For a person looking for a vehicle that can do it all – a daily driver, mile muncher, and go off-road – but has a bit of luxury as well, the choices in India are a few. However, the bigger question is if one should choose an SUV or a pickup. Both have their pros and cons, and this was more evident when driving two of the most capable vehicles on sale in India, back-to-back — The Toyota Hilux and the Fortuner.
The stage was set in the North East of India, in Assam, during the Toyota Great 4X4 Expedition, an event organised by the carmaker primarily for customers to exploit the full potential of Toyota vehicles such as the Fortuner, Hilux, and Land Cruiser, while also allowing other vehicles to participate as long as they have a capable 4X4 system.
The planned route
The event was hosted over two days with a mix of smooth winding tarmac, a man-made obstacle course, and tight trails that were technical at points. As with most such events, there was a lead car and several markers between customer vehicles to keep the convoy in check. Since some sections of the route included public roads, there were a few rules put in place to ensure safety.
Day one consisted of a short highway drive leading to a private property, where a short, but slightly technical trail was the agenda of the day. The day was eventful as this was meant to encourage customers to gain confidence in their vehicles. The second day consisted of a longer tarmac section, then a short man-made course, followed by another trail drive, that had water crossings and steep inclines and declines.
The battle — SUV or pickup?
While the Fortuner is an extremely capable vehicle, the Hilux has a legendary reputation globally, including its indestructible nature as Clarkson once showcased. That said, the Hilux is longer while the Fortuner has more comfort. Also, the Fortuner gets better suspension compared to the Hilux’s leaf spring setup.
Out on the good tarmac, the Fortuner drives better and offers more comfort. It feels a bit heavy from the driver’s seat but with the amount of luxury on offer, the weight of the vehicle and its slightly slow response is soon forgotten.
Once inside the Hilux, one thing that gets you is the size of the vehicle, however, that soon disappears once on the roll. And the second fact that one notices is how surprisingly light-footed it feels. This is evident as the Hilux weighs 1,860kg while the Fortuner tips the scale at 2,180kg. Off the road, the Fortuner feels lethargic but sure-footed, while the Hilux feels eager, however, the suspension setup on the Hilux makes the rear feel light, but that’s what makes it more capable.
On the whole, the Hilux lives up to its legendary status and makes for a great vehicle on or off the road. The Fortuner is equally capable but just feels slower to respond. One aspect to keep in mind here is that the Fortuner can accommodate more passengers, while the Hilux limits this aspect to five, including the driver. But weighing in all the pros and cons, the Hilux is what I’d pick any day of the week.
Also, what made the whole experience wholesome was the like-minded people on the trip, the amazing state of Assam, the wonderful food, the great music, and the culture. To many more!
