Should you wait for the 2022 Ford Everest or buy the Toyota Fortuner?

If you are specifically looking for a pickup-based SUV in Malaysia, then the Toyota Fortuner seems to be a default choice with the discontinuation of the Isuzu mu-X and the Ford Everest. Well, that will not be the case anymore because Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) is set to bring the Everest back to the local market in an all-new avatar. 

Set to launch on September 24, 2022, the third-generation Everest is based on the recently launched Ford Ranger pickup, touted as the smartest Ranger ever. Just like the next-gen Ranger is giving strong competition to the Toyota Hilux, the upcoming Everest is also likely to capture the interests of customers planning to buy the Fortuner. 

With the same thought, here we compare these power-packed full-size SUVs neck-to-neck to help the customers decide whether they should wait for the all-new 2022 Ford Everest or buy the already available Toyota Fortuner.  

Dimensions

Measurements	Toyota Fortuner	Ford Everest
Length	4,795 mm	4,914 mm
Width	1,855 mm	1,923 mm
Height	1,835 mm	1,842 mm
Wheelbase	2,745 mm	2,900 mm
Wheels & Tyres	18-inch alloy with  265/60R18 Highway Terrain Tyres	18-inch alloy with 255/65 R18 tyres
Ground clearance	279 mm	227 mm

Size-wise, the 2022 Ford Everest is longer, wider, and slightly taller than the Toyota Fortuner. Not only that but also the wheelbase of the American SUV outperforms the Japanese rival by 155 mm. The bigger dimensions straightly translate into better interior space ensuring higher comfort levels. Coming to the wheels and tyres size, here the vehicles appear the same while in terms of ground clearance, the Hilux-based SUV offers more ground clearance for better cruising on rough terrains.

Engine specifications

Toyota offers the Fortuner in two diesel and one petrol engine, including a 2GD-FTV 2.8-litre turbodiesel, 1GD-FTV 2.4-litre diesel, and 2TR-FE 2.7-litre petrol. However, we do not know the engine specifications for the upcoming Ford Everest yet. But if we take reference from the Thai-spec SUV or the Ranger pickup truck, it is likely that the Malaysian-spec model will be offered with a 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine with two different states of tune.

Let’s compare the output numbers of these engines -

Specs	Toyota Fortuner			Ford Everest
Engine	2.8-litre turbo diesel	2.7-litre petrol	2.4-litre diesel	2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel (single turbo)	2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel (bi-turbo)
Power	204 PS	166 PS	150 PS	170 hp	210 hp
Torque	500 Nm	245 Nm	400 Nm	405 Nm	500 Nm
Transmission	Six-speed automatic			Six-speed automatic

The above comparison reveals that despite having a lower-capacity engine, the Ford Everest bi-turbo version delivers slightly better performance than the top-spec Fortuner. 

Features

Time to compare the Fortuner and Everest features, here the latter is the newer car of the two and likely to come with a more advanced equipment list, including -

• New ​​bold grille with prominent bars
• New ‘C-clamp’ headlights and new LED tail lights 
• High-resolution portrait-oriented central display in 10.1- or 12-inch size
• New 8.0- or 12.4-inch digital driver display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto support,
• Wireless charging
• Electric parking brake
• Automatic air-conditioning
• New interior materials and premium finishes
• Ambient lighting
• Leather-trimmed e-Shifter
• Power adjustable driver and front passenger seat 
• High-resolution surround view camera
• Nine airbags
• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function
• Lane-keeping system with road-edge detection
• Evasive steer assist
• Reverse brake assist
• Blind spot information system with trailer coverage
• Enhanced pre-collision assist with intersection functionality

The top-spec Toyota Fortuner, on the other hand, is kitted with the following exterior, interior and safety features -

• An aggressive grille with a mesh-style insert and an angry lower intake
• Automatic quad-LED headlights
• Sequential LED turn signals
• Blacked-out roof
• L-shaped LED tail lights
• 9-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity
• 4.2-inch colour multi-info display
• Automatic air-conditioning with auto rear vents
• Variable flow control power steering
• Smart entry and start system
• Electrochromic rear-view mirror
• Vehicle telematics system
• 8-way powered front seats
• LED interior lamps
• Wireless charger
• Illuminated entry with push start
• Seven airbags
• Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Pre-collision system with auto brake
• Lane departure alert with yaw assist
• Dynamic radar cruise control

Price

The Toyota Fortuner price in Malaysia starts at RM 179,880 and goes all the way up to RM 220,880. As for the 2022 Everest pricing, we can take a reference from the neighbours where it ranges from THB 1.334 million (approximately equal to RM 162,506) to THB 1.854 million (RM 225,852). 

Summing up

With bigger dimensions, a more powerful engine, and an advanced equipment list, the upcoming Ford Everest offers strong reasons to buyers for holding back their purchase and waiting for its launch. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Also read: Ford Ranger vs Rivals: Price, engine, size and features compared