Toyota Fortuner: Toyota Australia has strengthened its grip on the lucrative premium SUV market with a revision of its top-selling Fortuner seven-seat off-roader that includes a better-equipped interior, new look and the latest all-wheel drive technology.
This long-awaited revision of Toyota s top-end SUV is designed to solidify its place in an ever-tougher high-end SUV market, not only in terms of its relevance as an on-road luxury product, but also its focus as an off-road capable machine.
Toyota Fortuner Design- When the Aggression is Just Right
Latest Fortuner continues Toyota’s design theme of rugged exterior and premium interior. The biggest changes are found up front, as the grille becomes a bit bigger and more intricate; the mesh pattern is now dark chrome.
That’s surrounded by slimmer, more angular LED headlamps with sequential turn signals that form a stylistic lighting signature.
Reshaped sculpting to the hood has given the SUV more defined character lines that give it a brawnier appearance, and the redesigned front bumper includes beefier air inlets and bigger skid plates painted silver.
All these features work together to compose a front-end design that is both distinctive as well sophisticated, while also design to be as rugged and durable as the truck’s functionality.
Profile updates comprise new 18-inch alloy wheels with a dual-tone diamond-cut finish for the higher variants, with the Legender derivatives on the other hand getting special 20-inch wheels in a black and machined finish.
New side steps with aluminim inserts to achieve easier step up and ground clearance for off-road capability.
At the rear, new LED taillights that are joined by a chrome strip running the width of the tailgate give the car a more upmarket feel.
The redesigned rear bumper with integrated reflectors and a larger and more prominent diffuser element brings the rear treatment in-line with the updates at the front, while also giving the updated model a more cohesive and premium look that also retains the Fortuner’s signature design.
Interior Step up in luxury and tech.
The cabin is overhauled with major improvements to what was a relative weakness next to fresher rivals.
The dashboard design is all new and is a more horizontal layout and with higher quality materials used, such as soft touch materials on the frequently touched points and real leather trim on upmarket versions.
At the center of it all is a new 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by the latest tech Toyota has to offer, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, voice command, and over-the-air updates.
This is matched with a 7-inch digital instrument display, which can be tailored to display an array of information including off-road dimensions such as an incline angle and the torque distribution.
There’s now a marked improvement in comfort for both driver and passenger, thanks to redesigned front seats that now offer better lateral support, ventilation capability and a broader ranges of adjustment, including for thigh support.
The second row gets reclining backrests, better cushioning, and individual climate control volumes; the third row now has a tiny bit more leg room and softer padding, though it remains designed more for occasional use.
Material quality is consistently good, with higher trim levels offering genuine leather upholstery with contrast stitching, brushed aluminum taking the place of the previous silver grain plastic for accents, improved switchgear that operates with a damped feel for a more high-quality touch.
An ambient light with a choice of several colors adds a touch of class after sunset.
AWD Tech: The Best A Punch Can Pack
The big technical headline is Toyota’s new Dynamic Torque Control AWD system, a big improvement over the old, no-frills part-time 4WD (like most of Toyota’s competitors).
This smart system keeps an eye on driving conditions and can distribute torque between the front and rear axles as conditions warrant, delivering the efficiency of a front-wheel-drive system when cruising around under normal conditions, but providing all-wheel traction when slippery, off-road conditions dictate.
Unlike the old system, which required the driver to manually lock the 4WD mode, the new arrangement kicks in by itself when it senses wheel slippage, delivering a seamless crossover without the driver ever lifting a finger.
Serious off-roading situations see the system keeping hold of low-range gearing and manual engage differential locks.
Supporting the hardware, an evolved Multi-Terrain Select system helps to provide traction for any situation in the sand, mud and dirt, rock, or snow and features settings that adjust throttle response, traction control and transmission shift points for non-stop exploration.
In addition, a new Crawl Control feature serves as a low-speed off-road cruise control, which enables drivers to concentrate on steering while the feature maintains a constant speed relative to the terrain without the driver having to touch the throttle or the brake pedals.
On pavement, everything is improved thanks to revised suspension tuning that includes more advanced valving in the springs, so there’s more composure in the corners but without dropping wheel travel and articulation.
Polaris adds to that steering a variable-ratio rack assembly that lightens the effort at parking, but gets stiffer for more precise feel on the highway.
Powertrains: A Sharper Performance
The Fortuner carries over the same set of engines, albeit both have been tweaked for better power delivery and fuel efficiency.
The available 2.7-liter gasoline engine is rated for 166 PS and 245 Nm, whereas the more popular 2.8-liter diesel generates 204 PS and a sustained 500 Nm with the automatic (480 Nm with the manual).
The engines are now connected to an updated 6-speed automatic transmission with improved shift logic and paddle shifters on either side of the wheel.
There’s also a 6-speed manual available on lower diesel trims. The AWD model is more efficient thanks to a system that minimizes driveline drag while cruising, and powertrain tweaks net slightly better fuel economy.
Technology and Safety: Full Suite
Safety equipment is significantly improved, and all models now come standard with seven airbags, VSC, TRC, HSA and HDC.
Upper trims come equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring the following systems: pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, dynamic radar cruise control and automatic high beam.
The infotainment system is linked to connected car technology in the Toyota Connect app, providing features like remote vehicle tracking, geofencing, service reminders and driver behavior analysis.
Higher trims feature a premium 11-speaker JBL sound system for impressive audio quality.
Pricing and Market Positioning
Starting with a price of ₹33.50 lakh, and going up to ₹51.70 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom), the Toyota Fortuner continues to reign supreme in the upper echelons of the premium SUV segment and provides greater value over its pre-facelift avatar with the additional set of features and improved capabilities.
This pricing approach will help it stay in contention with the likes of MG Gloster, Ford Endeavour, and the now more powerful Mahindra XUV700.
Toyota Fortuner Conclusion: The Enhancement of Leadership Through Evolution
The refreshed Toyota Fortuner is arguably an evolutionary move that refines the strengths of the model, but also attempts to address the areas where it had fallen behind its more recent rivals.
In drastically improving interior fit and finish, technology kit and drivetrain sophistication, Toyota has crafted a more rounded product that is likely to keep the Fortuner at the top of the pile.
For those searching for a high-end luxury family SUV with a combination of true off-road capability and more sophisticated on-road dynamics and creature comforts, the revised Fortuner is about as strong an argument as there is.
The Toyota’s über-reputation for dependability on top of its excellent resale value, it becomes a winning, if restrained, argument to people seeking a sensible, albeit dreamy aspiration in the premium SUV class.
