XTRAIL vs. FORESTER vs. ESCAPE vs. MONTERO SPORT - on GAS consumption & RIDE [merged]

[boracay7777]

Just wanted to get thoughts on the 3 options. Basically, choice of 3 is because of limited price and the fact that all are 7 seaters. Kindly comment on what to choose if priority issue is gas consumption and ride - matagtag ba o hindi. Thanks.

[boracay7777]

Just wanted to get thoughts on the 4 options. Basically, choice of 4 is because of limited price and the fact that all are 5 seaters. Kindly comment on what to choose if priority issue is gas consumption and ride - matagtag ba o hindi. Thanks.

[number001]

We have both the '06 CRV 2WD 5 pass (not the select edition but rather the more "loaded" version but phased out already) and '06 Fortuner 2.7 vvti gas. Based on experience, the 2.0li CRV does gulp more fuel than the 2.7li Fortuner.

Since I dont use the CRV, I cannot comment on whether its bumpy or "matagtag". But I heard it is quite bumpy as per the family member who uses it and also based on other posters from tsikot. Since you are after the 8 pass CRV, expect it to have a stiffer suspension and therefore bumpier ride than a 5 pass CRV.

The Fortuner that I drive is bumpy but not that bad as an L300. Of course, its ride is incomparable to a sedan. However, my ride is bumpier than normal bec. I overinflate the tires by at least 1 psi. I also tried to underinflate it before and the bumpiness was reduced quite a bit.

Of the three, two are being phased out within a year's time. The Everest (by the end of this year, I think) and CRV (by next's first half). The Fortuner's a good choice given that it can actually carry same amount of people more comfortably than the other two. It also sips less fuel than the CRV. The Everest is untouchable bec. it is diesel. Downside, the Fortuner is the most expensive of the three.

[ehw953]

how come mas matakaw sa gas ang CRV? based on my undersanding, the bigger the engine displacement the more guzzler it is... 2.0 vs 2.7 pinaguusapan dito... but based on your observation mas matakaw yung crv? bkt po ganun?

[number001]

A difficult comparison, I believe bec of the discrepancies in their body construction, engine displacement, fuel type, price, etc.

The Xtrail, Escape and Forester all have smoother ride than the ladder and frame based Montero Sport. The Montero uses diesel so expect it be thriftier when compared to others within its class and size.

What to choose? I would rule out, Forester based on your "limited price" budget. Btw, what is your budget? I would rule out the Montero Sport bec. it cannot compete with other non-ladder-frame-chassis vehicles in terms of ride comfort.

Which leaves you with either the X-Trail or Escape. I rode on an Escape V6 for more than a week in the US and I look upon it negatively bec. of the substandard build quality and boring interiors which it exuded upon me. So that would leave, the X-Trail as the sole survivor of my "axe" :D

[jonski]

how about Santa Fe? ayaw mo? panalo yon kasi mas maganda interior tska dami na masyado fortuner at hindi pa matagtag. ok din fuel economy. 7seater din sya pero pwede mo fold yung 3rd row incase kelangan mo space.

[number001]

how come mas matakaw sa gas ang CRV? based on my undersanding, the bigger the engine displacement the more guzzler it is... 2.0 vs 2.7 pinaguusapan dito... but based on your observation mas matakaw yung crv? bkt po ganun?

My mindset used to be like this also. But after running the numbers and comparing them, I think I have changed my mind. Would you believe even a V6 Venture can beat some of these vehicles in terms of fuel consumption.

[boracay7777]

A difficult comparison, I believe bec of the discrepancies in their body construction, engine displacement, fuel type, price, etc.

The Xtrail, Escape and Forester all have smoother ride than the ladder and frame based Montero Sport. The Montero uses diesel so expect it be thriftier when compared to others within its class and size.

What to choose? I would rule out, Forester based on your "limited price" budget. Btw, what is your budget? I would rule out the Montero Sport bec. it cannot compete with other non-ladder-frame-chassis vehicles in terms of ride comfort.

Which leaves you with either the X-Trail or Escape. I rode on an Escape V6 for more than a week in the US and I look upon it negatively bec. of the substandard build quality and boring interiors which it exuded upon me. So that would leave, the X-Trail as the sole survivor of my "axe" :D

No issue on price. It's really only the consumption and ride which we're evaluating.

