Drove the MG Gloster from Delhi to Manali to Padum, and it made me question the Fortuner hype
I recently got a chance to properly experience the MG Gloster on a long Himalayan drive, and the whole idea was to test the car properly, not just drive it around the city and form an opinion.
At that time, I was also in the market for a full-size 4x4 SUV, so I took my friend along, who owns a Gloster, and we drove from Delhi to Manali and then from Manali to Padum. Since the Atal Tunnel was closed at that time, we had to take the old route via Rohtang Pass, and that is where I first realised that the Gloster is actually a much easier car to drive than what people make it sound like.
Yes, it is a massive SUV. Yes, the 2.0-litre twin-turbo engine has very noticeable turbo lag. And yes, the gearbox does keep hunting for the right gear at times. But somehow, that 8-speed gearbox still manages to put the power down in a way that makes the overall drive feel quite effortless. The turbo lag was definitely there, especially on climbs and tight sections, but it never really made the car difficult to drive.
From Rohtang towards Shinkula Top, the drive was again genuinely enjoyable. The car did feel its size on some of the bends before Shinkula Pass, and you do need to be mindful of the weight and length, but it was still very manageable. What really impressed me though was the ride quality. All three of us were genuinely loving how comfortable the Gloster felt on that terrain.
And this is where the Fortuner comparison becomes unavoidable. I have driven and experienced the Fortuner too, and in terms of ride comfort, the Gloster is miles ahead. There is no other way to put it. The Fortuner may have the Toyota badge, resale value, and that bulletproof image, but purely as a car to sit in and travel long distances in, the Gloster feels much more premium and relaxed.
The drive to Padum after that was mostly eventless, in a good way. The car just kept going, we enjoyed the journey, and it never felt like we were struggling with it.
Eventually, I did not end up buying a 4x4 SUV, but that drive really changed my opinion about the Gloster. It is genuinely underrated for what it offers. The turbo lag is pronounced, no doubt, but honestly, I think I would trade that off for the comfort, space, features and overall road presence it offers. For those wondering, it delivered a final mileage of 12.5 kmpl (total distance/fuel consumed)
So here’s my question: is the Fortuner just overrated for what it offers today? And should we now actually start questioning Toyota on what exactly it is giving for the money?