India-bound new Toyota Fortuner gets five star safety rating

Latin NCAP, the premier crash testing agency for Latin American countries conducted an audit crash test on the new Toyota Fortuner – the sister car to the Hilux pick-up – to see if it offered comparable levels of safety. Essentially, the Fortuner, also known as the Hilux SW4, is a SUV based on the Hilux pick-up truck.

In an earlier round of testing conducted in December, Latin NCAP had rated the Argentinian-spec Hilux as having met all its requirements along with an admirable performance in the crash tests, resulting in a score of 5 stars in both adult and child occupant protection.

Latin NCAP found that the Fortuner offered near identical levels of occupant safety, and provided better occupant protection in certain aspects. Following the tests, the SUV too received a 5-star rating.

The Hilux came equipped with dual front and driver knee airbags along with ABS, so it is safe to assume that the Fortuner came with the same equipment list.

Toyota is set to bring the new Fortuner to India sometime next year. The SUV will use the company’s new GD series of diesel engines paired to a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. However, prior to the arrival of the new Fortuner, the Japanese automaker is set to launch the new Innova in the coming months.

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