Toyota Fortuner vs Honda CR-V vs Isuzu mu-X: SUVs for the rainy season

With most roads in Metro Manila suffering low to mild flooding, many car buyers have started looking into vehicles with higher ground clearances — such as sport utility vehicles (SUV). 

On that note, we will pit together three popular nameplates in the segment to help those in the market for a reliable ride this rainy season find the ideal automobile that best suits their needs. 

To start things off, here are our contenders: 

• Toyota Fortuner 
• Honda CR-V 
• Isuzu mu-X

Now, let’s size them up: 

	Toyota Fortuner	Honda CR-V	Isuzu mu-X
LxWxH (in millimeters [mm>)	4,795 x 1,855 x 1,835	4,691 x 1,866 x 1,691	4,850 x 1,870 x 1,825
Wheelbase (in mm)	2,745	2,700	2,855
Ground clearance (in mm)	225	208	235

Per the above numbers, all the listed SUVs can clear the ground well above 200 mm. This gives the said nameplates the capability not only to go over potholes and road bumps but also to breeze through lightly flooded roads. 

They are also close when it comes to their overall size, so car buyers can be sure that each model can provide good road presence, which is important when drivers have lower visibility due to heavy rain. 

Exterior 

Outside, the Toyota Fortuner features a design that looks both stylish and tough — the kind that could brave any weather, in fashion. 

At its fore is a two-part grille with a robust, mesh-like pattern. This is flanked by bi-beam LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights (DRL) with line guides. It also gets LED turn signals and LED fog lamps. 

Giving owners a teaser of its rugged capabilities is a skid plate on the chin. 

Onto its sides are thin and tasteful claddings at the wheel arches and on the border of its running boards. The LTD 4x4 variant packs chrome doorhandles, blacked-out pillars, some chrome accents on the windows, a pair of black side mirrors with repeaters, and roof rails. 

It rides on 18-inch machine-cut-finished alloy wheels with 265/60 radial tires. Some mud guards reinforce its capacity to get dirty. 

At the back, the Toyota Fortuner packs a discreet spoiler with a high-mount stop lamp. Its large rear glass rests on LED combination taillamps with a black garnish. It also comes with a stylish bumper with integrated reflectors and a rear guard that looks like a diffuser. 

Not to be outdone, the Honda CR-V boasts looks that combine style with a dash of sportiness. 

Its front end packs a large grille with a relatively big honeycomb pattern. The lower portion of its latticework boasts a mesh-like motif with likewise large holes. These are accompanied by full LED headlamps with LED DRLs and LED fog lights. 

It has faux air vents on its cheeks and a striking chin. 

To its sides are blacked-out claddings on the wheel wells and at the bottom of the doors. Also notable are its dark-colored pillars and roof rails. It packs a set of black-painted mud guards too, which reveals its ability to take on unpaved paths. 

The Honda CR-V rolls on silver aluminum alloy wheels that measure 18 inches wrapped in 235/60 series tires. 

At the rear, this SUV comes with a sporty spoiler with an integrated brake lamp (with LED technology), which provides some shade to its large window. It also has LED combination lamps that take up a good amount of space on its rear pillar for improved visibility in rainy conditions. 

Below is a clean-looking bumper with diffuser-like appointments and reflectors on each of its sides. 

Finally, the Isuzu mu-X is slapped with exterior features that not only strengthen its credentials as an SUV that can ferry its owners from point A to point B, whatever the weather. 

Its fascia is decorated with a sleek-looking grille that has a large honeycomb pattern that appears to be behind two horizontal louvers. The said meshwork is flanked by its new dynamic “blade” headlights alongside LED DRLs and LED fog lamps. 

The vehicle’s front bumper also gets functional air curtains with smaller honeycomb wirework for added ventilation. Neatly tucked under its chin is a discreet skid plate protecting the SUV’s front underside. 

Its side profile is highlighted by body-toned doorhandles, a set of wide running boards, black pillars, back trims on the side mirrors, and black roof rails. 

The Isuzu mu-X comes with a set of 20-inch alloy wheels with a dynamic turbine design. These are fitted with 265/50 tires. 

Behind, the SUV is equipped with a body-colored spoiler with a built-in stop lamp. It also gets new “embrace line” concept rear combination lights, which are connected by a black garnish. Underneath its clean-looking bumper is a diffuser. 

Winner 

While all three SUVs look like they can take on the challenges brought by heavy rains, we have to give the round to the Toyota Fortuner. It has the right amount of cladding and illumination that will prove useful when driving under inclement conditions. 

Interior 

The cabin of the Toyota Fortuner reflects its casually outgoing character. The driver is greeted with leather seats with maroon accents, much like the door cards, while the steering wheel is finished in leather and Galaxy Black trims.  

Past the multi-functional steering wheel is an instrument panel with a 4.2-inch thin-film-transistor display screen. Nearby is a nine-inch infotainment system. 

Here are its other amenities: 

• Wireless Apple Carplay, wireless Android Auto
• Dual-zone automatic climate control system 
• Nine-speaker JBL sound system 
• Wireless charger 
• Smart keyless entry system 
• Push start ignition system 

As for the Honda CR-V, the interior echoes the SUV’s sporty attitude. On that note, it gets black leather seats, steering wheel, door trims, and shift gear boot. It also ups the aesthetics with faux wood trims and stylish honeycomb meshwork on the air conditioning vents.

Ensuring that the driver is in the loop is a 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster paired with a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. 

