With Ford India calling it quits and packing off from India (a CBU only product line-up does not count), the war of big three-row SUVs is now only between the Fortuner and Gloster. While elsewhere new SUVs are coming virtually every day, the higher SUV space only has these two if you want a truly 'big' SUV. Hence to see which one is better, we spent a week in each SUV living with it and also doing some off-roading. These are big SUVs designed for long journeys in comfort, power and also being good to drive in the city too. You aren't going to Ladakh every day hence, the real city usage also counts.
Size matters, more so when you look at these two big brutes. Nothing really matches for the sheer presence that these SUVs have, maybe only a crore plus luxury can match up to these two. Both the Gloster and Fortuner look big and command respect on the road. The Gloster looks even bigger than the Fortuner because it is! The Fortuner seems smaller in comparison while the facelifted Fortuner gets a new face which makes it look younger. The Gloster has a chrome heavy face but has bigger windows and a more car-like stance which seems more premium over the ever-popular Fortuner which is now a common sight. It is up to you to decide which one looks better but your money is well spent when other cars move away when they spot one of these in their rearview mirrors.
Getting in requires a climb for both but the Gloster here seems the more spacious over the Fortuner. The new Fortuner here has a more premium cabin and now does somewhat justify its pricing now. There is stitching, new seats, and upholstery with a more luxury look. There is thankfully finally smartphone connectivity, a 10-speaker JBL audio, and ventilated seats plus more. The Gloster though has a premium tan look to its cabin with a more airy feel. The quality and look are modern with a futuristic instrument cluster and a bigger screen in the middle while having way more features. Speaking of which, you get an air purifier, a massive panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, front-seat heating and massage, hands-free tailgate, and auto parking. The list is endless and the Gloster also has a superb second row in terms of comfort and space. For being chauffeur-driven, look no further than the Gloster but the Fortuner seems smaller but has adequate space in the second row. Despite the size, the third row is more for luggage/children in both.
These bulky SUVs would be used every day in the city as well hence some kind of useability is needed. The Gloster comes with a smaller sized diesel engine but has twin turbos which mean the power output of 218bhp and 480Nm is enough for this massive hulk. The Gloster is big but when you drive in the city, you forget that. The steering is very light and makes parking easier along with the 8-speed automatic being very smooth. There is some lag but for such a massive SUV, it drives much like a big car. Even the refinement is very good with less engine noise coming in. The Fortuner is not like that as its steering is heavy which means parking requires effort while the engine is noisy too. However, the updated 2.8l diesel brings in more power now which shows. It feels quick and the updated engine has slightly improved performance. The 500Nm torque and 204bhp mean a light tap at the throttle makes the Fortuner more effortless. The Gloster is also effortless when driving for long distances as both of these SUVs are built more for doing long journeys with ease.
The Gloster feels slightly better adapted to the city too with its better ride quality as it feels less bouncy. The suspension is pliant and feels more like a luxury SUV here. The light steering further helps. The Fortuner is heavier to use and at low speeds, it feels bouncy for a bit. But, the Fortuner smoothens up at high speeds well. Where the Fortuner scores are off the road which its owners love. The Fortuner is the proper SUV with low range and the 4x4 system enables it to be brilliant when it comes to going over everything and anything. The standard Fortuner seen here is better for off-roading with its raised chin and that enables it to have better credentials for off-road. Other than its size, the Fortuner remains the best off-road SUV with its ability to crawl over rocks and a proper low-range which is what matters.
The Gloster is softer and bigger, which means more care is needed off-road while its soft suspension and lack of low-range means you have to take into account, it's more of a luxury SUV rather than an off-roader. That said, the on-demand four-wheel-drive system will help you clear most obstacles easily, save for the really tough ones. For most basic off-road use, the Gloster will be enough. The Gloster offers great value in terms of real estate, looks, and features plus it does drive like a luxury SUV. Its prices start from Rs 30 lakh and go till Rs 37.68 lakh. The Fortuner starts from Rs 30 lakh while the pricing now stretches to Rs 42 lakh plus. The Gloster is the one to get if you want, space, comfort, ease of use plus features with highway trips. In that sense, it brings the concept of luxury to a big three-row SUV. The Fortuner is different and is rugged, more for off-road use, and is more tuned for self-driving with its powerful engine. It also has a brand image which means for hardcore SUV use, the Fortuner it is. These two SUVs might be rivals but they are different at which customer they are targeted at.
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