Toyota Fortuner Review

Toyota Fortuner exterior design

While the second-gen Toyota Fortuner is shapelier than the original, it’s still a big and butch SUV; and by extension, one that enjoys great attention on our roads. Upfront it gets an imposing grille, large inlets around the fog lights, horizontal DRLs on its chin and a wide scuff plate. The Fortuner Legender on the other hand gets a very different nose. Shaper and more rakish looking, the narrow ‘grille’ and deep air dam make it look seriously appealing. The Legender also gets a two-tone paint finish.

Toyota Fortuner interior and features

There’s plenty of space on the inside and the third row is also useable, but cabin quality is a mixed bag with some low-rent bits dragging things down. The dashboard design, now feels dated and is common between both Legender and regular Fortuner. You get an 8-inch touchscreen with shortcut controls, connected tech, cooled seats, premium JBL 10 speaker sound system and Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The Legender additionally gets two-tone seats, ambient lighting, an electronic rear-view mirror, wireless charging, and kick sensor for opening the hatch at the back.

Toyota Fortuner engine and performance

The 166hp, 2.7-litre petrol engine might not be the engine of choice for majority of buyers but it does impress on the refinement front, even if it does miss out on a strong mid-range. Diesel Fortuner buyers, on the other hand, will take keenly to the 2.8-litre diesel, producing 204hp, for its tractability and build of speed. Refinement is also impressive, so long as you don’t drive in a hurried manner. The diesel’s 6-speed manual is slick and the auto also shifts with a pleasing smoothness.

Toyota Fortuner ride and handling

Like other ladder-frame SUVs, the Fortuner can’t iron-out surface imperfections entirely; but the Toyota does feel grounded at high speeds for something so large and tall. The Fortuner’s steering is also still heavy at low speeds, and then of course it rolls in corners. That said; it isn’t unpleasant to drive on a highway, and you can power through really rough patches and unmade sections. As for off-road ability, you’d be surprised by how far a 4x4-equipped Fortuner can take you in the rough.

Toyota Fortuner price and verdict

With prices ranging between Rs 33.43 lakh – Rs 51.44 lakh, the Fortuner is more expensive than all its rivals by a fair margin. The cabin doesn’t feel as special, and in many ways, it still drives and feels like the hard core off roader that it is. That said, it’s an effortless mile-muncher, its off-road prowess is unmatched and you obviously get the reliability of the Toyota badge.