CR-V, Fortuner or X-Trail

[crizza]

My husband and I are planning to get a car pag-uwi namin this december. We checked the C! 2006 Ultimate Buyers Guide, browsed the net, and finally came up with the CR-V, Fortuner and X-Trail in the shortlist. Kaso we never owned any car in the philippines yet, at nissan sunny naman ang amin dito sa abroad. no experience pa talaga when it comes to AUVs/SUVs.

Additional fact pala is that, our garage is just long enough to accommodate the CR-V or X-Trail. Kung Fortuner, we will have to spend around 50K more para magpabakbak at i-adjust ang gate namin.

Sumasakit na ulo namin coz never pa kami nakatest-drive ni isa sa mga vehicles na to. Pero we really need to buy one dahil jeepney/bus/taxi pa rin kami tuwing uwi namin. In short, we will be buying blindly. We need you guys to guide us to the right direction.

Please help.

[finchy18]

Fortuner

[number001]

Since your "garage is just long enough to accommodate the CR-V or X-Trail", I would pick the CRV between the two choices. AFAIK, X-Trail has better fuel mileage (but not too big to make a significant difference) and handling on off-road trails or unpaved roads. But it feels cramped inside and the turning of the steering wheel is just too loose or soft. The most affordable X-Trail would at least cost more than Php 100,000 to a similarly equipped CRV ( I think at Php 1,120,000).

On the other hand, the CRV is more spacious (than an X-Trial) but I personally dont like the way they integrated the A/T stick (almost like a column shift, but its not) and handbrake onto the dash. The most affordable CRV (4x2 M/T - 5 passengers) cost only Php 999,000, while the A/T would cost an addt'l Php 50,000 to 60,000 more. Keep in mind though, the current CRV would be phased out by next year here in the Philippines and late this year in the US. It would be replaced by an all new body model. Note: the 8 passengers variant is not recommended because it is more "bumpy" bec. of its stiffer suspension and it costs an addt'l Php 20,000 or more.

Regarding the Fortuner, it is not that much bigger or longer than a CRV. It feels like a truck when being driven (because of the ride height and blind spots) but surprisingly it manuevers almost like a sedan. The most affordable Fortuner (4x2, 2.7l gas engine) would cost Php 1,308,000. If you are coming from a car, it takes some getting used to when driving this esp. the higher overhang of the hood. I got this one because of its ride height which is very handy for the flash floods during this monsoon season. It can also seat seven passengers comfortably (the rear seats would accomodate comfortably individuals of 5'7 in height or below) with a little room left for small luggages.

Other choices for you consider are Hyundai Tucson (quite affordable but the 4x2 variant is completely devoid of any safety features- ie. airbags, abs, etc.) ; '06 Toyota Rav4 4x2 (quite pricey at Php 1,400,000+ and there is the question of having to line up to order it due to limited supplies); Ford Escape 4x2 2.3l (affordable at Php 999,000 that is if that promo is still around when you get back in Dec.)

Ps: The '06 Fortuner is my personal ride, while the family uses the '06 CRV.

[cutedoc]

fortuner =) mas ok overall, but if your garage could just squeeze n a smaller car, go for crv nalang, roomier interior

[kyle618]

dont forget to add the Subaru Forester 2.0 for 1.2m as one of your choices... hindi ako spokesperson for Subaru ah. The Forester 2.5 Turbo is 1.6m.

Imo with the choices Xtrail ako ksi its easy to drive around the city and gets decent fuel mileage. and atleast hindi pa magpphase out compared to the CRV which is bound to be changed by the end of the year or early 2007

[Camgen6]

First of all welcome to Tsikot. Either one will suit you fine, these are great SUVs. If I have to buy an SUV, the CRV, Fortuner, RAV4 and X-trail are on top of my list. There are a lot of threads regarding this topic, just use the "Search box" Also consider the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento. Good luck!

Tsikoteers, meron na bang Kia Sportage sa Pinas? I heard they handle and rides better than the Tucson.

[Sarsi]

although not in your shortlist, you may want to consider ESCAPE, just like lynx, under rated lang ang auto na ito, i can help you to get a good deal for this,just PM me

[ts1n1ta]

my vote goes to the crv.

[jonski]

escape...kukuha ako nito early next year.

[erict]

Tsikoteers, meron na bang Kia Sportage sa Pinas? I heard they handle and rides better than the Tucson.

Kia Sportage? ang alam ko matagal na ito sa Pinas, baka late 90's pa.

[erict]

Xtrail ako..

pero ang mas magandang gawin nyo at kung may time kayo, punta kayo sa mga showrooms ng mga gusto nyo then i-test drive nyo.

[BlueGirl]

my vote goes to the crv.

[Camgen6]

Kia Sportage? ang alam ko matagal na ito sa Pinas, baka late 90's pa.

erict, there is an all new Kia Sportage (2006) that came out here in the States, I think it is based on Hyundai Tucson. Tanong ko lang kung meron na dyan sa Pinas, like the Tucson. Thanks.

[jonski]

hyundai Tucson...kung mas malakas lang sana hatak nito im sure 100% eto na kukunin ko.

[artpogi]

among the three choices, my vote goes to X-Trail

[Syuryuken]

X-Trail for me

[ILuvDetailing]

We have the CRV and X-trail, I enjoy driving the X-trail more, steering is light which is a plus in city driving plus its more fuel efficient. Am getting around 7.5 to 8km/li city driving on my X-trail compared to 5-6km/li on the CRV. I don't think thats a small difference, if you add it up. Downsides of the X-trail are the plastic interior which gets scratched easily, and yes the CRV has a bigger 2nd row, but if your the one driving get the X-trail.

[NazQ]

fortuner. pero kung ayaw na magsira ng garahe, xtrail.

[niky]

If you value comfort, the X-Trail is your best bet among the three, despite the second row deficit. Given that you guys are ex-pats, you will probably be driving yourselves anyway, right?

For driving, I'd say an Escape would be easiest to drive, and the fuel consumption of the 2.3 is okay.

The CR-V's fuel consumption really is that bad... at least in AT, and it requires a very disciplined right foot to keep within acceptable limits.

As number001 has said, the Fortuner drives much like a car. In fact, I find that its footprint is very manageable, akin to a midsize sedan, just bulkier and taller. But it's a very hard vehicle to park if you're not used to trucks (I am) and the ride will definitely feel stiff and uncomfortable if you're coming from a car. Still, it's a good value, and huge inside compared to your other choices.

[herbularyo]

Get a sledgehammer and start hitting your gate then buy a Fortuner. I own one and Im very satisfied with it.