[drmohitg]

Its that time of the year again. My Innova has served me well for over 6 years and 1L kms now with the kind of experience one expects out of this vehicle. But the itch to refresh things a little and the fact that the Innova has got a little boring now means that I have finally convinced Dad to change it and more importantly with something other than a new Innova again.

My first and foremost choice is the Toyota Fortuner.

Pros:
1. In love with the looks of the car from day 1 of its launch.
2. The love affair has continued over the last few years since its launch and has probably only become stronger! Even today I literally drool at every Fortuner on the road (and there are plenty).
3. Provides the same Toyota experience.
4. Absolutely amazing looks.
5. Seating comfort is not better than Innova ofcourse but one of the better ones in the 25L SUV segment ( including all 3 rows).
6. With the latest refreshed model, the feature list now has also become slightly more exhaustive and it kind of has all the features that I need in a car.
7. Absolutely love the looks!

Cons:
1. Only and only 1 and that is the PRICE!! AT 26L OTR for the 4x2 MT this truck is seriously overpriced. In the last year and a half of its launch the price has been increased by a cool 2.2L rs ( ex-showroom price in Delhi of 4x2 MT).

Now reluctantly and after persistent nagging by good friend and member Sameerg001, I included the XUV500 in the list too.

Pros:
1. I can literally buy the W8 and a Polo GT TSI and still have around a lakh rupees left with me to take care of all the high octane petrol cost of the Polo ! But jokes apart the W8 FWD variant is a whole 10L cheaper than the Fortuner 4x2 MT.
2. Feature list is exhaustive with only feature missing being the Sunroof. ( As a side note I really feel M&M should start offering that, maybe at an additional cost, as that will just complete this SUV).
3. Seating comfort would be better than the Fortuner I believe since the seats are much more flat and ride less bouncier (going to take the TD today).

Cons:
1. Overdone looks and cannot match the Fortuner in that department.
2. Constant niggles. I am told that the latest models have had the issues completely sorted out but the thought is still playing in my mind as this one aspect is very very important and no one in the family has time to keep visiting the after sales team. Once a year visit to the after sales centre is what we like and expect out of every vehicle.
3. Long term reliability and rattles? I intend to keep the car for 5 years at the minimum.

I considered all the other cars in the 25L bracket and knocked them all off from the list. So the choice is only between these 2 cars. Have always been kind of sold on to the looks of the Fortuner and would have bought it eyes closed except for the exorbitant price tag. The XUV500 on the other hand somehow is not appealing to the heart but its extremely tough to ignore the price difference ( which works out to be even more if you factor in all the extra equipment its coming with).

My usage pattern:
1. Need a 7 seater i.e. all the 3 rows.
2. ZERO offroading and the only offroading the car is going to see is what are highways throw at it.
3. Intend to keep the car for a minimum of 5 years. In case of the Fortuner this would be even more as I doubt there is anything coming in the near future which would make me even remotely want to change the Fortuner.

So guys please help me decide between the XUV 500 W8 FWD ( OTR price 15.7L) vs the Fortuner 4x2 MT ( OTR price 26L). My heart is sold on the Fortuner from the day of its launch ( infact it was a simple google search on the Fortuner that had first lead me to GTO's review of the same and introduced me to the world of TBHP). But the extremely VFM pricing of the XUV500 is putting me in a serious doubt.

Mods: There was no thread comparing the XUV500 to the Fortuner head to head, to my surprise and hence the new thread. Feel free to merge with another thread if you feel otherwise.

[SDP]

In today's world, there are no perfect choices. A Fortuner might make you feel cheated for the over-inflated price-tag and equipment levels. A XUV might irritate you with niggles and might partially rob you off the ownership happiness.

If you have a budget for a Fortuner, I would say just pick up the Fortuner.
I would have.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by drmohitg

My first and foremost choice is the Toyota Fortuner.

Hello Doc!

My choice is the Toyota Fortuner eyes closed.

I say this because of the Toyota badge it sports. Peaceful ownership and reliable vehicle.

If you digest the OTR price of the Fortuner then there is nothing of such an SUV.

Anurag.

[torquing_points]

I went through the same dilemma but between storme and fortuner. Bought storme finally and very happy about the car plus the lower EMI.

[NPV]

Some of the reasons why the Toyota Fortuner is overpriced but still sells so much are the proven reliability and respect the Toyota brand commands.

Since you have just the XUV 500 and the Toyota Fortuner on your list for comparo, you may want to also consider one more to the list just to get a slightly better range for comparison- maybe the Pajero Sport ? I have a friend who bought it after comparing with the Fortuner and boy is he happy!

[drmohitg]

Originally Posted by SDP

If you have a budget for a Fortuner, I would say just pick up the Fortuner.
I would have.

Coming from an XUV owner that means quite a lot. Can you please elaborate on the WHY part of it.

Originally Posted by NPV

Since you have just the XUV 500 and the Toyota Fortuner on your list for comparo, you may want to also consider one more to the list just to get a slightly better range for comparison- maybe the Pajero Sport ? I have a friend who bought it after comparing with the Fortuner and boy is he happy!

No sir, the Pajero might be a good vehicle but putting so much money on a compnay whose future itself is not decided is not my cup of tea. I did consider the Captiva, X1 and the Santa Fe though. Both offer better comfort that the bumpy Fortuner but are even more over priced. Also lets just say that I absolutely love the Fortuner sans the price tag and if I make myself to pay that kind of money then would buy the beast with eyes closed.

Right now I am just see-sawing between going for the beast or saving a lot of money and getting the XUV.

