Since its launch in 2009, the Toyota Fortuner has managed to capture 53 per cent of the full-size SUV segment and to build on that success, the company has launched the latest iteration of the Fortuner in India. It gets updated styling, a lot more equipment and updated powertrains. Toyota has also brought in the Legender variant, which gets even more significant styling updates. So, let’s see what all is new on the facelifted Fortuner:
While the facelifted Toyota Fortuner retains its overall design silhouette, the bulk of the changes are around the front. The standard Fortuner features a slightly redesigned bumper with a faux skid plate to make it look more butch. It also gets LED projector headlamps, a slightly redesigned (and larger) grille with chrome elements, while the rest of it isn’t very different from the outgoing Fortuner. Although the overall appearance of the new Fortuner is reminiscent of the older one, it is definitely an evolution in terms of styling.
On the hand, the Legender variant gets quite a few more updates in terms of looks. For starters, the grille is different to the standard variant and it has a Lexus-esque touch. The redesigned bumpers give it a sharper nose, and it sports a slightly smaller skid plate. The Legender variant is definitely the more aggressive looking variant between the two, thanks to blacked out front-end. Additionally, the Legender gets LED headlamps with DRLs, sequential turn indicators and a new vertical housing for the LED fog lamps. The rear-end on both variants is quite similar to the outgoing Fortuner, except for the slimmer LED tail lamps and a sharper bumper.
The interior layout of the new Fortuner is similar to the outgoing variant, but it now has a larger 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also features an updated instrument cluster, eight way electronically adjustable driver and passenger seats, wireless smartphone charging, front ventilated seats, 11-speaker JBL audio system, 360-degree camera and an electronically operated boot. The new connected car functionality allows features like geofencing, emergency SOS and the ability to locate your car. The standard variant gets a dual tone interior making the cabin seem more luxurious and airy whereas the Legender gets an all-black theme to run with its its sporty character.
Like the outgoing model, the Toyota Fortuner facelift gets a 2.7-litre petrol engine and a 2.8-litre diesel engine. The petrol engine makes 163bhp and 245Nm and is available with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The 2.8-litre diesel unit has now been tweaked to make 201bhp and 420Nm of torque with the six-speed manual variant and 500Nm of torque with the automatic. Four-wheel-drive variants are restricted to the diesel engines while the top-spec Legender is available only in two-wheel drive, automatic guise.
The facelifted Fortuner is priced between Rs 29.98 lakh and Rs 37.43 lakh The two-wheel drive Fortuner Legender is at the top of the price list with a sticker of Rs 37.68 lakh. This is how it compares to its rivals in terms of price:
| Cars | Toyota Fortuner | Ford Endeavour | MG Gloster | Mahindra Alturas G4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom Price | 29.29-37.58 lakh | 29.99-35.45 lakh | 29.98-35.58 lakh | 28.72-31.72 lakh |
We cannot wait to get our hands on the new Fortuner and the Fortuner Legender to find out if it is still ahead of its rivals like the Ford Endeavour, MG Gloster and Mahindra Alturas. Watch this space for more on the new Fortuner!