Given the Toyota HiLux has lengthy been Australia’s favorite new car (till the Ford Ranger supplanted it final 12 months), you’d suppose an SUV model could be a sure-fire hit – properly, you’d be fallacious.
Be aware: This text relies on our most up-to-date overview of the Fortuner, as there have been no main modifications to pricing or specs since its publication.
Now we have up to date the article with the hottest info obtainable, and you may learn our most up-to-date pricing and specs article right here.
WATCH: Paul’s video overview of the 2021 Toyota Fortuner Campaign
Whereas in style in different components of the world, the Toyota Fortuner has by no means had the identical love from Australians because the ute on which it’s based mostly, regardless of incorporating nearly equivalent mechanicals in addition to carrying the coveted Toyota emblem on its nostril.
For context, Toyota registered 3619 gross sales of the Fortuner in 2023, equating to a miniscule 2.9 per cent share of the sub-$70,000 giant SUV market phase. The Ford Everest, in the meantime, notched up 15,071 registrations and an 11.9 per cent share.
Maybe a part of the issue is the actual fact Toyota additionally presents the way more in style LandCruiser Prado in the identical phase, which for a bit more cash brings extra refinement and a bespoke design, along with a much bigger and plusher cabin. And with an all-new Prado imminent, the hole between the 2 nameplates is more likely to widen.
So with that in thoughts, why do you have to purchase a Fortuner?
Effectively, the Toyota Fortuner Campaign on check right here is the cream of the crop, being absolutely the flagship and arguably essentially the most luxurious tackle the Fortuner/HiLux method.
For those who’re available in the market for a strong off-roader and never in want of a tray, might this upmarket Fortuner be a greater guess than a HiLux SR5 or Rogue, or different costlier rivals just like the Ford Everest? And does it deserve a bit extra love from the Australian shopping for public? Learn on to search out out.
How does the Toyota Fortuner evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Toyota Fortuner towards equally sized automobiles.
Toyota
Fortuner
How a lot does the Toyota Fortuner price?
Whereas the Fortuner vary opens at slightly below $54,000 earlier than on-roads, the flagship Campaign on check right here lists for $66,755 plus on-road prices.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| Toyota Fortuner GX 4×4 | $53,775 |
| Toyota Fortuner GXL 4×4 | $58,895 |
| Toyota Fortuner Campaign 4×4 | $66,755 |
To see how the Fortuner strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
What’s the Toyota Fortuner like on the within?
In contrast to most ute-based SUVs that successfully carry over their industrial car cabins, the Fortuner will get distinctive inside bits in comparison with the HiLux.
All the pieces from the steering wheel to the buttons and controls are typically the identical, however the Fortuner sports activities a extra car-like cockpit with a greater built-in touchscreen and an upright centre stack that blends HiLux and Prado designs collectively.
You additionally get extra upmarket, padded supplies like some stitched parts on the dashboard, both aspect of the centre console the place your knee involves relaxation, in addition to trimming atop the instrument cluster.
Carryover parts from the HiLux embody the telescopically-adjustable multifunction steering wheel, in addition to the gear shifter, 4×4 dial, local weather management cluster, entrance tweeters close to both sides mirror, and A-pillar seize handles.
All of it feels strong, if just a little old-school and dated in areas. The clunky gated automated shifter and thick handbook handbrake lever are examples of the platform’s advancing age, as is the faux woodgrain trim – which I don’t thoughts…
The Fortuner is nowhere close to as digitised because the Japanese model’s newest merchandise, just like the incoming next-gen Prado.
The blue-coloured analogue dials are a pleasant flash of color in comparison with the associated HiLux, and the multifunction show within the center presents key info but additionally harks again to Toyota and Lexus fashions of outdated.
In the meantime, the central infotainment system remains to be operating older software program, which means it has wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and slower {hardware} that leaves just a little to be desired alongside one thing like an Everest. It does retain bodily buttons and dials for varied shortcuts and controls, which makes it simple to make use of.
Embedded navigation does characteristic, which is useful when you frequent areas with out mobile service, and there’s normal DAB+ digital radio for the GXL and Campaign. You additionally get a subscription to a few of the Toyota Related Companies – together with entry to the myToyota app, Stolen Automobile Monitoring, Automated Collision Notification, and SOS Emergency Name.
Second row house is okay with out being standout. Leg room is sweet, although head room and toe room are on the tighter aspect for the phase.
There are roof-mounted air vents, plus cupholders, a coat hook, foldable seize handles, and each 12V and 220V energy retailers.
Different facilities embody map pockets, a fold-out centre armrest, in addition to ISOFIX little one seat anchors on the outboard seats.
The fold-out third row can also be on the smaller aspect, and finest left for teenagers. However the truth that these stay models that fold into the perimeters of the boot space means you’re restricted for boot house in addition to visibility out of the rear quarter home windows.
Toyota doesn’t really state a boot capability determine for the Fortuner, however impartial figures quote 200L with the third row in use, 716L with the third row folded, and 1080L with the second row folded. As you’ll be able to see from the pictures, it’s fairly hindered by these rear seats after they’re not in use.
