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Toyota Fortuner


Kia EV6

Summary

Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner Crusade is a strange beast. It’s a four-wheel drive that feels like a HiLux hybrid but it lacks the fun of its ute sibling, despite being able to seat seven.

The four-wheel drive capabilities, seat configuration and high-ride should be a winning combo but it sits awkwardly in Toyota’s SUV line-up.

It’s not as family-oriented as the Kluger and not as refined as the Prado. It’s like that cousin that you only see once a year and don’t know well – you’re not quite sure what to do with them.

I've been driving the top of the range Crusade for a week to get to know it for you. And my family of three has put it through its paces! Let’s see how it fared.

Safety rating
Engine Type2.8L turbo
Fuel TypeDiesel
Fuel Efficiency7.6L/100km
Seating7 seats

Kia EV6

Sometimes I think the present is nowhere near as futuristic as I thought it would be when pondering things 20 years ago.

And then there are times when the two cars you’re comparing are an electric Mustang SUV and a 580 horsepower Kia that accelerates faster than a Ferrari Enzo. 

Yep, this comparison of the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and Kia EV6 GT is one of those times when we’re reminded how much things have changed and how quickly we need to accept the changes electric cars introduce as the new normal.

Supercar-like acceleration, the dilemma of charging and the premium price they command are key EV attributes. But they are still cars. Still the way we get around.

If they’re SUVs like the Mach-E GT and EV6 GT we need to compare more than just their EV credentials. Practicality, driveability, value-for-money, safety and ownership costs are also hugely important.

And this is what we’ve done here, comparing them not just as electric cars but in all the ways you’ll use them, too. 

Safety rating
Engine Type
Fuel TypeElectric
Fuel Efficiency—L/100km
Seating5 seats

Verdict

Toyota Fortuner 7/10

So, after a week of driving the Toyota Fortuner Crusade, did it have a podium finish for my family?

I was hopeful, but no. The driving performance was mixed and only being able to fit two car seats will limit flexibility for younger growing families. I don't like the way the third row is stowed as it makes the boot a bit awkward to use. Combined with the retro-feeling tech and short servicing intervals, there can be some improvement here, especially in a market that is surging forward with all of those elements. I did enjoy the high driving position, safety features and the forgiving suspension, though. 

My son liked the 'Feverish Red' colour and that he didn’t need my help to climb in and out of it.


Kia EV6/10

The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT wins this comparison with the Kia EV6 GT by a small margin, mainly due to its better practicality, its styling and its lower ownership costs. The Kia EV6 GT is also brilliant in its sporty handling, value-for-money and great battery tech. But if there was one that’s the best all-rounder to live with daily, it’s the Mustang Mach-E GT.

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

Price and Features

7

8

Design

9

8

Practicality

8

7

Under the bonnet

9

9

Efficiency

8

8

Driving

8

8

Safety 

9

9

Ownership

8

7

TOTAL

8.3

8

Design

Toyota Fortuner

Nothing discernible to me has been changed since the last model but let me paint the picture for you. Imagine a dual-cab HiLux with a boot and you’ll come up with something similar to the Fortuner.

It sits proudly at 1835mm tall. The sides are almost slab-like and it's squared off at the rear, which the chunky C-pillar and dark windows do nothing to detract from. It’s definitely prettier up front with a nicely tapered bonnet.

City-dwellers need not beware, at 4795mm long and 1855mm wide, it’s accommodating in a tight car park.

The interior is classically Toyota. Everything is where you expect to find it but it’s lacking some wow factor. There are a lot of hard plastics throughout that highlight this.

With tech, trims and ambience all getting upgraded in the market, the interior is a bit of a let down.

However, there’s a certain comfort in seeing a traditional gear shifter, handbrake and manual clock in an off-roader. In my mind, it lends a certain weight to the vehicle's capability.


Kia EV6

Two more different looking SUVs you could not find. Actually, the EV6 GT barely even looks like an SUV although that’s what Kia calls it and the industry classifies it as such.

Have a look at the images, or better still watch the video we made above, to take in the stark comparison between the styling of these vehicles.

The Mustang Mach-E GT looks reassuringly like a Mustang SUV with its vertical bar tail-lights, the muscular rear haunches, blade headlights, shark nose bonnet and big grille.

Well, it’s not a real grille but if you look closely you’ll see the faint outline of honeycomb mesh behind the semi-transparent plastic.

The Kia EV6 GT looks more like a bloated hatchback than an SUV, but you could argue that’s all an SUV is, anyway, I guess.

Still, it’s a stunning design with its pinched in nose, bulbous and smooth panels, looking low, wide and intimidating like a venomous insect complete with lime green brake calipers.

Despite the obvious exterior differences their dimensions aren’t wildly different as you can see in the table below, only the height sets them apart.

