Jeep Compass or BMW X1 or Toyota Fortuner: which to buy?

HOBSON’S CHOICE

I am planning to buy a midsized SUV and have shortlisted the Jeep Compass petrol-AT , BMW X1 Sportline petrol, and also plan to check out the Toyota Fortuner. My annual run is not more than 10,000km and my priorities are manageable service and maintenance costs, along with a good resale value and aftersales service.

Rakesh Nair, Bengaluru

All three vehicles are quite different and the final choice depends on your usage. If you are mainly going to drive in the city, then the BMW X1 will give you the most driving pleasure. It is sporty, feels the most luxurious of the lot and is nice and compact to wiggle into tight gaps. However, if you regularly travel with your family or over two passengers, you will find the rear seat cramped. Also, BMWs are expensive to maintain in the long run and the resale value isn’t good either.

The Compass isn’t as enjoyable to drive as the X1, and isn’t as good a city car either, but it’s much cheaper and makes for a great long-distance car, thanks to its suspension that is tuned for high speed and bad roads. Again, the Compass doesn’t have as good a resale value as the Fortuner, which scores over the others in terms of overall service costs, reliability and residual value.

However, the Fortuner, which is built on a ladder frame chassis, isn’t as refined as the other two. The ride is bumpy, the interiors are average and overall, though immensely capable, it isn’t value for money. But, if you want a vehicle that will be trouble-free, this Toyota SUV is your best bet.

Also See:

2020 BMW X1 facelift review test, drive

2021 Jeep Compass facelift review, test drive

2021 Toyota Fortuner, Fortuner Legender review, test drive