Looking for a new tow vehicle to replace the X-trail...$70K max and New!!!

[Hews]

We are in the same boat at the moment looking to upgrade.

There are pleanty of great SUVs out there and all have their pros/cons and it all depends on youre needs. Everyone will have different opinions on whats best based on their criteria but at the end of the day whats best for you depends on youre needs.

We identified what was important to us and compared from there.

At the moment the Everest is winning for us (currently have 120 prado)  but havent locked it in yet because havent test drove them all. We found what looks good on paper doesnt always work out that way when sitting in and driving

[AdrianLR]

Shame you've ruled out Nissan (but I can understand the reasons - I've had poor service in the past from Nissan, but equally poor from Mitsubishi and Landrover). We are delighted with a Y62. As to someone's comment above re sales, there is now a waiting list stretching into next year as more people actually drive one rather than just relying on forum gossip or "a friend of my brother in the pub said...." and understand the value the vehicle represents. Fuel use so far is 1.5 - 2 L/100km greater than our 3L Patrol under similar conditions, including towing 2T.

[SenojNW]

Current Santa Fe is a great car but the ball weight is a major downside. Even with the load assist kit it's limited to 150kg.

Toyota Fortuner is about to be released - I'd be looking at that


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[Julian Kaye]

Why? I live in a capital city.

  Because that is where vehicles are used for their purpose of design and reliability.

[Isuzumu]

We have been Toyota through and through.....not anymore  MUX LST and add after market suspension fixes any short falls in ride and handling then add a LR tank for towing and your still way under your $70K with 5 years warranty added in.


 

The suspension in the Pardo is no better than the one in the MUX, so to do any serious off road stuff you will have to up date the Pardos to. Oh Dave some thing you probably don't know is the auto box in the Isuzus is the same as the one in the 150 Pardo. So people who knock the Isuzu should do some research and look up Bruce Garland and see what they do with their Isuzus.

[two up]

The suspension in the Pardo is no better than the one in the MUX, so to do any serious off road stuff you will have to up date the Pardos to. Oh Dave some thing you probably don't know is the auto box in the Isuzus is the same as the one in the 150 Pardo. So people who knock the Isuzu should do some research and look up Bruce Garland and see what they do with their Isuzus.

Comparing the Isuzu Bruce Garland  drives is like comparing Craig Lowndes v8 supercar to commodore.

[Topender]

Comparing the Isuzu Bruce Garland  drives is like comparing Craig Lowndes v8 supercar to commodore.

lol that's gold    You said what I was thinking!  Personally I don't want to buy a $60k plus car and have to modify it    what I buy I want to be happy to live with at least for a while stock standard and like I said the Isuzu is not for me regardless if it's cheaper plus mods.  Drove them both wasn't impressed.

Dave

[GeoffA]

.......Personally I don't want to buy a $60k plus car and have to modify it    what I buy I want to be happy to live with at least for a while stock standard........

Good luck with that, Topender.

[Isuzumu]

Comparing the Isuzu Bruce Garland  drives is like comparing Craig Lowndes v8 supercar to commodore.

I was more referring to the motor and running gear if you can read gees sdh

[Isuzumu]

Good luck with that, Topender.

Your dead right Geoff he should just go and buy another X.Trail or may a Jeep 

[two up]

I was more referring to the motor and running gear if you can read gees sdh

If you are talking about the prado and mux being similar I agree, but if your talking about Bruce Garlands truck my previous comment stands.

[chisel]

Based on your criteria I would definitely have Prado in front unless you really like all the bells and whistles ... in which case a Prado will be over $70k I think.
Next in line is surely a Fortuner or Everest.  They are both brand new models.  Problem might be getting any discount on a Fortuner for the next 6-12 months.  Or even managing to get one at all.  I reckon you'd get hold of an Everest ok but it would plummet in value about $10-15k after driving it home.

[Topender]

Based on your criteria I would definitely have Prado in front unless you really like all the bells and whistles ... in which case a Prado will be over $70k I think.
Next in line is surely a Fortuner or Everest.  They are both brand new models.  Problem might be getting any discount on a Fortuner for the next 6-12 months.  Or even managing to get one at all.  I reckon you'd get hold of an Everest ok but it would plummet in value about $10-15k after driving it home.

Yeah the Prado has always been an attractive buy, but the new version (engine & gearbox) is a bit of an un known at this stage.  I would love an Everest but will wait to see what happens with their pricing before committing.  And Ford quality and service is a grey area for me (you hear good and bad from all makes though).  Think it will plummet in price once the Fortuner becomes available although as you said the Fortuner will sell out pretty quick.

Dave

[McTavish]

12 months ago we were in a similar position.   Feels like you are going through the same issues.

