Head to Head

We take a look at two popular contenders in the mid-size SUV segment. Also known as pickup platform vehicles, we compare the Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

The first thing we will look as the the powertrain of these SUVs. The Fortuner gets Toyota's new GD series diesel engines, now at a smaller displacement at 2.8 liters. It produces 177 PS and 450 Nm of torque and is mated to a 6 speed automatic with sequential control. The Montero Sport is powered by a 2.4 liter with variable valve timing in a diesel engine which MIVEC. Total output is 181 PS while torque rated at 430 Nm.

Being based on pickups, the Fortuner and Montero Sport ride on Body on Frame chassis and ride on live-axle with coil spring suspension at the back.

Inside, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport GT comes fully loaded with a multifunction steering wheel, a multi-information display, a 6.75 inch touchscreen with bluetooth, auxiliary, DVD with MP3 capability, smart phone mirror link, dual zone automatic climate control, electronic parking brake and leather seats with power sliding and reclining for both driver and passenger. For its third row, comes with a tumble-forward system to stow the seats away.

For the GT model, the Montero Sport is also equipped with a power sunroof.

The Toyota Fortuner V on the other hand has also has a multifunction steering wheel. It also gets an economy meter, 6.5 inch touchscreen with Navigation with bluetooth, auxiliary, DVD with MP3 capability, automatic climate control and power seats for the driver. Like the Montero Sport, its seats are trimmed in leather. Toyota adapted a spring loaded mechanism for the third row seats that flip up instead of tumble forward.

The Toyota Fortuner also gets a cool box that serves as the SUV's mini refrigirator.

Both SUVs are all-new redesigns from their predecessors but still have recognizable styling cues. Slimmer headlights and chrome trim are the order for the day for the front ends of these two with the Toyota aping the larger Land Cruiser while the Mitsubishi adapts to the "Dynamic Shield" design direction. For illumination, the Montero Sport gets HID headlights with LED daytime running lights while the Fortuner gets a class-first bi-beam LED headlights.

When it comes to safety, these top spec SUVs feature the latest systems to keep you on the road and safe in an event of a collision. The Toyota Fortuner is equipped with seven airbags. It has driver and driver's knee, passenger, side and curtain airbags, Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, stability control, traction control, trailer sway control, brake assist and reverse sensors.

Over to the Montero Sport, it too has seven airbags. The Montero Sport is standard with anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, stability control, trailer sway assist, hill descent control, brake override system, forward collision mitigation system, reverse sensors and blind spot monitoring.

For its four wheel drive system, a knob replaces the shifter for the shift on the fly system and is equipped with hill descent control.

Prices for the all-new Montero Sport GT starts at Php 1,998,000 while the the Fortuner V is at Php 2,126,000. Both these cars come with features and amenities to rival luxury sedans and the latest safety technologies to keep you away from harm.

And there you have it folks, the biggest fight of 2016. Toyota and Mitsubishi's pair of aces in the seven seat SUV class are sure to go head to head in many more years to come. With its new engine and transmission, the all-new Fortuner is big improvement from its best-selling predecessor. As for the Mitsubishi, it offers a lot of value for money with its equipment levels.