Toyota replaces their much admired SUV, the Fortuner, in India. However, our expectations were raised even higher at the media drive event as Toyota officials spoke of bench-marking the Fortuner against the Prado during development stages!
We got a day with the petrol automatic and diesel manual variants to get a sense of just how much of a step forward the Toyota SUV really is.
What Does It Look Like?
In terms of size it is longer by 90-mm, and 15-mm wider than its predecessor, even though its wheelbase remains unchanged. The maximum height is 15-mm lower than before, but that has done nothing to reduce the Fortuner’s ability to clear the traffic ahead.
The look is futuristic and dramatic, highlighted at the front by the slim full-LED headlamps and the complex bumper.
The design is distinctive from the side, too, as the window line kicks up after the second row windows, before flowing into the rear. The tail lamps fan out, rich and relaxed, with the LEDs making the statement more vibrant.
Its Big Upgrades
The chassis, which continues to be a ladder frame, had to be built anew. Thicker steel and more reinforcements were incorporated to boost refinement and improve the driving experience.
This also resulted in cascading changes to the body, the drive line, the suspension and other components.
In terms of safety equipment, the Fortuner offers 7 airbags, ABS, EBD and stability control with brake assist as well.
How Does It Drive?
This four-cylinder engine settles into a quiet and smooth idle, and if you were sitting inside the cabin you wouldn’t even be able to make out that it was turning over.
On the narrow streets of Kochi, we ambled along at moderate speeds and the refinement continued to impress.
Navigating through the erratic traffic was made all the more calm thanks to the six-speed automatic gearbox. Driven at this pace the gearbox shifted smoothly and with reasonable rapidity.
To pass the vehicle in front, the engine had to utilise the upper reaches of its rev-range. The use of dual variable valve timing helps widen the power band, but the flow of punch feels just a bit tame in the mid range before picking up steam past 4000rpm, heading on to a near 5800rpm limiter. At high rpms the engine is audible in the cabin, but vibrations are almost non-existent.
The six-speed gearbox can be asked to toggle ratios through the paddles on the steering wheel. The petrol engine will be available with a 5-speed manual transmission; however, there is no all-wheel drive equipped variant on offer.
Verdict
With the all-new Fortuner, Toyota has addressed the weaknesses of the previous generation, and made this family of SUVs even more appealing. Richer interiors, a calmer cabin, more powerful engines, a variety of drivetrains and a more satisfying driving experience make the Fortuner a much stronger offering.
While most of its shortcomings aren’t deal breakers, we look forward to examining the ride quality on familiar roads soon.
Toyota’s hold on the SUV market has remained tight despite the arrival of newer competition. Now, the second-generation Fortuner looks set to cement that position even further.
(Kartikeya Singhee is a renowned journalist and currently the Group Editor at GirnarSoft, heading automobile portals like CarDekho, ZigWheels, BikeDekho and Gaadi. You can follow him on Twitter @ @kartiksinghee )
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