Ford Endeavour: Took On The Toyota Fortuner And Won Hearts

The Ford Endeavour was more than just an SUV—it was a statement. For years, it went head-to-head with the Toyota Fortuner, offering a refined driving experience, superior comfort, and exceptional off-road capability. Many Indian SUV enthusiasts still regard it as the best full-size SUV India has seen, even after Ford’s exit from the country.

But what happened after Ford left? Toyota capitalized on the vacuum by consistently increasing Fortuner’s prices, making it significantly more expensive while offering marginal upgrades. Let’s take a deep dive into what made the Endeavour a proper competitor with the Fortuner and how Toyota leveraged Ford’s departure

Design And Road Presence

Both the Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner had immense road presence, but they catered to different audiences.

Ford Endeavour

• The Endeavour had a bolder and more muscular design, with a wide grille, C-shaped LED DRLs, and a butch stance.
• Its proportions were more balanced, making it look like a true-blue off-roader rather than just a big SUV.
• The panoramic sunroof added to its premium appeal, something the Fortuner lacked for a long time.

Toyota Fortuner

• The Fortuner has an aggressive, sharp design, which evolved with time but retained its bulky stance.
• However, some design elements (like the raised rear and oversized grille) make it look less cohesive than the Endeavour.

Interiors And Comfort- Endeavour’s Premium Edge

The Endeavour’s interior felt more premium, offering a plush, car-like experience compared to the Fortuner’s utilitarian cabin.

Ford Endeavour

• High-quality soft-touch materials, well-cushioned seats, and an elegant dashboard layout.
• SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a premium 10-speaker sound system.
• Panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable seats, and ambient lighting for a luxury feel.
• Far superior ride comfort, with better suspension damping, making long drives effortless.

Toyota Fortuner

• Hard plastics and a more utilitarian dashboard, though it has improved in the latest models.
• Newer versions now get a bigger touchscreen, but Ford’s SYNC system was already ahead.
• More rigid and bouncy ride quality, making it less comfortable on highways.
• No panoramic sunroof, no full-size sunroof like the Endeavour.

Performance And Drive Quality

Toyota’s 2.8L diesel engine was powerful, while the Endeavour’s bi-turbo diesel and smooth 10-speed automatic transmission made it a better all-rounder.

Ford Endeavour

• 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel (210 HP, 500 Nm) + 10-speed Automatic.
• Older models also had a 3.2L 5-cylinder diesel (200 HP, 470 Nm).
• Smooth, refined engine performance—no lag, no excessive vibrations.
• 10-speed automatic gearbox was leagues ahead of the Fortuner’s 6-speed.
• Better NVH levels—inside the cabin, it felt more silent and refined.

Toyota Fortuner

• 2.8L Diesel (204 HP, 500 Nm) + 6-speed Automatic.
• Great power but more turbo lag compared to the Endeavour.
• Harsher ride quality—you feel more of the road undulations.
• Toyota’s gearbox felt dated compared to the Endeavour’s modern and smoother 10-speed unit.

Off-Road Capabilities: Ford’s True Strength

The Ford Endeavour was a true off-roader.

Ford Endeavour’s Off-Road Features

• Terrain Management System (TMS) with Sand, Snow, Mud, and Rock modes.
• Rear and front locking differentials—gave it an edge in extreme conditions.
• Water wading depth of 800mm, compared to Fortuner’s 700mm.
• Better approach and departure angles, making it more adaptable to tough terrains.

Toyota Fortuner’s Off-Road Features

• Rear locking differential only, no front differential lock.
• Good low-end torque, making it solid in slow-speed crawling.
• Capable, but lacked the fine-tuned off-road tech.

Toyota’s Pricing Hype Post Ford’s Exit

When Ford exited India in 2021, Toyota took full advantage by increasing Fortuner’s prices multiple times, capitalizing on the lack of competition.

• In 2020, the Toyota Fortuner was priced around ₹30-35 lakh (ex-showroom).
• As of 2025, the top-end Fortuner Legender now costs over ₹50 lakh (ex-showroom).
• Toyota introduced marginal updates, but justified huge price hikes through hype rather than actual value addition.
• Even with rising costs, there’s no hybrid or electric version yet, despite Toyota pushing hybrid tech in its other models.

Many enthusiasts believe that if Ford had stayed, Toyota wouldn’t have been able to justify these price hikes, as the Endeavour would have continued to challenge it at a more reasonable price point.

Conclusion

Even today, the Ford Endeavour remains the SUV that Indian enthusiasts miss the most.

Toyota, knowing that there was no immediate competition, took advantage of Ford’s exit to keep increasing prices, making the Fortuner an overpriced SUV today.

Would you still pick a Fortuner over a Ford Endeavour if it were still on sale? Let us know your thoughts!