Had the previous Subaru Forester (petrol) and IMO the package just didn't have longevity towing the camper and the room for all the usual family 'stuff', plus options for dual battery etc.  (New Forester diesel auto looks good but still mid size for a family.  Wish Subaru had a decent big vehicle to go to - they don't so other choices?   

Interesting the Petrol V Diesel points but I like most tend to forget about the initial purchase cost and am very interested in day to day mileage and torque for towing - so diesel it is for us for a big vehicle. 

Ford - main concern was depreciation (used to own a Falcon) and scarred for life.   Still makes me cringe every time a Ford ad comes on with their end of whatever excuse sales. (read Holden too)
Mitsubishi - maybe unfairly judged as these days they have really picked up their act - but I've tarred them with the old Sigma, Magna, 380 reliability.  Yes stung with a couple of these in my time too.
Nissan - petrol only and yes those with the new Patrol rate them.
Toyota - not as unbreakable as they promote, but they are still pretty good and very few lemons.  Most vehicles sold so you have to admit they wouldn't have this position without doing something right.
Isuzu - bit of an unknown quantity being a new model - for us at the time as only out a few months - but reliability of the engine and transmission seem to the selling points given the truck engineering.   So we drove a Mux with then intention to buy if we were happy with it compared to a Prado.    And truck like it was with interior design pretty good and a nice deep boot area even with the funny floor area raised due to the fold under seats.  But then the price for the model with roof rails (and hence able to place roof racks) was the top of the line only (at that time) so were looking at $55k.  I think when they update to their next series they will have improved big time in the refinement stakes I'm predicting.

Then, same day we drove a Prado GXL to compare and the Prado was ordered... Of course it didn't handle like the Sooby but it is pretty quiet for road/wind noise, impressive turning circle for a big car for parking and has really strong brakes - so for the 90% of its time being used as a family ride it ticked most the boxes for us..   And of course has a huge range of accessories.   I tow the camper with more confidence given its extra weight and torque to what I was used to.  Still miss the Subaru handling though...

Moral of the story - set aside the time and drive them - you'll see yourself favouring one over the other depending on YOUR expectations....  Looking at the specs and seeing a few reviews of the Fortuner I think we would of had a harder time with the decision but the pricing for the Fortuner is not that dissimilar to the Prado so my guess is we'd opt for the Prado still??

All the best with your decision.

[oldmate]

  Personally I don't want to buy a $60k plus car and have to modify it 

Dave

 Buy a y61 and just drive it. Could even spend a few hundred and just put heavy springs in the rear to help with towing

[Topender]

12 months ago we were in a similar position.   Feels like you are going through the same issues.

Had the previous Subaru Forester (petrol) and IMO the package just didn't have longevity towing the camper and the room for all the usual family 'stuff', plus options for dual battery etc.  (New Forester diesel auto looks good but still mid size for a family.  Wish Subaru had a decent big vehicle to go to - they don't so other choices?   

Interesting the Petrol V Diesel points but I like most tend to forget about the initial purchase cost and am very interested in day to day mileage and torque for towing - so diesel it is for us for a big vehicle. 

Ford - main concern was depreciation (used to own a Falcon) and scarred for life.   Still makes me cringe every time a Ford ad comes on with their end of whatever excuse sales. (read Holden too)
Mitsubishi - maybe unfairly judged as these days they have really picked up their act - but I've tarred them with the old Sigma, Magna, 380 reliability.  Yes stung with a couple of these in my time too.
Nissan - petrol only and yes those with the new Patrol rate them.
Toyota - not as unbreakable as they promote, but they are still pretty good and very few lemons.  Most vehicles sold so you have to admit they wouldn't have this position without doing something right.
Isuzu - bit of an unknown quantity being a new model - for us at the time as only out a few months - but reliability of the engine and transmission seem to the selling points given the truck engineering.   So we drove a Mux with then intention to buy if we were happy with it compared to a Prado.    And truck like it was with interior design pretty good and a nice deep boot area even with the funny floor area raised due to the fold under seats.  But then the price for the model with roof rails (and hence able to place roof racks) was the top of the line only (at that time) so were looking at $55k.  I think when they update to their next series they will have improved big time in the refinement stakes I'm predicting.

Then, same day we drove a Prado GXL to compare and the Prado was ordered... Of course it didn't handle like the Sooby but it is pretty quiet for road/wind noise, impressive turning circle for a big car for parking and has really strong brakes - so for the 90% of its time being used as a family ride it ticked most the boxes for us..   And of course has a huge range of accessories.   I tow the camper with more confidence given its extra weight and torque to what I was used to.  Still miss the Subaru handling though...

Moral of the story - set aside the time and drive them - you'll see yourself favouring one over the other depending on YOUR expectations....  Looking at the specs and seeing a few reviews of the Fortuner I think we would of had a harder time with the decision but the pricing for the Fortuner is not that dissimilar to the Prado so my guess is we'd opt for the Prado still??

All the best with your decision.

