New Toyota Fortuner: In the fiercely competitive SUV market, the Toyota Fortuner has carved out a distinct identity as a vehicle that combines rugged capability with refined comfort.

Since its introduction to the Indian market, this full-sized SUV has established itself as the benchmark against which others in its segment are measured.

As we look at the current landscape of premium SUVs in 2025, the Fortuner continues to stand tall, both literally and figuratively.

New Toyota Fortuner: A Legacy of Dominance

The Fortuner’s journey in India began in 2009, and over the years, it has evolved from being merely a capable off-roader to becoming a status symbol that signifies success and achievement.

Based on Toyota’s renowned IMV platform that also underpins the Hilux pickup truck, the Fortuner inherits incredible durability and off-road prowess while adding layers of sophistication and comfort that appeal to urban buyers.

What makes the Fortuner’s market dominance particularly impressive is its ability to maintain leadership despite significant price increases over the years and the entry of numerous competitors.

This unwavering demand speaks volumes about the vehicle’s reputation and the trust customers place in the Toyota badge.

Commanding Exterior Design

The current generation Fortuner features a design that commands attention without being unnecessarily flashy. The front fascia is dominated by a bold chrome grille that connects seamlessly with the sleek LED headlamps, creating a distinctive face that’s instantly recognizable on the road.

The sharp creases along the hood and the prominent character lines running across the sides give the SUV a muscular stance that hints at its capabilities.

From the side, the Fortuner’s substantial ground clearance is immediately noticeable, reinforcing its off-road credentials. The flared wheel arches housing 18-inch alloy wheels (with designs varying by trim level) further enhance its imposing presence.

Chrome accents on the door handles, window frames, and side steps add touches of premium appeal to the otherwise rugged profile.

At the rear, the wrap-around LED taillights with their distinctive light signature, a roof-mounted spoiler, and a chrome strip running across the tailgate complete the sophisticated look.

The overall design philosophy successfully balances aggression with elegance, giving the Fortuner a timeless appeal that transcends passing trends.

Luxurious Interior Environment

Step inside the Fortuner, and you’re greeted by a cabin that successfully blends practicality with luxury. The dashboard layout is intuitive with a driver-centric design that places all controls within easy reach.

The use of soft-touch materials, leather upholstery, and metallic accents creates an ambiance that feels deservingly premium.

The front seats offer excellent support with power adjustments for the driver, including lumbar support, ensuring comfort on long journeys.

The second row provides ample legroom with a reclining function and a center armrest with cupholders. The third row, while best suited for children or shorter adults, can accommodate passengers comfortably for shorter trips, a feat not all seven-seater SUVs can claim.

Climate control is a standout feature in the Fortuner, with automatic temperature regulation and dedicated rear vents ensuring all passengers remain comfortable regardless of external conditions.

The thoughtfully designed storage spaces throughout the cabin, including a cooled glove box, door pockets, and multiple cup holders, add to the everyday usability.

When all seats are in use, the cargo space is sufficient for weekend luggage. However, with the third row folded flat, the available cargo area expands dramatically, accommodating substantial luggage for family vacations. For truly large items, the second row can also be folded, creating a nearly flat loading floor.

Performance: On-Road Refinement, Off-Road Capability

Under the hood, the Fortuner offers robust powertrains that deliver on the promise of its imposing exterior. The 2.8-liter diesel engine, which has become the mainstay of the lineup, produces an impressive 204 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque when paired with the 6-speed automatic transmission (420 Nm with the manual).

This substantial torque output ensures strong pulling power from low revs, making both city driving and highway cruising effortless.

For those who prefer petrol power, Toyota offers a 2.7-liter engine generating 166 horsepower and 245 Nm of torque. While less popular than the diesel variant, it provides a refined driving experience with lower initial cost.

Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic, with the latter featuring sequential shift and paddle shifters that allow for more engaged driving when desired.

The automatic transmission deserves special mention for its smoothness and intelligent shift logic that adapts to driving conditions.

Where the Fortuner truly distinguishes itself is in its dual personality. On paved roads, it delivers a composed ride with well-controlled body movements despite its ladder-frame construction.

The steering, while not sports-car precise, offers adequate feedback and weights up nicely at higher speeds, inspiring confidence during lane changes and cornering.

Switch to challenging terrain, and the Fortuner reveals its true heritage. Models equipped with the 4×4 system feature a robust transfer case with high and low ranges, active traction control, and hill descent control.

The significant ground clearance, excellent approach and departure angles, and articulation capability allow it to tackle obstacles that would stop many crossover SUVs in their tracks.

