THE BIG FIGHT
Three of the biggest Japanese automakers, three unique killer SUVs but just one crown – the perfect backdrop for a mortal combat
Words:Sarmad Kadiri
Photography:Sanjay Raikar and Sawan Sekhar Hembram
The wind is still and the sky expressionless. This is the lull before the storm. Climbing the dark curvy roads are some gargantuan figures. The first in sight is the swift, lethal and young X-Trail raring to taste first blood. Heaving from the other side is the master of broken roads, the Pajero roaring at the intruder. In the background, somewhere not too far, there is a hum of distant war drums that’s gradually growing louder and heading straight at us. Suddenly, leaping from behind the bushes pounces in the burly Fortuner. The brute wants its share of the kill. As these three Japanese warriors meet face to face, a combat is inevitable. Click! Time to snap out of the cheap thriller script and come back to reality. Though there isn’t much of a difference since the script is mostly true.
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New X-Trail
PRICE: Rs. 20.81 to Rs. 25.08 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi)
Nissan recently introduced the latest X-Trail SUV and the new Teana, its luxury sedan, in India. At the launch, the auto major hinted that it may also debut its premium SUV, the Murano and the mighty 370Z roadster in a bid to climb up the pecking order in the domestic automotive spectrum. While you can read about the new Teana elsewhere in this mag, we pitch the X-Trail against some of its able rivals.
RIVAL NO.1
Toyota Fortuner
PRICE: Rs. 18.45 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi)
Enthusiasts in India have been talking about the Fortuner as much as the Japanese discuss Misaki Ito. Well, maybe not. But the point is that Toyota already has over 2000 bookings for its recently launched SUV. It seems that Japan’s number one carmaker could well have a bestseller on their hands. I am saying this not because of the hype surrounding the new Toyota, but for the reason that most offerings from the competition in the Rs 20-25 lakh range perform more like soft-roaders. Imagine splurging so much for a SUV and getting one that can’t be taken for hardcore off-roading. The Fortuner promises to change this with its brute diesel force, robust design, amazing off-roading capabilities and the legendary Toyota reliability. An added advantage is that it is being made in India and is based on the tried and tested (and how!) Innova platform.
RIVAL NO.2
Mitsubishi Pajero
PRICE: Rs. 20.7 LAKH (ex-showroom, New Delhi)
For years now we have had the Mitsubishi Pajero as the proven off-roader. We’ve seen, with starry eyes, celebrities braving the shutterbug in the Pajero from way back in the ‘80s to recent times. As we grew up so did the competition. Now this legend in its own right is being challenged by younger and slicker opponents. The moment you step into the Pajero’s cabin, the old school knobs and switches look, err, old. The legendry beast is showing its age and in comparison, it lacks refinement. On flat roads, there is some body roll but the engine is strong and takes on broken roads with ease. However, the competition has younger engines that are modern and quick. As we take a closer look at the legend we feel it’s time Mitsubishi up their game.
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Exterior
The slickest of them all is the second generation X-Trail. Based on a new platform which it shares with the Qashqai crossover, the new Nissan maintains the old iteration’s solid design cues without going ultra radical. There are distinct lines running from front to back. The headlights bite into the front grille adding character to the SUV and avoiding the boxy look. The subtle exterior design reminded me of the Range Rover Sport I drove recently. The X-Trail looks solid and very likeable.
The Pajero’s old school design looks stark in contrast to the contemporary X-Trail. Despite being in the market without major alterations to it designs, the Pajero still manages to maintain a certain road presence. Available in dual tones, this Mitsubishi has the right mix of being a no-nonsense off-roader and a reliable city commuter. It has set the benchmark for several new SUVs and will continue to do so in the days to come. The clean, crisp lines on the sides disguise the boxy truck like design. The hunky front grille and guard accompanied by the practical square headlights plus the air vent carved out of the bonnet still make their point, but I say this with a heavy heart, the impact is fading away with time.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a balance of a brawny SUV with modern lines, then the Toyota Fortuner could just be it. Laced with the essence of the mighty Land Cruiser, this scaled down version has a high waistline and muscular curves that are a delight for SUV aficionados. The sleek chrome grille between the twin headlights, the beefy front bumper which holds the fog lights along with the sump shield skid plate make it look imposing. The last blow (if the ladies in the neighbourhood aren’t weak in their knees already) is the stylish air vent sitting on the bonnet that actually works and completes the overall ‘don’t mess with me’ attitude surrounding it. What brings the spotlight back on the Nissan, however, is the rear of the X-Trail which has more character than the other two. It is neat with a large lid and the ridged tail lamps running right up to the roof further enhance the SUV’s solid theme.
