2014 Ford Endeavour vs 2014 Isuzu MU7 vs Toyota Fortuner: Brief comparison

Modified On May 07, 2014 05:10 PM By Raunak

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Ford recently launched the refreshed Endeavour. The company tried to incorporate Kinetic design philosophy in the new-Endeavour, now it gets Figo-ish bumper. The competition in this premium SUV space is increasing day by day, infact competition in every segment is increasing in the country as lot of new manufacturers are entering in new segments. Isuzu, the quintessential diesel engine manufacturer entered in India recently with MU7 SUV and D-Max pick-up. MU7 lands in the territory of new 2014 Endeavour and the segment leader Toyota Fortuner. Lets do a brief comparo of the trio.

Ford Endeavour vs Toyota Fortuner vs Isuzu MU7

Exterior Design

Ford Endeavour

Isuzu MU7

What it looks like, the refreshed Endeavour is trying to adapt the kinetic styling. The vehicle received the swept back horizontally placed headlamps in the last update, in this update the entire front end gets subtle changes to impart freshness in the SUV; it gets the hexagonal radiator grill found in the updated Figo, new grille and elusive changes to the headlamps. The tweaked bumper resembles the sibling hatch. The overall profile of the SUV is unaltered. The car receives new set of 16 inch chrome plated alloys. Isuzu MU7 looks bigger than the rest of the two, at the front you get a large chromed grille with big Isuzu logo, the headlamps are vertically based with boost projector headlamps. At the edgy sporting sleek air dam and chrome embellishment around the fog lamp housing. The hood sports a large air-intake scoop. At the rear, the MU7 features a dual-tone sporty bumper with chrome muffler-tip while taillights placement mimics the front.

Toyota Fortuner

The Fortuner look smaller compared to rest two. However, it looks proportionate from every angle. The sleek headlamp profile, wider chromed grille and sporty bumper profile keeps the Fortuner competitive with the two. The Fortuner features traditional straight back just like the Endeavour while MU7 has slightly curved one. The Endeavour boosts the spare wheel mounted on the boot-lid while the other two lacks the same; off road enthusiasts, however, love the former setup in SUVs. Fortuner rides 221mm above the ground, the Endeavour features 210mm of GC while Isuzu MU7 offers similar to Ford - 210mm. The Fortuner rides on 17inch radial while rest two drives on 16 inch.

Isuzu MU7

Interior and Comfort

Ford Endeavour - Interior

All the three SUV feature plain and simple interior layout. The new Endeavour features similar layout of the previous one but, the central console gets a new shade - Majestic Molten Metal color . The SUV features a large high definition touch screen infotainment system that doubles up as a screen for the reverse camera. The system also incorporate Bluetooth integration with BT-Audio playback with DVD player and SATNAV.

Toyota Fortuner - Interior

The HVAC in the Ford's SUV is manual one. The Isuzu MU7 offers all-black layout with leather wrapped steering, seats and gearbox lever. The interior of MU7 gets shiny piano black inserts and boosts Kenwood infotainment system that doubles up as reverse parking camera screen. The HVAC controls in Isuzu are also manual one like the Endeavour. Fortuner features Innova inspired dashboard, but it features automatic HVAC which is missing in the rest two. Fortuner is also equipped with touch-screen infotainment system. All the three cars feature simple three-pot instrumentation cluster.

Isuzu MU7 - Interior

Engine

Isuzu is a familiar name when it comes to diesel motoring in India, Hindustan Motors Ambassador has been using Isuzu diesel engine for a long time now. Isuzu is pioneer in oil burner technology. The Chevrolet Travera is indeed an Isuzu Panther and it shares the engine too. The MU7 features a 3.0 liter 4-cylinder Inter-Cooled VGS Turbo Diesel. The engine churns out 161bhp of power at 3600rpm and a peak torque of 360Nm at 1800 and 2800rpm.

Isuzu MU7 Engine, Ford Endeavour Engine, Toyota Fortuner Engine

The Endeavour offers two diesel engine option, the tried and tested 3.0 liter TDCI powerplant producing 153bhp of power and 380Nm of max torque. The other 2.5 liter TDCI unit produces 141bhp and 330Nm of toque. The Fortuner's 3.0-litre D-4D diesel motor with Inter-cooled Turbocharger gathers 168bhp and 360Nm of torque. Ford comes with an option of automatic gearbox with 4-wheel-drive, none of the two cars offer auto box with 4X4; it also offers 5-speed manual with the 2.5 liter engine. The Isuzu only comes with a 5 speed manual box (4 X 2 Rear-Wheel- Drive); while the Fortuner offers 5-speed manual both in 2WD and 4WD variants and AT is available only in 2WD.