The Toyota Fortuner has carved a unique niche for itself in the Indian SUV market. It’s a tale of both triumph and critique, a car that has dominated its segment despite lacking some of the bells and whistles its competitors offer. Let’s delve into the world of the Fortuner and explore its journey to becoming a household name in India.
A Global Debut and Arrival in India (2004-2012):
The Fortuner’s story began in 2004, emerging as a midsize SUV built on Toyota’s IMV platform. It wasn’t until 2009 that the Fortuner set foot in India, aiming to capture a significant share of the burgeoning SUV market. The initial offering consisted of two petrol engines, a 2.7-liter and a 4.0-liter, paired with manual transmissions and optional automatic variants. Introduced at a price tag of Rs 18 lakh, the Fortuner quickly gained traction.
Continuous Evolution, Facelifts and Feature Additions (2012-2015):
Toyota kept the Fortuner evolving. In 2012, the first facelift brought a more premium look with redesigned headlamps, grille, bumper, and taillights. This update also introduced the 3.0-liter 4×2 option in both manual and automatic transmissions. The success continued, with the first-generation Fortuner exceeding sales expectations by reaching a 75% market share, surpassing the initial target of 50%.
A New Era: The Second-Generation Fortuner (2016-Present):
2016 marked a turning point with the launch of the second-generation Fortuner. This iteration introduced a new 2.7-liter petrol engine alongside a powerful 2.8-liter diesel option. Both engines were available with manual and automatic transmissions. The 4×4 drivetrain, however, remained exclusive to the diesel variants. While prices started at a competitive Rs 27.8 lakh, they maxed out at Rs 33.6 lakh, placing it amongst the premium SUVs.
The Fortuner, however, received some criticism for lagging behind competitors in features. While it offered a plethora of new features, technology, and electronics, it fell short compared to rivals like the Ford Endeavour or the Isuzu MU-X in terms of ride quality and creature comforts.
A Facelift and The Rise of the Legender (2020-Present):
In 2020, the Fortuner received a facelift to comply with the BS6 emission standards. This facelift brought sharper aesthetics with a prominent grille, sleek LED headlamps, and a redesigned front bumper. It was launched in 2021, offered in both standard and Legender variants.
The facelift came with revised engine options. The 2.7-liter petrol engine remained, offering 166 horsepower and 245 Nm torque. The 2.8-liter diesel engine saw a power bump to 204 horsepower, with torque figures varying depending on the transmission chosen. The manual variants offered 420 Nm, while the automatic variants boasted a significant 500 Nm of torque. As before, the petrol variants remained confined to two-wheel drive, while the diesel offered the option of a four-wheel-drive system.
The Legender variant marked Toyota’s foray into the luxury SUV segment within the Fortuner lineup. Its price range, starting from Rs 43.66 lakh and reaching up to Rs 47.64 lakh, did create a temporary negative image for the brand, although sales remained strong. The top variant, the GR-S, currently sits at Rs 51.44 lakh.
Despite its success, the Fortuner has been criticized for its bland interiors and lack of features, especially considering the price tag. It misses out on features like a sunroof and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which are common offerings in its price range.
The Future of the Fortuner:
Presently, there’s no news of a significant facelift or feature addition. However, Toyota recently introduced the “Leader Edition” with just one new feature – a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) borrowed from the Legender variant. This edition retains the 2.8-liter diesel engine with manual and automatic transmission options and is available only in rear-wheel-drive configurations.
With talks of a new generation Fortuner on the horizon, Indian buyers are caught in a dilemma. While the current Fortuner remains a strong seller, the promise of a significant upgrade is enticing. The arrival of the new Ford Endeavour further intensifies the competition.
Toyota faces a crucial challenge – addressing the Fortuner’s price point, currently exceeding Rs 50 lakh for the top-spec Legender variant. The upcoming Fortuner will likely compete with the facelifted MG Gloster and Jeep Meridian, alongside the all-new Ford Endeavour.