Why dont you get the Fortuner 4x2 AT as well? Stretch your budget a bit since you're will to spend at least a 100k for the upgrades. I think most of those upgrades are found in the 4x2 AT Fort. At least you'll get the comfort of AT while having long drives.
Re: Leather Seat - Forts have leather seats already, right (?), please correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, kinda agree with most of the posts here, balisawsaw talaga ang abot mo sa leather seats. My good old sedan has leatherette seat covers before, I havent used them for at least 8 yrs already.
But if you can wait, there's an upcoming all new Everest.
HTH