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Toyota Fortuner 2021 review: GX off-road test

Toyota Toyota Fortuner Toyota Fortuner 2021 Adventure Off road Diesel 7 seater
...

Likes

  • Nicer to drive now
  • More power and torque
  • Still a capable 4WD

Dislikes

  • Firm ride
  • Noisy under pressure
  • Third row blocks driver visibility
Marcus Craft
Contributing Journalist
22 Sep 2020
10 min read

The Toyota Fortuner has always been a solid seven-seat 4WD, but this ute-based wagon has never reached anywhere near the sale heights of Toyota’s LandCruiser, Prado and HiLux.

Well, the new-generation Fortuner is here and it has revised styling, more power and torque, increased towing capacity, improved fuel consumption, more safety tech, and a bigger multimedia screen.

But there’s also a price rise to go with those changes. And the question remains: Is the Fortuner worth your money?

Read on.

Toyota Fortuner 2021: GX

Engine Type Diesel Turbo 4, 2.8L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 7.6L/100km (combined)
Seating 7
Price From $45,100 - $52,470
Safety Rating

Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?

The Fortuner 4x4 diesel GX, which we tested on this occasion, is the base spec of the three-variant Fortuner line-up.

Our test vehicle has a few extras – including a sat nav pack ($1000), premium paint (feverish red, $600) and a towing package (towbar, wiring, tow ball $1143.51), so the price as tested ($51,823.50) is a little more than the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $49,080, previously $45,965. The GX price has increased by $3115.

Our test car is finished in
Our test car is finished in

All Fortuners have an upgraded 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, part-time four-wheel drive and a rear diff lock. 

Standard features on the GX include cloth seats, 17-inch alloy wheels on all-terrain tyres, as well as a new 8.0-inch multimedia screen (that’s an 1.0-inch bigger than the previous unit), air-conditioning, a six-speaker stereo system, plus front and rear parking sensors.

The GX wears 17-inch alloy wheels. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
The GX wears 17-inch alloy wheels. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

New driver-assist tech includes upgraded autonomous emergency braking (with vehicle and pedestrian detection day or night plus daytime cyclist detection), lane departure alert with steering assist, and high-speed adaptive cruise control.

The Fortuner line-up also now has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Maximum braked capacity is up 300kg, from 2800kg to 3100kg.

Is there anything interesting about its design?

The previous Fortuner was looking stale and its interior didn’t set any hearts a-racing either.

I reckon the Fortuner looks better than it did before. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
I reckon the Fortuner looks better than it did before. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

The Fortuner’s very-welcome styling refresh has mostly involved ‘sexing up’ the front end with a revised black grille, sleeker LED light arrangements, and a tough-looking and pronounced skid-plate – but please note that while that skid-plate looks rugged, it doesn’t feel like it could cope with much of a knock.

Overall, I reckon the Fortuner looks better than it did before.

The Fortuner’s scores a tough-looking and pronounced skid-plate.
The Fortuner’s scores a tough-looking and pronounced skid-plate.

As mentioned, that exterior colour is feverish red, if you’re interested, and it costs $600.

What are the key stats for the engine and transmission?

The Fortuner’s new version of its 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine now produces 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm at 1600-2800rpm – that’s a 20 kilowatt and 50 Newton-metre increase over the previous Fortuner.

The  2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel now produces 150kW/500Nm. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
The 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel now produces 150kW/500Nm. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

It's matched to a six-speed automatic transmission, and the combination works better than it did previously, no longer a sluggish-feeling combo, it now has a fair bit of zip about it.

The 4WD set-up is very effective, with good low-range gearing, a quietly efficient off-road traction control system and a rear diff lock.

How practical is the space inside?

The GX is the entry-level Fortuner so it has a basic cabin, but that’s okay with me. 

The biggest news, in terms of changes to the interior, focus on the new 8.0-inch multimedia screen, an 1.0-inch bigger than the unit in the previous Fortuner.

The interior is about function not fashion. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
The interior is about function not fashion. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

From the rear to the front of the cabin, it’s a rather practical space, with cloth seats, carpet floors (topped with rubber mats, if that’s your fancy) and durable plastic surfaces.

The interior is about function not fashion.

The Fortuner’s seven seats are in a 2-3-2 configuration. The 60/40 split-fold second-row seat has a one-touch, tumble feature while the 50/50 third-row seats are stowable, sort of.

