Toyota Fortuner

Launched back in 2009, the Toyota Fortuner has long been India’s default choice for a big, tough, body-on-frame SUV. It’s seen multiple updates over the years, the most significant one coming in 2021 with refreshed styling, more features, and a bump in performance. Fast forward to 2025, and the Fortuner continues to sit proudly as the segment benchmark despite some stiff competition from newer, more premium rivals like the Jeep Meridian, MG Gloster and Skoda Kodiaq. It did get one update, in the form of a mild-hybrid setup.

But with a price tag now nudging well past the Rs 50 lakh mark, does the Fortuner still justify its reputation and cost? Let’s find out.

Few SUVs in India can match the aura of the Fortuner. It doesn’t just drive on the road; it owns it. The sheer size, upright stance, and muscular styling make it impossible to ignore. Unlike some rivals that try to look sleek or modern, the Fortuner sticks to its tried-and-tested “big and bold” DNA.

The front of the Toyota Fortuner is all about dominance and authority. A massive chrome-heavy grille takes centre stage and immediately establishes its road presence. Flanking it are slimmer LED headlights with projector units and neatly integrated DRLs, which lend a slightly modern touch to an otherwise bold face. The bumper has grown chunkier, housing larger air intakes and LED fog lamps, while a skid-plate style treatment at the base adds to the rugged, go-anywhere SUV appeal.

Move to the side, and the sheer size of the Fortuner is what grabs attention. Measuring over 4.8 metres in length and standing tall at more than 1.8 metres, it towers over most vehicles on the road. A strong shoulder line flows across the profile, while the flared wheel arches and functional roof rails underline its SUV credentials. 

The alloy wheels, available in 17-inch sizes on lower trims and 18-inch on higher ones, look robust but could have benefitted from a more stylish design at this price point. Chrome touches on the door handles and window surrounds add a layer of premiumness to an otherwise rugged stance.

At the rear, the Fortuner sports slim, wraparound LED tail lamps that are connected by a chrome strip running across the boot. The bumper design is relatively clean, with reflectors neatly integrated and a subtle skid plate effect that reinforces its off-road-ready character. The tailgate itself feels massive, but thankfully, in higher trims, it comes with electric opening and closing, along with a kick sensor, which makes life a lot easier in tight parking spaces or when your hands are full.

Unlike the Legender, which has a more restricted colour palette, the Fortuner offers a broader choice. Buyers can pick from Pearl White, Attitude Black, Silver, Grey, Brown, and even a dual-tone option on select variants, ensuring that there’s something to suit both conservative tastes and those who want something a little flashier. Personally, I like it in the Grey shade, since it looks a bit classier, yet mean.

The Fortuner’s design has never been about subtlety or finesse; it’s about brute force, size, and dominance. For buyers who value presence above everything else, this remains unmatched.

Design & Quality

Inside the cabin, the Fortuner sticks to a straightforward and functional layout. The dashboard design hasn’t changed dramatically over the years, and when placed next to rivals like the Jeep Meridian or Skoda Kodiaq, it certainly feels a bit dated. 

Hard plastics are used extensively, but the fit and finish are solid, exuding the durability Toyota is known for. Faux leather trims on the dashboard and door pads attempt to inject some richness, while the instrument cluster, with its twin analogue dials and a small MID in between, feels old-school but perfectly usable. 

This is not a cabin that pampers with luxury, but one that feels built to take daily abuse without complaint.

Front Seats

The front seats are large, wide, and generously cushioned, making them excellent companions for long drives. The driver’s seat gets power adjustment with lumbar and height settings, while ventilation functions for both front seats are particularly effective in hot conditions. While the regular Fortuner continues to get ventilation, the NeoDrive loses the feature, since it accommodates a mild-hybrid component under the seat.

The driving position is commanding, allowing you to look down on the road and everything else around you, which adds to the sense of confidence behind the wheel.

Getting in and out of the car feels a bit difficult if you’re anyone below 5’10” because of the sheer size.

