WHEN YOU REIGN, IT POURS. The latest success for world-conquering Toyota took even the company by surprise. Expecting its Innova minivan to be the runaway best-seller, Toyota instead got the happy discrepancy of having its full-size Fortuner SUV take that role. It has spawned and sustained a waiting list stretching to almost one year; that meant quality and price were right in the buying public’s sweet spot. The 4×2 gasoline version is the best value of the lot, even factoring in higher fuel expenses, but we tested the value-utility equation of the top-line 4×4 diesel version.
The Fortuner scores a homerun where the Innova perhaps reaches only third base: its styling. The sleek lines borrow heavily from its stablemates, the Sequoia and Harrier (aka Lexus RX 330). To our eyes, it even supplants the company’s own (more-expensive) Land Cruiser Prado. The schnozz is obviously similar to that of its chassis-mate, the Hilux, but with a blacked-out headlamp cluster with individual lenses under the clear cover. The oversized wheel-tire package gives it an exaggerated, almost cartoon-like stance. Alarmingly, the vehicle’s height exceeds its width.
Those large tires require a big hop up to the high-mounted driver’s seat. From there, you survey a thoroughly modern dashboard that wouldn’t look out of place in a Camry. However, the fittings are hard beige plastic with some silver trim here and there. Beige gets dirty easily, but for this material, Pledge will work wonders. The simple typeface on the luminescent gauges that looks adequate in the Hilux and Innova somehow looks cheap here.
Then there’s the feature that makes the Fortuner viable for many families: third row seating. Headroom is adequate for those below 1.8 meters in height, and there’s a place to properly plant your feet. The second row people will have to share their leg room by sliding their seats forward; there’s plenty to go around anyway. Shoulder room is generous everywhere. The second row seats fold and tumble in a 70-30 split, while the third row folds and flips 50-50. With the third row in place, there’s room for only a couple of small, soft bags in the luggage area. The cabin lacks individual air vents as in the Innova, but there’s an aircon vent and controls beside the third row.
Propelling the 4×4 is a new common-rail turbo diesel engine shared with the Hilux. 160 hp and 343 Nm make quick work of accelerating nearly two tons of metal. There’s a satisfying surge available from just off idle; moving from standstill and overtaking are easily accomplished. The diesel soundtrack is well-suppressed, and the engine revs smoothly. The 4-speed automatic is impeccable. It shifts seamlessly and makes good use of the engine’s immense torque reserve. Fuel consumption in our mixed city-highway driving was about 8.8 km/liter.
Ingress and egress aside, ladies and girlie men will be delighted with the Fortuner. Its commanding view of the road, and lightweight, ergonomic controls make for easy driving. Full-time four-wheel drive and 220 mm ground clearance secure against rutted roads, irregular terrain (usually parking areas) and flash floods. For greater traction on truly rough patches, a stubby lever engages the center differential lock, and there’s even low range, and low range with locked center diff mode.
Leave it in normal, and the handling is obedient and sufficiently lively. The towering ride height precludes any attempt at truly sporty handling, but the vehicle goes where it’s pointed, without any drama. The brakes, front discs and rear drums, haul the vehicle down from speed via a firm, responsive pedal.
The front seats, Toyota’s weak point from Vios to Camry to RAV4, fail miserably. Awkward shape and lack of support will had us squirming after a few minutes and usually left us with an aching bum. Those used to the smooth ride of a car-based SUV will not be satisfied with the Fortuner’s bumpy behavior.
That said, Toyota seems to have defined its lineup quite effectively. For carrying a large family, the Innova is superior. It carries eight versus the Fortuner’s seven, has a more comfortable ride, and is easier to get in and out of. But if you’re after looks and ground clearance, then join the year-long queue.
The Fortuner menu is quite simple: 4×2 in 2.7-liter gas and 2.5-liter diesel, and 4×4 in 3.0 diesel, all with automatic gearbox. ABS and dual airbags are standard. Also standard are climate control, trip computer, power windows and door locks, keyless entry, leather steering wheel, front fog lamps, roof rails, etc. The stereo is quite adequate when punched into the “Surround” mode; its single-disc CD player can read MP3 files.
With the Fortuner’s pricing and features, it should have been no surprise that the SUV headed to the top of the sales charts. The price has been creeping up steadily, but it’s still within striking range of the compact SUVs below it, and its utility and equipment puts to shame some of the bigger, more expensive vehicles above it. The modern diesel drivetrain seals the deal. The Fortuner is the best 4×4 for this price range, but it’s not quite perfect. Its reign might end when the next great seven-seater, perhaps Toyota’s 2006 RAV4, comes along to challenge it.
By Jason Ang | Photos By Ulysses Ang
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