I was also infact doing another calculation and trying to decipher the value of the car 5 years down the line with odo @ 50k kms. The XUV should fetch me around 6-7 L maybe and the Fortuner around 13-14L or even more ( going by current used car prices)? In that case I end up anyways recovering that extra money I am paying upfront. Or maybe its just me trying to find ways to convince myself.

[SDP]

Originally Posted by drmohitg

Coming from an XUV owner that means quite a lot. Can you please elaborate on the WHY part of it.
....

The XUV, when I picked up was (and may be still is) like a baby. It would soil the diaper, throw up regularly and may be spoil your outing plans once in a while. You would have to take it to the doctor quite a few times during the initial year or two (albeit some of the visits would be due to you being over-anxious about the baby). The baby would irritate you sometimes and in some rare instances might even bring tears to your eyes. BUT you would love it nevertheless and bear the small inconveniences saying "its just a phase that it is going through". For me, the relationship with my XUV5OO is exactly like I have described. I sincerely hope that with adequate care and love, the baby grows into a good well-bahaved boy.

If I would have had the budget for a proven vehicle (the Good well-behaved boy i.e. Fortuner), I would have picked it up.

Finally its mathematics:
Is 26L (OTR for Fortuner) equal to or more than 16L (OTR for XUV5OO) + 10 full-day visits to service center in the first year + more snob value of the Fortuner + Toyota brand value + peace of mind due to reliability of the Fortuner?

The answer would be different for eeach one of us. For me personally snob value and Toyota brand do not mean much (may be I would have paid 2-3 lakhs premium for it). And I was not willing to take an additional loan of 7-8L for the reliability and saving personal effort of 9 days in a year.

Let me repeat, the answer would be different for each one of us.

[SmartCat]

Looking at your "cons" for the Fortuner, it looks like pre-owned Toyota Fortuner seems to be an idea choice. You should be able to find one for the price of a new XUV500.

[drmohitg]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Looking at your "cons" for the Fortuner, it looks like pre-owned Toyota Fortuner seems to be an idea choice. You should be able to find one for the price of a new XUV500.

But where are these used Fortuners located? I am unable to find a well maintained car priced realistically. Almost all of them are priced insanely and have already covered 50k kms plus. Otherwise would go on that route with eyes closed.

[Warwithwheels]

If you had posted this query a week back, I would have recommended the Toyota right away.

But This thread has changed my whole perspective about the Cheetah inspired SUV. The XUV 5OO was able to do over 10,000 Kms without a break under extreme weather/ road conditions. It only goes on to prove that the XUV 5OO has grown to be a reliable all rounder.

Given that you frequent the Highways, the XUV 5OO with its reatively low GC would be an ideal choice. The Fortuner is known for its bumpy ride quality over bad roads. Moreover on the highway, pushing the fortuner over the limits would not be a great idea.

If only you could put on with the quirky design (subjective) of the XUV 5OO, it would be the most sensible buy. And like you say, you can also invest the surplus on a FTD hatch like the Polo GT. That would make your garage complete!

[drmohitg]

Have to say slightly dissappointed by both Mahindra and Toyota dealers this time. Toyota guy didn't follow up even though visited there dealership for the Fortuner and he committed to get the TD vehicle to my house ( barely 2 kms away) since the TD car was not available. I myself called them today and the response was still the same and with no apology that the TD vehicle is not present. I am pretty sure they are used to selling the Fortuner without offering a TD.

Same with Mahindra. After duly confirming with the SA to get the TD vehicle to my place, cancelling all other plans, he still didn't show up. Worst is I called him up again in the morning and he confirmed that he is in the car ( which I knew is a lie) and coming to my house in half an hour. Its been 5 hours since, and my calls to his cell have gone unanswered.

[getsurya]

Hello drmohitg,

Having gone through the same flux some time earlier, I have decided to plonk my monies with Toyota instead of M&M(due to my earlier experiences with them, not bad-however, heavy on effort and time investment).

I picked up a Toyota-Fortuner recently(8th September, in fact!) and it does reek of quality and reliability from the word 'go'!

You can visit my thread on initial ownership section 'got fortune'd- Toyota Fortuner White' and read more on the same comparison.


Good luck with your choice!

[coolboy007]

Originally Posted by drmohitg

Same with Mahindra. After duly confirming with the SA to get the TD vehicle to my place, cancelling all other plans, he still didn't show up. Worst is I called him up again in the morning and he confirmed that he is in the car ( which I knew is a lie) and coming to my house in half an hour. Its been 5 hours since, and my calls to his cell have gone unanswered.

Which dealership are you in talks with? I had requested both Sri Durga people from Moti Nagar and a Mahindra dealership in Bhikaji kama place for a test drive and both turned up. GSP, Gurgaon were arrogant, gave me a slot but didnt turn up and neither picked my calls.

Myself contemplating picking up a W6 XUV now and cancelling my Ecosport booking. The discounts on offer were 40% off on insurance + 15k loyalty ( we own a scorpio) + 8k corporate.
If you decide in favour of XUV, do send me a PM, if i make up my mind then we can pitch in together and squeeze some discounts

[drmohitg]

Originally Posted by coolboy007

Which dealership are you in talks with? I had requested both Sri Durga people from Moti Nagar and a Mahindra dealership in Bhikaji kama place for a test drive and both turned up. GSP, Gurgaon were arrogant, gave me a slot but didnt turn up and neither picked my calls.

I am dealing with Galaxy Toyota, moti nagar and Indraprastha auto for M&M at wazirpur.

I would surely let you know if I decide to go the XUV way. My purchase is going to be near Diwali if all goes well.

[Blow Horn Ok]

Car purchase is seriously a heart based decision, but technically XUV would offer you better ride and braking (based on reviews) while saving you almost 10 lacs which is a serious sum of money and can be used to buy a new sedan.

You should go for really long test drives on both before you plonk your money.