Toyota Fortuner Expert Review

The Toyota Fortuner continues to define the full-size SUV segment in India. Big, upright and built on a rugged ladder-frame chassis, it delivers the kind of road presence buyers in this class still value highly.
The 2021 facelift sharpened the design with a larger grille, revised bumpers and new LED lighting, while the Fortuner Legender introduced a far more aggressive front-end design with slimmer lamps, a larger air dam and dual-tone paintwork. The latest Neo Drive mild-hybrid version adds a 48V system to the 2.8-litre diesel engine.

Inside, the Fortuner remains functional and spacious rather than luxurious. The dashboard design is familiar but durable, and It houses a 8-inch touchscreen. The Legender adds a more premium feel with dual-tone upholstery and some additional equipment.
Front-seat comfort is excellent thanks to the commanding seating position and supportive chairs. Visibility is another major strength. The second row is spacious enough for adults, though the third row remains best suited to occasional use. While the cabin no longer feels class-leading in terms of technology or richness, it still scores highly for practicality, comfort and durability.

The Fortuner is powered by a 2.8-litre diesel engine producing 204hp and 500Nm when paired with 6-speed automatic, 420 Nm when paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Performance remains one of its biggest strengths. The diesel engine delivers immense low-end torque, making the Fortuner feel effortless in both city and highway driving. The SUV is capable of 0-100kph in around 11.2 seconds, making it one of the quickest ladder-frame SUVs in its segment.
The newer Neo Drive mild-hybrid system improves initial throttle response and refinement slightly, though the assistance remains subtle in regular driving.
Refinement has improved over older Fortuners, but the diesel still sounds gruff under hard acceleration. At cruising speeds, however, the SUV feels relaxed and composed.
The Fortuner is also available with a 2.7-litre petrol engine producing 166hp and 245Nm. As on that car, what you really enjoy here is the additional refinement. The extra dose of smoothness is really pleasing at low speeds, there's a good amount of power when you accelerate, and the fact that the motor makes its maximum power above 5,000 rpm, allows you to spin the engine fast as well.

The ARAI figures for Fortuner are 10.3kmpl for petrol, 14.2-14.4kmpl for diesel depending upon the configuration and around 14.6kmpl for Neo Drive.
Toyota claims the Neo Drive mild-hybrid system can add around 43km of additional driving range from the Fortuner’s 80-litre fuel tank.

Ride quality remains distinctly SUV-like. The suspension absorbs rough roads and broken surfaces extremely well, and the Fortuner feels almost indestructible over poor terrain. However, the ladder-frame setup also brings compromises. The ride can feel busy at city speeds, body roll is significant around corners and the steering remains heavy at low speeds. 
That said, highway stability is good, and the Fortuner feels reassuringly solid at speed. Off-road capability remains a major highlight, especially with the 4x4 variants that continue to offer genuine go-anywhere ability.

The Fortuner range now includes features such as connected car technology, JBL audio, ventilated seats, wireless charging and multiple drive modes. 
Safety equipment includes multiple airbags, traction control, hill start assist, hill decent control and off-road terrain systems.

Priced between roughly Rs 35 lakh and Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom), the Fortuner is undeniably expensive. Objectively, rivals now offer more modern cabins, better ride comfort and stronger feature lists. Yet the Fortuner continues to dominate because it delivers something harder to quantify: durability, toughness, reliability and unmatched resale value.