Rear Seats

Space in the second row is decent, with adequate knee room and headroom for two adults. A third passenger can fit in as well, but the raised floor and central armrest make the middle spot less comfortable on longer journeys. 

The seats themselves can recline and slide, giving flexibility to increase legroom or make space for the third row. 

Separate rear AC vents with individual controls ensure the cabin remains cool even in the peak of summer.

Third Row

Accessing the third row is simple, thanks to the one-touch tumble function for the second row. Once inside, space is adequate for short trips if you’re an adult, though it’s more suitable for kids. 

The seating position is knees-up, and under-thigh support is limited, but headroom is just about sufficient. For occasional use, it gets the job done, but long journeys won’t be very comfortable here.

The third row passengers also get their own AC vent.

Overall, the Fortuner’s cabin is rugged, practical, and built to last. However, if you’re looking for plushness or cutting-edge modernity, you’ll find its rivals more appealing.

Storage & Practicality

As always, Toyota has paid attention to practicality. There are dual gloveboxes, with the upper one offering a cooling function. Large bottle holders are available in every door, while cupholders are placed in the front, rear, and even as retractable units in the second-row armrest. 

Additional storage comes in the form of a sizeable centre armrest bin and hooks behind the seats for bags. 

Even the third row gets a small cubby and cupholder, though space here is minimal.

Charging Options

The Toyota Fortuner ensures that all occupants, whether seated in the front or rear, stay well-connected and powered on the go. 

Up front, passengers get access to a convenient USB port along with a 12-volt socket, allowing them to plug in a wide range of devices, from smartphones to portable gadgets. 

For those who prefer a clutter-free charging experience, the NeoDrive variant also gets a dedicated wireless charging pad placed within easy reach of the front occupants, making it effortless to juice up compatible smartphones without fumbling with cables. 

Rear passengers aren’t left out either; Toyota has equipped the Fortuner with two modern Type-C charging ports for the second row, ensuring that devices charge quickly and efficiently.

Boot Space

Practicality extends to the luggage compartment as well. With all three rows in place, the Fortuner’s boot is only usable for a couple of laptop bags or small trolleys. Fold down the third row, and you suddenly get a massive cargo bay that easily swallows large suitcases. 

However, because the third-row seats flip to the side rather than folding flat into the floor, space efficiency isn’t as good as some rivals. The second row also folds in a 60:40 split, offering additional flexibility when carrying both passengers and luggage.

The boot is flexible and large when needed, but a flat-folding mechanism like in the competition would have made it more practical.

The Fortuner is decently loaded with features for its pricing.

Even with the 2025 update, the Fortuner’s feature list feels adequate rather than extravagant. The SUV comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. While functional, the interface feels outdated and somewhat sluggish compared to newer rivals. 

The higher trims benefit from an 11-speaker JBL sound system, which offers decent clarity but still isn’t class-leading. Other highlights include connected car tech with app and smartwatch compatibility, ventilated front seats with three-level adjustment (not available in NeoDrive), dual-zone climate control, a wireless phone charger, ambient lighting, an electric tailgate, auto-dimming IRVM, and a 360-degree camera (only in NeoDrive).

The Fortuner has just enough features to remain relevant, but if you want the latest in technology and in-cabin experiences, SUVs like the MG Gloster and Jeep Meridian are better equipped.

Toyota equips the Fortuner with a comprehensive set of safety features. These include seven airbags covering the front, side, curtain, and driver knee areas, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control, traction control, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and hill-start assist. The 4x4 variants further benefit from downhill assist control.

Although the Fortuner has not yet been tested under Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP protocols, it has achieved a full 5-star safety rating at the ASEAN NCAP in 2021, offering reassurance about its crash safety credentials.

With multiple airbags, stability aids, and a proven international crash test record, the Fortuner feels like a safe choice. However, the absence of advanced driver-assistance features (ADAS), which many rivals now include, leaves it a step behind on modern safety tech.

