Toyota Fortuner

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.

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

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 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.

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

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.

The petrol Fortuners are significantly more affordable than the diesels and are worth considering for buyers with low usage. However, it’s the stronger (and also more efficient) diesel engine that ties in better with the Fortuner’s image. The manual gearbox is good but you’d do well to choose the smooth auto. Also, we’d only recommend the 4x4 version for buyers with genuine use for the off-road hardware. For everyone else, the 4x2 diesel-auto will do just fine.

The petrol Fortuners are significantly more affordable than the diesels and are worth considering for buyers with low...

The petrol Fortuners are significantly more affordable than the diesels and are worth considering for buyers with low usage. However, it’s the stronger (and also more efficient) diesel engine that ties in better with the Fortuner’s image. The manual gearbox is good but you’d do well to choose the smooth auto. Also, we’d only recommend the 4x4 version for buyers with genuine use for the off-road hardware. For everyone else, the 4x2 diesel-auto will do just fine.