Everest vs Montero Sport vs Fortuner mid-variants

The new generation of pickup based SUVs: Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, and Toyota Fortuner, are designed to be stronger, safer, and more fuel-efficient than their predecessors. They are also more upscale and luxurious, enough to challenge even their more expensive siblings within each of the brands. This is detailed in Botchi Santos’ look at the top variants of those three models. The upshots are price tags above the P2 million marks.

READ: Everest, Fortuner or Montero Sport?

But for us mere mortals who look upon these vehicles as more premium commuter vehicles with better road clearance, or as family cars in place of the typical minivan, the sweet spot would be in the mid variants.

These would be the:

Ford Everest Trend 2.2L 4×2 AT at P1,539,000,

Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLS 2.4D 2WD AT at P1,500,000, and the

Toyota Fortuner 4×2 2.4G Diesel AT at P1,476,000.

Let’s size up these models according to the following features:

Engine:

The Ford Everest carries a 2.2-liter turbodiesel good for 160 ps and 385 Nm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission

Mitsubishi uses only one engine type in all new Montero Sports, the 2.4-liter turbodiesel. With MIVEC variable valve timing and variable geometry turbo, the engine produces 181ps and 430Nm. Mitsubishi has the theoretical advantage when it comes to transmissions, as the 8-speed unit has closer ratios. This should result in better power delivery and improved fuel economy.

2016 Toyota Fortuner. Photo by Ardie Lopez.

Toyota’s new 2.4-liter turbodiesel offers the least power, at 147ps, and torque that comes in between the Everest and the Montero Sport, at an even 400Nm. Like the Everest, the Fortuner pairs its engine with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Active and passive safety:

The Ford Everest Trend offers the most comprehensive list of active safety features. For starters, Everest has four-wheel disc brakes equipped with ABS and EBD. It adds ESP stability control and is unique in offering roll stability control. Roll stability control helps to keep the vehicle upright in an emergency using selective application of brakes. This is particularly important in a tall SUV. Everest also has hill start assist to enable easier takeoff on an uphill slope.

Everest is also the most complete when it comes to passive safety. Standard on the Trend are dual front, side and curtain airbags.

Montero Sport features four-wheel disc brakes, equipped with ABS, EBD and Brake Assist. There are only two airbags, the basic dual front setup. The tire pressure monitoring system is standard.

The Fortuner G has front discs and is the only one in this comparison to still use rear drum brakes. The brakes are equipped with ABS and EBD. In addition to the basic dual front airbags, the Fortuner also has a knee airbag for the driver.

All three vehicles are equipped with halogen headlamps, with the Everest adding an auto on-off sensor and daytime running lights.

Wheels and tires:

The Everest and Montero Sport both sport 265/60 series tires on 18-inch alloys. The Fortuner comes with 17-inch alloys with taller-ratio 265/65 series tires. The Everest and Fortuner are equipped with rear spoiler. All three have roof rails.

Comfort and convenience features:

The Everest aims to nearly match the more upscale Explorer in premium features, and Ford doesn’t skimp when it comes to the interior. The Everest is unique in this variant class to offer leather seats, with 8-way power adjust for the driver’s seat, to boot. Leather trim is also used for the steering wheel and gearshift. There’s dual-zone climate control, cruise control, electric parking brake, power folding mirrors, glove box light, and rain-sensing wipers. Audio system features an 8-inch touch screen with USB and Bluetooth connectivity. Voice command comes with the standard Ford Sync system. The audio system has 10 speakers. Everest is equipped with rear backup sensors and power-folding door mirrors.

The Montero Sport GLS has black fabric seats with manual adjustment. Door trim uses cloth inserts with silver and piano-black colored accents. Aircon is dual-zone climate control type. Montero Sport has a 2-DIN audio unit with 6.75-inch LCD touchscreen monitor. The unit plays DVDs and is iPod ready, with Bluetooth connectivity. It also has a navigation system built in. The door mirrors are power-folding.

The Fortuner also has fabric seats. Steering wheel is wood and leather trimmed, with silver accents. Aircon is the manual type. There’s no backup sensor. The audio system features a 6.5-inch touchscreen with CD, USB and Bluetooth, with 6 speakers. GPS navigation is standard.

Conclusion:

Photos by Ardie Lopez

Specification-wise, the mid-range Everest comes out on top, with leather seats and convenience features found only on the top variants of the Montero Sport and Fortuner. It has the most safety features, and not just in airbag count. Its stability and control and roll stability control can help the driver maintain control in extreme situations. The Everest Trend is the most expensive of the three, but there’s another Everest variant that is more comparable to the other two in features, and that one comes in with the lowest price tag, at P1,399,000.