Engine And Transmission

The Fortuner is offered with three engine options, with 2 gearbox options for each engine option. 

Both the diesel options are available with 4x4 options, whereas the petrol is available only in a rear-wheel drive configuration.

​​2.7-litre Petrol

The petrol variant is powered by a 2.7-litre engine that produces 166PS and 245Nm, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox, available only in 4x2 guise. 

City Performance

In city driving conditions, the car feels right at home. The light steering, well-judged gear ratios (or smooth automatic shifts, if applicable), and responsive throttle make it easy to manoeuvre through traffic, glide over speed breakers, and slot into tight parking spaces without much effort.  

However, the story changes slightly when you ask more from the engine. The limited torque output becomes apparent the moment you try to accelerate hard, whether it’s merging onto a fast-moving highway, overtaking with urgency, or tackling an uphill stretch with a full load of passengers. 

While it continues to feel refined, the lack of punch higher up the rev range leaves you wishing for a bit more grunt to match its otherwise effortless city manners. In stop-go city traffic, you can expect around 7–8 kmpl, depending on driving style and AC usage.

Highway Performance

On the highway, overtaking isn’t as straightforward as just putting your foot down. The engine’s power delivery is smooth but not particularly punchy, which means you often need to plan your moves in advance, build up speed, and make use of the available stretch of road before confidently passing slower traffic. 

Quick, spur-of-the-moment overtakes require a heavier right foot and sometimes even a downshift, especially when the car is fully loaded with passengers and luggage.

While on open highways, that figure improves to a more respectable 12–13 kmpl if driven with a steady foot. These aren’t class-leading numbers, but they’re acceptable for buyers who don’t clock high monthly mileage.

That’s where the car makes the most sense, it’s best suited for those with limited running who want the peace of mind of a petrol engine. Toyota’s reputation for long-term reliability, low maintenance hassles, and strong resale value adds to the appeal, making it a practical choice for buyers who value dependability over outright performance or efficiency.

2.8-litre Diesel

The diesel, on the other hand, is the real star. It churns out 204 PS and 420 Nm with the manual gearbox, while the automatic variant pushes torque to a hefty 500 Nm. Available in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations.

City Performance 

This engine feels effortless in the city, thanks to its smooth power delivery and well-calibrated throttle response. 

At low speeds, it doesn’t demand constant gear changes or heavy throttle inputs, which makes it especially convenient in stop-go traffic and crowded urban stretches. Even when you need a quick burst of power to close a gap or merge into a stream of vehicles, the engine responds in a predictable and composed manner, keeping the overall drive stress-free. There is some amount of turbo-lag, but that is expected from an engine of this size. Once the turbo kicks in, the engine doesn't hesitate.

Fuel efficiency stands at about 11-12 kmpl in city driving conditions.

Highway Performance

Out on the highway, the engine feels punchy and confident, with a strong mid-range that makes overtaking traffic almost effortless. You don’t need to wring it hard; a gentle prod on the throttle is usually enough to surge past slower vehicles, giving it a sense of authority on open stretches. 

The 6-speed automatic gearbox complements this character well with smooth and intuitive shifts most of the time, though it does tend to hesitate when asked for quick downshifts during sudden overtakes. 

Thankfully, the inclusion of paddle shifters gives you manual control when you need instant response, making long-distance drives more engaging.

That said, refinement leaves some room for improvement. The engine’s clatter is noticeable, particularly under load, and while it isn’t intrusive enough to spoil the drive, it does stand out in an otherwise composed experience. 

Still, the sheer performance on tap more than makes up for this minor shortcoming, and when combined with fuel efficiency figures of 14–15 kmpl on the highway, it becomes even more impressive. For an SUV of this size and weight, those numbers highlight not just its capability but also its efficiency as a long-distance cruiser, which could be almost about 500 km on a single tank, thanks to the 80-litre tank.

