
- It was difficult to counter the lag when slowing down and re-accelerating on steep inclines
- The paddle shift was very ponderous and hence hill driving became extremely uncomfortable.
But in the Fortuner AT, I am willing to bet that the slightly smaller weight of the vehicle and the bigger engine compensate for the type of problems decribed above in the Pajero AT.
Many thanks to everyone for looking. All comments and advice welcome. Am lining up Fortuner 4x2 AT for hill driving in western ghats later this month.
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