TOYOTA HAS EXPANDED the appeal of its seven-seat Fortuner SUV with more power and torque, better fuel consumption, increased braked towing capacity, higher equipment levels, easier parking and a refreshed design.
Fortuner’s latest engineering advances benefit from similar updates to those applied to its sibling-under-the-skin HiLux.
Announcing the details of the 2020 facelift, Toyota Australia Vice President Sean Hanley said the company’s commitment to making ever-better cars had made Fortuner even more at home, on or off road.
“Fortuner is something of a wolf in sheep’s clothing: it has the space, comfort and convenience of a premium SUV while its rugged underpinnings make it an enthusiastic off-road explorer ready for any adventure,” Mr Hanley said.
“Our continual improvement of vehicles ensures Fortuner will thrive in Australia’s harsh environments as a diesel alternative to Kluger and an affordable choice for those who aspire to own a LandCruiser.”
Despite the significant technical and equipment upgrades, Fortuner’s recommended retail price continues to start under the $50,000 threshold, at $49,080. The new range arrives in local showrooms from tomorrow.
An upgraded engine delivers an extra 20kW of power and 50Nm of torque from Fortuner’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, lifting maximum outputs to 150kW and 500Nm.
The performance jump comes from a larger new water-cooled heavy-duty ball-bearing turbocharger with a newly developed variable nozzle vane mechanism, as well as measures to increase engine rigidity, cooling and efficiency.
Yet the substantially higher outputs, applied to the road through a six-speed automatic transmission, do not come at the expense of economy with fuel use cut by 11.6 percent on the official combined cycle.
Consumption at just 7.6 litres/100km provides a theoretical range of more than 1000km from the 80-litre fuel tank. The improvement is even better on the urban cycle at 9.1 litres/100km, a reduction of 17.3 percent.
Combining the beefier yet more frugal engine with Fortuner’s rugged frame, all-coil suspension and strong upper body has enabled maximum braked towing capacity to be expanded by 300kg to 3100kg.
Handling has also benefited from a new variable-flow power-steering pump that offers more assistance at parking speeds while delivering a more direct feel at highway speeds. A rear differential lock continues to enhance off-road performance.
Expanded safety features include the addition of front parking sensors that, along with the existing rear sensors, warn the driver of nearby objects.
Advanced Toyota Safety Sense technologies include a pre-collision safety system with pedestrian (day and night) and cyclist (daytime) detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and high-speed active cruise control.
All three Fortuner equipment grades (GX, GXL and Crusade) benefit from exterior styling changes, including a revised front end that centres on a larger black grille. A restyled lower front bumper has been divided to produce a “skid-plate” underrun for a tougher, more integrated look. Slimmer Bi-LED headlamps also contribute to the “meaner” look while the Crusade benefits from high-grade headlights and a stylish new taillight design. GX and GXL retain their 17-inch alloy wheel while Crusade receives a newly designed 18-inch alloy with a flanged-spoke design.
Inside, GX and GXL interiors have changed to a dark-grey fabric while the leather-accented Crusade interior is available in either black or fawn.
Instrument dials have a new font and a satin finish to the outer rings while the 4.2-inch multi-information display now provides front-tyre angle and DPF status.
New range-wide features include an 8-inch (+1 inch) multimedia screen operated by buttons rather than by touch. The system now incorporates access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the myToyota app as well as enhanced voice activation.
Other standard equipment includes an air-conditioned cool box, audio and phone controls mounted on the steering wheel, soft-touch instrument panel, 60/40 tumble-and-slide second-row seat, tilt-and-telescopic steering column, and six-way driver and four-way front-passenger seat adjustments.
GX can be specified with satellite navigation and DAB digital radio for $1000. These features are standard on GXL, which also gains automatic climate-control air-conditioning. Other standard GXL equipment includes keyless smart entry and start, roof rails, fog lamps (now LED), privacy glass and downhill assist control.
A $2500 option pack for GXL includes leather-accented seats and eight-way power adjustable front seats, both of which are standard on Crusade. The top-of-the range model now has an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror and darker woodgrain-look trim on the centre console, in addition to its other luxury fittings that include a power tailgate and an 11-speaker premium JBL sound system.
2020 FORTUNER PRICES (plus on road costs)
| GX | $49,080 |
| GXL | $54,350 |
| Crusade | $61,410 |
| GX option pack: | $1000 |
| GXL option pack | $2500 |
| Premium paint: | $600 |