Toyota 
has just announced an all-new
SUV 
for the Australian market – the Fortuner. Based on the newest version of the venerable
Hilux 
pickup truck, 
the Fortuner is a rugged, body-on-frame SUV with seating for seven that’s powered by the same turbodiesel engine found in the Hilux and comes standard with a part-time, two-speed 4WD system and electronic locking rear differential.
Tony Cramb, Toyota Australia’s executive director of sales and marketing, says the Fortuner is the brand’s diesel alternative to the Kluger, Australia’s version of the
Highlander. 
The Fortuner is also far more rugged and trail-ready than the unibody Kluger while slotting under the surprisingly similar
Land Cruiser Prado in terms of luxury and price. Though both the Prado and Fortuner are traditional SUVs with three rows of seats for seven people, the two vehicles will appeal to different audiences.
Toyota’s move to introduce the Fortuner makes more sense when considering both
2015 Ford Everest and
Isuzu MU-X – both of which are based on their respective pickup truck platforms.
The Fortuner will arrive in Australian dealerships in October 2015 as a 2016 model and sale for a price that is still undisclosed. Early estimations suggest a starting price of around $45,000.
The new Fortuner carries a rugged look with its angular grille dressed in chrome, short front overhang, tall ground clearance, and high beltline. The kink in its window line provides some visual interest to the flanks and helps break up the longish sides, though it likely creates more of a blind spot for the driver.
The Fortuner’s rear end boasts some very interesting taillights with a bit of chrome accenting between them. More chrome is seen on the tailgate that wrapped around from the side windows.
Down low, the step bumper provides easier access to the roof and a stepping point for getting into the rear cargo area. Side steps below the doors also aid in entry and exits.
Depending on trim level, the Fortuner comes with either 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels. The two higher trim levels come with a roof rack, fog lamps, and reverse parking sensors. Every trim level comes with a rear-view camera. Those trim levels include the base GX, midgrade GXL, and the range-topping Crusade.
The Crusade comes with extra features, including bi-LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, a power-operated rear hatch, and the 18-inch wheels. For those Australians who want accessories like bull bars and such, Toyota will be launching their own line of accessories that are fully compatible with the Fortuner’s safety systems.
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Note: 2016 Toyota Hilux interior pictured
Toyota has yet to release any photos or detailed information on the Fortuner’s interior, but its suspected it will look very similar to the
2016 Toyota Hilux interior pictured here.
All trim levels come with front and rear air conditioning, seven airbags, hill-start control, and an emergency stop light for hard braking situations.
If that’s the case, the Fortuner will have a well-designed gauge cluster with two analog gauges flanking a center information screen. A large touch-sensitive infotainment screen dominates the center dashboard and operates all the typical functions like radio, navigation, and vehicle settings.
All trim levels come with front and rear air conditioning, seven airbags, hill-start control, and an emergency stop light for hard braking situations. For those looking for adventure, the Fortuner comes with an air conditioned cooler box that keeps food and drinks cool or warm.
Seating is arranged in a 2+3+2 format with the second and third row seats offering a flat load surface when folded down. Expect the second row to be split in a 60/40 fashion to give more options when balancing cargo room with passenger counts.
The Fortuner will come with one engine option: Toyota’s 2.8-liter 1GD four-cylinder turbodiesel. Paired with the six-speed automatic transmission, the engine produces 174 horsepower at 3,400 rpm and 331 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 and 2,400 rpm, just as it does in the Hilux pickup.
The engine produces 174 horsepower at 3,400 rpm and 331 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 and 2,400 rpm, just as it does in the Hilux pickup.
Fortuner buyers can opt for a six-speed manual transmission as well, though the engine’s torque rating falls to 309 pound-feet between 1,400 and 2,600 rpm.
The manual transmission is also shared with the 2016 Hilux, meaning it has active rev matching for downshifts.
This eliminates the need to blip the throttle to increase engine revs in order to downshift – simply downshift and the electronics will perfectly match the engine’s speed for the next gear down.
Behind both the manual and automatic transmission is that two-speed transfer case. The part-time system offers conventional RWD, 4WD high range, 4WD low range, and a neutral position.
The drivetrain also includes Toyota’s electronic locking rear differential. Downhill decent control comes standard on the GXL and Crusade models.
DRIVETRAIN SPECIFICATIONS
While the Fortuner is based on the Hilux pickup, truck, the SUV dumps the truck’s rear leaf springs for a more sophisticated and smoother-riding five-link suspension with coil springs managing the solid axle. A double wishbone suspension up front makes easy work of rough terrain and curvy roads. Both ends have stabilizer bars that keep body roll under control.
Even with a coil spring rear suspension, the Fortuner is able to tow 6,613 pounds with the manual transmission and 6,173 pounds with the automatic. Braking is handled by disc brakes at all four corners.
