New 2012 Toyota Fortuner : Detailed road-test and review
06 Feb 2012 3:35 PM by
Bunny Punia
in
Single review,
The new 2012 Toyota Fortuner's road test and review was uploaded on 1st week of Feb 2012
INTRODUCTION
Ever since Toyota stepped in the premium SUV segment with the Fortuner , it has ruled the roost and how! Rival companies launched upgrades as well as new models to compete with this massive SUV but failed and nothing came close to the sales of the Fortuner. A 20+ lakh rupee SUV selling over 900 units on an average is simply fantastic and also goes to show that we Indians are indeed in love with ‘big’ machines. People love massaging their egos by driving vehicles that are as big as possible and the Toyota Fortuner does exactly that.
However , at the same time , the design of the Fortuner was beginning to get dated and it also need an automatic option badly. At the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi , the company announced the new models (4x2 MT , 4x2 AT , 4x4 MT) along with changes to the exterior as well as interiors. So , is the best-seller even better now? Read on to know what Bunny Punia feels about the Fortuner after spending a day with it in and around New Delhi.
DESIGN AND LOOKS
At 4705mm in length , 1840mm in width and 1850mm in height , the new Fortuner might be smaller than the Ford Endeavour and the Mitsubishi Pajero , but at the same time , it is much wider than both the rivals and this is what gives the Fortuner massive road presence. Additionally , it also has a class leading ground clearance of 220mm , giving it that ‘high’ feeling. The new Fortuner improves on the previous version in the way it looks from almost all angles.
The new 2012 Fortuner gets a Land Cruiser type front-end while simply put , makes it look stunning! Our test car came in white and surely had all its new curves and design flaunting in the winter morning sun. The headlamps (they get HIDs too) are protruding and along with the massive chrome splash on the chrome and the bigger hood scoop , lend a modern design touch to the way it looks. The bumpers are also new and the front One gets a bigger air-dam for better engine cooling. Seen side on , you notice the slight change made to the wheel arches and also the new multi-spoke (12 spokes to be exact) alloy wheels. The side steps are also changed and now are of the ribbed variety.
At the rear , it gets clear lens type tail-lamps as well as other subtle changes like integrated reverse camera etc. In all , these changes go a long way in making the huge SUV modern , chic and pleasing to the eyes. Toyota says the new Fortuner is also available in two new colors – shade of silver and gold.
INTERIORS AND CABIN
The changes to the new 2012 are not limited to the exterior. Before stepping in , or rather climbing into the Fortuner , the first thing that sets the mood for changes to come your way are the sporty pedals – they simply look fab! Next , the steering wheel is new (similar to the one found on the top end Innova though) and feels good to hold. It also houses the usual buttons for various functions including audio system , Bluetooth connected phone and multi-information display. Most importantly , the faux wood finish on the upper part of the steering wheel simply wins the heart – it looks great and feels better when held. The second thing you notice is the new instrumentation cluster which is finished with a blue back-drop: looks majestic at night!
Shift your attention to the central console and you see the new touch screen double-DIN head unit that also has DVD player and USB / Bluetooth connectivity. It also doubles up as a display for the reverse camera. The first thing i do when I get into a new vehicle is get into a comfortable driving posture and this is where I found the 6-way electrically adjusted seat being a boon for me – this is something that most rivals lack in this segment. Look around and you notice that the classy faux wood finish treatment has been applied to the power window switches as well as around the two central air-con vents on the front fascia.
The Fortuner retains the spaciousness on the inside and can seat seven well built adults in comfort. The seats are supportive and comfortable and the list of creature comforts makes sure you are pampered well. Even with all the three rows in place , there is decent space for a couple of medium sized bags.
ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
One of the biggest strengths of the Fortuner has been its engine. It makes use of the famous and ultra-reliable D-4D unit in a 3.0-litre format. On paper , it develops 169PS of power and 343Nm of torque which means it develops more power than its direct rival the 3.0-litre Endeavour though the latter puts out more torque. The new 2012 Fortuner is available in three variants with the same engine but two transmission options and both 4x2 and 4x4. Turn the key , start the car and the engine rests into a noticeable idle. The D-4D engine was never known for its smooth character though the overall NVH levels are superbly under control inside the cabin.
