Trying to upgrade SUV - Frustrating

[tczack]

Hi All,

I have been driving a Toyota SUV for the last 7 or 8 years, and it is a great car.

Now I want to buy a new SUV, as it is getting a bit old, and want to upgrade a bit, but cannot afford something fancy like the Lexus (4M to 6M), and it seems there are no vehicles in the Mid-Grade.

All around !.2M to 1.5M THB

Toyota

Isuzu

Mitsubishi

Subaru

Etc.

Above 4M

Lexus
BMW (except mini X which is too small)

Porsche

Volvo

Etc.

Does anyone know of a vehicle like a Fortuner in terms of size and function, that has a nicer interior, more extras, and is in the range of 2M to 2.5M THB?

There seems to be a real gap in the middle???

[bkkjames]

Top of the line Trailblazer or MuX - throw in some nice upgrades, like wheels, high end stereo, upgraded suspension and you will start getting nearer to 2 million I suppose.

or import something like this http://www.ford.com/suvs/explorer/trim/sport/ and I am sure it will put you at least 2.5 to 3 million.

[tczack]

Thanks bkkjames,

I already had a Ford "Exploder" years ago in the US, and don't really want the hassles of a grey-market car in Thailand.

I just find it odd that there is such a gap in the middle of the SUV lineup.

[IMHO]

Imports get 80% duty applied, and SUV's with >220HP or >3L engines get excise tax of 50% rather then the 20% of your Fortuner.

That's why there's a gap....

[keemapoot]

The new Kia Sorrento I think is a 7 seater like a Tuna, and with much nicer interior appointments. Of course, it's not a major brand, and the price might be right.

[wilcopops]

The reason for the gap is that one group are built in Thailand the other are imported and therefore subject to more duties.

The Thai-built SUVs are for the most part simply modified pickup trucks.....hence the crude interiors and mech spec.

You might look at "recent" secondhand imported vehicles as they drop quite a lot in price in the first few years

[Robert24]

Suggest you stick with the top end of a fortuner, guess price is around 1.55mln. I had a Lexus 350h before in Singapore, I did like it but to be honest it is not such a big upgrade to the Fortuner and the price in Thailsnd for such imported cars is just outrageous. Basically most of the price for a Lexus or BMW or Audi goes to the government in the form of tax which is not woth it in my opinion.

[transam]

A new Fortuner will be way different with stuff than the ride you have now......

[eaustev]

If you don't need an "SUV" so much, but just a nice wagon with plenty of space then the Volvo V60 is around 2.3 million. Nice looking car, and recently I noticed that they had the R Design package thrown in.

[Ace of Pop]

A Fortuna is no better than a Top Toyo Truck.Wilcopops said it all.Extra 500K for a extended roof and a few Chairs. Go PJS and save a bit..Or go for the Volvo.Now they are a nice ride.

[frankphuket]

The above mentioned Kia Sorrento around 1.7m

The new Mazda Cx-5, but is not as big as the "wish list", also at 1.69m top spec

Or the Subaru Forester Turbo at 2.49m I think. Sure the most fun to drive.

I am pretty certain in terms of driving experience those 3 are a big step above a Fortuner, Trailblazer, etc. if you can live with a bit less space and service centers around (for the last 2)

[Scotssing]

If you are not happy with the Japanese offerings: Mazda CX5, Honda CRV or the Subaru Forester mentioned by Frankphuket (2.42m, the turbo really has some oomph for a SUV - 0-60 in about 7 sec, a real offroader too and has some surprising luxury touches for a Subaru like an electric tailgate and Harmon/Kardon entertainment system) what about the Mercedes GLA at 2.44m?

The Mercedes is supposed to compete with the X1 and Audi Q3. Whilst it is really only half SUV and more hatchback reviews indicate it is a better drive and better specced than the A series. In Thailand only one option perhaps a bit underpowered and only 2 wheel drive

Disadvantages of the Subaru and the Mercedes is that there is quite a long delivery time, perhaps 6 months

[ignis]

New Subaru Forester Turbo......... Airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags....... New model few for sale 6 - 8 months old around 1.8 - 1.9 million, looks a good deal..

1 year old BMW X3 very top end of your budget.. diesel Turbo 0- 100 8.5 sec + 18 KM per lt.... lost 800,000 baht is 12 months !!

2 year old Audi Q5 Turbo........ lost 1 million + baht in 2 years.

Brand New........ Poor mans Benz ML....New model Ssangyoung 'Rexton 2'.. 2.7 Turbo, new 2.7 million....... even the little smaller same shape M 200 XDi Turbo 'Kyron' brand new 1.7 million..

Use to use Benz running gear and engines, no idea about the new models

As other have said not a lot of options, Thai built or Import at a huge import duty price

Edit: Also remember some of the non every day models = expensive parts and service, maybe even have to wait weeks if something has to be ordered.

[keemapoot]

^Yup, best option of all in the full size locally made reasonable price segment is to try to wait until next year to see the new Fortuner and new Everest. I'm hoping they do an upscale version, as there is a real gap in that segment. MUX is nice, but not too upscale, and also in terms of image.

[OMGImInPattaya]

^Yup, best option of all in the full size locally made reasonable price segment is to try to wait until next year to see the new Fortuner and new Everest. I'm hoping they do an upscale version, as there is a real gap in that segment. MUX is nice, but not too upscale, and also in terms of image.

New Nissan X-Trail is right around the corner isn't it? Agree that the mid-size SUV market in LOS is very underserved!

[keemapoot]

^Yup, best option of all in the full size locally made reasonable price segment is to try to wait until next year to see the new Fortuner and new Everest. I'm hoping they do an upscale version, as there is a real gap in that segment. MUX is nice, but not too upscale, and also in terms of image.

New Nissan X-Trail is right around the corner isn't it? Agree that the mid-size SUV market in LOS is very underserved!

Has it been confirmed that Nissan are going to produce a 7-seater based off that new Navara NP 300 truck platform? That could be very nice if they do it right. The current X-trail is indeed a midsize, so would not be in the same category.

[bkkjames]

^Yup, best option of all in the full size locally made reasonable price segment is to try to wait until next year to see the new Fortuner and new Everest. I'm hoping they do an upscale version, as there is a real gap in that segment. MUX is nice, but not too upscale, and also in terms of image.

New Nissan X-Trail is right around the corner isn't it? Agree that the mid-size SUV market in LOS is very underserved!

Has it been confirmed that Nissan are going to produce a 7-seater based off that new Navara NP 300 truck platform? That could be very nice if they do it right. The current X-trail is indeed a midsize, so would not be in the same category.

or will it be this one http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/480728/Nissan-X-Trail-car-review

[keemapoot]

^Yup, best option of all in the full size locally made reasonable price segment is to try to wait until next year to see the new Fortuner and new Everest. I'm hoping they do an upscale version, as there is a real gap in that segment. MUX is nice, but not too upscale, and also in terms of image.

New Nissan X-Trail is right around the corner isn't it? Agree that the mid-size SUV market in LOS is very underserved!

Has it been confirmed that Nissan are going to produce a 7-seater based off that new Navara NP 300 truck platform? That could be very nice if they do it right. The current X-trail is indeed a midsize, so would not be in the same category.

or will it be this one http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/480728/Nissan-X-Trail-car-review

If it's not pickup based, we will end up with silly pricing again...

[bkkjames]

Word on the web (that I can find) is this will be assembled here in TH starting in October.

[IMHO]

^Yup, best option of all in the full size locally made reasonable price segment is to try to wait until next year to see the new Fortuner and new Everest. I'm hoping they do an upscale version, as there is a real gap in that segment. MUX is nice, but not too upscale, and also in terms of image.

New Nissan X-Trail is right around the corner isn't it? Agree that the mid-size SUV market in LOS is very underserved!

Has it been confirmed that Nissan are going to produce a 7-seater based off that new Navara NP 300 truck platform? That could be very nice if they do it right. The current X-trail is indeed a midsize, so would not be in the same category.

Nothing out of Nissan TH, but Nissan AU have spilled some beans to suggest it's in dev. The big question is whether or not TH will get the new X-Trail (AKA Pathfinder elsewhere) - at this stage a Navara PPV seems to be the odds-on favorite.

[keemapoot]

^Yup, best option of all in the full size locally made reasonable price segment is to try to wait until next year to see the new Fortuner and new Everest. I'm hoping they do an upscale version, as there is a real gap in that segment. MUX is nice, but not too upscale, and also in terms of image.

New Nissan X-Trail is right around the corner isn't it? Agree that the mid-size SUV market in LOS is very underserved!

Has it been confirmed that Nissan are going to produce a 7-seater based off that new Navara NP 300 truck platform? That could be very nice if they do it right. The current X-trail is indeed a midsize, so would not be in the same category.

Nothing out of Nissan TH, but Nissan AU have spilled some beans to suggest it's in dev. The big question is whether or not TH will get the new X-Trail (AKA Pathfinder elsewhere) - at this stage a Navara PPV seems to be the odds-on favorite.

