Steane Klose
Toyota’s HiLux based Fortuner wagon is the beneficiary of a swathe of updates that have recently been rolled out for the 2021 HiLux range, which means more power, better handling, improved towing capacity and fuel efficiency.
The Fortuner’s 2.8-litre 1GD turbodiesel engine (shared with HiLux) now produces 150kW and 500Nm. The improved outputs stem from the fitment of a larger, water-cooled, heavy-duty ball-bearing turbocharger with a newly developed variable nozzle vane mechanism, as well as measures to increase engine rigidity, cooling and efficiency.
Toyota is claiming an 11.6 per cent improvement on the official combined cycle fuel consumption figure, with the six-speed automatic Fortuner now rated at 7.6 litres/100km. The improvement is even more marked on the urban cycle at 9.1 litres/100km, a reduction of 17.3 per cent.
Additionally, Toyota has increased the Fortuner’s maximum braked towing capacity to 3,100kg an increase of 300kg.
Like the HiLux, the Fortuner has been fitted with a new variable-flow power-steering pump that offers more assistance at parking speeds while delivering a more direct feel at highway speeds. A rear differential lock remains a standard fitment.
Expanded safety features include the addition of front parking sensors that, along with the existing rear sensors, warn the driver of nearby objects.
Advanced Toyota Safety Sense technologies include a pre-collision safety system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and active cruise control.
All three Fortuner equipment grades – GX, GXL and Crusade – have received exterior styling changes, including a revised front end that centres on a larger black grille. A restyled lower front bumper has been divided to produce a ‘skid-plate’ underrun. The GX and GXL are equipped with slimmer Bi-LED headlamps, while the Crusade benefits from high-grade headlights and a new taillight design.
GX and GXL retain their 17-inch alloy wheel while Crusade receives a newly designed 18-inch alloy with a flanged-spoke design.
Inside, GX and GXL interiors have changed to a dark-grey fabric while the leather-accented Crusade interior is available in either black or fawn. Instrument dials have a new font and a satin finish to the outer rings while the 4.2-inch multi-information display now provides front-tyre angle and DPF status.
New range-wide features include an 8-inch (+1 inch) multimedia screen operated by buttons rather than by touch. The system now incorporates access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the myToyota app and enhanced voice activation.
Other standard equipment includes an air-conditioned cool box, audio and phone controls mounted on the steering wheel, soft-touch instrument panel, 60/40 tumble-and-slide second-row seat, tilt-and-telescopic steering column, and six-way driver and four-way front-passenger seat adjustments.
Fortuner GX can be specified with satellite navigation and DAB digital radio for an additional $1,000. These features are standard on the GXL, which also gains automatic climate-control air-conditioning.
Other standard GXL equipment includes keyless smart entry and start, roof rails, fog lamps (now LED), privacy glass and downhill assist control.
A $2,500 option pack for the GXL includes leather-accented seats and eight-way power-adjustable front seats – both of which are standard on Crusade. The top-of-the-range Crusade now has an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror and darker woodgrain-look trim on the centre console, in addition to a power tailgate and an 11-speaker JBL sound system.
2021 FORTUNER PRICES
| GX | $49,080 |
| GXL | $54,350 |
| Crusade | $61,410 |
| GX option pack: | $1,000 |
| GXL option pack | $2,500 |
| Premium paint: | $600 |
2021 TOYOTA FORTUNER SPECIFICATIONS
| KEY DIMENSIONS | |
| Length | 4795mm |
| Width | 1855mm |
| Height | 1790 (GX); 1835mm (GXL, Crusade – roof rails) |
| Wheelbase | 2745mm |
| Front track | 1540mm |
| Rear track | 1555mm |
| Front overhang | 990mm |
| Rear overhang | 1040mm |
| Kerb weight | 2130kg (GX), 2125kg (GXL), 2155kg (Crusade) |
| GVM | 2800kg |
| GCM | 5550kg |
| Approach angle | 29 degrees |
| Departure angle | 25 degrees |
| Ramp-over angle | 23.5 degrees |
| Running clearance | 216mm |
| Wading depth | 700mm |
| Towing unbraked# | 750kg |
| Towing braked# | 3100kg |
| Fuel tank | 80 litres |
| CHASSIS | |
| Brakes (front) | 338mm ventilated disc with opposed-piston callipers |
| Brakes (rear) | 312mm ventilated disc with floating callipers |
| Front suspension | Double wishbone with stabiliser bar |
| Rear suspension | Five-link with two shock absorbers, stabiliser bar |
| Steering gear | Rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic |
| – Turns, lock to lock | 3.3 |
| Minimum turning circle | 11.6 metres (tyre) |
| Wheels and tyres | 17″ alloy with 265/65R17 all-terrain tyres (GX, GXL) |
| 18″ alloy with 265/60R18 highway tyres (Crusade) | |
| ENGINE: 1GD-FTV turbo-diesel | |
| Cylinders | 4-cyl, in-line |
| Valve mechanism | 16V DOHC chain drive |
| Charging system | Variable nozzle turbocharger with intercooler |
| Bore x stroke | 92.0mm x 103.6mm |
| Displacement | 2755cm3 |
| Compression ratio | 15.6:1 |
| Fuel system | High-pressure common-rail direct injection |
| Maximum power | 150kW @ 3400rpm |
| Maximum torque | 450Nm @ 1600-2800rpm |
| TRANSMISSION | |
| Gear ratios | AC60F electronically controlled automatic |
| 1st | 3.600 |
| 2nd | 2.090 |
| 3rd | 1.488 |
| 4th | 1.000 |
| 5th | 0.687 |
| 6th | 0.580 |
| Reverse | 3.732 |
| Final Drive | 3.909 |
| FUEL ECONOMY* (litres/100km) | |
| Combined | 7.6 |
| Urban | 9.1 |
| Extra urban | 6.8 |
| Emissions: grams/km | 201 |
| Emission rating | Euro 5 |
| OTHER INFORMATION | |
| Hip point (from ground) | 858mm |
| Seat slide (front) | 240mm |
| Seat-height adjust (front) | 65mm |
| Steering tilt adjustment | 20mm |
| Shoulder room width | 1433mm (front), 1414mm (2nd row) |
| Height (floor to headliner) | 1155mm |
| Couple distance | 899mm (1st-2nd rows) |
| Effective headroom | 964mm (front), 933mm (2nd row) |
| Effective legroom | 950mm (2nd row), 854mm (3rd row) |
| Knee room | 651mm (2nd row), 512mm (3rd row) |
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