New Toyota Fortuner Drive Review

The Toyota Fortuner was launched back in 2009 and it was an instant hit with the masses. Its behemoth proportions and bold stance was nothing short of legend. But after witnessing mild updates and tweaks over the years, it lost steam and the company faced massive competition from the likes of Ford's new Endeavor and other compact options which offered class and finesse. Toyota, however, is not a brand to sit by idling and just like a revenant they brought back the Fortuner, adorned in a shiny new armor, to reclaim all its lost glory and the crown that made it king.

The new Toyota Fortuner sports a very sleek design language, with crisp and clear lines defining its silhouette. If you were a fan of the old variant, then the new one will catch you off guard. It is nothing like the old variant, except maybe in proportions which are marginally similar. The façade sports angular headlamps sitting besides the bold chrome grille, giving this SUV a very imposing look. In the rear it is almost the same story, with wrap around tail lamps and ample of chrome adoring the boot. The new Fortuner is sleek from every angle and that disguises its bulky proportions rather well. The head lamp cluster features Bi-Beam LED and projector lights while the tail lamps get LED Light Guides and Aero Fins.

On the inside, the cabin is rather plush with exquisite materials adorning every corner of this luxurious SUV. The colour tones blend well with the overall design theme to give customers a premium and contemporary feeling. Soft touch materials have been used generously all over the cabin and the dash gets a healthy dose of piano black finish. The new Fortuner offers features such as a push button start/ stop ignition, touch screen infotainment with Bluetooth, AUX, USB and navigation integrated into the system, steering mounted controls, reverse camera with sensors, 8-way power adjusted driver seat, dusk sensing headlamps, electrically adjustable and retractable ORVMs, cooled glove box and plenty of storage spaces. The cabin of the new Fortuner is quite roomy and offers comfortable seating for seven individuals, the seats provide adequate support and ample of bolstering to keep occupants well ensconced. You also get easy access to the third with the provision of one touch tumble second row seats which have a 60:40 split.

The new Toyota Fortuner gets a 2.7 litre, VVTi, 4 cylinder, in-line petrol engine and a 2.8 litre, GD, 4 cylinder, in-line diesel engine. The petrol motor puts out 163.6hp at 5200rpm and 245Nm of torque at 4000rpm, while the diesel manual transmission option puts out 174.5hp at 3400rpm and 420Nm of torque from 1600 to 2400rpm. Both engines are similar to the ones found on the Innova Crysta. The 2.8L diesel has been re-tuned to put out more torque. The 2.8 diesel which is also available with a 6-speed automatic transmission puts out more torque than the manual, with torque figures standing at 450Nm from 1600-2400rpm. The petrol motor is available with a 5-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed automatic with sequential shift, paddle shifters and shiftlock. The diesel mill is available with a 6-speed iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) and a 6-speed automatic.

To drive, the petrol motor is very smooth as it provides a gradual climb up the power band. It is an ideal motor for city driving conditions and caters to almost seamless up-shifts. Despite the peak power coming in at 5200rpm the petrol version of the Fortuner is quick through its paces and one can really stretch out its legs on highways. The diesel caters to a more peppy drive and can really throw you back in your seat. The turbo on the diesel kicks in rather quick and the surge of power is enough to get you going. The gear shifts on the manual transmission are crisp and easy to slot, with decent throws of the gear leaver catering to a comfortable driving experience. The Fortuner also comes with Eco and Power drive modes along with an option for cruise control. The driver gets a high point of view along with a good, clear line of sight, thus driving this mammoth SUV is rather easy. Unlike the previous version, the new Fortuner gets ventilated discs on all four wheels. The brakes do lack a bit of feel, but they get the job done very well and inspire confidence during emergency situations.

The new Fortuner also gets a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) with Brake Assist (BA), along with features like Hill Assist Control and Downhill Assist Control as well as an Active Traction management system. The suspension setup is mildly stiff and soaks in most of the shocks from bumps and potholes with ease. The Fortuner also gets bounce and pitch control which caters for a more comfortable journey. The Fortuner also gets wide 265/65 R17 (2WD) and 265/60 R18 (4WD) tyres for enhanced grip and stability, making cornering and driving on winding roads a real treat. The various driver aides which have been incorporated into the Fortuner assist in various on and off road functions as well as ensuring safety of the occupants. The SUV also gets ABS with EBD, 7 Airbags, Child Restrain ISOFIX mounts among other safety features, making the Fortuner a league ahead. The Fortuner comes with a price tag of Rs.  25.92 lakh, it offers volumes of space and just the right amount of features. Its capability as a true blue SUV is immense and Toyota has armed the Fortuner in the right proportions to reclaim its crown.