The top of the line Sigma version gets seven airbags, all-LED headlamps, three point seat belt even for the middle passenger on the second row, ABS with EBD and brake assist, ESP, traction control, and hill descent control. Thankfully, the new Fortuner has safety well covered.
It also gets digital climate control and power adjustment for the driver seat.īut, the climate control isn't a multi zone, and the Fortuner misses out on a sunroof, auto wipers, electric fold for the last row of seats, front parking sensors and self park, all of which is present on its main competitor. Don't get us wrong, it still gets a long feature list – multifunctional steering wheel, a touchscreen multimedia system, reversing camera with sensors, a power tail gate, an elaborate driver information system, keyless entry and start, and one touch up and down function for all four windows. Thigh support, of course, is non-existent since you sit in a typical last row knee-up position.Įquipment wise, the new Fortuner falls short. The seat themselves aren't uncomfortable either there's decent cushioning and the backrest support works fine too. If you are anything under 5' 10", the headroom – after you have reclined the seat back a bit – is tolerable. The last row, as expected, is a compromise. Thanks to the central armrest, the seating is hard and flat, and without a scooped out roof, headroom is limited too. Sitting in the middle of the second row though is a punishment posting.
The second row seat back can be reclined to get a comfortable backrest position, and the seat squab, even though not very large and a little short on thigh support, didn't prove to be uncomfy either. The only catch is, six footers might still struggle. And, thanks to the scooped out roof section, headroom – at least for the two side passengers – is more than acceptable. Knee and shoulder room is as good as the competition. There isn't much to complain about the second row seating either. And, thanks to the slim dashboard, the sense of space isn't half bad either even with the raked front windscreen leaving you with the impression of a low roofed car. There's enough and more head, leg and elbowroom for the front passengers. The front seats are large, cushy and great for long drives. The addition of brushed metal surfacing however adds liveliness, and enhances the upmarket feel. The black and brown combination – black for hard plastic (mostly) and brown for everything leather that's also soft to the touch – is soothing, even though a bit monotonous. There's a higher sense of luxury, build quality and visual drama to the SUV's insides. But the design, the look, and the choice of materials are a huge improvement over the older SUV. A slim and high dashboard, large buttons on the centre console, and high seating. It's still all very SUV-like inside the new 2016 Toyota Fortuner. If looks are what sold the older Fortuner, Toyota has certainly hit this one out of the park.
It might remind one of the Hyundai Santa Fe in many ways, but those LED tail lamps, a hint of chrome on the tail gate, and a simple but chunky rear bumper, give the new Fortuner enough individuality. Add to it, the Fortuner's high ride height and a streamlined glasshouse, not to mention the floating roof design which we like very much, and the new Fortuner now looks more like a contemporary global SUV instead of a dated, oriental design. This, the top of the line 4x4 Sigma trim, comes with 18-inch wheels.
The chrome grille gels well too and gives the new Fortuner a Lexus-isque look. We loved the contrast of the sleek all-LED headlamps against the sculpted, drawn down and muscular bumper. So, yes, the new Fortuner looks classier, current and a whole lot more upmarket and presentable than the SUV it replaces. The SUV still retains its butch and intimidating road presence, but it's more like 'The Rock' in a well-fitted tuxedo now than him wrestling in underwear. So, every panel on the new for 2016 Toyota Fortuner is… ahem…new. And, of course, it has completely new interiors and like we mentioned earlier, exterior design that's bound to get people to do a double take. Compared to the older SUV, it has a revised – heavier but strengthened – frame new engines and gearbox options and newer technology to keep the smart and informed Indian car buyer happy. This is the new Toyota Fortuner, and for starters, it is such a big improvement over the older SUV in terms of design, that we are already giving it the involuntary typical Indian-head-shake seal of approval.ĭiving into the facts, the new Fortuner is in fact all new. And possibly, even less focus from its maker's marketing team to actually sell it! This is the second generation of what has been the best-selling full-sized SUV – in number terms – in the near Rs 30 lakh price bracket. Meet the car that needs little introduction.