The Fortuner’s seven seats are in a 2-3-2 configuration. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
The Fortuner’s seven seats are in a 2-3-2 configuration. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

Boot space is claimed to be 200 litres with the third-row seats in use, and in that area there are cargo hooks and a 12V socket.

Stow away the third-row and cargo space increases to 716 litres but the seats reduce your real load space and they also obscure a lot of driver vision to the rear.

With the second-row down and mostly out of the way, there’s a claimed 1080 litres of cargo space.

It’s pretty ordinary back here – the seats are flat and unsupportive – and, even for a vertically-challenged bloke such as myself, the space back there is on the wrong side of squeezy. 

All three rows get aircon – there are ceiling-mounted vents – and there are a few handy storage spaces in the third row, but no cup-holders. 

It’s reasonably comfortable in the second row; I sat behind my driving position and I had plenty of head and knee room.

The second row is comfortable with plenty of head and knee room. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
The second row is comfortable with plenty of head and knee room. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

The second row has cup holders in this fold-down armrest, ceiling-mounted controls for the aircon, and two ISOFIX and three top-tether anchor points.

Up front, there’s now an 8.0-inch upgraded multimedia system, with USB-connected Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and a 4.2-inch colour driver’s display.

The new 8.0-inch multimedia system is an 1.0-inch than the old one and now features Apple Carplay plus Android Auto. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
The new 8.0-inch multimedia system is an 1.0-inch than the old one and now features Apple Carplay plus Android Auto. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

There are the usual storage spaces – including glovebox, centre console, tray for your smartphone, pop-out cup-holders on the outboard edges of the dash – and as well as a USB port and a 12V socket for charging purposes.

What's it like as a daily driver?

Much better than it was before.

For those of you into measurements, the GX is 4795mm long with a 2745mm wheelbase. It is 1855mm wide, 1790mm high and it weighs 2130kg. It has a 11.6m turning circle.

On-road, the Fortuner is now pretty good for a ute-based wagon – well, it’s better than it was before, anyway.

It’s all sitting on a HiLux ladder-frame chassis, so the Fortuner does have a very firm ride, bordering on harsh at times. Having said that, you do get used to it quite quickly and the Fortuner's coil-spring suspension set-up does manage to mostly take the full sting out of surface irregularities, except for more severe dips and bumps.

Acceleration, from a standing-start or for overtaking, is still a bit laggy. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
Acceleration, from a standing-start or for overtaking, is still a bit laggy. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

I dropped the too-high air pressures (40 psi, pounds per square inch) on the Dunlop Grandtrek ATs (265/65R17) to a more agreeable road-running 32 psi and that further softened the ride.

Driver position in the Fortuner is commandingly high and there’s ample visibility – although the A-pillars are still bulky and the third-row blocks vision to the rear when it’s folded up to the sides.

It’s generally quiet although there remains noticeable wind noise around the wing mirrors as there was in previous Fortuners and engine noise builds to a piercing pitch when you go heavy on the right boot.

The Fortuner does have a very firm ride, bordering on harsh at times. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
The Fortuner does have a very firm ride, bordering on harsh at times. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

Steering – a new variable-flow power-type set-up – is a whole lot better than the old arrangement. It’s now sharp, light, and precise and changes to suit the speed – a big improvement. The steering wheel is reach- and rake-adjustable.

Acceleration, from a standing-start or for overtaking, is still a bit laggy although that extra power and torque do come in handy during those moments and general driving though, making the Fortuner much more drivable all-round.

The unchanged six-speed auto is still generally right for the job, but it downshifts quite harshly every now and again, especially when going up or down long, gradually sloping highway stretches.

What's it like for touring?

The Fortuner is a very capable 4WD and I reckon a lot of Fortuner owners would be rather surprised at just how capable it is off-road. While it is marketed as a family-friendly tourer rather than a rock-crawling monster, the truth is it is pretty handy on the rough stuff.

Before we get stuck into the nitty-gritty, it’s worth mentioning the Fortuner’s off-road measures: ground clearance (216mm), approach angle (29 degrees), departure angle (25 degrees), rampover angle (23.5 degrees), and it has a listed wading depth of 700mm.

Engine braking is good, keeping the Fortuner to a controlled sustained momentum on downhill runs. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
Engine braking is good, keeping the Fortuner to a controlled sustained momentum on downhill runs. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

On the way to our 4WD testing and proving ground, along a lightly corrugated and rutted dirt track, the Fortuner’s ladder-frame chassis yielded a very stiff, firm ride, juddering and jarring through surface imperfections. But, again, it’s something you do actually get used to.

