Toyota Fortuner Review

The original, outgoing Fortuner was a phenomenal sales success. And in its all-new incarnation it’s simply superb. Not just mildly superior to its predecessor but a decided leap ahead on all fronts from styling to performance.

There are eight models in the new range our choice is:

2.8 GD-6 Raised Body Automatic Model

This is a 4 x 2 variant, it once more reinforces the fact that only if you’re regularly going to be doing proper off-roading do you actually need a 4×4 model.

Exterior

This latest Fortuner is a sleek, slick car with a longer, wider stance than the outgoing vehicle. It’s also a muscular-looking, handsome machine, from the restrained use of chrome to the LED tail-lamps, and that fabled Toyota durability and build quality is immediately apparent.

Interior

Cutting to the interior, the luxury factor has been upped considerably. There’s a deliberate premium atmosphere at work, the metallic accents and woodgrain detail. While naturally it’s a seven seater, the second-row seating is split 60:40 and comes with a slide function and reclining backrests, while the third-row is split 50:50 and also comes with a recline function. It’s a little tight for big people in the third row, unsurprisingly, but bearable over short distances, and ok for kids.

Power

Powering the 2.8 GD-6 Raised Body Automatic model is one of Toyota’s new GD series engines, which first debuted on the latest Hilux. The 2.8-litre turbodiesel driving the SUV is good for 130kW and 450Nm between 1,600 and 2,400rpm.

It’s a refined powerplant this, and it provides plenty of punch, taking the Fortuner from rest to 100km/h in a respectable 10.8 seconds, and on to 180km/h. Fuel consumption is a claimed eight litres per 100km in the combined cycle, while power runs through a sophisticated new six-speed auto gearbox.

Kit

You’ll get lots of kit, including a digital radio and a seven-inch screen with DVD compatibility and reversing screen, as well as Bluetooth, steering-wheel audio and telephone controls, and punchy air-con. Present and practical, too, is lashings of storage space and cup and bottle holders. While on the move the Fortuner simply sails over even the poxiest road surfaces. Probably because the people at Toyota have spent a lot of time and energy working on NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), while maximising torsional rigidity, all-round strength, and crashworthiness.

Adding to its handling and comfort is a double-wishbone front suspension and four-link coil-spring rear suspension, both with stabiliser bars.

Safety

A vast array of electronic safety features is standard, including Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),  Trailer Sway Control (TSC), and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), plus the expected barrage of airbags.