- Based on Toyota's IMV Platform (Same Platform as Toyota's Innova & Hilux)
- Lies in-between the RAV4 and the Land Cruiser in Toyota’s international range
- Eye-catchingly big and looks macho with its high bonnet, waistline and bulged out wheel arches
- Purposeful bonnet scoop adds to the looks
- At the front end, the Fortuner received a facelift last year in the form of a revised grille and projector headlamps which make it look more sophisticated
- The rear is quite attractive with high mounted tail lamps and a chrome strip running in between while a standard spoiler adds sportiness
- High ground clearance of 221mm
- 6-spoke alloys with 265/65-R17 tyres
- Have a striking similarity to the Innova's interiors - a similar dash, steering wheel, centre console and an old-fashioned long stalk gear shifter
- Seats are plush and comfortable, draped in beige leather
- The Fortuner is a Seven Seater and comes with a third row
- Middle row seats can be moved back and forth for increased legroom, of course at the expense of last row space
- Climate Control, Dash Mounted Audio System & Rear Parking Sensor come Standard
- Audio System is Basic - Has a 6 - CD Changer - No AUX or USB input
- There's a sense of quality all around, but still, there lies hints of the Innova, which is not a good thing, considering the premium pricing.
Engine / Transmission
- 2982 cc D-4D Diesel Engine (belongs to the same Common Rail Engine Family as the Innova)
- Produces 171 PS of power at 3600 rpm
- 343 Nm of Torque is available from 1400-3400 rpm
- Five-Speed Manual Transmission, though an automatic box is expected later.
- The Fortuner features an all-time four wheel drive with 4H, 4Hl and 4Ll modes that make it a capable off-roader.
- The engine revs lazily and doesn't feel very refined.
- Needs frequent gearshifts in the city, inspite of being fitted with a VGT
- The Fortuner glides comfortably on the highway, if you keep the revs little high and most of the overtaking is done in top gear.
- The gearshift with its long throws isn't exaclty a breeze.
- Being a big car, its a bit of misfit in the city traffic
- Parking Sensors do their bit efficiently to take care of the parking
- Ride is slightly on the stiffer side and irregularities in tarmac are transferred inside the cabin at high speeds. This isn’t a bother at city speeds though.
- 4Hl mode features lowered ratios for better torque distribution ; that helps quite a lot in mud bashing
- The Ultra low-ratio 4Ll mode enables the Fortuner to Climb Up to steep inclines comfortably, the speed not exceeding 15 kmph
Price, the biggest winner
At an ex-showroom price of Rs 18.45 lakh, Delhi, Fortuner is a lucrative option for anyone who wants an SUV sub-25 lakhs. Toyota brand name guarantees solid build quality and reliability. What more, it’s a diesel too! No wonder bookings for the Toyota Fortuner crossed 5000 mark in the first 10 days of its launch.
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