Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D4-D (Old)

Climb up into the driver’s seat and there’s a nice handle on the inside of the A-pillar to help you and the ‘master-of-all’ feeling you get is fantastic. You’re really looking down into other cars. Typical of a Toyota, the seats are accommodating, supportive and comfortable. There’s good space and it’s quite easy to get comfy behind the wheel – the seat adjusts manually for height and the steering for rake.

Apart from the Fortuners design, there many interior bits which it has in common with the Innova -like the steering wheel, climate control system, air-con vents, wood trim and switches. What’s unique is the smart-looking, hooded instrument cluster with Optitron gauges. Two airbags, ABS, 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-CD changer, climate control, remote locking and leather seats are standard.

The middle row is comfy too and there’s more than enough place for six-footers and because the car is so high, the seats are placed higher too, giving you good thigh support and adequate cushioning. The Fortuner gets a seven-seat layout, with the third row occupying most of the available boot space when in place but there’s still enough luggage space for a couple of small soft bags.

Once you’re in the third row, it’s a lot more comfy than it looks and you sit a lot less knees-up than in the third row of most other SUVs. It’s quite a practical cabin too. We loved the little cubbyholes under the air-con vents and the big box between the front seats. Boot space is limited with all rows in place, but the last row splits 50:50, so you do have some flexibility. Fold all the seats and you get a very useable 1000 litres of space.