One of the country’s most loved SUVs, the Toyota Fortuner was redesigned to give drivers a bolder, more aggressively styled vehicle meant to resemble a catamaran. This is completed with subtle cabin updates. It is, however, more of a facelift than a complete upgrade with no adjustments under the hood.
The Fortuner shines where it always has – in its intuitive design that understands what drivers want from their SUV.
The drive
Toyota maintains their two engines: the 2.4 and 2.8 litre. The test unit was the range-topping Fortuner 2.8GD-6 4×4 VX. Power and torque is upgraded to give drivers 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque. It is now in the same league with most of its competitors. The engine is paired exclusively with the six-speed automatic transmission.
There are no changes to the rest of the Fortuner’s drive but it certainly seems to have improved. While you can feel the remnants of a bakkie in the drive, it is not enough to detract from the quality of the ride or even pay heed to it. Ultimately, it is powerful, and is boosted with the option to switch to sport, and handles road imperfections and corners smoothly and confidently.
In the centre of the vehicle, the driving mode can be selected, eco, normal or sport, using three buttons. While opinion on this may be divided because it can appear dated, I have always liked buttons and dials in a simple to use spot rather than somewhere that is finicky to change while driving.
Claimed fuel consumption is between 6.8 and 79L/100km depending on the variant and transmission. Conversely, the fuel consumption during the test period was 10.6L/100km.
This is quite impressive for a vehicle of its size and it outperforms many new competitors. This was in a variety of driving scenarios, in both normal and sport mode, including congestion. Consequently, on longer trips with more free-flowing driving, it could be further improved.
The design
The exterior of the Fortuner is intended to mimic a catamaran’s twin hulls. This is created with sharply angular front and rear bumper that features its unique aero-corner moulding. The new-found style aggression is reinforced with black trapezoidal foglamp housings and L-shaped reflector inserts at the rear.
Its front fascia is also intended to be more aerodynamically efficient. The black mesh upper grille was slimmed down, while the lower aperture was considerably inflated to add to the Fortuner’s more assertive attitude. A grey contrast skidplate adds to both the aesthetics and enhances functionality.
The modern look in the front is completed with updates to the lights, including split-quad LEDs with a waterfall LED Line Guide Signature, LED L-shaped daytime running lamps and apron-framing LED indicator lamps (featuring sequential functionality on 2.8 models).
Rear styling is intended to be more delicate. In addition to the bumper, there is a newly designed taillight cluster, a piano black numberplate garnish and the updated black badge.
The profile of the Fortuner is also subtly tidied up. This can be seen in the new two-tone black and metal 18-inch alloys, a new bi-tone colour option which pairs a black roof.
Toyota was certainly successful in this endeavour. The front of the vehicle is truly impressive and powerful whereas the rear maintains the Fortuner blueprint.
Something I found quite striking is the pearl white of the test unit. It is their exclusive Platinum Pearl White which is now available across the range. When it catches the sunlight, it is possibly one of the most beautiful pearl whites I have seen.
The interior design oozes luxury and comfort. in particular, Toyota makes use of a high gloss finish in the centre console and on parts of the door. At first glance, I thought the surface was a bit scratched as sometimes happens on high gloss finishings. Upon closer inspection, I saw that it was actually the design. I am not sure if this ingenious (to hide scratches) or questionable design choice.
The feeling of luxury is enhanced by the leather seats, available across the range. Many brands are doing away with real leather or offering it as an extra. It has a new dual-tone colour with matching stitching. The colours are a mixture of black and maroon, which did not greatly appeal to me but suits the aesthetic.
It has a black roof (which matches the spoiler, garnish, outer mirror housings and shark fin antenna). This also adds to that sense of luxury.
The third row of seats offers the usual amount of space, i.e., if you have a tall passenger in the second row even a child will likely be uncomfortable. There is, however, the option to slide the seat forwards to adjust available space. The third row is also just as comfortable and good quality as the rest and is complete with its own AC vent, but it does not have drinks holders.
Stepping inside
The driver experience of the Toyota Fortuner is a very intuitive one. This is where long-established brands often outdo the newcomers to the market. They successfully see into the mind of drivers and give them what they want and need. While technology advancements are welcome, doing away with something as simple as a dial to change the air flow does not make sense to me.
The Fortner has heated seats and climate control which, again, can be controlled with buttons under the infotainment screen. Thus, you can simply activate this with a touch of a button. While I can admit it does look a bit dated, I have also been in one too many instances lately where it starts raining and I need to adjust the AC and demister on the infotainment screen removing my eyes from the road when driving conditions are already bad.
On the infotainment screen, there is a spot where you can select your four most commonly called contacts to display on the screen. Again, so simple but so necessary.
Located on the steering wheel is a button to turn certain safety features on and off – basically in the same way you would skip a song. On the one hand, this will likely reduce distracted driving because it negates the need to look for the controls or pull up the settings and disable it.
On the other hand, it could be argued that it makes it too easy to switch these safety features off when they can play a significant role in reducing crashes. I would lean toward it being more of a pro than con because if someone is going switch off their lane assist, they will do it whether it is easy to or not.
Comfort is also prioritised in the interior. The ergonomics are excellent – it feels like the seats are ‘hugging’ your body – long trips in the Fortuner will definitely be comfortable.
A new addition is C-ports in the rear on the centre cubby allowing for both the driver and passengers to make use of it. It also has a small cubby to place your phone in while you have it plugged in.
Under this is a two-pin plug point, granted not a South African plug but a converter would solve that issue. When I first saw it, I had visions of how useful that would be if my laptop died while out on the road.
This feature is not new but worth mentioning nonetheless: the ability to lock the doors at the same time that you close the tailgate. I find this very useful because in public parking spaces I always lock the vehicle myself and do not walk away and allow it to lock itself.
Other features include a USB port in the front and rear (no wireless charging though), electronic tailgate, keyless entry and exit, start button, Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and a revised instrument cluster.
Safety
Unfortunately, the Toyota Fortuner is one of the most common targets of criminals in the country. This is probably why the Fortuner comes with a built-in lock under the handbrake. It is similar to the gear locks from the past before hijack rates rocketed.
Retained and new safety features:
- Lane Keeping System with Land Departure Alert (LDA)
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Brake-synchronised Pre-Crash System
- Smart Entry system with additional security measures
- Seven airbags including driver knee and curtain bags
- ABS with EBD
- Vehicle Stability Control
- Traction Control (electronic Active Traction Control in the case of VX models that automatically detects wheel spin and distributes torque between front and rear wheels to suppress unnecessary wheel spin and control skidding)
- Hill Assist Control
- Trailer Sway Control which automatically detects excessive movement of the trailer and uses brakes and engine power to help reduce sway
- Low-range transfer case for enhanced off-road ability
- Downhill Assist Control (2.8 4×4 variants)
- Rear differential lock
Good to know
The specs
Engine: 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 150kW
Torque: 500Nm
Fuel consumption (claimed): between 6.8 and 7.9L/100km
Fuel consumption (during test period): 10.6L/100km
Price: starting from R794 600
Warranty and service plan: 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 9-services/90 000 km service plan.
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