Interior
The X-Trail appears to be the most compact of the three, but don’t mistake it to be cramped for space within. With 940mm of headroom and 1120mm of leg room there’s enough space to stretch during long drives. As you step in, the beige-black dash looks classy and makes the interior appear light and roomy. Nissan designers have maintained the contemporary theme in the cabin and the dash is perhaps one of the cleanest designs I’ve come across in a long time. The instrument console is nicely laid out and easy to reach. At both corners of the dash, just above the AC vent, are bottle holders with a lid that cools your drink on the go. Nice touch there.
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The Toyota sports a beastly 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine which is the most powerful of the lot. The big SUV has comfortable legroom even in the third row
Even the interiors of the Pajero are showing their age. It was a brilliant package when it was designed, but times have changed and so has the competition. The interior has plenty of space but looks straight out of the ‘80s. It has a separate gear knob for the 4×4 which is a hit with me but the wood trims somehow don’t look trendy anymore. The AC has manual controls and other gadgets that look dated and don’t live up to a car in this price bracket. The seats match the dual tone exteriors of the car. They look sporty but cannot be electronically adjusted and doing it manually can be a pain.
I get off the Pajero and literally climb into the mighty Fortuner to find Toyota’s legendary fit and finish. The cabin is large with enough elbow room and a nice beige black dashboard. However, I could soon identify some styling like the wood trims and controls lifted from the Innova, for example, the wood trims and the dash. I would have liked Toyota to be a little imaginative here especially because the Fortuner belongs to a completely different price bracket as compared to the Innova. The Fortuner’s steering has practical controls including a set that controls the music system – a feature missing on the X-Trail’s steering wheel. The all-beige leather seats of the Toyota provide apt support and this seven-seater has decent room even in the third row. The other SUV that has third row seating is the Pajero but it lacks leg room and the folding mechanism is rather clumsy. However, the third row seats can be folded to make adequate storage room. The X-Trail is even more practical than the previous version with the rear seats splitting into 40:20:40 and the smart two-deck luggage compartment.
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The Pajero’s cabin has plenty of space but looks straight out of the 1980s. It has a separate gear knob for the 4×4 which looks macho but the wood trims don’t look trendy anymore
Engine and performance
Nissan India is offering the new X-Trail with a first-in-this-segment six gears which is wonderful because you end up saving fuel. However, I had to constantly remind myself about the extra gear. I didn’t waste too much fuel though as the X-Trail stretched a litre of diesel to an impressive 10.25 kilometers whereas the Fortuner sipped a litre in 10.75 kilometers and the Pajero could just manage around 9kmpl. The X-Trail is the only SUV in this shootout that also offers an Automatic Transmission in the SLX AT variant. The Fortuner is being offered with a five-speed manual transmission, though the automatic variant will be introduced soon. The Toyota comes with a full time all-wheel drive (4WD) which is more than eager to gulp down the challenges you set for it. Even the Pajero has the traditional five-speed manual gearbox but comes with another gear lever for the 4×4 that is effective and looks charming, giving you the complete SUV experience.
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Doing duty on the X-Trail is a 1995cc engine. The power keeps flowing until you suddenly notice the tacho and the speedo needle almost edging towards the upper limit
The firm sells the Pajero in India with the tried and tested 2835cc four-cylinder Direct Injection diesel unit which produces a decent 120.2PS and 292.3Nm of power. I won’t think twice before jumping into it to go off the beaten path, but when pitched against the newcomers, this vehicle lacks refinement. Talking about newcomers, doing duty in the Nissan is a 1995cc Direct Injection Common Rail four-cylinder engine that churns out a peak power of 149.6PSat 4000rpm and 320Nm of torque at 2000rpm. But what it lacks is low end torque. Having said that, the Nissan is smooth and its power delivery is almost petrol like. Speaking of which, after my initial short spin, I pulled over and opened the refueling lid just to double check if it was actually running a diesel engine. Okay, I didn’t. I was just trying to make the article more graphic. Coming to the Fortuner now. Toyota has fitted this beast with a refined 3.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged D-4D diesel engine that is the most powerful of the three SUVs. This mighty engine makes 343Nm of torque between 1400-3400rpm and 171PS at 3600rpm!