Below are the Honda CR-V’s impressive appointments: 

• Wireless Apple Carplay, wireless Android Auto 
• Intelligent dual and triple-zone automatic air conditioning system
• Eight-speaker sound system 
• Wireless charger 
• Built-in navigation system 
• Active noise control 

Likewise, the Isuzu mu-X gets similar leather upholstery on the seats and steering wheel. Past the multi-functional steering system is a seven-inch multi-information display, while embedded on the dashboard is a 10.1-inch full touchscreen infotainment system. 

Check out its features: 

• Wireless Apple Carplay, wireless Android Auto 
• Dual-zone automatic climate control 
• Wireless charger 
• Eight-speaker sound system 
• Built-in navigation system 

Winner 

We name the winner of this round the Honda CR-V. Not only has it have better technological appointments, but the wood accents give it some warmth and a homey vibe, something we could all use when driving under heavy rain. 

Powertrain 

Under the hood of the Toyota Fortuner is a 2.8-liter diesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. 

Per the Japanese carmaker’s local subsidiary, the SUV produces the below numbers: 

Maximum power output (in horsepower [hp>)	201
Maximum torque (in Newton-meters [Nm>)	500

On the other hand, the Honda CR-V packs a 1.5-liter gasoline engine mated to a continuously variable transmission. 

The range-topping, non-hybrid variant can generate the following figures: 

Maximum power output (in hp)	187
Maximum torque (in Nm)	240

Finally, the Isuzu mu-X is fitted with a 3.0-liter diesel mill partnered with a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shifting. 

According to the brand’s literature, the SUV boasts the below performance figures: 

Maximum power output (in hp)	187
Maximum torque (in Nm)	450

Winner

Judging by the above tables, the Toyota Fortuner is the clear winner of this round. It makes more power and torque, which are essential to when one needs too wade through water. 

Safety 

When it comes to safety, the Toyota Fortuner comes with the following features: 

• Airbags
• Seatbelts 
• Blind spot monitor 
• Rear cross-traffic alert 
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) 
• Brake assist 
• Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) 
• Vehicle stability control 
• Traction control 
• Hill-start assist control (HAC)
• Downhill assist control 
• Pre-collision system 
• Lane departure alert with yaw assist 
• Adaptive cruise control 
• Panoramic camera monitor 

Here are the safety technologies of the Honda CR-V: 

• Airbags 
• Seatbelts 
• Agile handling assist 
• Driver attention monitor 
• Vehicle stability assist 
• HAC 
• ABS 
• EBD 
• Honda lane watch 
• 360-degree camera 

It also comes equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, which include the below: 

• Adaptive cruise control 
• Low-speed follow 
• Collision mitigation braking system 
• Forward collision warning 
• Lane keep assist system 
• Road departure mitigation 
• Lane departure warning 
• Auto high-beam 
• Adaptive driving beam 
• Lead car departure notification 

Lastly, the Isuzu mu-X gets the following safety features: 

• Airbags 
• Seatbelts 
• ABS  
• EBD 
• Brake assist 
• Brake override system 
• Electronic stability control 
• Traction control system 
• HAC 
• Hill descent control 
• 360-degree camera system 

Winner 

With all three vehicles offering above average safety system, we will call this round a tie. 

Pricing 

Here’s how much these models will set back prospective car buyers. We also included their respective variants: 

Toyota Fortuner 

Toyota Fortuner 2.4 G 4x2 MT	P1.775 million
Toyota Fortuner 2.4 G 4x2 AT	P1.867 million
Toyota Fortuner 2.4 V 4x2 AT - Platinum White Pearl Mica	P2.015 million
Toyota Fortuner 2.4 V 4x2 AT	P2 million
Toyota Fortuner 2.8 Q 4x2 AT - Platinum White Pearl Mica	P2.215 million
Toyota Fortuner 2.8 Q 4x2 AT	P2.2 million
Toyota Fortuner 2.8 LTD 4x2 AT - Platinum White Pearl Mica / Attitude Black Mica	P2.406 million
Toyota Fortuner 2.8 LTD 4x2 AT	P2.396 million
Toyota Fortuner 2.8 LTD 4x4 AT - Platinum White Pearl Mica / Attitude Black Mica	P2.569 million
Toyota Fortuner 2.8 LTD 4x4 AT	P2.559 million
Toyota Fortuner GR-S 4x4 AT	P2.656 million

Honda CR-V 

Honda CR-V V Turbo CVT	P2.1 million
Honda CR-V VX Turbo CVT AWD	P2.29 million
Honda CR-V RS e:HEV E-CVT	P2.605 million

Isuzu mu-X 

Isuzu mu-X RZ4E 4x2 LS AT	P1.725 million
Isuzu mu-X 3.0 4x2 LS-A AT	P2.069 million
Isuzu mu-X 3.0 4x2 LS-E AT	P2.32 million
Isuzu mu-X 3.0 4x4 LS-E AT	P2.67 million

Winner 

Thanks to a more accessible entry-level price, the winner of this round is the Isuzu mu-X. This allows Filipino families who need a capable SUV to get into the segment without costing them an arm and a leg. 

Verdict 

All of the SUVs we mentioned in the list are capable of conquering light flooding that could be a typical scenario for those living in the metropolitan area during the monsoon season. 

First, the Toyota Fortuner offers would-be owners looks and capabilities to get them through almost any type of situation. Next, the Honda CR-V makes for a sporty ride that is certainly fun to drive. Finally, the Isuzu mu-X comes with decent specifications for those wanting a passenger vehicle that won’t break the bank. 

On that note, selecting which vehicle to buy will boil down to personal preference.

Also read: 

Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid vs Toyota Zenix vs BYD eMAX 7: new-energy MPV scuffle

Suzuki XL7 Hybrid vs Toyota RAV4 vs BYD Tang: tough-looking NEV options

Suzuki Dzire Hybrid vs Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV CVT vs BYD Seal: new-energy sedan showdown

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