Toyota Fortuner

The Fortuner has been a runaway success from day one and it’s all down to the ingredients – imposin...

The Fortuner has been a runaway success from day one and it’s all down to the ingredients – imposing looks, a rugged chassis, seating for seven, the option of a diesel engine and (perhaps most importantly) a Toyota badge on the grille. Now in its second generation, the Toyota Fortuner is available in a wide variety of options with petrol-manual, petrol-auto, diesel-manual and diesel-auto versions on offer. The diesels can additionally be had with four-wheel drive.

While the second-gen Toyota Fortuner is shapelier than the original, it’s still a big and butch SUV; and ...

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 respect on our roads. What helps the feeling of authority is the view from the high-set cabin. 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 166hp, 2.7-litre petrol engine might not be the engine of choice for the 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 177hp, 2.8-litre engine’s 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.
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. As for off-road ability, you’d be surprised by how far a 4x4-equipped Fortuner can take you in the rough.