If all you had to go with were these figures I’m sure you’d never imagine they’d belong to two very different looking SUVs. The extra height gives the Mustang GT Mach-E a more upright and boxy design, and this affects practicality as you’ll read about further on. For now let's look at their insides on purely stylistic merits.

Of course they have completely different interiors. The Mustang Mach-E GT has a more macho, serious but sporty cabin with high quality feeling fabrics adorning the dashboard and synthetic leather seats. Only the gigantic portrait media display makes this feel like a modern Ford product.

The EV6 GT’s cabin feels dark, like a cave but one filled with expansive screens and tech. There are intriguing patterns etched into the dashboard and deep seats that wrap around their occupants.

Its innards are as alien as its exterior and I’m here for it. And so are many people. Probably not those who like the Mustang Mach-E GT’s cabin, though.

I think the Mustang Mach-E GT pulls off a better look, especially considering the pressure it’s designers would have been under to create an SUV version of one of the most iconic cars on Earth.  

Dimensions

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

Length

4743mm

4695mm

Height

1623mm

1545mm

Width

1881mm

1890mm

Wheelbase

2984mm

2900mm

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

9

8

Practicality

Toyota Fortuner

The interior isn’t terribly practical for a seven-seater, so there’s room for improvement. And that seems to be the running theme for the Fortuner.

First and second-row occupants will enjoy the most room but it’s best to think of the third row as 'sometimes seats'.

It was easy for my six-year old to get in and out with the side steps, and he had a great view from the wide rear window.

Individual storage is good with a double glove box, cooled middle console, two cupholders and drink bottle holders in the first and second rows plus an extra two retractable cupholders in the dash (hurrah!). Third row occupants miss out on them completely, though.

However, I think the storage bins and map pockets are a tad too shallow to be that useful.

The boot space is on the smaller side and the way the third row stows on the side encroaches on the space and creates a large blind spot on an already chunky C-pillar.

With all three rows in action, there is 200L of cargo capacity available, but you can stow the third row to get 716L. If you want maximum cargo capacity, the middle seats can also be folded and that figure jumps up to 1080L.

The tech feels retro and not in a good way. The 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system is plain on the graphics and laggy, plus on the smaller side for the market now.

It also only has wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but it's fairly easy to connect.

Also, there is only one USB-A port in the whole car and no wireless charging pad. You do have a couple of 12-volt ports and a handy 220-volt plug for when you’re camping or something but that’s it for charging, which is surprising for a family SUV nowadays.


Kia EV6

Electric vehicles have changed practicality for the better. Not being constrained by big engines, transmissions and driveshafts means the packaging can be designed for good storage and people room.

Flat floors open up space, front boots are handy and even the ability to use their colossal battery to power campsites or other appliances is a big plus.

Below is a table comparing boot sizes and power outlets. On the face of it the EV6 GT appears to have the bigger rear boot but the stacking height is lower than the Mustang Mach-E GT’s taller space.

The EV6 GT also has next to no front boot, while the Mustang Mach-E GT has a large storage space under the bonnet.

As for rear legroom, the EV6 GT and Mustang Mach E GT have plenty of space for me at 189cm to sit behind my driving position and headroom is excellent in both.

Entering and exiting the Mustang Mach-E GT is easier due it’s more traditional SUV shape with tall doors and elevated ride height. The EV6 GT is almost 10cm lower overall and I hit my head swinging into the back seat while doing my legroom test.

Both cars have directional air vents in the second row, cupholders, door pockets and USB ports.

Talking of power outlets, only the EV6 GT has a vehicle-to-load (V2L) power outlet which will take a regular household appliance plug.

It’s a tough call as to which is more practical, and while the Kia has the versatile V2L and plenty of space, the Mustang's front boot and ease of entry and exit makes it the winner here.   

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

Seats

5

5

Boot capacity (five seats up)

402L

480L

Frunk capacity

134L

20L

Wireless phone charging

Yes

Yes

USB Ports

4

5

V2L socket

0

1

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

8

7

Price and features

Toyota Fortuner

There are three models for the Fortuner and the Crusade sits at the top.

As with everything, there’s been a minor price hike since the last model but you can pick this up for $62,945, before on-road costs.

There are some nice standard features, like electric heated front leather seats, a powered tailgate, three-zone climate control, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, seven seats (2/3/2 config), 18-inch alloy wheels and side steps.

Our model is fitted with an optional tow bar kit, which adds a tow bar, tow ball and trailer wiring for an extra $1350.

It’s a little annoying that each item has to be individually purchased, so make sure if the model you’re looking at has a tow ball, that the wiring is connected, too.

Compared to the market, you get a decent array of accessories and features for the price tag. 


Kia EV6

Electric cars are more expensive than their petrol counterparts and generally will be until the cost of EV batteries comes down. This is what drives the manufacturing price up with the extra cost passed onto the consumer. But the good news is the price is coming down. 