[boracay7777]

how about Santa Fe? ayaw mo? panalo yon kasi mas maganda interior tska dami na masyado fortuner at hindi pa matagtag. ok din fuel economy. 7seater din sya pero pwede mo fold yung 3rd row incase kelangan mo space.

im not too keen on hyundai. i guess hat's why choice was limited to 3

[number001]

Links of some useful reviews:

Ford Escape V6

Ford Escape XLS 2.3

Mitsu Montero Sport

Subaru Forester XT

Nissan X-Trail

[niky]

I think either the Forrester or X-Trail would have the best rides of the lot... Handling would go to the Forrester, with the Escape possibly second. The Montero? No truck will ever ride as well as a car-based CUV.

If we're talking 4x4s here, cross out the 3.0 Escape on fuel consumption. A 2.5 turbo Forrester would also be relatively thirsty. I've heard the X-Trail is supposedly a little better than other CUVs, but it's probably no go, either. The Montero isn't a paragon of fuel economy, but being diesel, would cost you much less on a per-kilometer basis than anything else here.

[OTEP]

Best to test drive them. Find an acceptable compromise between the ride and economy you desire. 'Matagtag' is subjective, its best to actually have a feel for the ride because we have different tolerances.

For my uses, the best compromise among the choices is the Monty Sport.

[oldblue]

montero sport

[mazdamazda]

Among your choices - I would be leaning to the Forester.

As for fuel efficiency - the Xtrail, Forester & Escape are almost at par with each other.

Though I strongly suggest you to look at other Korean alternatives (such as the Santa Fe and Sorento). In my book those vehicles are at par or even better in some aspects as their Japanese counterparts.

[niky]

Hmmm... at the same price, a Kia Sorento hits the spot. More than adequate power and torque from the diesel, and a plush ride. Maybe a bit too soft (it rolls too much for my taste), but it's surprisingly nice, inside, out and mechanically, for a Korean...

[number001]

It were up to me, I would pick Hyundai Sante Fe among the Koreans. Sorry no Kia for me yet.

[userfriendly]

My mindset used to be like this also. But after running the numbers and comparing them, I think I have changed my mind. Would you believe even a V6 Venture can beat some of these vehicles in terms of fuel consumption.

Talaga? I drive a Venture everyday and it drinks like an alcoholic. I'm happy if I get 5km/l city! And that is with all the fuel saving techniques I learned from this forum. Although its pretty good on the highway, I get 10km/l.

So you are saying that these cars get less than 5km/l city?

[number001]

Talaga? I drive a Venture everyday and it drinks like an alcoholic. I'm happy if I get 5km/l city! And that is with all the fuel saving techniques I learned from this forum. Although its pretty good on the highway, I get 10km/l.

I read it somewhere that it gets 10km/li, as you mentioned also. It must be a from local magazine which I read and they must have ran it mostly on the highway.

A close relative owns both a '03 Venture V6 and a '05 CRV 2.0li. They tell me that their Venture is thriftier and sips less fuel than their CRV. Before we got the CRV, they kept on telling us that more frequent trips to the gas station will be normal. They were right!

So you are saying that these cars get less than 5km/l city?

Less than 5km/li? That's a yes for the CRV 2.0 li. The Fortuner gets a 6km/li on bad traffic situations and city driving only.

Our CRV travels roughly 90 km every two weeks and the driver gases up after that period when the fuel meter reaches 1/2. So if a CRV has a total capacity of 50 liters, then half of it is 25li. 90kms travelled divided by 25 liters consumed = 3.6 kms/li Automatic transmission, BTW.

[Isuzoom]

Nissan X-trail...no question

[alwayz_yummy]

driven the 2.5L xtrail couple of times, very useful ang 2wd-4wd(auto)-4wd(lock) mode!, well, no other cSUV has a switchable 2wd option! drink cooler, new mp3 audio, may promo sila less 60 thou and a DVD set..san ka pa!

so as the escape 3.0, nice car, may sunroof, at backseat tables pa....tribute ayaw mo? sporty version lang ng escape. no AWD option nga lang..kahit sa 3.0L variant.

forester is a good car,pero, 1 dealership palang,e...pero its nice.

montero spart is the oldest of them all, but reliable. full-fledged 4WD!

xtrail 250x ako, washable cargo, plastic fenders, but the centercluster takes getting used to....

if you dont need power and sunroof, x-trail ka na..the hyper roof rail is a handy aid too!nice pulling power, at par sa escape at less fuel consumption, 180ps un, with a fat torque curve!