Everest, Fortuner or Montero Sport? The top variants

MITSUBISHI is touting the revolutionary improvements in build quality plus on- and offroad performance and safety features.-

THE PICKUP wars started last year, but will hit its peak in 2016, thanks to the late introduction of the all-new Toyota Hilux. This will be the Hilux’s first full year of sales, following Mitsubishi’s early launch in 2015 of the all-new Strada, an evolution of the previous model, and the launch if the significantly refreshed Ford Ranger, which despite sharing much of the previous model, has significant revisions underneath the skin to warrant it as almost all-new.

But it’s not just the pickups that are heating things up. Their SUV kin—based on the same basic platform, sharing much of the oily bits underneath in stylish and sophisticated bodies, plus armed with numerous safety and driving aids more commonly found in vehicles costing two to three times more—have taken center stage.

Since we have yet to drive them all together, let us go through the paper specs of the top-model variants and see which one is the best.

Based on the specs (see box), the three SUVs are quite close in specifications, as if they all attended the same seminars and ended up with the same specs.

Some data such as curb weight, towing capacity, payload capacity and cargo space in liters were unavailable as of press time to help give a better feature of their abilities and capabilities.

Some may point out that the Everest has the biggest, most powerful engine, but it’s thirsty, and has to haul the biggest, heaviest body.

The Montero Sport has the best power-to-weight ratio and widest power band from its 4N15 Mivec diesel engine, the only diesel engine with variable valve and cam timing in this segment, for improved acceleration, braking, cornering and fuel consumption.

The Fortuner, with its latest 1GD-FTV engine, is touted to offer the best in response, even when set in Eco mode. And Toyota promises it to be the most fuel-efficient engine in its class, as well with near class-leading output.

FORD is banking on its high-tech toys, of having the biggest dimensions and engine, and a heritage of building reliable trucks worldwide to forge ahead with their Everest.

In detail, it’s interesting to see that these three SUVs also gained sophisticated driving aids. Leading the pack is the Ford Everest’s Terrain Response System, most likely licensed by Land Rover (heck, the knob selector looks exactly like what you’ll find in a Discovery Sport, LR’s latest vehicle), select the surface type (snow, mud, grass, sand, etc.), and it figures everything out for you.

Having tried this similar system on a Land Rover Discovery Sport in snow, ice and mud, which gave no drama and absolute confidence, the Ford Everest’s system is probably the very best in its class.

Mitsubishi has a similar system, designed to work with its Super Select II shift-on-the-fly 4WD system dubbed Off-Road Mode Control.

As with the Ford, you select the surface on which you’ll be driving, and the engine/transmission and drive-by-wire system sort everything out for you, delivering smooth, rapid and steady progress.

Having driven the Montero Sport at the purpose-built Fujigane Offroad park in Shizuoka, Japan, last year, the offroad abilities of this SUV have improved tremendously compared with the previous model.

It also comes with a rear differential lock to improve offroad performance further for the top-model GT variant.

The Fortuner makes do with a simpler, but no less effective A-Trac (or advanced traction control) system that maximizes grip on low-friction surfaces and propels you forward.

It will only work in 4L mode, and combined with the locking rear differential included in the V variant, it makes offroad work easily achievable. A locking rear-differential is also standard in the top-of-the-line V variant.

Aside from their sophisticated 4WD terrain control systems, these three SUVs have also gained advanced dynamic traction/stability control, ABS-EBD brakes with brake-assist, hill-start assist/hill-descent control (the Fortuner doesn’t have hill descent control, though), and trailer sway control.

The Everest trumps the Japanese with having rollover stability control to prevent it from flipping over in extreme situations.

The Everest is also the only SUV that can park itself through its Electronic Park Control system, and has the segment’s only radar-guided cruise control, which slows it down once a slower-moving car is detected ahead. It will match the slower-moving vehicle’s speed, then, once the road clears up, accelerates back to its predesignated speed.

The Montero Sport also comes with its own bag of electronic tricks. Forward Collision Mitigation warns drivers of a vehicle or object ahead with an audible beep, and will automatically stop the vehicle to prevent it from hitting the vehicle or object ahead. It also has a blind spot warning system.

Inside, all three get leather interior with power front driver’s seat, reach and rake steering wheel adjustment, and advanced multimedia infotainment systems.

The Montero Sport and Fortuner utilize AVT touch-screen monitors, which also tie into the vehicles’ onboard ECU and trip/fuel computer.

The Everest has Ford’s latest Sync2 multimedia system. On paper, it is touted as a most technologically-advanced system; in practice, it requires extensive reading and familiarization, whereas the simpler AVT units of the Montero Sport and Fortuner are easier, more intuitive and friendlier to use for the uninitiated. All have seven-seating abilities and have drop-down third row seats for increased cargo space as well.

It’s hard to declare a clear winner, even based on the spec sheets alone.

Ford is banking on its high-tech toys, of having the biggest dimensions and engine, and a heritage of building reliable trucks worldwide to forge ahead with their Everest.

Mitsubishi is touting the revolutionary improvements in build quality plus on- and offroad performance and safety features, rather than the safe evolutionary path of previous models.

Toyota is banking on the strength of the Toyota brand, coupled with legendary reliability and performance of the Fortuner model line, as well as its far reach in the country to declare the Fortuner as king of the SUV hill.