New Toyota Fortuner priced from $49,080

FOLLOWING hot on the heels of the heavily updated HiLux pick-up, Toyota Australia has released pricing and specification details for the related Fortuner large SUV, with the seven-seat off-roader scoring similar improvements as well as price increases across the board.

Now kicking off from $49,080 plus on-road costs for the base GX model, the Fortuner’s entry price has risen a considerable $3115, but this is offset by mechanical, equipment and styling upgrades that apply across the range.

As seen with the HiLux, Toyota’s engineers have extracted an additional 20kW and 50Nm from the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine underpinning the range, lifting peak power to 150kW and maximum torque to a far more competitive 500Nm.

The extra grunt comes courtesy of a new water-cooled, heavy-duty ball-bearing turbocharger with a newly developed variable nozzle vane mechanism, while a variety of other measures were taken to also “increase engine rigidity, cooling and efficiency”.

Toyota claims to have achieved an 11.6 per cent improvement in fuel economy on the combined cycle (7.1L/100km) and up to a 17.6 per cent improvement on the urban cycle (9.1L/100km).

The Japanese manufacturer has yet to clarify whether the engine upgrade resolves the diesel particulate filter problem with the outgoing series, which as previously reported, has affected up to 250,000 models (including Fortuna, HiLux and Prado) over the past five years and is currently before the courts in a class action.

As before, drive is sent to the road via a six-speed automatic transmission and part-time four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing. 

Thanks to the increase in power, the Fortuner’s maximum towing capacity has risen by 300kg to 3100kg, while a new variable-flow power steering pump has been fitted to aid both handling at low speeds and on the highway.

Just like the HiLux, the big off-road wagon has been treated to an extensive facelift to make it look more rugged and capable both on- and off-road.

Gone is the somewhat fussy-looking chrome nosepiece, replaced by a larger black grille – still flanked by two chrome trim elements – and a fully redesigned front bumper, the lower portion of which is designed to resemble a skid plate.

Also drawing attention are the gaping air intakes at either side of the front fascia, just below new slimmer bi-LED headlights.

The rest of the body carries on largely unchanged, with the Fortuner retaining its signature high-hipped window-line.

Toyota has also made a series of improvements in the cabin, headlined by a button-operated 8.0-inch infotainment screen (up from 7.0” and no longer a touchscreen) which now boasts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

The instrument panel has also been updated with new a font and new satin-finish dial surrounds, while the 4.2-inch multi-information display now shows extra details such as front tyre angle and diesel particulate filter status.

Other standard equipment across the range includes an air-conditioned coolbox, steering-wheel-mounted audio and phone controls, soft-touch instrument panel, tilt-and-telescopic steering column adjustment, six-way driver and four-way front passenger seat adjustment, and 60/40-split tumble-and-slide second-row seats.

Stepping up from the GX to the mid-range GXL – which is now priced from $54,350, up $3560 – adds satellite navigation and DAB digital radio as well as automatic climate control, keyless entry/start, downhill assist control, privacy glass, roof rails and LED foglamps.

The flagship Crusade has risen $3120 to now start from $61,410. It adds eight-way power-adjustable front seats, black or fawn leather-accented upholstery (up from dark-grey cloth used on GX and GXL), an electrochromatic rearview mirror, darker woodgrain-look trim on the centre console, a premium 11-speaker JBL sound system, and power tailgate.

Certain equipment from the GXL – namely sat-nav and digital radio – can be specified on the GX via a $1000 option pack, while GXL customers can spend an extra $2500 for a bundle that includes the Crusade’s power-adjustable front seats and leather-accented trim.

Advanced ‘Toyota Safety Sense’ technologies including 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 are all standard across the range, as are front and rear parking sensors and a locking rear differential.

“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,” said Toyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley.

“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.”

So far this year ending July, the Fortuner has only accounted for 3.0 per cent of sub-$70,000 large SUV sales, chalking up 1292 deliveries, while its Prado and Kluger stablemates were the runaway segment leaders with 8632 sales (19.9%) and 4794 sales (11.1%) respectively.

The new Fortuner officially arrives in showrooms from August 27.

2020 Toyota Fortuner pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs