I got a 2011 model last december and also had the same dilemna. Matigas ang ulo ko so I got the 2.5D4D. No problems so far. I don't feel its underpowered. Have not tried it on long steep roads pero I often go to and from basement parking logs (RCBC Plaza) with 7+ pax and it does not even go to 2000 RPM using 'D'. I still have a 1996 accord and the fortuner feels more responsive and more powerful. I think historically on paper Toyota has always been inferior in terms of HP pero in reality they're competetive naman. The tagtag issue is real specially in contrast to the accord but is really just overrated. I deflated to 28 psi and its okay na. I also rode a Civic FD and a City and I cant tell the diff with the Fortuner. Masarap din gamitin ang Fort sa SLEX or to Tagaytay. Dahil stiff ang suspension niya hindi siya nag bobottom out pag may mga small slopes. Ang issue ng tagtag ng fortuner sa mga pebble like roads. Pero sa mga humps hindi ka naman matatagtag.

Forget about the new model. I asked my SA after I got my Fort and wala pa din talaga daw. 2013 pa daw. I don't think he still has a motive for lying since I got a unit from him already. Unless of course he thinks I would refer other Fort buyers.

The best for me with the Fort is it looks, period. That was and still is the clincher despite all the bashing here in tsikot. (Madami din Hyundai/Mistu boys dito. hehe) I guess mas macho pa din siya kaysa sa ibang SUV/AUV/CUV kasi di siya masyadong curvy like mga car-looking SUVs. Yung iba kasi parang sobrang radical ang design that you admire for a week pero after that parang deadma ka na.

This is just my opinion and experience with the Fort.