Wow...very thorough and I appreciate the time you took.  We too own a Subaru Outback and that will be going too to make way for a new smallish car for the wife (I'll probably use it as a commuter car for work though)  The Fortuner should be available to drive this week so it will be good to drive it back to back with the Prado.  The new engines and gearboxes are still an unknown.  We happen to know two people who are sales managers for two separate Toyota dealers, so that will hopefully help.  Friends have used them in the past and have been very happy.  Thanks again

Dave

[topcat]

I have a Fortuner for the weekend and normally drive a manual Prado. However, the 2.8 engine and auto transmission combo are so good that I'm considering changing to an auto next time round. I haven't had the opportunity to drive off road but reckon it's a great drive on-road. Physically not as big as the Prado itself but not far off.
Regards
TC

Disclaimer - I work for Toyota Australia and any opinions expressed on MySwag are mine and do not represent those of Toyota.

[Topender]

I have a Fortuner for the weekend and normally drive a manual Prado. However, the 2.8 engine and auto transmission combo are so good that I'm considering changing to an auto next time round. I haven't had the opportunity to drive off road but reckon it's a great drive on-road. Physically not as big as the Prado itself but not far off.
Regards
TC

Disclaimer - I work for Toyota Australia and any opinions expressed on MySwag are mine and do not represent those of Toyota.

Thanks for the comparison...I usually drive manuals, so it's nice to hear your feed back about the auto.  How would you say the on road handling compares to your Prado?  Considering it will spend 95% of it's time on the black top it's on road manners are fairly important.

Dave

[topcat]

Thanks for the comparison...I usually drive manuals, so it's nice to hear your feed back about the auto.  How would you say the on road handling compares to your Prado?  Considering it will spend 95% of it's time on the black top it's on road manners are fairly important.

Dave

I'm not in the tech end  - Just felt a bit tighter than the Prado, not as much body roll. Probably a factor that it's not physically as big. Brakes were good and steering felt direct. Nothing adverse that I could feel.
Regards
TC

[McTavish]

Just noticed this article from last week.

http://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/reviews/2015/toyota/fortuner/toyota-fortuner-crusade-2015-review-100024

[GeoffA]

........Brakes were good and steering felt direct........

This is something that a lot of newer cars miss out on.......feel.......

All the electronic involvement in throttle/steering/braking puts the driver further away from whats' actually happening.

It spoils the drive for me....

 

[scblack]

This is something that a lot of newer cars miss out on.......feel.......

All the electronic involvement in throttle/steering/braking puts the driver further away from whats' actually happening.

It spoils the drive for me....

 

Yep, I agree.

I hate missing the feel of:
 - every single ripple on the road
 - feeling and hearing the rattle of loose bolts
 - the feel of poking my finger through rusted metal
 - the feel of picking up bits of trim that fell off
 - the feel of steering that needs half a turn before tyres move
 - feeling the thump of poorly damped suspension
 - the feeling of looking at the road through the hole in the floor of the car
 - the feeling of old vinyl floor covering
 - the feel of a brake pedal hitting the firewall (but not slowing at all)

I like the feel of old cars too.

Sorry I had to chuck that in.

[noel_w]

Yep, I agree.

I hate missing the feel of:
 - every single ripple on the road
 - feeling and hearing the rattle of loose bolts
 - the feel of poking my finger through rusted metal
 - the feel of picking up bits of trim that fell off
 - the feel of steering that needs half a turn before tyres move
 - feeling the thump of poorly damped suspension
 - the feeling of looking at the road through the hole in the floor of the car
 - the feeling of old vinyl floor covering
 - the feel of a brake pedal hitting the firewall (but not slowing at all)

I like the feel of old cars too.

Sorry I had to chuck that in.

That is nothing that good maintenance can keep on top of.
I just bought a newish GU ute the other day to replace my ageing GQ wagon I am giving to my son. Have been driving the GU mostly since I got it but drove the GQ this morning and felt like a pair of comfortable boots. Sure it has a few quirks but it has character, something the GU lacks. I will be sorry to see the old girl leave my driveway though I am glad it is going to his driveway. 

[scblack]

That is nothing that good maintenance can keep on top of.

True of course, to some extent. But these things were always MUCH more prevalent in older cars than new ones.

[GeoffA]

Yep, I agree.

I hate missing the feel of:
 - every single ripple on the road
 - feeling and hearing the rattle of loose bolts
 - the feel of poking my finger through rusted metal
 - the feel of picking up bits of trim that fell off
 - the feel of steering that needs half a turn before tyres move
 - feeling the thump of poorly damped suspension
 - the feeling of looking at the road through the hole in the floor of the car
 - the feeling of old vinyl floor covering
 - the feel of a brake pedal hitting the firewall (but not slowing at all)

I like the feel of old cars too.

Sorry I had to chuck that in.

Missed the point entirely......