The newly launched SsangYong Rexton goes head to head with the Toyota Fortuner to decide which of the two is a better SUV
It is quite obvious that SUVs elevated Mahindra and Mahindra to the successful heights that the company enjoys today.
And when the company took over the ailing Korean SUV manufacturer, SsangYong, last year, they made their future aspirations quite clear. Mahindra want to be global SUV players and the acquisition of SsangYong was an important step in that direction. Anyway, Mahindra have finally launched the brand in India and their first offering, the Rexton, looks quite an interesting one, especially its super competitive price. So we decided to pit it against one of the best-selling SUVs in the segment, the Toyota Fortuner. Let us see how the Rexton fared in this competition.
Design, Space And Features
The main thing that a buyer looks at while buying an SUV is its appearance. Customers today increasingly veer towards big SUVs with intimidating looks and stance and the Toyota Fortuner fits the bill perfectly with its bold design. It looks like a proper, rugged SUV that can take on any terrain, but the Rexton’s design is inclined more towards 
elegance. This is due to the Rexton being based on the old Mercedes-Benz M-Class, which went out of production long ago. Nevertheless, the SsangYong designers have tried their best to give the Rexton a different appearance by fitting new head and tail-lamps along with a wider and bigger chrome grille and new bumpers. These changes have given the Rexton a more upmarket look rather than that of a rugged SUV. Appearance-wise both the SUVs look good, but the Fortuner looks much more intimidating and rugged whereas the Rexton comes across more like a big soft-roader.
Inside, both the SUVs have a minimalistic approach. Both feature a simple dashboard with dual-tone plastic and faux wood trim along with beige leather upholstery and a lot of storage bins for knick-knacks. Quality is not an issue in either of these SUVs, since both have good quality interiors with nice fit-and-finish. The centre console on both the Rexton and the Fortuner has a simple appearance, with a large touch-screen display taking centre-stage. Both feature adjustable steering wheels and simple and easy to read instrument consoles. Space is commodious in both these SUVs, the Fortuner offering greater knee-room in the middle row of seats even though it is smaller than the Rexton. The third-row seats are meant basically for the kids, but if you fold the seats up, you get huge boot space.
Both the Fortuner as well as the Rexton are loaded with features such as good quality audio system with a touch-screen display, Bluetooth, USB and Aux connectivity, automatic climate control, dual air-conditioning with vents for the third row, electrically adjustable driver seat, cruise control, steering-mounted controls, ample 12V power outlets, power windows and a lot more. However, in comparison, the Rexton is better equipped than the Fortuner, for it features an electric sunroof, navigation system and also four air-bags (two more than those in the Fortuner). But the Fortuner is equipped with just a rear camera apart from the aforementioned features. This gives the Rexton a slight edge when it comes to features.
Engine And Performance
Both these SUVs are equipped with powerful engines, but the Rexton has an in-line five-cylinder motor whereas the Fortuner has a four-cylinder one. The Rexton’s five-cylinder engine has a displacement of 2,696 cc and develops 186 PS of power and 402 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, which supplies 
power to all the four wheels, but not all the time. In normal driving conditions the power is supplied only to the rear wheels, but while off-roading and driving in snow and icy conditions, all the four wheels are powered by the engine to generate greater traction. The power delivery of this 2.7-litre diesel motor is quite linear, though the engine is quite noisy and is slightly less refined than that in the Toyota.
The Fortuner, which has a four-cylinder 3.0-litre diesel motor, is actually less powerful than the 2.7-litre Rexton. This 2,982-cc diesel motor generates 171 PS of power and 343 Nm of torque, which is supplied only to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. The power delivery of the Toyota is linear and more refined than that in the Rexton.
However, when you compare the performance of the two, the SsangYong comes ahead of the Fortuner. Having a bigger and more powerful engine means that the Rexton outperforms the Fortuner in every way. Its brisk acceleration and linear power delivery ensure that the Rexton sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 10.63 seconds, whereas the Fortuner takes 11.60 seconds to do the same. The kick-down figures also showed that the Rexton is faster than the Fortuner and the 0-400 metre and standing kilometre test proved that the Rexton is superior to the Fortuner when it comes to performance. The Rexton is able to do so despite being 100 kilos heavier than the Fortuner. Between the two, the SsangYong definitely has more punch and a better top speed, although the Fortuner is not really a bad performer, it’s just not as fast as the Rexton.
Ride Quality And Handling
The Rexton may be more powerful, but ride and handling wise it does very little to excite you. SsangYong have designed the Rexton for comfort, which means handling has taken a back seat. The softer suspension set-up of the Rexton gives it a nice and comfortable ride at low speeds, but once the speed increases, the ride becomes quite 
bouncy. The steering, which is super light at low speeds, weighs up nicely at higher speeds and is great for hauling this two-tonne beast around town. However, on a winding road it does not inspire much confidence. It is only at higher 
speeds that the steering weighs up nicely. And then there is the ever-present body-roll, which is quite unnerving, especially while tackling a corner. On the other hand, the Fortuner has slightly better ride and handling thanks to its stiffer suspension set-up. This set-up works great while driving on smooth roads, but once you hit a rough patch, the firm suspension disturbs the ride quality a bit. The steering is well-weighted and has good feedback, unlike the Rexton’s steering, which lacks communication. The firmer suspension and well-weighted steering make the Fortuner a better handling SUV than the Rexton in most situations, but, being a tall, long and heavy SUV, body-roll 
becomes quite noticeable once you push it hard into a corner. Both the SUVs are quite good at off-roading too, but the Rexton’s light steering makes you nervous while off-roading, for there is virtually no feedback from the steering. The Fortuner, on the other hand, can fulfil your off-roading demands without a hassle and the steering simply feels great even while off the road.
Overall, the slightly firmer suspension set-up and communicative steering of the Fortuner endow it with better handling and ride quality than the Rexton, which, with its soft suspension and uncommunicative steering, deprives you of fun.
Conclusion
Considering all these points it seems that the Fortuner is a better buy, but before jumping to a conclusions let’s take a look at some of the key points. Looks-wise the Fortuner is more aggressive and rugged whereas the Rexton looks simple, but elegant. Both the SUVs are almost on a par when it comes to interior and space, but the Rexton has a few extra features that make it a better equipped SUV. Engine and performance clearly belong to the Rexton, because it is 
more powerful and has better timings than the Fortuner in every test. But when it comes to handling and ride quality, the Fortuner comes across as a better SUV. But it all boils down to the price. Mahindra dropped a bomb by pricing the Rexton at Rs 19.67 lakh, which is a full Rs 2.2 lakh less than the Fortuner. Besides, the Rexton comes with a four-wheel drive configuration, has a five-speed automatic gearbox and three additional features. The Fortuner 
Automatic costs Rs 21.2 lakh and comes with a two-wheel drive configuration, a four-speed automatic gearbox and just a rear camera. The price factor clearly tips the scale in favour of the Rexton. However, if you are an enthusiast looking for better handling and a fun-to-drive SUV, then the Fortuner makes sense. If, on the other hand, you are going to spend most of your time in the back seat, then the Rexton is the SUV for you.
Quality is not an issue in either of these SUVs, since both have good quality interiors with nice fit-and-finish
Story: Ravi Chandnani
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
