Toyota Fortuner 2.7 SRZ 4×4 Test Drive Review

June 9, 2021

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The Fortuner remains the segment best seller year after year, model after model.

Meet the 2021 Toyota Fortuner SUV, now in showrooms with the 2.8 VRZ 4×4 Automatic powered by a diesel engine going for RM203,183 and the 2.7 SRZ 4×4 Automatic with a petrol engine having a RM172,244 sticker price.

Launched in February this year, UMW Toyota has had no worries in finding customers for this SUV which is also the segment leader in Thailand. A few years ago it had the Ford Everest as an immediate rival, however when the Everest price breached RM228k in October 2018, its demand tanked and the Fortuner only had the Isuzu MU-X in the segment.

Despite its RM160k launch price in June 2015, the MU-X did not do much to dent the sales surge of the Fortuner and so the Fortuner remains the top seller in its segment by a far margin.

New With This Fortuner

This Fortuner comes with Quad LED headlamps with a new dynamic design housing that flank a mesh-type front grille. The fog-lamp, turn signal and position lamps have also been restyled while the front and rear bumpers have a new design. The Skid Plate below the front end is also new, emphasising the ruggedness of the Fortuner.

The Fortuner interior, which has 3 rows of seats, is trimmed with a new design and colour while the seat upholstery also has a new colour and design. The new instrument panel features a revised Multi Information Display (MID) opening animation. Ambient illumination is provided to add a touch of class at night, while the key cover has been redesigned.

The instrument panel for the Fortuner has been redesigned, the MID has additional information for the driver. This variant also gets a new interior trim colour and new seat upholstery colour.

For added comfort and convenience, this Fortuner 2.8 VRZ and 2.7 SRZ have been fitted with LED Interior Lamps, Electrochromic Rearview Mirror (to eliminate dazzle) and the front passenger can now easily adjust the seat with powered controls at the side.

This Fortuner comes with comprehensive safety equipment in line with Toyota’s efforts to reduce road accidents, the 2.8 VRZ also comes with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS). This is an integrated suite of active safety systems which make use of a camera and radar to monitor and detect other vehicles, and to take appropriate action to prevent an accident.

TSS, though available in many Toyota models today, has different elements and for the latest Fortuner, it comes with Pre collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Yaw Assist Function.

PCS operates in all lighting conditions at speeds from 10 km/h to 180 km/h. The system detects other vehicles ahead with the millimetre-wave radar sensor in the grille and analyses the imagery captured by the camera on the top of the windscreen. When a vehicle is detected in close range, warnings are given and the system will provide additional braking assistance when action is taken by the driver.

If the driver does not act and a collision is likely to occur, automatic braking will commence at full pressure to stop the car. In many cases, an accident can be prevented but if it cannot, the early braking will reduce the vehicle speed and can help to reduce damage from the impact.

LDA is useful in preventing accidents when a driver may be drowsy or lose concentration and the vehicle starts to stray from the lane. When the system detects this happening (eg moving out of the lane or crossing over an uncurbed road edge without activating the turn signal), the driver will be alerted through the MID by a blinking indicator lamp and buzzer sound.

Inside This Fortuner

Like the exterior, Toyota designers have also carried forth the improvements inside, with a highly-refined modern interior. Soft touch materials and touches of chrome as well as hints of geometric metallic are used extensively on the instrument panel and arm rests, which evokes a sense of luxury.

Other refinements include an 8-way power adjustment for easy acquisition of the most comfortable seating position for a fatigue-free drive. The refined 7-passenger interior features many car-derived style cues. The Multi Information Display (MID) panel keeps the driver informed of fuel consumption, trip data, range, vehicle status and settings that can be customized by the drive using 4-way MID switch on the steering wheel.

There is more legroom and knee clearance for the occupants who sit in the second row. This not only enhances comfort during the drive but also makes getting in and out easier. The second row backrests can be reclined and also moved forward or back. Assist grips are mounted on the centre pillars to help children or old people get in and out.

Access to the third row is easily achieved by using the one-touch lever to tumble the second row forward. Side steps on the left and right side of the vehicle make it easier to get in and out as well. The two occupants in the third row are seated slightly higher than those in the second row in a theatre-style layout. For extra comfort, there is a reclining function for the backrest and when the seats are not needed, they can be folded to the sides to provide extra cargo space.

As in many SUVs nowadays, the new Fortuner has a Smart Entry and Push Start System which makes it unnecessary to use a key. The doors can be unlocked or locked with a touch of a button on the chrome front door handles and the engine started by pressing a button.

Driving This Fortuner

Having spent a good three days getting to know the new Fortuner and driving it on various inner city road conditions, we can easily see the appeal of the model amongst consumers, especially with what it brings to the table in terms of style, performance and space. It looks modern and premium.

It sits high off the ground, offering drivers a great view around and assurance that inner city floods can be conquered. It has three rows of seats and with air-conditioning vents for the back passengers. Despite the hardcore 4×4 drive system, its quite comfortable on the highway. The engine running tune does not overwhelm the cabin space. Safety and comfort features are quite impressive and on par with other SUV’s in its price range.

This 2021 model Fortuner with its 5+2 seating configuration delivers a practical and effective commute for families as well as the person looking at regular off road excursions.