The Toyota Fortuner was first introduced in India almost a decade back and this car has never looked back ever since and went on to become an extremely popular SUV in the Indian market. Toyota then launched the second generation of the Fortuner here and now it is offered with a choice of both petrol and diesel engines. We sample the diesel variant of the new Fortuner and tell you how better it is from the previous generation.
Exteriors - On the styling front, there is a stark difference in the styling of the Fortuner's previous and current generations. The new one comes with an all-new design with many striking elements and yet it continues to offer immense road presence. It gets sleek headlamps and tail lamps along with a generous dose of chrome. The overall design is clean and the SUV is also very tall. The new Fortuner is longer and wider than the old car but continues to have the same wheelbase.
Interiors - A lot has changed on the inside of the new Fortuner. The cabin feels very rich and premium and has much more attention to detail too. The large instrument cluster is big and easy to read while it also shows a variety of information. The centre console gets a silver finish and the dashboard is nicely finished in leatherette upholstery with dual stitching, lending a premium feel to the car.
The driver's seat is 8-way electrically adjustable and offers a clear view of the road ahead. The ORVMs are also large along with being electrically adjustable and foldable. The second row seats offer very good kneeroom and shoulder room but underthigh support could have been better. The third row has limited space for full-size passengers but it is suitable for kids. The boot capacity on the Fortuner is quite good and the third row seats have 50:50 split while the second row has 60:40 split.
Talking about features, the new Toyota Fortuner comes loaded with keyless entry with a smart key, push button start/stop, cruise control, automatic headlamps, powered tail gate, etc. The SUV also misses out on features like dual-zone climate control, sunroof and electrically folding third row seats. The Fortuner also gets a dual glovebox out of which one is a cooled unit.
Performance - The new Toyota Fortuner is offered with a choice of 2.7-litre petrol and 2.8-litre diesel engines. We drove the diesel variant which produces 177 PS and 450 Nm. Compared to the Innova Crysta, this one gets an increase of 3 PS and 90 Nm. The oil-burner is very punchy and offers good low-end performance. The mid-range also has good punch and the engien redlines at 4500 RPM.
The diesel variant also comes with 4WD for which there's a rotary knob provided. Eco, Normal and Power modes are offered where Eco mode limits power delivery in favour of increased fuel efficiency. In Power mode, power delivery is very responsive. The 6-speed automatic gearbox is smooth but takes its sweet own time to shift cogs. Paddle shifters are also provided so that you can take manual control. Fuel efficiency provided by the Fortuner 2.8 AT is in the range of 9-10 km/l.
Drving Dynamics - The chassis on the new Fortuner is stiffer than the older car. Handling is also much better but there's still considerable body roll. The steering feels heavy at low speeds but out on the highways, it weighs up nicely. While the ride quality is better than the old Fortuner, it is still on the stiffer side, more so at the rear.
On the braking front, the Fortuner is leagues ahead now and pedal feels very confidence inspiring now. The Sigma 4 system comes with 2WD, 4WD and 4WD Low modes. It also gets a virtual LSD which does braking on each wheel individually. The Fortuner is a very capable off-roader and if you're an enthusiast, you'll love taking it to off-beat places.
Safety and After Sales Service - Toyota's after-sales in India is one of the best. The company's has constantly offered very good suport to its customers and most customers have reported of pleasant experiences with the Japanese automaker. Long-term reliability isn't an issue with the Fortuner. Safety features on the Fortuner include 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Traction Control, VSC, Trailer Sway Control, Hill Hold Assist, Hill Descent Control, etc.
Verdict - The Toyota Fortuner is a very good car. When you compare it to the older car, this one has vast improvements. The Fortuner offers a lot of things but this time, it competes with the new Ford Endeavour which is also a supreme SUV. The Fortuner may not be as excellent as the Endeavour, but there is no denying the fact that this car will fetch lots of sales and will be the number 1 choice for people who want a Japanese full-size SUV.
