Fortuner VVTi woes ?

[Horsepower]

Just get a SantaFe CRDI VGT 2.2L
150Hp
335Nm Torque
Leather seats interior trims (standard)
Leather Steering wheel
Very nice Ride, Autolevelling Hydraulic Shocks
Projector Lights
Very good fuel mileage

5-Star Crash Tests (US NHTSA) and IIHS-HLDI
Mp3/HighMAT/AAC/WAV DIN2 Audio system

[IMm29]

Is the Santa Fe's cabin almost or as spacious as the Fortuner's? I've been in both, but they were months apart, so I can't remember anymore.

[niky]

Front row and middle row seats are good, but both cars have really small third row seats.

Me too, it's been a while since I rode the Fortuner, so I can't decide whether it has better or worse third-row legroom than the Santa Fe, but I think the Fortuner might have the edge in third-row headroom.

[yuichi]

Is the Santa Fe's cabin almost or as spacious as the Fortuner's? I've been in both, but they were months apart, so I can't remember anymore.

fortuner is longer, has a bit more space after the 3rd row seat. but sante fe is wider...i beleive.

[MRC23]

2.7 VVTi owner here. My odo has 6k on it. So far, very much satisfied and it averages at 7.3km/li mixed traffic and a lil bit of highway driving.

I got my Fortuner other than any vehicle cause Im comfortable with it and not what other people think about it or have to say about it. What if other vehicles like CRV, Pajero, Sta Fe etc is 100% much better in other aspects than the Fortuner i will still get the Fortuner.

It suits my taste! But thats just me!

VVT-i woes? Never crossed my mind... But then again... We will see... 1st Generation pa lang naman ang Fortuner.. Toyota will surely refine their products.. I hope so... But now, Im just enjoying my ride...

Goodluck to you guys on what ride will you buy soon...

[IMm29]

i would think the Fortuner has some advantage in the 3rd row headroom. i now recall having to crouch lower in the Santa Fe than in the Fortuner. but either way, it's rather cramped for someone like me (5' 6" and horizontally challenged). good for kids, or petite adults.

[niky]

My major gripe with interior space on the Santa Fe (as cramped third row headroom isn't a biggie for a sedan owner like me... ) is the fact that the second row is immobile. This gives a slight advantage to the Fortuner in third row legroom.

I've found the only way to ride comfortably in the Fort's third row is to recline the seat all the way back (tada! Headroom! ) and move the second row bench forward (since the second row has tons of legroom)... it would've been nice if this feature was in the Santa Fe.

[cardo]

Just get a SantaFe CRDI VGT 2.2L
150Hp
335Nm Torque
Leather seats interior trims (standard)
Leather Steering wheel
Very nice Ride, Autolevelling Hydraulic Shocks
Projector Lights
Very good fuel mileage

5-Star Crash Tests (US NHTSA) and IIHS-HLDI
Mp3/HighMAT/AAC/WAV DIN2 Audio system

that auto leveling suspension is so nice!

ahhhh ... i wish i had a sta fe

[mazdamazda]

Before I was saying that the 2.7L VVTi version was pointless (who wouldn't after driving the brilliant 3.0L D4-D)

But after the D4D problems erupted (now also affecting some 3.0L D4-D engines), the 2.7L VVTi G variant makes a lot of sense.

If you are in the market for an entry-level 4x2 SUV with 7 seats this is already a good choice. Although if you don't need 7 seats the Sorento is the best bang for the buck SUV.

The Santa Fe is a hard sell against this since the price difference (200-300K) is just too big. Although against the 2.5L D4-D variant it is easier to justify the added price for the features that you'll get.

But if I were you - I'd wait for the entry-level 7-seat SUVs that'll be developed from the Ranger & Strada platforms.