2.8-litre Diesel mild-hybrid with 48V system

City Performance

In urban conditions, the Fortuner Neo Drive feels effortless to drive despite its size and heft. The 2.8-litre diesel engine, paired with the 48V mild-hybrid system, offers smooth initial throttle response and quieter startups, which makes stop-go traffic slightly less taxing. The light torque assist from the hybrid system is subtle, but it helps mask turbo lag to some extent, allowing the SUV to creep and roll through congested streets with ease. The 6-speed automatic gearbox complements city driving with relaxed shifts, though pressing harder on the accelerator quickly sends revs soaring past 2,000rpm without delivering proportionate acceleration, which can feel a bit droney.

Refinement in the city still isn’t its strong point, with the diesel clatter making its presence felt as speeds climb. In terms of fuel efficiency, the mild-hybrid hardware brings only a marginal improvement, translating to around 9–10 kmpl in city driving depending on traffic and load. This isn’t remarkable, but for buyers with limited urban running, the Fortuner still delivers on usability and peace of mind.

Highway Performance

Out on the highway, the 2.8-litre diesel’s strong mid-range power and 500 Nm of torque make overtaking easy and confidence-inspiring, even when the SUV is fully loaded. At cruising speeds, it feels stable and unstrained, and the 6-speed automatic generally delivers smooth shifts. That said, the gearbox can hesitate during sudden downshifts, particularly when you need quick bursts of acceleration, though the inclusion of paddle shifters helps counter this.

Refinement again remains an area where the Fortuner lags behind, as engine noise is still audible at higher revs. However, the sheer performance, pulling power, and long-distance capability more than compensate for it. Impressively, despite its size, weight, and 4x4 drivetrain, the Fortuner Neo Drive manages 15–16 kmpl on the highway in real-world conditions, making it a surprisingly efficient long-distance cruiser for an SUV of this class.

Ride Quality

The Fortuner’s ladder-frame construction ensures toughness, and this SUV feels unstoppable over rough patches, potholes, and broken tracks. It simply powers through where most other cars slow down. 

However, this toughness comes with compromises: side-to-side movement is noticeable, especially for rear passengers, and it never feels quite as cushioned as monocoque rivals like the Kodiaq or Meridian. On highways, though, it impresses with its stability, remaining composed even at triple-digit speeds.

Handling

Steering is on the heavier side, particularly at low speeds, but once on the move, it gives you confidence. Body roll is present, as expected from a tall body-on-frame SUV, but it remains predictable and easy to manage. Where the Fortuner truly shines is off the road. The 4x4 diesel variant, with its low-range gearbox, hill-descent control, and traction modes, is an extremely capable machine that can take on challenging terrain with ease.

If you want comfort and plush ride quality, this isn’t the SUV for you. But if you want indestructibility, stability, and genuine go-anywhere ability, the Fortuner remains unmatched.

Toyota sells the Fortuner in a single, fully loaded standard trim, but buyers still get plenty of flexibility when it comes to what sits under the hood and how the power is sent to the wheels.

• 2.7 Petrol MT / AT (4x2)

• 2.8 Diesel MT (4x2, 4x4)

• 2.8 Diesel AT (4x2, 4x4)

• 2.8 Diesel NeoDrive AT with 48V mild hybrid tech (4x2, 4x4)

The Toyota Fortuner might not pamper you with luxury, tech, or the plushness of its rivals. But what it does offer is something few can match: sheer reliability, unbeatable road presence, and true go-anywhere ability. It’s a car you buy with your head as much as your heart, because you know it’ll outlast almost everything else on the road.

Yes, it’s expensive, and yes, rivals offer more features and comfort for less money. But if your priorities are toughness, dependability, and that commanding Fortuner image, this SUV still sits at the very top of the ladder.

Other cars to consider instead of the Toyota Fortuner

Jeep Meridian

Reasons to consider

• More premium and feature loaded

• More affordable

• Better ride quality

Reasons to ignore

• No petrol option

• Limited third row space

MG Gloster

Reasons to consider

• Spacious third row

• Rich features list

• Better ride quality in the city

Reasons to ignore

• No petrol option