For serious off-road enthusiasts, the Fortuner offers a rear differential lock that provides additional traction in extremely challenging conditions.

The Sigma 4 variant, introduced more recently, takes the Fortuner’s off-road capabilities to new heights with enhanced electronic aids and terrain management systems that optimize performance across various surfaces from sand to rocks to mud.

Technology and Connectivity

Modern SUV buyers expect sophisticated technology, and the Fortuner delivers with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system (upgraded to 9 inches in higher trims) that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface is user-friendly with responsive touch inputs and clear graphics.

The premium JBL audio system with 11 speakers produces impressive sound quality that enhances the overall driving experience.

The multi-information display in the instrument cluster provides essential driving data and can be customized to show various parameters from fuel economy to off-road information like tilt angle display.

Connectivity extends beyond entertainment with Toyota’s connected car technology that enables remote vehicle monitoring, geofencing, and emergency assistance.

Other notable tech features include wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree camera system that proves invaluable when parking this large vehicle, and ambient lighting that enhances the cabin atmosphere during night driving.

Safety: Comprehensive Protection

Toyota prioritizes safety across its lineup, and the Fortuner exemplifies this commitment with a comprehensive suite of safety features.

The foundation is a high-strength body structure designed to absorb and distribute crash energy effectively.

Active safety features include Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill-Start Assist Control, and an advanced Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution.

The Fortuner also offers seven airbags (driver, passenger, side, curtain, and driver’s knee), three-point seatbelts for all occupants, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

Higher trims feature Toyota Safety Sense, which includes Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beam, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

These advanced driver assistance systems significantly enhance safety during everyday driving situations.

Ownership Experience: The Toyota Advantage

Beyond the vehicle itself, the Fortuner benefits immensely from Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability and after-sales service.

The company’s extensive dealer network ensures service availability across the country, a crucial factor for an SUV that owners often take to remote locations.

The cost of maintenance, while not the lowest in the segment, is offset by the vehicle’s exceptional reliability and strong resale value.

The Fortuner consistently ranks among the vehicles with the slowest depreciation in the market, making the total cost of ownership more attractive than the initial purchase price might suggest.

Toyota’s warranty package includes a standard 3-year/100,000 km coverage, with options to extend for additional peace of mind.

Service intervals are reasonably spaced, and the company’s transparent maintenance pricing helps owners plan their expenses without unexpected surprises.

The Competitive Landscape

The premium SUV segment has seen significant action with entries like the MG Gloster, Ford Endeavour (before Ford’s exit from India), Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, and the recently introduced Jeep Meridian all vying for market share.

Each brings unique strengths – the Gloster with its size and feature list, the Tiguan with its European refinement, and the Meridian with its Jeep heritage.

Yet the Fortuner maintains its leadership position through a balanced approach that excels across multiple parameters rather than focusing on just one area.

Its combination of brand value, capability, comfort, reliability, and strong resale value creates a compelling overall package that continues to attract buyers despite premium pricing.

Variant Strategy and Pricing

The Fortuner is available in multiple variants, from the relatively straightforward 4×2 models to the fully-loaded 4×4 variants.

The introduction of the GR Sport and Legender versions has further expanded the range, offering sportier styling and additional features for those seeking to stand out.

While the entry-level variants offer excellent value with essential features, the mid-range 4×4.4.5 trims represent the sweet spot in the lineup, balancing off-road capability with comfort features.

The top-spec Legender and GR Sport variants, with their distinctive styling, additional technology, and luxury touches, compete with premium European SUVs in terms of both features and pricing.

New Toyota Fortuner: Enduring Excellence

The Toyota Fortuner represents a rare achievement in automotive design – a vehicle that excels at its primary purpose of being a capable off-roader while also delivering the refinement, comfort, and technology expected in its price segment.

Its continued market success speaks to Toyota’s understanding of customer needs and its ability to deliver a product that meets those needs consistently and reliably.

While newer competitors may offer more features or more modern styling, the Fortuner counters with proven reliability, genuine capability, and an ownership experience refined over generations.

For buyers seeking a versatile, comfortable, and dependable SUV that can tackle everything from the urban jungle to actual jungles, the Fortuner remains the benchmark.

It may not be the most affordable option in its class, but its value proposition extends beyond the purchase price to encompass the entire ownership journey.

As we look to the future of mobility, with its rapid changes and technological disruptions, the Fortuner stands as a reminder that fundamentals matter.

Capability, comfort, reliability, and quality never go out of style—lessons that Toyota has mastered and competitors continue to learn.