New Pajero Sport or New Toyota Fortuner?

[Behemoth]

Hi All,

This question must be floating in all 4x4 enthusiasts' minds after the launch of the new Pajero Sport by Mitsubishi. In the long run (1 year timeframe!) I am also evaluating both of these options. Though I have not test driven the Pajero sport yet, I would like to take feedback from all of you on the relative merits / demerits of each! (though we are all passionate about our choices, I would appreciate constructive comments and feedback please)

Some of the stregths / Weaknesses of each:

Pajero Sport
Strengths
Strong lineage of 4x4 vehicles and good technology
Good interior aesthetics
Good ergonomics
Good offroader

Weaknesses
Horrible partnership with HM, bad support network
Large size, inconvenient for city use
Dated Audio system
Higher Initial price and drastic depreciation

New Toyota Fortuner
Strengths
Very reliable vehicle and strong support network
Toyota Brand value
Good offroad capabilities
Manageable size

Weaknesses
Lack of cabin space - especially headroom
Plain Jane interiors (though much better in the new version now)
Ride quality for daily use

Your comments and feedback are appreciated!

Regards,
Behemoth

[darsa]

Hello,

I do not understand much about SUV's and 4x4's. But in your weaknesses list for the Fortuner you forgot to add one very important point - Braking

Also going by the reviews on this forum, the off-roading capabilities of Pajero are superior than the Fortuner

My comments are based purely on the reviews and information available on the forum

Thank you

[4x4addict]

I would go with Fortuner primarily because I don't trust HM/Mitsu for service. In the long run, it will be much more expensive to own/maintain than the Fortuner.

Given that I can get a Toyota 4WD, with VSC for 21 Lakhs ex showroom, I don't see the need to pay 3 Lakhs more to get the Pajero Sport from a company which is not interested in the Indian market at all..

[anupam00]

Pajero any day over fortuner,

Mitsubishi makes over engineered car-ask any pajero owners they have any issue with car answer is just no,it's amazing,

Pajero Sports would again be something to own & forget other issues for life,

So I would go for Pajero Sports.

Thanks & Regards
Anupam00

[mayankjha1806]

New Fortuner any day. For more reasons then one

1. I would buy a SUV to take it anywhere, that's what its meant to be, and Toyotas availability being wider then Mitsubishi.
2. With a horizon of owning the car for next 10 years, i feel Toyota are better positioned in India, they have invested more, and looks like are here to stay. Mitsubishi on the other hand, although build quality cars, give an impression that they are fly-by-night operators. Being among the first entrant in this market they still do not command wide presence, mostly because of HM.
3. Fortuner has much wider user reviews, most problems if any have been already faced by others hence there are ample ways to get them fixed.
4. Icing on the cake, Fortuner will be cheaper then the Pajero Sport, how often we get to hear that .

[n.devdath]

This could very well be a never ending thread since both these vehicles are close competitors, across markets.

If I had the wherewithal, I d go for the Pajero Sport due to two main reasons;
1. Its longevity is well established, more than the Fortuner and,
2. Though spares are expensive, one rarely gets to see a dissatisfied Pajero owner.

[Latheesh]

T-Fort!

Mitsu is clueless about Indian market, you cannot trust HM-Mitsu partnership and A.S.S

[Chat]

Pajero Sport anyday over Fortuner. In several geographies where both the vehicles are available, Pajero Sport wins hands down. Pajero Sport is much more loaded vehicle compared to Fortuner and hence higher price. I believe it will be locally assembled in India sometime within this year that should bring the price further down.

Size wise they are almost identical vehicles, check on any website. Pajero Sport has better turning radius so it will be easier to use for city driving. Network alone does not make a vehicle superior. If that was the case, then Grand Vitara should have topped the sales charts.

[raajks]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

I would go with Fortuner primarily because I don't trust HM/Mitsu for service. In the long run, it will be much more expensive to own/maintain than the Fortuner.

I am curious to know if the HM / Mitsu service was experienced first hand.
I have had an excellent experience with Mitsubishi as far as service is concerned.

If this thought is floated based on mass opinion, I dont think this should be considered as a point towards decision.

8-9 months back, the OLD Pajero touted the new Toyota Fortuner in an Overdrive video

Pajero Vs Fortuner in J&K on OVERDRIVE - YouTube

If this was the case for the OLD Pajero, Imagine what the new Pajero Sport can do.

Case in Point:
Take a comprehensive test drive and decide.
My vote goes for the Pajero, Hands down

[Vid6639]

Before anyone can actually answer one needs to drive the Pajero Sports. Else the discussion is pointless.

The Mitsu would be a good contender if it has better (read softer) ride comfort than the Fortuner.

Also thanks to the disaster of Cedia and Outlander Mitsu is left with hardly any dealer network. Most of the dealers have shut shop or moved to other brands. Unless this is rectified I don't see people looking at Pajero Sports especially considering the pricing is also a premium over the Toyota.

[AirWind]

Higher votes doesn't necessarily mean more sales for the Pajero... perhaps team-bhp members would be the few to buy it, not the junta who wouldnt even look at it.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

Before anyone can actually answer one needs to drive the Pajero Sports. Else the discussion is pointless.

Agreed. We should be doing an official review soon. Until then, or the time that a BHPian uploads a full driving report, this thread is temporarily closed. We cannot root for / against a car without knowing anything about it!

@ All : If you have a review to share on the Pajero Sport, please use the report this post to a Moderator functionality and this thread will be opened.