That news doesn’t really help you much here because the Kia EV6 GT has come down in price and lists for $99,590, before on-road costs. Still, that’s less than the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT which lists for $104,990.

The EV6 GT and Mustang Mach-E GT sit at the top of their respective ranges and have large batteries. That’s the reason for the $100K MSRP. They both come with a lot of equipment and you can see a side-by-side comparison of their standard features in the table below.

What stands out is the lack of powered front seats in the EV6 GT, and also the absence of leather upholstery in both cars.

Both still come with heated seats, excellent sound systems and sunroofs - although the Mustang Mach-E’s is a large panoramic glass version, while the Kia’s is smaller and opens.

The EV6 GT’s head-up display is brilliant, while the Mustang Mach-E doesn’t have one.

The Mustang comes with 20-inch alloys which offer a better ride than the EV6 GT’s 21-inch alloys - but more on that in the driving section further down.    

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

MSRP

$104,990

$99,590

Media Display

15.2-inch

12.3-inch 

Instrument cluster

10.2-inch

12.3-inch

Head-up display

No

Yes

Climate control

Dual-zone

dual-zone

Auto parking

Yes - in-car

Yes - remote

Keyless entry/push start

Yes

Yes

Sound system

B&O 10 speakers

Meridian - 14 speakers

Sat nav

Yes

Yes

Sunroof

Panoramic

Slide opening

Privacy glass

Rear side

Rear side

Upholstery

Artificial leather

Artificial leather

Seats

Front: Powered/heated

Front: heated; Rear: heated

Wheel size

20-inch alloys

21-inch

LED Headlights

Yes

Yes

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

7

8

Under the bonnet

Toyota Fortuner

All Fortuner models share the same 2.8-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine but it’s the main star that perfectly complements the 4WD system.

With a maximum output of 150kW and a massive 500Nm of torque, most weekend adventures can be pursued. It also doesn’t feel like you’re digging deep for that power, which is great.

The six-speed auto transmission is fairly smooth but occasionally the pick up is slow, so I wouldn’t be zipping across traffic in this. 


Kia EV6

Electric motors make massive amounts of power and torque but the outputs of the Mustang Mach E GT and EV6 GT are beyond 'normal' EVs.

The EV6 GT has a motor driving the rear wheels and another driving the front ones. Together they have a combined output of 430kW and 740Nm with 0-100km/h coming in a brutal 3.5 seconds. That is seriously quick and unnecessary and I love it.

The Mustang Mach E GT also has all-wheel drive thanks to a motor at the front and at the rear but together they make a whopping 358kW and 860Nm, although at 100kg heavier it’s a tad slower to 100km/h with a time of 3.7 seconds. Still these times are quicker than almost any production car from the early 1990s.

Who wins here? I’m calling it evenly matched.

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

Combined motor output

358kW/860Nm

430kW/740Nm

Drive wheels

AWD

AWD

0-100km/h 

3.7 seconds

3.5 seconds

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

9

9

Efficiency

Toyota Fortuner

The official combined cycle fuel number is 7.6L/100km. Real world testing saw my figure at 9.1L and I covered a good mix of urban and open road driving this week.

Considering its size and that it’s a turbo, I thought it was fairly efficient for how I drove it, but it could be better given it’s a diesel.

The Fortuner has an 80L fuel tank with an approximate range of 880km, using our on-test average fuel economy figure.


Kia EV6

There’s so much to tell you here and the table below will help with understanding the capacities, ranges and consumption of the EV6 GT and Mustang Mach-E GT.

The Mustang Mach-E GT has the larger battery and the longer range, but the EV6 GT’s battery has a much faster DC charging rate.

The Kia can make full use of a 350kW fast charger while the Mach-E can’t accept more than 150kW.  You can see the charging times in the table.

Energy efficiency is crucial to an EV’s range and in our test we filled the batteries of the Mustang Mach-E GT and EV6 GT to 100 per cent and drove a 180km route made up of CBD traffic, motorways, suburban streets and country roads.  

At the end of the trip we found both used almost exactly the same amount of electricity at nearly the same rate. The difference being the Mustang had more projected range left because its battery is larger.  

Who wins? Well, this is really about energy efficiency and we found that both were a good match for electricity consumption. So, let’s call it a tie. You could argue the Mustang Mach-E GT has more range, but the rebuttal would be the EV6 GT’s super-fast charging time. 

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

Battery capacity 

91kWh

77.4kWh

Estimated range

490km

424km

Max DC charging speed

150kW

350kW

DC 10-80 percent charge time

45 minutes

18 minutes

Max AC charging speed

10.5kW

10.5kW

Official combined consumption

21.2kWh/100km

20.6kWh/100km

Distance (energy test))

176.5km

178.0km

Electricity used

32.6kWh

32.18

As tested combined consumption

18.5kWh/100km

18.1kWh/100km

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

8

8

Driving

Toyota Fortuner

Mostly okay but there are points to consider for long-term use.