Good info, thanks. Yeah, it only makes sense that Nissan would choose a PPV (not a police pursuit vehicle but pickup based SUV for those who didn't know ) to compete with Ford and Toyota's upcoming offerings. The current MUX will get some competition, and the PJS is past its sell-by date.

[bkkjames]

^Yup, best option of all in the full size locally made reasonable price segment is to try to wait until next year to see the new Fortuner and new Everest. I'm hoping they do an upscale version, as there is a real gap in that segment. MUX is nice, but not too upscale, and also in terms of image.

New Nissan X-Trail is right around the corner isn't it? Agree that the mid-size SUV market in LOS is very underserved!

Has it been confirmed that Nissan are going to produce a 7-seater based off that new Navara NP 300 truck platform? That could be very nice if they do it right. The current X-trail is indeed a midsize, so would not be in the same category.

Nothing out of Nissan TH, but Nissan AU have spilled some beans to suggest it's in dev. The big question is whether or not TH will get the new X-Trail (AKA Pathfinder elsewhere) - at this stage a Navara PPV seems to be the odds-on favorite.

Good info, thanks. Yeah, it only makes sense that Nissan would choose a PPV (not a police pursuit vehicle but pickup based SUV for those who didn't know ) to compete with Ford and Toyota's upcoming offerings. The current MUX will get some competition, and the PJS is past its sell-by date.

Indo getting 7 seater suspect we will to.

Sent from my LG-P970 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Jitar]

Nissan have sold PPV type SUV's as Pathfinders etc for years elsewhere, wonder why they did not try to steal a couple of Fortuner sales in LOS before now?

[OMGImInPattaya]

^Yup, best option of all in the full size locally made reasonable price segment is to try to wait until next year to see the new Fortuner and new Everest. I'm hoping they do an upscale version, as there is a real gap in that segment. MUX is nice, but not too upscale, and also in terms of image.

New Nissan X-Trail is right around the corner isn't it? Agree that the mid-size SUV market in LOS is very underserved!

Has it been confirmed that Nissan are going to produce a 7-seater based off that new Navara NP 300 truck platform? That could be very nice if they do it right. The current X-trail is indeed a midsize, so would not be in the same category.

or will it be this one http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/480728/Nissan-X-Trail-car-review

If it's not pickup based, we will end up with silly pricing again...

I don't think it's based on a truck (Navarra) but a Nissan global SUV platform. I think it's the same model on sale in UK and Oz already.

[frankphuket]

From my understanding the NEW X-Trail will replace the old one, so it is in competition with Honda CRV, Chevy Craptiva (oops), Mazda CX5 I would think.

The old one did not sell too well in the Thai market, but did so world wide, big hit was the Diesel, which was never brought to Thailand.

Styling somehow in Thailand did not do well....I liked it and bought one for my wife, which she still likes dearly after 7 years. It is to be seen which engines they will bring and if the design will be more interesting for the Thai market.

Right now for Japs the only option is the Cx5 as the CRV really has rather outdated engines.

[OMGImInPattaya]

I don't think the Hyundai Tucson has been mentioned. If you can get past the looks, not a bad ride at between 1.5-2.0M

[keemapoot]

Actually, there's a writeup about this in the BK Post. It says Nissan is going to pursue a bold dual SUV strategy like Chevy with the Trailblazer and Captiva. They will have the X-trail to compete with the CX-5 & Captiva, and some Navara based big SUV to compete with the Tuna, Everest, PJS, Trailblazer.

[CTO]

Ford is made here, not a grey import

Thanks bkkjames,

I already had a Ford "Exploder" years ago in the US, and don't really want the hassles of a grey-market car in Thailand.

I just find it odd that there is such a gap in the middle of the SUV lineup.

[IMHO]

Actually, there's a writeup about this in the BK Post. It says Nissan is going to pursue a bold dual SUV strategy like Chevy with the Trailblazer and Captiva. They will have the X-trail to compete with the CX-5 & Captiva, and some Navara based big SUV to compete with the Tuna, Everest, PJS, Trailblazer.

Let's see what actually materializes.... the Pathfinder/X-Trail is currently made in Spain for Oceana markets, so no benefit at all in TH sourcing for ANZ and ME, which are usually fairly critical for export success, and export success is needed to justify domestic production...

[IMHO]

Ford is made here, not a grey import

Thanks bkkjames,

I already had a Ford "Exploder" years ago in the US, and don't really want the hassles of a grey-market car in Thailand.

I just find it odd that there is such a gap in the middle of the SUV lineup.

Not the Exploder Explorer he's talking about... very different car to what was sold here with the Explorer badge.. If they sold it here, I might actually buy a Ford