Toyota Fortuner Facelift: Toyota’s Fortuner, India’s No.1 SUV, gets a new, sportier look and has also grown wider — further establishing its dominance in the premium SUV segment.
Famed for its bulletproof nature, off-road prowess and dominating road presence, the Fortuner has gone from strength to strength with each update.
The newest facelift brings contemporary design, more features, and mild mechanical improvements and yet retains the SUV’s rugged persona.
We’ll see here in a more detailed look, if the refreshed Fortuner is still worth buying or if it still provides the same value for its price in a market such as ours.
Muscle, Now More Edgy And it got a lot edgier.
The refreshed Fortuner still boasts of its menacing appeal but with an angrier design language. The facade is freshened up by a new grill, redesigned LED headlamps and a new bumper.
We would be calling this an insult! Toyota has wisely carried the Fortuner’s macho gene pool, but has managed to make it look like it belongs in town.
The rear end also receives slight cosmetic alterations with LED tail lamps, a trimmer spoiler and updated skid plates. New design alloy wheels add a dash of sporty looks to the SUV.
The styling is given an even greater boost in the Legender variant that gets a split grille, dual-tone finish and a unique DRL treatment that’s bound to appeal to younger buyers looking for some flair with their function.
A Cabin With a Function-Over-Form Philosophy
Hop inside the facelifted Fortuner and you’d notice a touch of difference in the materials and trims that make the cabin feel that bit richer.
Toyota still provides dual-tone leather upholstery, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and ventilated front seats in the top trims.
The most part of the layout is the one that hasn’t undergone the biggest change, but then again, the furniture finish is much better now.
The instrument cluster is half derisory and remains once again visible Toutes the information which is needed of the vehicle.
Sure the dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable driver’s seat, rear AC vents, and ambient lighting make it a lot cosier especially on a long journey.
The cabin is roomy with lots of legroom for both front and second-row occupants. But the third row is still for the kids or short stays.
Performance and Driving Dynamics
The facelifted Fortuner continues with the same 2.7-litre petrol and 2.8-litre diesel engines, however, the diesel motor has been refined for enhanced power output.
Now, it makes 204 PS and 500 Nm of torque (when paired with the automatic transmission), which according to the manufacturer, is enough to make it one of the most powerful SUVs in the segment.
Mated to either a 6MT or 6AT, the diesel Fortuner feels far more eager now, especially during highway overtakes or when climbing a hill off the road.
Optional 4×4 capability in certain versions offer the truck serious off-road credibility.
Hill assist, the limited slip differential, and drive modes that can be dialed in depending on terrain all work together to tailor the adventure.
The suspension is a touch softer in spite of it still being ladder-frame.
Ride quality at low speeds is a touch better for city-bumps, but it still feels over-damped when compared to rivals who are on monocoque.
Safety and Reliability
Toyota has filled the Fortuner with 7 airbags, vehicle stability control, ABS with EBD, hill decent control and parking sensor in the front and rear.
The build isn’t anything that will leave you worried, and with Toyota’s known reliability and durability, even years later you likely don’t need to stress.
And a low cost of ownership, really, even by fullsizer SUV standards. They are priced very competitively and cost of ownership is among the very lowest you will find in this segment.
Pros:
Brawny but upmarket style, with good road presence
Potent diesel engine and silky auto box.
Better ride and handling than previous iterations
Demonstrated off-road success with 4×4 model.
Toyota’s top-of-the-line reliability and resale value
Cons:
Adults will find third-row space tight
Still no panoramic sunroof – offered by the competition
Infotainment system feels a bit inferior for the price point
The ride is firm, over rough pavement in particular
Toyota Fortuner Facelift: Conclusion
The SUV, as the fortuner is popularly called, now becomes more premium and a go-anywhere vehicle, the Toyota Fortuner Facelift.
Sure it might not have the luxury associated with some of its monocoque competitors, but it’s still got the goods where it counts: power, presence, and reliability.
For those who want a hardy, roomy SUV that chews up highways and hills, no questions asked, the Fortuner remains king — just now, with a little more style and comfort on its side.