[IMm29]

yikes! so even the 3.0L D-4D has problems now, huh? tsk! tsk! oh well, so much for the vaunted toyota reliability. but then, you could probably call them "birth pains" since D-4D/CRDi is new for toyota. hopefully they can rectify it.

the fortuner's second row does adjust, so you could make more room for the third row inhabitants, an advantage it does possess over the santa fe. either way, personally, i'd rather use the 3rd rows on both for storage space. they give me some room for allowance in case i have to ride more than 5 persons, but then for full time people carrying, it's time for... a van ;)

[chuaa]

go for the sta fe....am very happy with it...just drove it to baguio last weekend...definitely my best drive to baguio so far...hit 160 on the nlex...had to let of gas caused it felt like it wanted to go 200!!! on the uphill climb...the tiptronic trany was great....felt i had full control of the shifting...and i still could overtake with ease during uphill....

consumed less than 3/4 of my tank for the whole trip...per my computation...i did around 10/ltr...good enough considering i was flooring the gas during most of the trip...

[IMm29]

wow! sarap ng Santa Fe ah big diff from the previous gen.

[RPG]

But if I were you - I'd wait for the entry-level 7-seat SUVs that'll be developed from the Ranger & Strada platforms.

Yes the new Strada based 7-seat SUV with Common Rail Diesel minus the "D4D woes" and the "tagtag" suspension and priced competitively w/ the Fortuner looks like a real winner. Does anyone have advanced info if Mitsubishi will be coming up with new models based out of the new Strada platform ? All I know is the Zinger and possibly the 2008 all new Outlander.

The 2008 Everest's DuraTORQ engine looks promising too but I hope it's body styling will not be based on the 2008 Ranger.

[thumper]

My first post! Have learned so much already fromthis site!

Yup, heard from lots of friends with VVTi Fortuners that malakas talaga sa gas! It was one of my first purchase choices along with the D4D 2.5liter variant. However, sobra hina makina ng 2.5 D4D and sobra mahal ang 3.0 D4D Fortuner! Plus there have been "reported problems" relating to the D4Ds recently.

Took the plunge for a new Strada GLS AT which I will take delivery of this weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed that I made the right decision based on test drive at the Fort last month and a little research.

Nice to be on board !

[number001]

Does anyone have advanced info if Mitsubishi will be coming up with new models based out of the new Strada platform ? All I know is the Zinger and possibly the 2008 all new Outlander.

The Outlander shares its platform with the upcoming 2008 Lancer. See September '06 of Car and Driver, page 65.

Thus, the 2007 Outlander enters the burgeoning crossover-SUV market on a mission. Like virtually every second-generation vehicle (the first Outlander debuted in 2002), this one has grown, being more of a mid-size SUV than a compact one, with available seating for seven. Although it’s based on the upcoming 2008 Lancer’s compact platform, the use of large wheels and tires—most models have 18-inchers—helps belie its econocar roots.

[oldblue]

that's somethin' to look forward too, strada suv. with the new everest, wag na lang. parang pareho lang eh.

if sta. fe vs. fortuner in terms of convenience, mas ok ang sta. fe first row and 2nd row. car-like position and comfort. the 2nd row of the santa fe is even more comfortable than the 2nd-row of my dad's Explorer EB.

[niky]

The new Everest won't look much newer... but there are hopes that the ride quality will rival the upcoming Strada-based SUV.

Really think Ford shot themselves in the foot with the styling... sayang. Am looking forward to the test drive... kung maganda, baka bagong Everest nalang kukunin ng Mom ko. I'm the one advising her... she has her own driver and "slave" (my brother) now that I'm married, but if she buys a new car, I want to make sure it's something I won't hate driving.

[EUREKA]

fortuner vvti owner here. so far no regrets whatsoever. not to mention the porma factor it gives. last time i went home coming from baguio, less than 3 hours lang at a (almost) constant speed of 80-120 kph. it was a Good friday by the way. No qualms about the engine. okay sya. about the handling naman, it felt safe all the way.

[RPG]

My new spec-up Fortuner VVTi Extreme Black was just delivered yesterday. Am absolutely very happy with my purchase and so was my family and neighbors. So far with the current 7 seater SUVs being offered in our country, the Toyota Fortuner VVTi variant in my personall opinion has a well balanced performance and returns the best value for my money.

Will re-evaluate when the next killer 7 seater SUV finally comes to our shores...

Thanks for all who shared their own personal views to this thread.

[IMm29]

Congrats on your new purchase, RPG! Enjoy!

Do update us on your personal evaluation and experiences on your new Fort.