Kuga (2013) vs Fortuner (2011) vs other

**Xtrail** · 2014/11/05, 11:39 AM

Hi there

There are so many good threads re this topic; I have been reading for ages.

I want to try be more specific to my query though. Its time to trade in my Xtrail.

A lot of people support the Freelander, but I am wary of costs on services post service plan.

There are so many softroad options, but some seem to soft? IX35, Sportage, etc. The Kuga does seem a little tougher? Is that accurate?? It also scored very well in the Tow Car ratings. I could get the Titanium for under R250 000 (2013 with hardly any mileage). Or maybe should go for the very tough option of a 2011 Fortuner with under 100 000 km. I suppose my biggest factors are:

1) Ongoing service costs (ie Jeep, Landy etc)
2) Fair off-road ability (maybe a trip to Chobe)
3) Comfort & Fuel Economy
4) Power (pulling a trailer/ caravan)
5) Price - under R250 000

Or should I be looking at other options. In my price range, it seems to exclude a lot of very nice vehicles. So what should be my no 1 target

Re the Kuga - how tough is it really? Is the ground clearance a problem? Is it a softroader like the others

Looking forward to reading some very experienced views.

**JacoE** · 2014/11/05, 11:43 AM

If you were happy with your xtrail, were you?, then why not go look at another nissan, the new cashcow or again the new xtrail?

**JCMostert** · 2014/11/05, 11:46 AM

A Jimny goes for R210 000

Speak to the Duster guys here, when we had the Jimny / Duster day, the Dusters proofed to be not bad off road. Really not bad for a soft roader. And it got plenty of space, power, good fuel consumption and luxury.

**douglash** · 2014/11/05, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by JCMostert

A Jimny goes for R210 000

Speak to the Duster guys here, when we had the Jimny / Duster day, the Dusters proofed to be not bad off road. Really not bad for a soft roader. And it got plenty of space, power, good fuel consumption and luxury.

Can confirm, Zane's (zkramm) Duster has proved it is quite capable indeed...

**Xtrail** · 2014/11/05, 02:33 PM

Both Duster and Jimmy a little small, re packing space.

Also pulling a caravan...

**RANDYTD5** · 2014/11/05, 03:00 PM

You want something that pulls, then take a Freelander SD4 for a drive, 140kw 420nm it did really well in the recent tow car of the year competition.

**Xtrail** · 2014/11/05, 03:52 PM

Absolutely. FL is a great car, but a friend had heart failure when he took it in for the first after service plan service...

Jeep, Landy, etc. stressed about the extra costs.

Thoughts?

**douglash** · 2014/11/05, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by Xtrail

Absolutely. FL is a great car, but a friend had heart failure when he took it in for the first after service plan service...

Jeep, Landy, etc. stressed about the extra costs.

Thoughts?

Find a good indy! Dealers are for motor plan

Indy's are for when it runs out...

**Jaws.** · 2014/11/05, 04:38 PM

Go test drive them all, make a pros and cons list, look at the budget and then make a decision between your hart and brain.

Nobody here will be brave enough to recommend the Fortuner on this forum ;-)

But if you want to venture up north it would be my choice

**Xtrail** · 2014/11/05, 07:00 PM

Tell me more about that comment about the Fortuner? 'Best selling car in SA' etc etc.

But you hear some stories about its stability and handling; so would like to hear comments from this forum.

Also - not many comments about the Kuga so far. And I dont want to hear what a dealer has to say. Likewise, I am not sure a test drive, will give me the answers I am looking for. Ground clearance is apparently 190cm; where the Fortuner is much better. I know the Kuga ground clearance, is probably much lower than that in areas of the chasis. Also - thats with an empty load.

The AWD drive aspect of the Kuga does look impressive. Will it survive trips to Botswana, or will I end up asking guys with Land Cruisers etc to help me out.

I see the Kuga comes with a small spare wheel. WTF. So, I would be poked in Botswana??

Its seems as though it has plenty of power (2l Titanium), etc.

Is it an average softroader? Or is it more than that?

Last one - if I service a Fortuner or Kuga in 5 years, will it be significantly cheaper than a Jeep/ Landy?

**Jaws.** · 2014/11/05, 07:57 PM

In my opinion the Kuga is a softroader, a very nice one at that. My brothers MIL bought the turbo one and that side of the family all loves the Kuga.

Depending on how far off road you want to go. There are a few places in Botswana that is totally unsuited for a softroader - deep water crossing in Moremi. Sand road to savuti, etc.. Or you can use your softroader the get up north book in at a lodge on go on game drives with the operators there.

