Fortuner follows Hilux with new upgrades

Friday, 28 August 2020

In a rapid follow-up to upgrades set to debut on the Toyota Hilux in September, similar enhancements will be applied to the seven-seat Fortuner SUV.

Which is not in the least surprising as the Fortuner is based on the Hilux platform and both roll off the assembly line at Toyota Motor Thailand’s Samut Prakan plant.

The 2021 Fortuner benefits from Toyota’s higher output 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine with an additional 20kW of power and 50Nm of torque. The new output figures of 150kW and 500NM of torque are achieved through modifications to the cylinder block, pistons, turbo design and cooling system.

The Fortuner is set to get similar upgrades to the latest Hilux, including the new 2.8-litre diesel engine.

The only transmission will be a six-speed automatic, as before.

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New styling is a given while the active safety stuff has been improved as well.

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Pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet but we should expect that information closer to launch.

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Those engine upgrades, as well as new variable flow control (VFC) power steering system, contribute to reduced fuel consumption. The combined cycle test figure falls from 8.6L/100km to 7.6L/100km.

Another performance benefit for 2021 Fortuner buyers is an increased braked towing capacity – up from 2800kg to 3100kg.

Also joining the roster of new content transferring from the Hilux upgrade is a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen display which benefits from the long-awaited introduction of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument cluster and multi-information display have been revised with new information displays including front wheel turning angle.

Both Fortuner variants gain Parking Support Alert, which includes two front and four rear parking sensors as additions to the comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense package.

There are styling changes for the grille and lower frontal treatment and the Fortuner colour choice has been expanded with Emotional Red becoming a new choice while Deep Sea Blue replaces Nebula Blue.

The Fortuner competes against the likes of the Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Isuzu MU-X in a niche of seven-seat SUV models built on 4WD ute platforms.

The Fortuner range is sold in two specification grades – base model GXL and the Limited which gains 18-inch alloy wheels, leather interior trim, heated front seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat and premium 11-speaker audio.

Toyota New Zealand hasn’t announced pricing for the 2021 Fortuner. The outgoing GXL and Limited models are priced at $54,990 and $58,990 respectively.