Review: Toyota Fortuner — The Perfect Road Trip Companion

Toyota promised a more refined and better-finished SUV and at first glance, they seem to have delivered on that promise.

We got behind the wheel of the diesel automatic variant to find out if the new Fortuner has what it takes to be the perfect SUV for those long road trips to nowhere?

Toyota Fortuner Design, Features & Safety

Exterior

At first glance, the all-new design of the sharply-styled Fortuner is something that's not hard to miss, especially, when compared to the previous generation SUV which was all butch and muscular.

Up front, the main highlights of the new Fortuner include a really high bumper line, a severely angled back main grille and the sharp-looking LED headlamp with integrated DRLs that flank it. Another very trendy feature that sees prominent use on the nose is the chrome bracketing on the grille and around the fog lamps.

From the rear, the sidelines make the car look more muscular and modern. Moving further, the rear windshield and elegantly cut LED tail-lamps strike a good balance and draw attention to the Fortuner everywhere it goes. The new Fortuner is one of the best looking SUVs from the Japanese carmaker till date.

Interior

Step inside the Fortuner and you will be welcomed with an airier and less constrained cabin and leather wrapped seats. Moreover, the neatly integrated dash, cooled glove box, gearshift lever and steering wheel are also wrapped neatly in faux-leather. Overall, the fit and finish quality of the car gives a great sense of luxury.

The driver's seat can be adjusted electronically in eight different ways. The car also features an information-packed LCD display in the instrument cluster and LED cabin lights. Sadly, the Fortuner does not feature a sunroof which might disappoint some buyers, but that is because the AC vents for the second and third row run through the roof!

In the second row, the passengers are treated with comfortable seats and ample space. The second row of seats slides backward if more space is needed and in this position, there is enough leg-room to accommodate tall passengers.

Sadly, there is insufficient headroom in the third row and also passengers might feel a bit claustrophobic during long runs.

To conclude, the current Fortuner feels quite spacious compared to its predecessor. With the third row of seats folded down, then there is enough boot space for those packing for a long road trip!

Safety

In terms of safety equipment, the Fortuner offers 7 airbags, ABS, EBD and stability control with brake assist as well.

Toyota Fortuner Engine & Performance

The Toyota Fortuner is powered by the same 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine which is found in the Innova (read our review here).

The diesel engine produces 174.5bhp @ 3,400rpm and 420Nm of torque which kicks in between 1,600 to 2,400rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox and Toyota does offer the Fortuner with a six-speed manual as well.

The Fortuner's Hill Descent Control (HDC) feature only engages when the SUV is in the Four-Wheel Low (L4) mode. With HDC engaged, the Fortuner's electronics take over, applying brakes to those wheels that need it, allowing the SUV to descend down steep slopes without a hitch.

The L4 mode also must be selected when climbing up a steep slope as well. On tarmac, the best way to get the most out of the Fortuner is to engage the H2 mode whichdisengages the front axle and sending all the power and torque to the rear wheels. Also, the 4X4 option is limited only to the diesel variants of the Fortuner.

The Fortuner comes equipped with two driving modes - Power and Eco. In Power mode, throttle response is more aggressive and crisp for quicker responses. In the Eco Mode, the throttle response is dulled to improve fuel consumption.

Paddle shifters allow drivers to take manual control of gearshifts, however, the shifts did not feel smooth at all thanks to the laborious nature of the gearbox.

The Fortuner features a full body-on-frame chassis and features 225mm of ground clearance and 700mm of water-wading ability. The new Fortuner is very stable at higher speeds but body-roll is noticeable whenthe SUV is pushed into a corner.

Promeet Ghosh Thinks!

Toyota has kept its promise to make the new Fortuner even more appealing to its audience. With its new looks, richer interiors, a calmer cabin and a more powerful and refined engine, the new Toyota Fortuner feels like the complete package.

The new Fortuner is priced at Rs 31,91,300 ex-showroom (Mumbai). So, if have the desire to go on a road triphits you and have the cash to spare, then the Fortuner will be your perfect companion.