The Toyota Fortuner has been with us since 2006 and since then, has repeatedly proven to be one of the most, if not the most, popular SUVs on the local market. Toyota claims that there was a 21% increase in SUV sales in the year that the Fortuner was released, with the Fortuner being responsible for a healthy majority of those sales.
Just in time for December, Toyota has unveiled what upgrades can be found on the new Toyota Fortuner. While not a full new model, this lifecycle update adds some additional flair to the model range and sees a slight tweak of the lineup, in line with customer demands.
Related: Top 5 Fortuner features that make it stand out from the competition
Revised lineup
Toyota has taken a close look at the sales figures and deduced that the demand for petrol-powered and manual transmission Fortuners is on the decline. As such, they've dropped the 2.7-litre petrol engine from the lineup and with it, the 4.0-litre V6 (although this took place earlier this year). This leaves you with the 2.4 GD-6 and 2.8 GD-6 models, with only the entry-spec 2.4-litre available with a manual gearbox.
They've bolstered the range with the introduction of a new top-tier model, the VX in 2.8 GD-6 guise, in either Raised Body or 4x4 specification.
Exterior
The first, immediately identifiable change is found on the front end where the nose of the Fortuner has been given a makeover. This sees the grille redesigned with a wave-like pattern. This is blacked out and finished off in a gloss in the new, range-topping VX model. The silver spars flank the grille and drop down lower into the bumper, flanked by headlights with new LED DRL elements that echo the lines of the Fortuner.
The silver skid plate rises higher up than before and the air dams on either side have been enlarged and are now more angular. In them, you will find LED spot lights that rest above LED strip turn signals.
The wheel arrangement remains the same for the 2.4-litre versions, with the same 17-inch wheels doing duty, but the 2.6-litre models now get a new set of 18-inch wheels. The taillights ave also seen a mild update and now incorporate "light guides".
Interior
Many customers expressed their displeasure for the dark, chocolate brown leather of the Fortuner in the past, despite it being a Fortuner staple. Toyota has addressed this by switching to a black leather interior for the updated Fortuner, breaking the monotony with a few choice pieces of metallic silver trim in the doors, centre fascia and centre console. Contrasting silver stitching further aides this endeavour.
Customers will be treated to an all-new 8-inch infotainment system, replete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for hassle-free screen mirroring and use of approved CarPlay and Auto apps. These range from navigation and audio to messaging services.
Drivetrain
The new 2.8 GD-6 Fortuner benefits from a host of upgrades as well in a bid to improve efficiency, power and to reduce unwanted noise and vibrations.
By revising the injections system and turbocharger, Toyota was able to extract 20 additional Kilowatts for a new total of 150 kW and in the process boosted the torque output by 50 Nm for a maximum of 500 Nm. This torque is still developed low in the rev range, starting from as low as 1 600 RPM.
Amongst the mechanical updates, a new balance shaft has been fitted to the 1GD engine. The engineers were thus able to reduce the unwanted vibrations and the amount of engine noise intrusion into the cabin.
These improvements see the fuel consumption come in at a claimed 7.6- and 7.9 l/100km from the RB and 4x4 models respectively (2.8 GD-6).
Pricing
| Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB 6MT | R566 800 |
| Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB 6AT | R588 000 |
| Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 4X4 6AT | R616 700 |
| Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 RB 6AT | R700 100 |
| Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4X4 6AT | R770 400 |
| Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 RB VX 6AT | R720 200 |
| Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4X4 VX 6AT | R790 500 |
Conclusion
As we're yet to officially sample this new model, we can only go on the manufacturer claims. The good news is that we will soon be sampling this new model and will be able to report back with more in-depth analysis of the respective changes to the range.
*Pricing correct at time of publishing and subject to change without notice
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