On the move , the Fortuner feels very eager. Torque flows from as low as 1400rpm and this is the reason why it picks up speeds in higher gears at lower speeds easily and effortlessly. Out on the highway , the engine feels at home at an indicated 120-130km/h with enough juice left to shame quite a few expensive sedans.
The bucket loads of power and torque means that off the road , the Fortuner is easy to drive in tricky situations. The 4x4 variant has both ‘H’ (high) and ‘L’ (low) modes and until unless you are a bad driver , it is hard not to take the Fortuner out of the messiest of roads and patches.
With so much weight to lug around , expectedly , fuel economy isn’t its forte. However , we still got over 9kmpl easily in Delhi’s traffic with a few ‘fun’ moments thrown in as well. The 4-speed automatic though robs the engine is around 10% when it comes to fuel economy , however , it is a great unit and takes away the load (mental and physical) away from shifting gears. Once again , the availability of power and torque means the engine is pretty responsive in the automatic variant and like other conventional automatics , this one too changes gears in accordance with the driver’s throttle inputs. The Fortuner also gets a cruise control function in the AT variant – a boon for open highways.
SUSPENSION AND COMFORT
Big burly SUVs are meant to fly past bad roads and pot-holes , right? Actually , it is SUVs like Fortuner which do justice to the above mentioned statement. Huge tyres , 220mm of ground clearance and soft suspension means that Fortuner is a comfortable companion over all types of roads with the only issue being the slightly bumpy ride over bad roads at low speeds. This vehicle is not meant to be slowed down for bad roads – drive it this way and you will simply love the way the Fortuner handles.
Steering effort isn’t really very light though at the same time , it didn’t give us a chance to complain even at crawling speeds. You simply can’t expect the Fortuner to ‘handle’ well at high speeds given its high center of gravity yet , drive it in a spirited manner and it responds well. Toyota had added VSC (vehicle stability control) on the 4x4 MT model which adds to the confidence factor while driving the vehicle fast in tricky road conditions. This function can also be switched off for those who don’t like their driving being intervened by electronic gadgetry.
While the first and second row passengers get pampered well , it is the third row occupants who get thrown around expectedly. This is mainly due to the body on ladder chassis and a small pay off for being a true blue off-roader.
FINAL VERDICT
The old Fortuner was often criticized for having just one variant. The new one improves massively on the fact that three variants are now on sale including the value for money cheaper 4x2 as well as an easy to drive AT one. The new 2012 Toyota Fortuner range starts at Rs 19.99 lakh for the 4x2 MT version , going upto Rs 20.99 lakh for the 4x4 MT one with the 4x2 AT cleverly placed in the middle at Rs 20.69 lakh , with all prices being ex-showroom , New Delhi.
Apart from new creature comforts , the Fortuner also looks much better from the outside while pampering and cocooning the passengers in a much better way as compared to the earlier iteration. Big sells in India and the new model will simply improve on the older one by a good enough margin.
So , is there an area where the Fortuner isn’t a match for the rivals? Well , it might not be ‘car’ like to drive but then an average Fortuner owner never wanted a car in the first place. Slow speed ride over bad roads isn’t the best around but that’s a small price to pay for the long list of pluses. Our only grouse – why not the AT version for the 4x4 model too Toyota? We took a 3.0-litre 4x4 Ford Endeavour , your direct rival , in an automatic avatar to the craziest winters Himachal Pradesh had seen in ages and came back impressed – it’s the tool today’s adventurer needs to explore the unexplored. An AT simply makes life so much easier even in the trickiest
To see more pictures , visit our FACEBOOK PAGE HERE
Content courtesy: 
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
It is sad on the part of a well reputed manufacturer of toyota vehicles to have a 2 wheel auto transmission instead of a 4 wheel drive which is available all over the world except India. Toyota being a world No.1 top notch brand, I urge them to come up with a 4x4 AT version fortuner sooner rather than later.
