Given the Toyota HiLux has lengthy been Australia’s favorite new automotive (till the Ranger supplanted it final 12 months), you’d assume an SUV model could be a sure-fire hit – properly, you’d be flawed.
Whereas well-liked in different elements of the world, the Toyota Fortuner has by no means had the identical love from Australians as its ute-bodied sibling, regardless of providing just about similar mechanicals in addition to carrying the coveted Toyota brand on the nostril.
For context, Toyota registered 3619 models of the Fortuner in 2023, equating to 2.9 per cent market share of the big SUV section underneath $70,000 – the Ford Everest, in the meantime, returned 15,071 registrations and 11.9 per cent share.
Maybe a part of the issue is the very fact Toyota additionally provides the LandCruiser Prado in the identical section, which for a bit more cash brings a extra refined cabin and a bespoke design, along with an even bigger and plusher cabin. With an all-new Prado on the best way nevertheless, the hole between the 2 nameplates is more likely to widen.
So with that in thoughts, why do you have to purchase a Fortuner?
Effectively, the 2024 Toyota Fortuner Campaign on take a look at is the cream of the crop, being absolutely the flagship and arguably probably the most luxurious tackle the Fortuner/HiLux system.
In case you’re not in want of a tray, may this upmarket Fortuner be a greater guess than a HiLux SR5 or Rogue? And does it deserve a bit extra love from the Australian shopping for public? Learn on to search out out.
How does the Toyota Fortuner examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Toyota Fortuner in opposition to equally sized autos.
Toyota
Fortuner
How a lot does the Toyota Fortuner value?
Whereas the vary opens at just below $54,000 earlier than on-roads, the flagship Campaign on take a look at lists for $66,755 plus on-road prices.
Toyota Fortuner pricing:
- 2024 Toyota Fortuner GX 4×4: $53,775
- 2024 Toyota Fortuner GXL 4×4: $58,895
- 2024 Toyota Fortuner Campaign 4×4: $66,755
Costs exclude on-road prices
To see how the Fortuner strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
What’s the Toyota Fortuner like on the within?
In contrast to most ute-based SUVs which successfully carry over their business car cabins, the Fortuner will get distinctive bits in comparison with a HiLux.
Every part from the steering wheel to the buttons and controls are usually the identical, however the Fortuner sports activities a extra car-like cockpit with a greater built-in touchscreen and an upright centre stack that blends the HiLux and Prado’s designs collectively.
You additionally get extra upmarket, padded supplies like some stitched parts on the dashboard, on both facet of the centre console the place your knee involves relaxation, in addition to the trimming atop the instrument cluster.
Carryover parts from the HiLux embody the telescopically-adjustable multifunction steering wheel, the gear shifter, 4×4 dial, local weather management cluster, entrance tweeters close to all sides mirror, and A-pillar seize handles.
All of it feels stable, if just a little old-school and dated in areas. The clunky gated automated shifter and thick guide handbrakes are examples of the platform’s advancing age, as is the faux woodgrain trim – which I don’t thoughts…
The Fortuner is nowhere close to as digitised because the model’s newest merchandise, just like the incoming next-gen Prado.
The blue-coloured analogue dials are a pleasant flash of color in comparison with the associated HiLux, and the multifunction show within the center provides key data but additionally harks again to Toyotas and Lexuses of outdated.
In the meantime, the central infotainment system remains to be working older software program, that means it has wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and slower {hardware} that leaves just a little to be desired subsequent to one thing like an Everest. It does retain bodily buttons and dials for varied shortcuts and controls, which makes it straightforward to make use of.
Embedded navigation does characteristic, which is helpful in case you frequent areas with out mobile service, and there’s commonplace DAB digital radio for the GXL and Campaign. You additionally get a subscription to a number of the Toyota Related Companies – together with entry to the myToyota app, Stolen Car Monitoring, Automated Collision Notification, and SOS Emergency Name.
Second row area is okay with out being standout. Legroom is nice, although head room and toe room are on the tighter facet for the section.
There are roof-mounted air vents, cup holders, a coat hook, foldable seize handles, in addition to 12V and 220V retailers.
Different facilities embody map pockets, a fold-out centre armrest, in addition to ISOFIX anchors on the outboard seats.
The fold-out third row can also be on the smaller facet, greatest left for teenagers. However, the truth that these stay models that fold into the edges of the boot space means you’re restricted for boot area in addition to visibility out of the rear quarter home windows.
