Toyota Fortuner price to breach P2 million

Toyota Motor Philippines is set to launch the all-new Fortuner SUV on January 14.

There will reportedly be five variants:

4×4 V A/T P2,120,000

4×2 V A/T P1,755,000

4×2 G A/T P1,485,000

4×2 G M/T P1,415,000

4×2 gasoline P1,319,000

The pricing above is unofficial and may still change upon launch. Based on the Thai-spec cars, the V variants will be powered by the new 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine (177 ps and 450 Nm), while the G variants will get the 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine (150 ps and 400 Nm). The 2.4-liter packs more torque than the outgoing top-variant Fortuner (360 Nm). There’s also the gasoline engine that displaces 2.7 liters, good for 165 ps and 245 Nm. The 4×2 G manual transmission will be the “chauffeur special.” Going by Toyota pricing practice, there may be a P15,000 premium for the White Pearl paint option.

Suspension will be double-wishbone independent fronts with coil spring. At the rear will be a four-link based coil spring suspension. Brakes will be discs up front and drums at the rear. Tires will be 265/60 series on 18-inch alloys.

The 2 million-plus pricing will be a bit of shock to those who still remember the Fortuner as a P1.3-million car, but then the competition such as Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Montero Sport’s top variants are also at the P2 million mark. It remains to be seen whether the Fortuner’s interior trim and quality will be commensurate with the pricing. Here’s hoping that dealers will sell the first units without requiring customers to buy in-house insurance, financing, and accessory kits, as is the practice with heavily in-demand Toyotas.