The new 2012 Toyota Fortuner's road test and review was uploaded on 1st week of Feb 2012
INTRODUCTION
Ever since Toyota stepped in the premium SUV segment with the Fortuner , it has ruled the roost and how! Rival companies launched upgrades as well as new models to compete with this massive SUV but failed and nothing came close to the sales of the Fortuner. A 20+ lakh rupee SUV selling over 900 units on an average is simply fantastic and also goes to show that we Indians are indeed in love with ‘big’ machines. People love massaging their egos by driving vehicles that are as big as possible and the Toyota Fortuner does exactly that.
However , at the same time , the design of the Fortuner was beginning to get dated and it also need an automatic option badly. At the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi , the company announced the new models (4x2 MT , 4x2 AT , 4x4 MT) along with changes to the exterior as well as interiors. So , is the best-seller even better now? Read on to know what Bunny Punia feels about the Fortuner after spending a day with it in and around New Delhi.
DESIGN AND LOOKS
At 4705mm in length , 1840mm in width and 1850mm in height , the new Fortuner might be smaller than the Ford Endeavour and the Mitsubishi Pajero , but at the same time , it is much wider than both the rivals and this is what gives the Fortuner massive road presence. Additionally , it also has a class leading ground clearance of 220mm , giving it that ‘high’ feeling. The new Fortuner improves on the previous version in the way it looks from almost all angles.
The new 2012 Fortuner gets a Land Cruiser type front-end while simply put , makes it look stunning! Our test car came in white and surely had all its new curves and design flaunting in the winter morning sun. The headlamps (they get HIDs too) are protruding and along with the massive chrome splash on the chrome and the bigger hood scoop , lend a modern design touch to the way it looks. The bumpers are also new and the front One gets a bigger air-dam for better engine cooling. Seen side on , you notice the slight change made to the wheel arches and also the new multi-spoke (12 spokes to be exact) alloy wheels. The side steps are also changed and now are of the ribbed variety.
At the rear , it gets clear lens type tail-lamps as well as other subtle changes like integrated reverse camera etc. In all , these changes go a long way in making the huge SUV modern , chic and pleasing to the eyes. Toyota says the new Fortuner is also available in two new colors – shade of silver and gold.
INTERIORS AND CABIN
The changes to the new 2012 are not limited to the exterior. Before stepping in , or rather climbing into the Fortuner , the first thing that sets the mood for changes to come your way are the sporty pedals – they simply look fab! Next , the steering wheel is new (similar to the one found on the top end Innova though) and feels good to hold. It also houses the usual buttons for various functions including audio system , Bluetooth connected phone and multi-information display. Most importantly , the faux wood finish on the upper part of the steering wheel simply wins the heart – it looks great and feels better when held. The second thing you notice is the new instrumentation cluster which is finished with a blue back-drop: looks majestic at night!
Shift your attention to the central console and you see the new touch screen double-DIN head unit that also has DVD player and USB / Bluetooth connectivity. It also doubles up as a display for the reverse camera. The first thing i do when I get into a new vehicle is get into a comfortable driving posture and this is where I found the 6-way electrically adjusted seat being a boon for me – this is something that most rivals lack in this segment. Look around and you notice that the classy faux wood finish treatment has been applied to the power window switches as well as around the two central air-con vents on the front fascia.
The Fortuner retains the spaciousness on the inside and can seat seven well built adults in comfort. The seats are supportive and comfortable and the list of creature comforts makes sure you are pampered well. Even with all the three rows in place , there is decent space for a couple of medium sized bags.
ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
One of the biggest strengths of the Fortuner has been its engine. It makes use of the famous and ultra-reliable D-4D unit in a 3.0-litre format. On paper , it develops 169PS of power and 343Nm of torque which means it develops more power than its direct rival the 3.0-litre Endeavour though the latter puts out more torque. The new 2012 Fortuner is available in three variants with the same engine but two transmission options and both 4x2 and 4x4. Turn the key , start the car and the engine rests into a noticeable idle. The D-4D engine was never known for its smooth character though the overall NVH levels are superbly under control inside the cabin.
