The automotive industry is abuzz with rumors about the potential return of the Ford Endeavour to the Indian market sparked by patent filings and spy shots. Although there hasn't been an official statement to substantiate these rumors, there's a noticeable buzz surrounding the reintroduction of this full-size American SUV.
If we entertain the possibility of the Ford Endeavour making a comeback, it would reignite its rivalry with India's leading big SUV, the Toyota Fortuner. Let's delve into a comparison between the current generation of the Ford Endeavour (known internationally as the Ford Everest) and the Toyota Fortuner:
Size Dimensions
- Length: Ford Endeavour: 4,914 mm | Toyota Fortuner: 4,795 mm (+ 119 mm)
- Width: Ford Endeavour: 2,207 mm | Toyota Fortuner: 1,855 mm (+ 352 mm)
- Height: Ford Endeavour: 1,842 mm | Toyota Fortuner: 1,835 mm (+ 7 mm)
- Wheelbase: Ford Endeavour: 2,900 mm | Toyota Fortuner: 2,745 mm (+ 155 mm)
- Ground Clearance: Ford Endeavour: 230 mm | Toyota Fortuner: 220 mm (+ 10 mm)
The Ford Endeavour outmatches the Fortuner across all parameters. Its increased height, breadth, and ground clearance allow it to become larger which improves its off-road capabilities while creating a more comfortable interior for passengers.
Powertrain Options Specifications
- Engine: Ford Endeavour: 2-litre Bi-turbo diesel | Toyota Fortuner: 3-litre V6 turbo diesel, 2.7-litre petrol, 2.8-litre diesel
- Power: Ford Endeavour: 209 PS | Toyota Fortuner: 250 PS (diesel), 166 PS (petrol), 204 PS (diesel)
- Torque: Ford Endeavour: 500 Nm | Toyota Fortuner: 600 Nm (diesel), 245 Nm (petrol), 500 Nm (diesel)
- Transmission: Ford Endeavour: 10-speed AT | Toyota Fortuner: 10-speed AT (diesel), 5-speed MT (petrol), 6-speed MT/AT (Diesel)
- Drivetrain: Ford Endeavour: RWD/4WD | Toyota Fortuner: 4WD (diesel), RWD/4WD (petrol, diesel)
The Endeavour (Everest) has two diesel engine options and a 10-speed automatic transmission available in the Australian market. Both engine options come with a 4WD arrangement. While the smaller engine matches the Fortuner's diesel unit in performance, the larger V6 Ford diesel engine provides an additional 46 PS and 100 Nm. The Toyota Fortuner provides both petrol and diesel engine options with manual and automatic transmissions but only offers a 4WD setup with its diesel engine.
Features
The 2024 Endeavour (Australia-spec) surpasses the current India-spec Fortuner in terms of features. It boasts a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 12.4-inch digital driver's display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charger, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, 10-way power-adjustable driver seat with memory function, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 12-speaker B&O sound system. Conversely, the Fortuner offers an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, 11-speaker JBL sound system, and ventilated front seats. It is notable for lacking options such as a sunroof, wifi connectivity, heated front seats, and a fully digital driver's display.
Safety
The Endeavour (Australia-spec) also leads in passenger safety, featuring 9 airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all passengers, dynamic stability control (DSC), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), auto headlamps, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera. Additionally, it incorporates advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, and park assist. On the other hand, the Toyota Fortuner in India comes with 7 airbags, vehicle stability control (VSC), traction control, brake assist, and hill assist, but lacks a 360-degree camera and ADAS features.
Price
The ex-showroom prices for the Australian-spec Ford Everest range from Rs 29.4 lakh to Rs 43.27 lakh, while the Toyota Fortuner's prices range from Rs 33.43 lakh to Rs 51.44 lakh. These prices are subject to increase if the Ford Endeavour is launched in India due to import taxes. However, to remain competitive, Ford would likely need to price the Endeavour similarly to the Fortuner, around Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom).
While the potential return of the Ford Endeavour to India presents an exciting prospect, it is essential to consider various factors such as size dimensions, powertrain options, features, safety, and pricing when comparing it to the Toyota Fortuner.