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Laced with the essence of the mighty Land Cruiser, this scaled down version has muscular curves – a delight for SUV aficionados
Now let’s shift our focus to the figures, no not the ones you daydream about in office. In our best run in the Fortuner, we reached form naught to 60km/h in 5.14 seconds and 0-100km/h in 12.47 seconds. A strong midrange is the key to the brilliance of this vehicle and is probably what will be most useful for off-roading and city commuting. Into the X-Trail now. We managed to reach 60km/h from standstill in just 4.72 seconds and zero to 100km/h in 10.75 seconds. That’s impressive by SUV standards especially one that weighs over 1600 kilos. With over 2 tons of kerb weight, the Pajero took 17 seconds to 100km/h from standstill.
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To bring this shootout to a halt, let’s finish off with the brakes. The Fortuner’s front wheels have discs and the SUV comes loaded with ABS and EBD. However, what I couldn’t come to terms with was the rear drum brakes which have a tendency to become even less effective on excessive use. Like the Fortuner, the Pajero has ventilated front discs and drums in the rear that deliver just average performance. The X-Trail boasts the best brakes among the trio with discs in front and rear. The SUV is also equipped with ABS, EBD and Brake Assist. Like I said, the brakes are great!
VERDICT
Coming to the really tough part. Judging these very capable Sports Utility Vehicles individually was a lot of fun but when they are put on the same platter, it gets really difficult. Simply because each of them has a different character and their own set of merits and disadvantages. To be really honest, there are certain things I simply adore about them like the X-Trail’s amazing fuel economy and refinement, the Fortuner’s impressive stance and brilliant pricing and the legendary Pajero’s super off-roading capabilities. It really is a very subjective choice.
Personally, the Nissan X-Trail’s refined engine, compact size and great on-road performance coupled with its sober looks and modern equipment like ABS, EBD and Hill Start Assist to name a few, makes it an attractive buy for those looking for an understated style with an occasionally urge for some adventure around the city outskirts. This is not to say that it can’t handle intense off-roading, however, it is softer in comparison to the Pajero and the Fortuner.
Honestly, there is nothing wrong with the Pajero but it has all sorts of knobs and manual controls when there are newer options at the same price, if not lower. Pajero fans need not despair as Mitsubishi is already offering the next generation Pajero in India in the Montero avatar, but as of now, it costs twice as much as its predecessor courtesy import taxes and custom duties. People will continue to buy Pajeros as long as Hindustan Motors keeps selling them in India because though dated, they are nostalgic, hardy and reliable. But if Mitsubishi is aiming for bigger numbers, they will have to up their ante in this segment.
The final contender for the midsized SUV crown is the Fortuner. Toyota is betting big bucks on their latest offering and it sure has shaken up the competition. The vehicle looks robust and is a born showstopper with the pedigree of big daddy Land Cruiser. It has the biggest and the most powerful engine amongst the three and like the Pajero, the Fortuner has some old school charm like a separate manual gear knob to seleThe ct the High or Low gear of the 4×4. It can give Pajero a run for its money off the road, but the Fortuner would have a tough time matching the X-Trail on a flat road. The plus side is that unlike the Pajero and the X-Trail that come to our shores as CBUs, the Fortuner is made in India’. Just like the Innova, the Fortuner has the body-on-chassis construction and in this way, Toyota has managed to keep a check on the costs. The Fortuner has a price tag of Rs 18.45 lakhs making it the most affordable of the three, though it could have easily been a few grand cheaper. Additionally, Toyota’s reliability and already well established dealership network in our country makes the Fortuner the best deal among the three SUVS here. I told you this is a tough call. So chuck the map and forget the specifications. Just follow your heart. With one of these bad boys by your side, who needs roads anymore?
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