For a while now, the Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner have commanded a dominant stature in the India SUV market overshadowing competition like the Skoda Kodiaq, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and even the Isuzu MU-X.
The two have been quite prevalent in the premium SUV segment although when it comes to making the final buying decision, many swing towards the Toyota Fortuner with the Ford Endeavour mostly being the second option.
Mahindra has been ruling the roost when it comes to SUVs in the lower segment. Thanks to steady demand for the Mahindra Bolero, Mahindra XUV500 and the Mahindra Scorpio, the company has little to worry about in the below Rs 20 lakh SUV segment. But it’s aiming higher now.
Mahindra Alturas vs Rivals
With the launch of the Mahindra Alturas G4, the India automobile maker is looking to tap into uncharted territory.
But, can the ‘new’ premium SUV from Mahindra take on the might of the Toyota Fortuner or the Ford Endeavour? Should you really consider buying the Mahindra Alturas at a Rs 30 lakh price point. Here’s a quick comparison between the three.
Dimensions
The Ford Endeavour is the longest of the three in terms of overall length at 4,892mm while the Mahindra Alturas slots in at number two with overall length of 4,850mm. Though, as butch as it may look on the roads, the Toyota Fortuner is the shortest here at 4,795mm.
As surprising as it may sound, the Alturas offers the maximum wheelbase at 2,865mm which translates into more interior space. The Ford Endeavour offers 2,850mm of wheelbase while the Fortuner comes in at 2,745mm. The Rexton inspired Alturas is wider and taller than the other two at 1,960mm wide and 1,845mm tall.
For a 4x4, ground clearance is essential and both the Alturas and Endeavour ace this feature with 225mm of ground clearance. The Fortuner is just 5mm lower at 220mm. Considering the length and wheelbase of each, the ground clearance for all three is more than adequate.
Engine & Transmission
When talking about engine and transmission, we’ll keep into consideration the top end variants of all three which is the 4x4 automatic. The Ford Endeavour races away in this department with a whopping 3.2-litre 5-cylinder engine that pumps out 197bhp of power at 3,000rpm and 470Nm of torque. It comes mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and offers all-wheel drive with terrain-response system.
The Toyota Fortuner comes with a 2,755cc diesel engine coupled with a 6-speed gearbox that makes 175bhp of power and 450Nm of torque. The diesel automatic comes with a part-time switchable four-wheel drive system. There is also a 2.7 litre petrol motor on offer with a 7-speed automatic but no four-wheel drive.
The Alturas comes with a 2,157 cc four-cylinder diesel engine, with a 7-speed automatic transmission. It can push out 178bhp of power and 420Nm of peak torque. It is equipped with a part-time four-wheel drive system.
All three offer hill descent control while the Endeavour offers a better set of features like a slightly more advanced terrain management system with modes like sand, snow and rock and a locking rear differential.
Features
In terms of features, the Ford Endeavour is the king of the hill as its comes with a bevy of features. Much more than its competition in this segment.
To start with, the Endeavour comes with a panoramic sunroof, automatic parallel parking assist, noise cancellation for the cabin, electronic differential lock, electronic folding seats on the rear. Talk about being loaded!
The Alturas might not be feature heavy, but sure does have a few first-in -segment features like ventilated front seats and four cameras for the car’s 360-degree view. It also comes with a sunroof and Android Auto & CarPlay, which even the Fortuner and the Endeavour have.
Pricing
This is what draws most attention and what really makes or breaks it for a car. The new Mahindra Alturas 4x4 diesel automatic comes in at Rs 29.95 lakh (ex-showroom) while the base variant 4x2 automatic starts at Rs 26.95 lakh.
The 4x4 automatic top variant of the Fortuner will cost you Rs 32.97 lakh while Ford Endeavour’s top-spec variant is available at Rs 32.81 lakh.
While the Alturas might come as a compelling buy in this segment at under Rs 30 lakh, you have to consider the generous feature set the Endeavour offers for its price. Come to think of it, the Endeavour still seems to be the more value for money SUV here.
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