The 4x4 Fortuner is extremely capable off road and will go anywhere most other standard 4x4 can { excluding the Rubicon}

As for Stability , I won't go try do new lap times around kyalami but it seems like the later version with 17" wheels or the earlier ones with aftermarket suspension stays upright

**Jaws.** · 2014/11/05, 08:01 PM

Service wise the Fortuner service plan can be extended beyond the 90k km for piece of mind.

I will reserve comment on the service cost of Jeep/Landies but I think the abundance of Indies for them says it all

**Baldie** · 2014/11/06, 07:13 AM

Some may disagree...
The fortuner in my opinion is brilliant if you are getting the 4x4 and are going to use it as a 4x4. It is tough as nails and with a few mods is probably as capable as they get for a independent front suspension vehicle.
However, when you look at soft roaders the fortuner feels like a bakkie inside. The interior quality and feel is just not there. They have added some toys to later models but is it enough?
The question is, softroader with toys, quality feel and better fuel consumption but not much offroad or more basic rugged vehicle, higher fuel consumption (not too bad) and but not the same quality feel.
To be fair I do have an earlier model with basic aircon.
If you need a 4x4, go fortuner
If you need a cool family car and want to go sightseeing, why compromise?
If you need a 'tough' softroader, go freelander.

**Baldie** · 2014/11/06, 07:19 AM

How about a Pajero Sport?

**Marco** · 2014/11/06, 07:43 AM

Nothing will beat the Fortuner in Space and running cost, I've done this allot of times before and still end up with the Fortuner. If you like Nissan you can consider the Pathfinder but eish....

"I see the Kuga comes with a small spare wheel. WTF. So, I would be poked in Botswana??"

I'd rather take a Fortuner to Botswana than a Kuga

**bones** · 2014/11/06, 07:54 AM

Bossie on the forum travels with us in his tuna skillie on our trips. Everytime we come home we cannot talk enough about how capable and how frugal on juice it is- great car.

**JacoE** · 2014/11/06, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Xtrail

The AWD drive aspect of the Kuga does look impressive.

I don't know what "aspect awd" the kuga has, but just FYI, the 4x4 fortuner is permanent awd, 60/40 split.

**Mr.G** · 2014/11/06, 08:04 AM

Under 250k
The diesel xtrail..Brilliant consumtion and good road manners,better ground clearance than the other softroaders.
Subaru forester must be in the mix.Best all round package together with the Freelander
Pajero sport is great but for 250k you will get a high Km one,no service plans left.
Fortuner is always a good choice.
The duster must be considered for what it offers for much less money than 250k

**RANDYTD5** · 2014/11/06, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by 42na4x4

Some may disagree...
The fortuner in my opinion is brilliant if you are getting the 4x4 and are going to use it as a 4x4. It is tough as nails and with a few mods is probably as capable as they get for a independent front suspension vehicle.
However, when you look at soft roaders the fortuner feels like a bakkie inside. The interior quality and feel is just not there. They have added some toys to later models but is it enough?
The question is, softroader with toys, quality feel and better fuel consumption but not much offroad or more basic rugged vehicle, higher fuel consumption (not too bad) and but not the same quality feel.
To be fair I do have an earlier model with basic aircon.
If you need a 4x4, go fortuner
If you need a cool family car and want to go sightseeing, why compromise?
If you need a 'tough' softroader, go freelander.

Very well put. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to drive a friends 2011 Fortuner D4D 4X4 for the weekend we went away together. At first I was excited to see what all the fuss was about & why they are so popular. At first I thought it was nice but as the km's went by I started to notice the bakkie feel & bad road manners the vehicle has. Eventually I wasnt enjoying the drive at all and opted to be the passenger.

My previous Discovery 1 & 2 had a far superior feel. Climbing back into my Freelander felt like driving a Rolls Royce . Ok I didnt do any off road with it and maybe thats where it shines. Im not here to bash the fortuner as for space and versatility it is a good package, but the drive in my opinion is not very nice and I wouldnt like to live with one.

**Xtrail** · 2014/11/06, 08:43 AM

Some really great comments. THANKS!

Will seriously consider the Fortuner. A really good comment about the Fortuner comforts though - how often am I actually going to get to go to Bots, Kgalagadi etc. Hence considering a softroader with a good 'off-road capability'. Up to now, my 4x2 Xtrail has been good in most conditions.

It sounds like the best 'tough' softroader is the FL, but I just cant afford the ongoing cost of servicing a Landy at a certified centre, after the service plan runs out.

I started with the 4x4 diesel Xtrail as my obvious option, since I currently own a 4x2 version. After plenty of reading, it seemed as though the Kuga was far ahead of the Xtrail. Maybe I need to rethink that...

PLEASE DONT STOP THE COMMENTS. These are so helpful.