While most car models in the market get a mandatory mid-life update in three years after they were launched in new-generation form, it took the Toyota Fortuner five to get its first facelift.
As with most refreshed vehicles, the cosmetic alterations in the Fortuner aren’t major; A include new grille, lights and bumper design Are expected. Components at the rear have also been retouched and the same goes for the wheels.
The interior is largely carried over including the seven-seat matrix whose rearmost chairs fold away sideways rather than into the boot floor. To make the cabin fresher than ever, though, Toyota has redesigned the instrument panel and fitted a more sophisticated infotainment module.
In a nutshell, the Fortuner has been given an appearance feeling more cohesive in looks with other SUVs sold around the world – and to crucially look more different than ever than it’s brother the Hilux.
Don’t confuse this update with all the numerous ones in the past done with TRD, which is more like aftermarket accessories for the Fortuner. Because the Fortuner was such a sales success since it was launched, you could say that Toyota couldn’t bother fixing something that isn’t broken.
In essence, the Fortuner’s basic powertrains are the same including the 2.4 and 2.8-litre diesel-turbo, six-speed automatic or manual and two- or four-wheel drive. However, the larger of the two four-pot engines has been modified to produce more power and torque. Thanks to some ECU (electronic control unit) tweaks, power rises from 177hp to 204hp and torque from 450Nm to 500Nm. The torque range, in particular, is 1,600-2,800rpm.
Toyota hasn’t mentioned why they tweaked this engine, but it could probably be due to the power race in the SUV market where exceeding 200hp is the new norm. Toyota only says that fuel economy hasn’t been harmed with this power hike; the claimed rate for the 2.8-litre with automatic gearbox and 4WD is 13.9kml.
The 2.4-litre, meanwhile, produces 163hp and 400Nm competing in the lower end of the pickup-based market. Retails prices are usually more sensitive here because competition also comes in the form of car-based SUVs. The Fortuner also comes with more features and tweaked prices across the range; seven airbags are standard throughout. The range-topper, for one, sees driver-assist features like active cruise control and lane-keep assist, as such.
The Fortuner has been selling so well in the past that it virtually topped the sales charts every month. It’s a decent product, so to speak, topped by strong brand credentials (strong resale value and easily accessible service and parts).
The Fortuner has a new variant called Legender model which comes packed with features to help give it a “premium” feel. The price range of Php 2.290M (Base Variant) to Php 2.9M (Legender Trim) is spread over four trims and powertrain types. The standard Fortuner, on the other hand, has three variants with just 2.4-litre engines to choose from.
Key rivals for the Fortuner include Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Ford Everest, the latter standing out with 213hp 2.0-litre and 10-speed automatic, plus a host of driving technologies.
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