Toyota doesn’t really quote a boot capability determine for the Fortuner, however unbiased figures quote 200L with the third row in use, 716L with the third row folded, and 1080L with the second row folded. As you’ll be able to see from the photographs, it’s fairly hindered by these rear seats after they’re not in use.
You additionally get a full-size spare wheel, which is an 18-inch alloy unit within the Campaign and 17-inch metal unit in decrease grades.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The Fortuner is powered by the identical 2.8-litre turbo-diesel because the HiLux and LandCruiser Prado.
| Mannequin | Toyota Fortuner |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.8-litre 4cyl turbo-diesel |
| Energy | 150kW (3000-3400rpm) |
| Torque | 500Nm (1600-1800rpm) |
| Transmission | 6-speed automated |
| Pushed wheels | 4-wheel drive (2H, 4H, 4L) |
| Weight | 2110kg (kerb) |
| Gasoline economic system (declare) | 7.6 litres per 100km |
| Gasoline economic system (as examined) | 9.9 litres per 100km |
| Gasoline tank measurement | 80 litres |
| Emissions | 201g/km |
| Kerb weight | 2190kg |
| Gross car mass | 2800kg |
| Braked towing capability | 3100kg |
Our noticed gasoline determine from the Fortuner’s journey pc took place from combined driving together with peak-hour commuting, which isn’t actually this factor’s favorite set of circumstances. Nonetheless, it got here in underneath the 10L/100km mark.
To see how the Fortuner compares with the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
How does the Toyota Fortuner drive?
Form of like a HiLux, naturally…
The Fortuner fires up with a diesel grumble and feels suitably old-school from the get-go in comparison with one thing like a Ford Everest. It undoubtedly offers off extra of a workhorse vibe.
Clatter is satisfactorily subdued nevertheless it by no means actually goes away, and the heavy and clunky controls are a reminder of the Fortuner’s age and its agricultural roots. However, for a lot of that will likely be an excellent factor.
With the extra highly effective 500Nm tune launched in 2020, the Fortuner remains to be aggressive with four-cylinder benchmarks together with the Ford Everest Bi-Turbo, and provides extra pep on paper than the Isuzu MU-X.
The two.8-litre four-cylinder oiler is tried and examined. It’s in lots of a HiLux and LandCruiser Prado, in addition to the Fortuner and HiAce. It’s been round ceaselessly, however mixed with the usual six-speed auto it provides robust and comparatively clean progress.
Round city it’s acquired that kind of relaxed, nearly lazy vibe that loads of these ladder-frame 4WD wagons have in every day driving.
It’ll get a bit shouty in case you work it arduous, nevertheless it additionally has a little bit of grunt to get you as much as freeway speeds or carry out overtakes. In our latest 4WD SUV Mega Check, the Fortuner proved itself one of many higher performing four-cylinder diesel choices within the section – it beat all its direct rivals in efficiency testing bar the Everest Bi-Turbo.
The heavy hydraulic steering isn’t tremendous city or carpark pleasant, although it no less than feels correct and provides first rate suggestions. Consumers of the Campaign trim additionally get a 360-degree digital camera which makes putting this 4795mm lengthy and 1855mm household truck just a little simpler in tighter areas.
Can’t actually complain about normal visibility both. The mirrors are huge, as are the home windows, and it’s all fairly upright so you’ve an excellent view out.
Like most ladder-frame 4x4s the Fortuner feels extra at dwelling on the open highway, the place it will possibly lean on its torque-rich drivetrain and comfortable tuning to eat up freeway miles.
The diesel engine settles properly into the background with the auto transmission in sixth, and there’s usually good insulation from highway noise. Wind noise is usually a little noticeable off these chunky facet mirrors, although.
Gasoline use on the freeway will drop dramatically, given the Fortuner nonetheless lacks idle stop-start tech so predominantly metropolis and concrete use will see the indicated readout strategy 10L/100km and past.
The steering can really feel a contact imprecise at pace, notably about-centre, that means you’re typically making very small corrections to maintain it on the straight-ahead. It’s a contact boaty, and that is one thing we’ve skilled in different heavy-duty Toyota fashions.
Whereas Toyota has completed properly to repeatedly replace the Fortuner with lively security programs through the years, the tech suite nonetheless isn’t a patch on the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X.
As we’ve talked about in different ladder-frame Toyotas with hydraulic steering nonetheless but emigrate to the newer TNGA-F structure, the Fortuner’s lane maintain help through braking is usually overzealous and will be unsettling when the car all of the sudden jabs one of many inside wheels and veers from the lane marking it thinks you’re about to float over.