The Fortuner’s switchable 4WD system has two-wheel drive (H2), and high- (H4) and low-range (L4) four-wheel drive. There’s plenty of low-end torque for no-fuss low-speed off-roading and the turbo-diesel engine, so unhurried, keeps the Fortuner trucking, without any hassle. 

That torque is on tap across a wide rev range, giving you the confidence to get through or over most natural obstacles. 

The Fortuner is a very capable 4WD. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
The Fortuner is a very capable 4WD. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

The off-road traction control system limits any wasteful wheel-spin and sends torque to the tyres that actually have some traction, in order to keep you moving along. It’s a quietly effective set-up. 

And you can also hit the rear diff lock button to engage that, for more help in the traction stakes.

Engine braking is good, keeping the Fortuner to a controlled sustained momentum on downhill runs.

Wheel travel is pretty decent and if you can get the full extent of suspension flex. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
Wheel travel is pretty decent and if you can get the full extent of suspension flex. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

The GX does, however, miss out on the downhill assist control system which the GXL and Crusade get, but that's not a big minus because it gets comfortably by with the 4WD set-up it has as its disposal.

Wheel travel is pretty decent and if you can get the full extent of suspension flex, and drop any mid-air tyres to the dirt for some more traction, that’ll help to get you moving along safely again.

The standard Dunlop Grandtrek AT tyres are about the only real weakness in the Fortuner’s off-roading gear. They are all-terrains and they’re not bad, they're just not quite aggressive enough, with enough sidewall bite, for my liking. 

That torque is on tap across a wide rev range, giving you the confidence to get through or over most natural obstacles. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)
That torque is on tap across a wide rev range, giving you the confidence to get through or over most natural obstacles. (image credit: Glen Sullivan)

But as with the previous Fortuner, the mechanicals are fine – its 4WD set-up is very effective – but you have to be mindful of the fact that it doesn't have a whole lot of ground clearance (a claimed 216mm) and the side steps are prone to hitting on the edges of steep and deep ruts, but those factors are easily overcome through considered driving and the purchase of more aggressive tyres. 

New Fortuners have a diesel particulate filter (DPF) Diesel Particulate Filter switch, so you can do a forced burn-off yourself to hopefully avoid any DPF issues. Don’t have any idea what I’m talking about? For more on Toyota’s DPF issues, read carsguide.com.au.

The Fortuner has a 750kg unbraked towing capacity and 3100kg braked towing capacity – that’s 300kg more than the previous version of the Fortuner.

How much fuel does it consume?

Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.6L/100km on a combined cycle – that’s 1.0L/100km less than the previous-generation Fortuner.

Our actual fuel consumption on this test was 9.3L/100km.

The Fortuner has a 80-litre fuel tank. 

Warranty & Safety Rating

Basic Warranty
5 years/unlimited km warranty

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating?

All versions of the Fortuner have a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on the latest 2019 standards.

Safety gear includes seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (with vehicle and pedestrian detection day or night plus daytime cyclist detection), two second-row ISOFIX child-restraint anchorage points and three top tether anchor points, reversing camera and rear parking sensors, high-speed active cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and road sign recognition.

What does it cost to own? What warranty is offered?

The Fortuner range has a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. Service intervals are scheduled for every six months/10,000km and cost of service is $250. The capped price servicing is up to three years/60,000km, so the first six services.

Verdict

The new Toyota Fortuner is a family-friendly wagon that is still a very capable 4WD, but it’s also much nicer to drive on-road than the previous-generation version.

It’s practical and easy to live with as a daily driver, and in GX spec it makes a lot of sense as a basic, functional off-road tourer.

Toyota has once again seemingly done the bare minimum to keep buyers happy but these few small changes have made a huge difference.

Pricing Guides

$52,438
Based on 129 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$39,977
HIGHEST PRICE
$67,990
Marcus Craft
Contributing Journalist
Raised by dingoes and, later, nuns, Marcus (aka ‘Crafty’) had his first taste of adventure as a cheeky toddler on family 4WD trips to secret fishing spots near Bundaberg, Queensland. He has since worked as a journalist for more than 20 years in Australia, London and Cape Town and has been an automotive journalist for 18 years. This bloke has driven and camped throughout much of Australia – for work and play – and has written yarns for pretty much every mag you can think of. The former editor of 4X4 Australia magazine, Marcus is one of the country’s most respected vehicle reviewers and off-road adventure travel writers.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$39,977
Lowest price, based on third party pricing data.
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2021 Toyota Fortuner
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