It has been way too long since the Philippines got a midsize four-wheel drive SUV with a manual transmission. The model sold here that fit that criteria was the first release of the second-generation Mitsubishi Montero Sport. More specifically, it was the GLS 4WD MT, an incredibly rare model, might we add.
That variant was silently dropped in 2019 because, well, nobody really bought it. To those who cry out ‘save the manuals!’ this is on you. But Toyota Motor Philippines does have the chance to rectify things should they be allowed to do so.
Over in India, the ever so popular Toyota Fortuner 4x4 is available with a six-speed manual. For off-roaders who want a bit of a challenge and a more immersive experience, this is the spec to go for.
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We do have some good news and bad news, though. Starting with what you want to hear, that six-speed manual is paired with the punchy 2.8-liter turbodiesel. Power is unchanged, meaning it still doles out a respectable 201hp. Also, it’s in the high-spec Legender/LTD variant, so it’s pretty well equipped and indistinguishable from the automatic. We can only wish the GR-S with three pedals.
What’s the bad news, then? Notice that we didn’t mention the torque? Oddly enough, it makes far less than the automatic version. It’s down by a whopping 80Nm, dropping that figure from 500Nm to ‘just’ 420Nm. Ouch.
Still, we’re glad Toyota bothered with making one. It still has a rear differential lock, so it’s got decent off-road capabilities. And while it doesn’t get fancy electronic terrain select modes, the largely mechanical system offers some old-school charm. Besides, it’s pretty cool to say ‘I have a manual 4x4 Fortuner,’ right?
As for the price, the Toyota Fortuner is apparently quite expensive over in India. This particular variant retails for 4,636,000 rupees (46.36 lakh) or about P3,050,000. For the automatic, it rings it at 4,809,000 rupees (48.09 lakh) or approximately P3,160,000.
The local pricing doesn’t sound so bad now, does it? It’s no wonder why the Indian market views these SUVs as luxury vehicles.