That is exacerbated by the Lane Hint Help perform meant to actively maintain the Fortuner centred in its lane. If something it’s simply consistently twitching and making corrections which simply doesn’t encourage confidence within the tech.
I not often have to do that today, however I typically discovered myself taking up and doing the majority of the work myself on something aside from completely straight marked freeways.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are helpful inclusions, although they shouldn’t be restricted to the Campaign and their audible warning is an annoying high-pitched beep which can simply make you wince every time it sounds.
The Toyota claws again floor off-road, the place its succesful DNA shone via ultimately 12 months’s 4WD SUV Mega Check. Right here’s a rehash of what we discovered:
“The Fortuner slipped again barely on the rollers in 2H, earlier than the traction management figured issues out. It barely moved again in any respect in 4H, driving off with a minimal of fuss.
“Physique rigidity was spectacular in our flex take a look at, with no catching from the door.
“After a touch of wheelspin from the hanging wheels, the traction management did an excellent job permitting the Fortuner to clamber out of the offset moguls. Just like the HiLux, the Fortuner went about its enterprise with a minimal of fuss.
“It effortlessly scaled Mogul Mountain in 4L with the rear differential unlocked, even on freeway tyres.”
What do you get?
Three grades can be found – we have now the flagship Campaign on take a look at.
Fortuner GX highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Metal spare wheel
- Facet steps
- Variable Move Management steering
- LED headlights
- LED daytime working lights
- Air-conditioned cool field
- 6-way driver seat guide regulate
- 4-way passenger seat guide regulate
- 8.0-inch color touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 6-speaker audio
- Parking sensors entrance, rear
- Reversing digital camera
- Sensible entry, begin (keyless)
- Toyota Related Companies (3yr)
- myToyota Join app
- Stolen Car Monitoring
- Automated Collision Notification
- SOS Emergency Name
Fortuner GXL provides:
- Downhill Help Management
- LED fog lights
- Premium steering wheel
- Paddle shifters
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Digital radio
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Rear privateness glass
- Roof rails
- Chrome rear door garnish
- Chrome exterior door handles
Fortuner Campaign provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Full-size alloy spare
- Premium grille end
- Bi-LED headlights
- Door courtesy lights
- Energy tailgate
- Leather-based-accented upholstery
- 8-way energy entrance seats
- Woodgrain-look instrument panel
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- 11-speaker JBL premium audio
- 220V accent connector
- Panoramic View Monitor (360 digital camera)
Choices
The mid-range GXL is out there with an elective bundle.
Premium Inside Possibility Pack: $2500
- Black leather-accented upholster
- 8-way energy regulate entrance seats
Is the Toyota Fortuner protected?
The Fortuner wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on 2019 testing of the associated HiLux ute.
It lists scores of 95 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 84 per cent for baby occupant safety, 88 per cent for weak highway consumer safety, and 78 per cent for security help.
Customary security programs embody:
- Adaptive cruise management (excessive pace)
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian detection (day, evening)
- Bike owner detection (day)
- Lane departure warning
- Reversing digital camera
- Highway Signal Help (pace indicators solely)
Fortuner Campaign provides:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
How a lot does the Toyota Fortuner value to run?
Like the broader Toyota lineup, the Fortuner is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
The Fortuner nonetheless has six-month/10,000km intervals, which is kind of a bit shorter than most rivals.
Toyota provides 5 years-worth of capped value servicing, with every go to costing $290 a pop – or $2900 for 5 years.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota Fortuner
The highest-spec Fortuner has its deserves, however doesn’t really feel like one of the best decide of the vary nor the section.
It rides on confirmed underpinnings, and include the peace of thoughts that comes with shopping for a Toyota. It’s additionally not as cumbersome because the Prado in case you’re acutely aware of getting extra city-friendly dimensions.
However actually, that’s the place its good fortunes begin to finish. It’s not as highly effective or sensible as section benchmarks, and it’s actually beginning to fall behind on the tech entrance.
It’s additionally not all that refined, and the driving expertise is heavy and old-hat. If something, this simply proves why so many Australian’s simply leapfrog the Fortuner and head straight to the Prado. The all-new Prado due imminently will solely make that extra obvious.
Actually although, the Fortuner is just one main replace away from being a stable contender. We’ve seen loads of glorious developments in Toyota’s portfolio that the inevitable migration of the Fortuner to the TNGA-F couldn’t come quickly sufficient and handle its key shortcomings – or, simply deliver the brand new 4Runner already!
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