Fair and square, all the way
COMPARING THE FORTUNER, EVEREST There is a road story to all this, and one might call it: the tale of two beasts.
Once upon a time, when the manne gathered around the braai and chewed on huge chunks of dead cow, the talk was simple: rugby, rugby and, occasionally the wiles and ways of womenfolk.
Life was more simple then. You didn’t have to think so much. You wore your Blue Bulls shirt, you drank your brandewyn and you drove your Toyota. There was no need to discuss vehicles at the fire. There was only one choice. There was also no need to discuss anything other than bakkies, because that was what you used on the plaas and you left the soft city folk to drive their sedans.
Now, deep into the 21st century, the rules of the game have changed: new country, new government, new flag. And, so waar, Toyota is not the only game in town any more … and soft city slickers are driving bakkies, even 4x4 ones! They call these silly things SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) and most are more of a fashion statement than deserving a spot on the braai fire agenda.
Toyota is still there, making their never-say-die vehicles … but even they came up with an SUV which enabled the manne to retain their connection to the land, and transport vroulief en kinders at the same time. It was called the Fortuner and was basically a Hilux with a fensie station wagon body at the back and seven seats. But, they sold … plenty!
Then along came Ford with their new Ranger, about five years ago. It looked even more macho than a Hilux, had more power (especially with that five-cylinder, 3.2 litre diesel and its 147kW, it was the hot hatch of bakkies). Many verraaiers moved across to the Blue Oval from Toyota. And Bakkie Wars began as the Ranger and Hilux challenged each other month to month for the best-selling vehicle (ja – vehicle, not bakkie) in the country.
Always, though, the Fortuner was in a class of its own: seven seats, space, based on a rugged bakkie. The Ford okes even bought them. Finally, two years ago, Ford came to the party (and the battle), with their seven-seater SUV, the Everest. And it’s also doing pretty well. So, how does it stack up? Well, the new Fortuner is a better-looking beast in my opinion, okes … more swoopy lines and rakish appearance. By comparison, the Everest looks muscular and purposeful, without too much in the way of beauty. Mind you, it looks like it means business.
And it does. It matches the Fortuner in every way: seats, space, engines, drivetrains. Even when it comes to things like performance and ride comfort, there is very little to choose between the two – although the beefier Ford 147kW motor outguns Toyota’s top 2.8 litre diesel.
Not all Everests, or even Fortuners, though, are four-wheeldrives, although they all look the offroad part. Both Toyota and Ford have discovered there is a place in the market for a tw0wheel-drive SUV with a modicum of offroad ability, thanks to a locking rear differential. That will get you to quite a few places but don’t think that, without driven front wheels or low-range gearing you will be the Camel Man. You won’t, and you’ll have to get rescued.
Still, the rear-wheel-drive Everest is a capacious people- and things-hauler. You can get a lot of bodies and bits and pieces inside that large frame. And, even with the 2.2 litre diesel engine which our test unit came with, you can still get around at a fair clip. Don’t expect to win any drag races, though, because the leisurely nature of the 118kW powerplant means cruising is the word.
And cruise it will, all day at the national speed limit. On my regular highway route, the Everest gave just under 8.0 litres per 100km at an average speed of 112km/h, which is pretty high.
Call me impressed. As I was, again, with the ride comfort, which is amazing for such a big beast. This is the perfect car for packing up everything, and everyone, and heading to the coast. It’s also easy to drive. The Everest is really a serious alternative to a Fortuner. Sorry, manne …