The seven-seat off-road-ready family SUV segment is more competitive than ever, with the Toyota Fortuner still leading in terms of sales; however, the new Isuzu mu-X and even newer Ford Everest may have something to say about that! How do these three competitive rivals compare when looking at running costs, though? The model we have chosen is the entry-level Everest, but how do its running costs compare with two key rivals in the form of the Isuzu mu-X and Toyota Fortuner?
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Related: Ford Everest Wildtrak & XLT (2023) First Drive Review - Everest range expands offering more choice
The figures
|
|
Ford Everest |
Isuzu mu-X |
Toyota Fortuner |
|
Engine size |
4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel |
4-cyl, 3.0-litre turbodiesel |
4-cyl, 2.8-litre turbodiesel |
|
Power/Torque |
154 kW/500 Nm |
140 kW/450 Nm |
150 kW/500 Nm |
|
Gearbox |
10-speed auto |
6-speed auto |
6-speed auto |
|
Seats |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
Airbags |
6 |
7 |
7 |
|
Driven wheels |
Rear |
Rear |
Rear |
|
Braked towing capacity |
3 500kg |
3 500kg |
2 500kg |
|
Fuel capacity |
76-litres |
80-litres |
80-litres |
|
Claimed consumption |
7.5 L/100 km |
7.6 L/100 km |
7.6 L/100 km |
|
CO2 emissions |
198 g/km |
199 g/km |
201 g/km |
|
Service plan |
Optional
|
5-yr/90 000km
|
9-service/90 000km
|
|
Price |
R848 300 |
R842 800 |
R864 900 |
Related: Ford Everest Wildtrak (2023) Review
Comparing the trio
Purchase price
The models we have chosen for this comparison are competitors from a pricing and body-style perspective. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72 months with a 10% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 12%.
Ford Everest 2.0 BiTurbo XLT
With the instalment parameters, the Everest will work out at R14 926 monthly over 72 months.
Isuzu mu-X 3.0TD LSE
With the instalment parameters, the mu-X will work out at R14 828 monthly over 72 months.
Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 VX
With the instalment parameters, the Fortuner will work out at R15 218 monthly over 72 months.
Fuel consumption
The Toyota and Isuzu have the lowest claimed fuel consumption; however, from our experience, there is very little difference between our trio regarding real-world consumption.
Service plans
Both the Toyota and Isuzu come with service plans spaning 90 000km; however, with Ford having unbundled its plans, you'll have to pay extra if you'd like a competing service plan.
Verdict
Having looked at the data in the first five years of ownership, we would be confident that the Isuzu, with its lower list price, competitive fuel consumption and reasonable service plan, will be the cheapest product to run in the first five years of ownership, although, all three products are so similar, making the cost difference marginal.