On the move , the Fortuner feels very eager. Torque flows from as low as 1400rpm and this is the reason why it picks up speeds in higher gears at lower speeds easily and effortlessly. Out on the highway , the engine feels at home at an indicated 120-130km/h with enough juice left to shame quite a few expensive sedans.
The bucket loads of power and torque means that off the road , the Fortuner is easy to drive in tricky situations. The 4x4 variant has both ‘H’ (high) and ‘L’ (low) modes and until unless you are a bad driver , it is hard not to take the Fortuner out of the messiest of roads and patches.
With so much weight to lug around , expectedly , fuel economy isn’t its forte. However , we still got over 9kmpl easily in Delhi’s traffic with a few ‘fun’ moments thrown in as well. The 4-speed automatic though robs the engine is around 10% when it comes to fuel economy , however , it is a great unit and takes away the load (mental and physical) away from shifting gears. Once again , the availability of power and torque means the engine is pretty responsive in the automatic variant and like other conventional automatics , this one too changes gears in accordance with the driver’s throttle inputs. The Fortuner also gets a cruise control function in the AT variant – a boon for open highways.
SUSPENSION AND COMFORT
Big burly SUVs are meant to fly past bad roads and pot-holes , right? Actually , it is SUVs like Fortuner which do justice to the above mentioned statement. Huge tyres , 220mm of ground clearance and soft suspension means that Fortuner is a comfortable companion over all types of roads with the only issue being the slightly bumpy ride over bad roads at low speeds. This vehicle is not meant to be slowed down for bad roads – drive it this way and you will simply love the way the Fortuner handles.
Steering effort isn’t really very light though at the same time , it didn’t give us a chance to complain even at crawling speeds. You simply can’t expect the Fortuner to ‘handle’ well at high speeds given its high center of gravity yet , drive it in a spirited manner and it responds well. Toyota had added VSC (vehicle stability control) on the 4x4 MT model which adds to the confidence factor while driving the vehicle fast in tricky road conditions. This function can also be switched off for those who don’t like their driving being intervened by electronic gadgetry.
While the first and second row passengers get pampered well , it is the third row occupants who get thrown around expectedly. This is mainly due to the body on ladder chassis and a small pay off for being a true blue off-roader.
FINAL VERDICT
The old Fortuner was often criticized for having just one variant. The new one improves massively on the fact that three variants are now on sale including the value for money cheaper 4x2 as well as an easy to drive AT one. The new 2012 Toyota Fortuner range starts at Rs 19.99 lakh for the 4x2 MT version , going upto Rs 20.99 lakh for the 4x4 MT one with the 4x2 AT cleverly placed in the middle at Rs 20.69 lakh , with all prices being ex-showroom , New Delhi.
Apart from new creature comforts , the Fortuner also looks much better from the outside while pampering and cocooning the passengers in a much better way as compared to the earlier iteration. Big sells in India and the new model will simply improve on the older one by a good enough margin.
So , is there an area where the Fortuner isn’t a match for the rivals? Well , it might not be ‘car’ like to drive but then an average Fortuner owner never wanted a car in the first place. Slow speed ride over bad roads isn’t the best around but that’s a small price to pay for the long list of pluses. Our only grouse – why not the AT version for the 4x4 model too Toyota? We took a 3.0-litre 4x4 Ford Endeavour , your direct rival , in an automatic avatar to the craziest winters Himachal Pradesh had seen in ages and came back impressed – it’s the tool today’s adventurer needs to explore the unexplored. An AT simply makes life so much easier even in the trickiest
To see more pictures , visit our FACEBOOK PAGE HERE
Content courtesy:
It is sad on the part of a well reputed manufacturer of toyota vehicles to have a 2 wheel auto transmission instead of a 4 wheel drive which is available all over the world except India. Toyota being a world No.1 top notch brand, I urge them to come up with a 4x4 AT version fortuner sooner rather than later.