SINCE its 2006 introduction, the Toyota Fortuner has been either a top-of-mind choice or at least a serious consideration for anyone looking for a diesel-fed midsize SUV. However, with competition vastly improving by the day, Toyota had to inject a refreshed Fortuner into the market last year to keep its relevance at a high level. Is it still a midsize SUV contender, or has its best days gone by?
Exterior-wise, it seems like nothing has changed since the Fortuner’s original arrival, save for obvious revisions to the front grille, headlights, the lower part of the front bumper, rim designs and taillights. The changes are more aesthetic than practical, meant to turn itself into a “luxury SUV” of sorts—or at least that’s what the Fortuner’s brochures and sales pitches claim.
The Optitron gauges have new fonts, and are brighter in lighting than its 2006 predecessor. The 2-DIN head unit and the aircon controls sport new layouts and readouts, with the former offering decent sound quality and the latter (including the controls and vents nestled below the third-row side windows and atop the second-row ceiling) exhibiting cold cabin cooling. Should the driver need to toggle between audio sources (radio, CD, MP3 CD, external MP3 player), there are intuitive controls nestled within the steering wheel.
Hauling people and cargo isn’t a problem with the Fortuner, but there are niggles. All seats are comfortable, however, the third row offers little knee- and legroom. They still fold, tumble and latch themselves to handles close to both D-pillars to allow for more cargo, but they do have a tendency to rattle when configured as such.
The 2KD-FTV straight four under the hood is enough to make the Fortuner move out and about town. It takes awhile, though, to get into the powerband due to turbo plumbing that’s meant for short bursts of midrange boost.
Another issue with this model Fortuner is the ride. No doubt the seats are comfortable, but even the thickest seat cushioning and additional anti-NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) materials within the cabin are no match for hard damping, which the Fortuner displays occasionally, particularly in the third row. At least the brakes give decent bite, the outside lighting is bright and the steering wheel effort required doesn’t give your wrists and hands a constant workout.
The Toyota Fortuner’s brand recognition, the very marque behind the brand, its abundance of spare parts and the fact that it’s a seven-seater diesel SUV makes it a consideration for potential customers. However, the gains that it has made on those attributes are negated by the shortcomings of a hard ride, a narrow powerband and a cabin that looks classy but short on material composition. In short, it’s a step forward, but two steps back.