You additionally get a full-size spare wheel, which is an 18-inch alloy unit within the Campaign and a 17-inch metal unit in decrease grades.
| Dimensions | Toyota Fortuner Campaign |
|---|---|
| Size | 4795mm |
| Width | 1855mm |
| Top | 1835mm |
| Wheelbase | 2745mm |
| Cargo capability | 200-1080 litres |
To see how the Fortuner strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
The Fortuner is powered by the identical 2.8-litre turbo-diesel because the HiLux and LandCruiser Prado.
| Mannequin | Toyota Fortuner |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.8-litre 4cyl turbo-diesel |
| Energy | 150kW (3000-3400rpm) |
| Torque | 500Nm (1600-1800rpm) |
| Transmission | 6-speed automated |
| Pushed wheels | 4-wheel drive (2H, 4H, 4L) |
| Weight | 2110kg (kerb) |
| Gas financial system (declare) | 7.6 litres per 100km |
| Gas financial system (as examined) | 9.9 litres per 100km |
| Gas tank dimension | 80 litres |
| Emissions | 201g/km |
| Kerb weight | 2190kg |
| Gross car mass | 2800kg |
| Braked towing capability | 3100kg |
Our noticed gas determine from the Fortuner’s journey pc happened from combined driving together with peak-hour commuting, which isn’t actually this car’s favorite situations. Nonetheless, it got here in beneath the 10L/100km mark.
To see how the Fortuner compares with the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
How does the Toyota Fortuner drive?
Sort of like a HiLux, naturally…
The Fortuner fires up with a diesel grumble and feels suitably old-school from the get-go in comparison with one thing like an Everest. It undoubtedly offers off extra of a workhorse vibe.
Clatter is satisfactorily subdued nevertheless it by no means actually goes away, and the heavy and clunky controls are a reminder of the Fortuner’s age and its agricultural roots. However for a lot of, that will likely be a great factor.
With the extra muscular 500Nm tune launched in 2020, the Fortuner remains to be aggressive with four-cylinder diesel benchmarks together with the Everest Bi-Turbo, and presents extra pep on paper than the Isuzu MU-X.
The two.8-litre oiler has been round for years, powering lots of of 1000’s of HiLux and Prado automobiles, in addition to Fortuners and HiAces. Mixed with the usual six-speed auto on this off-road 4×4 wagon, it presents robust and comparatively clean progress.
Round city it’s bought that type of relaxed, lazy vibe that a whole lot of ladder-frame SUVs have in day by day driving.
It’ll get a bit shouty when you work it onerous, nevertheless it additionally has sufficient grunt to get you as much as freeway speeds or carry out overtakes with relative ease. In our latest 4WD SUV Mega Take a look at, the Fortuner proved itself to be one of many higher performing four-cylinder diesel choices within the phase – it beat all its direct rivals in efficiency testing bar the Everest Bi-Turbo.
The heavy hydraulic steering isn’t super-friendly in carparks or city environments, nevertheless it not less than feels correct and presents first rate suggestions. Patrons of the Campaign trim additionally get a 360-degree digital camera that makes putting this 4795mm lengthy, 1855mm huge household wagon just a little simpler in tighter areas.
Can’t actually complain about common visibility both. The mirrors are massive, as are the home windows, and it’s all fairly excessive off the bottom so you have got a great view out.
Like most ladder-frame 4x4s, the Fortuner feels extra at dwelling on the open highway, the place it may lean on its torque-rich drivetrain and mushy tuning to eat up freeway miles with none stress.
The diesel engine settles properly into the background with the auto transmission in sixth, and there’s typically good insulation from highway noise. Wind noise is usually a little noticeable off these chunky aspect mirrors, although.
Gas use on the freeway will drop dramatically however, given the Fortuner nonetheless lacks idle cease/begin tech, predominantly metropolis and concrete use will see the indicated readout strategy 10L/100km and past.
The steering can really feel a contact obscure at velocity, notably about-centre, which means you’re usually making very small corrections to maintain it heading straight. It will probably really feel a contact boaty – no extra so than an equal HiLux, however undoubtedly extra so than newer rivals like the most recent Everest, Isuzu MU-X and even the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
Whereas Toyota has executed properly to repeatedly replace the Fortuner with lively security methods through the years, the tech suite nonetheless isn’t a patch on the Everest and MU-X.
As we’ve talked about with different ladder-frame Toyotas nonetheless fitted with hydraulic steering and but emigrate to the newer TNGA-F structure, the Fortuner’s lane maintain help by way of braking is usually overzealous and could be unsettling when the car out of the blue jabs considered one of its inside wheels and veers away from the lane marking it thinks you’re about to float over.
That is exacerbated by the Lane Hint Help perform that’s meant to actively maintain the Fortuner centred in its lane. If something, it’s simply consistently twitching and making corrections, which doesn’t encourage confidence.