We’ve already covered that the engine has enough grunt for off-road pursuits but I enjoyed the torque because it means it's fairly easy to maintain a consistent speed on hills, which isn’t always the case for large SUVs.

However, the steering feels heavy at lower speeds. It makes the car feel older than it is and cumbersome to turn in car parks.

I'm not a fan of the steering wheel, either. The leather is hard/rough and the wood panel insert at the top is slippery, which is an odd combo for an off-roader where you want to stay very much in control.

The taller centre of gravity does give some roll in corners but it’s also not the sort of car you go hard in on bends, anyway. So, that's not surprising.

However, the Aussie suspension tuning gets an A+ because the ride comfort is good and you won’t really notice potholes or bumps.

This has a 360-degree view camera set-up with guidelines but the image is disappointingly blurry for a top-spec model. 


Kia EV6

The way these SUVs feel to drive is as different as their looks. The Mustang Mach-E GT feels more suited to daily driving while the EV6 GT is our pick for the race circuit or sporty blasts on nice country roads with plenty of twists and turns.

Both have drive modes ranging from the hardcore 'Untame' in the Mach-E and 'Sport+' in the EV6 GT to the calmer 'Whisper' and 'Normal' modes in Ford and Kia, respectively. 

Adjustable suspension in both firms up the ride for better handling and softens it for a more comfortable setting.

The Mustang Mach-E has the more comfortable ride overall compared to the EV6 GT which is very firm in its Sport+ drive mode but still overly hard in the Normal setting thanks to the big wheels and low-profile tyres. That said, the Mach-E GT is prone to jiggling too much over minor bumps.

The EV6 GT and Mustang Mach E GT can accelerate incredibly fast and while it's fun, the ability to move quickly is useful in overtaking and at intersections without traffic lights. 

Neither the EV6 GT not Mach-E GT offer exceptional ride comfort but the Mustang delivers a better all around driving experience with good visibility, a more elevated driving height and supportive seats.

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

8

8

Safety

Toyota Fortuner

The safety list earns some cred back for the Crusade with the following being standard features: LED daytime running lights, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert (always good to have), 360-degree view camera, front and rear parking sensors and trailer sway control.

A couple of cool features to highlight are the 'SOS Emergency Call' button and 'Automatic Collision Notification' system.

The former is for if you’re ever in a sticky situation but don’t have access to your phone but need emergency services.

The latter, will alert the Toyota Emergency Assistance call centre if an airbag is deployed or a collision is detected by the impact sensors. I think these are good features for an off-roader.

It has seven airbags, which include a driver's knee airbag and curtain airbags covering the third row but it is missing the newer front centre airbags that we’re seeing on newer cars.

The Fortuner has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating but it was tested a little while ago in 2019.

There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard seats in the middle row and two top tether anchor points, so you’ll only be fitting two child seats in (unusual for a seven seater). There is enough room in the front with a 0-4 rearward facing child seat installed.


Kia EV6

The Mustang Mach-E GT and the EV6 GT have been awarded the maximum five star ANCAP rating but the Kia was tested more recently under 2022 criteria.

Both cars have ISOFIX points for child seats in the outside rear seats, while there are three top tether anchor mounts in the second row, too. The table below compares their advanced safety tech. 

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

ANCAP rating

5 (2021)

5 (2022)

AEB

Pedestrian, vehicle, cyclist

Pedestrian, vehicle, cyclist

Lane Keeping Assist

Yes

Yes

Blind Spot Warning

Yes

Yes

Rear Cross Traffic Alert

Yes with braking

Yes with braking

Airbags

7 (no centre airbag)

6 (no centre airbag)

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

9

9

Ownership

Toyota Fortuner

Ongoing costs are always something to consider and the Fortuner comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, which is standard for the market.

Unfortunately, it only comes with a three-year capped-priced servicing plan, which is unusual for this class.

The services are affordable at $290 per service but the intervals are painful at every six months or 10,000km, whichever comes first. 


Kia EV6

The final piece of this comparison puzzle is the ownership costs. The table below highlights the difference in what you’ll pay to service with the Mustang Mach-E GT proving to be the more affordable. 

The Kia comes with a longer warranty, although Ford’s battery coverage duration is better.

The Mustang Mach-E GT wins here for its more affordable capped price servicing.

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

Warranty

Five-year/unlimited km

Seven-year/unlimited km

Servicing cost total over five years

$780

$1561

Service interval

12 months/15,000km

12 months/15,000km

High-voltage battery warranty

Eight-years/160,000km

Seven-years/150,000km

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Kia EV6 GT

8

7