2021 Toyota Fortuner facelift revealed

The popular 7-seat Toyota SUV has received its first major update since its debut in 2015.

Published On Jun 04, 2020 09:54:00 AM

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Toyota Fortuner facelift gets a revised front-end
New infotainment system chief upgrade to interior
India launch only expected sometime in 2021

It has been a rather long wait for the updated model, but it has finally been revealed in full – this is the Toyota Fortuner facelift, which has just been unveiled in Thailand.

How different is the 2021 Toyota Fortuner on the outside?

For 2021, the Toyota Fortuner gets a new face, with redesigned LED headlights that incorporate LED daytime running lights, a larger mesh-pattern grille, reshaped front bumper and a new design for the 18-inch alloy wheels. At the back, the major change is the addition of slimmer-looking LED tail-lights.

There’s also a top-spec ‘Legender’ model with a sportier persona. It packs in a split grille, a different front bumper that houses sequential LED turn indicators, dual LED projector headlights with a unique pattern for the LED DRLs, a gloss black finish replacing the chrome up front, 20-inch alloy wheels, dual-tone paint schemes and more gloss-black elements incorporated into the rear bumper and boot lid.

What’s new inside the Toyota Fortuner facelift?

As for the Toyota Fortuner facelift's interior, not much has changed in terms of design from the pre-facelift model, but one major difference is the inclusion of a larger, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that comes with Apple CarPlay compatibility. There’s also a mildly updated instrument cluster, 8-way power-adjustable driver and co-driver's seats and wireless smartphone charging, too. Also part of the equipment list are LED ambient lighting, a 9-speaker JBL audio system and a 360-degree camera. The Legender variant packs in a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen, and in addition to 7 airbags and the usual suite of safety features, also gets 'Toyota Safety Sense', which adds a collision prevention system, lane departure warning and radar-guided dynamic cruise control. Toyota has also given the facelifted Fortuner 'Variable Flow Control', which varies steering weight depending on the speed the SUV is doing.

What are the Toyota Fortuner facelift's engine options?

The Thai-spec Toyota Fortuner facelift gets a big update under its bonnet. While the 2.4-litre, four-cylinder diesel continues to make 150hp and 400Nm, the 2.8-litre diesel – which is the only diesel engine option for the Fortuner in India now – has received a big boost in power output. It now makes 204hp – up from the current model’s 177hp – and an impressive 500Nm of torque, which is 50Nm more than the current Fortuner automatic.

What’s uncertain at the moment is whether India will get the upgraded diesel engine. Toyota had only recently updated the engine to BS6-spec in India and could choose to roll-out the more powerful engine at a later stage.

When is the Toyota Fortuner facelift to be launched in India?

When the facelifted Fortuner arrives in India, expect its prices to be a fair bit higher than that of the current model (which range from Rs 28.66-34.43 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi). Don’t, however, hold your breath for the Toyota Fortuner facelift's India launch, because that is only expected to take place sometime in 2021. For now, Toyota has hiked prices of the current Fortuner by Rs 48,000 for all variants, and will soon introduce a limited-edition version that’s expected to get a few more features.

What do you think of the Toyota Fortuner facelift? Let us know in the comments.

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