I hardly ever need to do it nowadays, however I usually discovered myself totally taking on and doing all the steering work myself on something apart from completely straight marked freeways.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are useful inclusions, although they shouldn’t be restricted to the Campaign and their audible warning is an annoying high-pitched beep that may make you wince every time it sounds.
The Toyota claws again floor off-road, the place its succesful DNA shone by way of ultimately 12 months’s 4WD SUV Mega Take a look at. Right here’s a rehash of what we discovered:
“The Fortuner slipped again barely on the rollers in 2H, earlier than the traction management figured issues out. It barely moved again in any respect in 4H, driving off with a minimal of fuss.
“Physique rigidity was spectacular in our flex check, with no catching from the door.
“After a touch of wheelspin from the hanging wheels, the traction management did a great job of permitting the Fortuner to clamber out of the offset moguls. Just like the HiLux, the Fortuner went about its enterprise with a minimal of fuss.
“It effortlessly scaled Mogul Mountain in 4L with the rear differential unlocked, even on freeway tyres.”
| Off-road dimensions | Toyota Fortuner Campaign |
|---|---|
| Floor clearance | 216mm |
| Strategy angle | 29 levels |
| Departure angle | 25 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle | 23.5 levels |
| Wading depth | 700mm |
To see how the Fortuner compares with the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
What do you get?
Three grades can be found – now we have the flagship Campaign on check.
Fortuner GX highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Metal spare wheel
- Aspect steps
- Variable Circulate Management steering
- LED headlights
- LED daytime operating lights
- Air-conditioned cool field
- 6-way driver seat handbook modify
- 4-way passenger seat handbook modify
- 8.0-inch color touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 6-speaker audio
- Parking sensors entrance, rear
- Reversing digital camera
- Sensible entry, begin (keyless)
- Toyota Related Companies (3yr)
- myToyota Join app
- Stolen Automobile Monitoring
- Automated Collision Notification
- SOS Emergency Name
Fortuner GXL provides:
- Downhill Help Management
- LED fog lights
- Premium steering wheel
- Paddle shifters
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Digital radio
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Rear privateness glass
- Roof rails
- Chrome rear door garnish
- Chrome exterior door handles
Fortuner Campaign provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Full-size alloy spare
- Premium grille end
- Bi-LED headlights
- Door courtesy lights
- Energy tailgate
- Leather-based-accented upholstery
- 8-way energy entrance seats
- Woodgrain-look instrument panel
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- 11-speaker JBL premium audio
- 220V accent connector
- Panoramic View Monitor (360 digital camera)
Choices
The mid-range GXL is offered with an optionally available package deal.
Premium Inside Choice Pack: $2500
- Black leather-accented upholster
- 8-way energy modify entrance seats
Is the Toyota Fortuner protected?
The Fortuner has a five-star ANCAP security score based mostly on 2019 testing of the associated HiLux ute.
| Class | Toyota Fortuner |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 95 per cent |
| Baby occupant safety | 84 per cent |
| Susceptible highway person safety | 88 per cent |
| Security help | 78 per cent |
Normal security methods embody:
- Adaptive cruise management (excessive velocity)
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian detection (day, night time)
- Bicycle owner detection (day)
- Lane departure warning
- Reversing digital camera
- Street Signal Help (velocity indicators solely)
Fortuner Campaign provides:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
How a lot does the Toyota Fortuner price to run?
The Fortuner is roofed by Toyota Australia’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee. Hold to your service schedule, and Toyota will warrant the engine and driveline for as much as seven years.
| Operating prices | Toyota Fortuner |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres – car 7 years – prolonged engine, driveline |
| Roadside help | From $99 per 12 months |
| Service intervals | 6 months or 10,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | As much as 3 years or 60,000 kilometres |
| Whole capped-price service price | $1740 |
To see how the Fortuner compares with the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota Fortuner
The highest-spec Fortuner has its deserves, however doesn’t really feel like one of the best decide of the vary, nor the phase through which it competes.
It rides on confirmed underpinnings, and presents the peace of thoughts that comes with shopping for a Toyota. It’s additionally not as cumbersome because the Prado when you’re eager on extra city-friendly dimensions.
However actually, that’s the place its good fortunes begin to finish. The Fortuner is just not as highly effective or sensible as phase benchmarks, and it’s actually beginning to fall behind on the tech entrance.
It’s additionally not all that refined, and the driving expertise is a bit heavy and old-hat. Perhaps that’s why so many Australians simply leapfrog the Fortuner and head straight to the Prado, the all-new model of which is able to make the disparity much more obvious.
Then once more, the redesigned Fortuner may also be a a lot better car and will lastly be a strong contender on the worth finish of its class. We’ve seen loads of wonderful developments with Toyota’s TNGA-F platform, and the inevitable migration of the Fortuner to it ought to deal with the present mannequin’s key shortcomings.
So a brand new Fortuner can not come quickly sufficient for Asian markets together with Australia. Maybe higher nonetheless, simply deliver North America’s new 4Runner right here already!
Enthusiastic about shopping for a Toyota Fortuner? Get in contact with considered one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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