First generation is meant to be the epitome of power, luxury, and reliability for the SUV market of India. Corresponding to its pressurizing stance, rugged performance, and richness of features, Fortuner remains the market leader in the full-size SUV segment.
What updates in 2024 by Toyota bring is a guarantee to be improved, pushing the needle further in a piece of a highly competitive market.
In this article, we take a look into the making of the journey of Toyota Fortuner under its latest 2024 upgrade. We also highlight special features that keep it aside from the competitors and ensure that it remains the first choice of SUV lovers and enthusiasts here in India.
Legacy of Supremacy
Launched first in India back in 2009, the Toyota Fortuner is nothing short of an overnight sensation for a power and reliable SUV that can survive anything urban roads might present and also rough terrains.
Years went by, strengthening the Fortuner as number one in its class, based on an unbeatable combination of robust performance and off-road capability married with opulent interiors.
This is based on Toyota’s trusted IMV (Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle) platform, also on which the Toyota Hilux and Innova are based.
Built to last, Fortuner has a reputation for building that lasts long with reliability. Team this with Toyota’s large, widespread service network, and it’s no surprise that the Fortuner has won followers over in India.
All this while, however, the Fortuner remains unique and true to form as an Indian SUV evolves. For starters, the Toyota model has seen numerous new features, design tweaks, and engine enhancements with regard to keeping up to market changes. The 2024 model does that-bringing updates that further cement dominance in the Fortuner.
Bolder and Aggressive Design
Form-wise, one of the striking pictures of the 2024 Toyota Fortuner will surely be its aggressive and bold design. The newest version of Fortuner fits into all modes, building only on what earlier models had-now even more commanding and modern than ever.
For starters, the front fascia is dominated by a huge grille with chrome trimmings flanked by sharp LED headlights and adaptive lighting for better vision during night time driving sessions.
All these muscular bonnets and sculpted lines coupled with a strong stance, Fortuner looks defiant on the road. The 2024 update also sees new alloy wheel designs with 18-inch wheels standard fitment across most variants enhancing ruggedness of SUV being on offer.
At the rear, the Fortuner sports sleek LED tail lamps, roof spoiler and a bold chrome strip running across the tailgate, adding a touch of class to its overall design.
The buyer gets more scope to customize the Fortuner with dual-tone color options and a few new exterior shades, Toyota has also provided. For those seeking sportier, a more aggressive presence, the Fortuner Legender offers in the lines-most notably a blacked-out grille, sharper front and rear bumpers, and distinctive alloy wheels.
Lavish Interiors with Advanced Features
While the exteriors scream ruggedness and dominance, interiors are otherwise: the promise of luxury and comfort. Toyota ensured that the 2024 Fortuner is well-endowed with premium cabin character and appeal, one that satisfies both drivers and occupants.
This SUV features plush leather upholstery, smooth touch materials for the dashboard, and general overall body layout.
The 8-way power-adjustable driver and passenger seats on the front will also spell comfort to the driver and passenger sitting in it, and the space the car has prepared for second and third rows of passengers can seat in for long rides.
The dashboard now comes with the best-in-class feature, that of an upgraded 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which will benefit Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for easy connectivity, intuitive and responsive controls about navigation, music, and calls while driving.
The Legender variant will be equipped with a wireless charging pad, making things a little more convenient in the equation.
Being mated with a JBL sound system, the Fortuner produces rich clear-cut audio, making long drives and city rides a joy to listen for every audiophile.
Some of the several features include automatic climate control with rear AC vents, a powered tailgate having hands-free opening feature, and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster giving you all information required, from GPS navigation assistance to tracking of tire pressure along with fuel consumption stats.
Power Engine Options: Built to Thrive
Performance is, in all likelihood, the single most defining characteristic of the Toyota Fortuner since it hit the roads for the first time. That is exactly what is expected from the 2024 variant also. The Fortuner comes built into it with diesel and petrol engine options provided for broad levels of satisfaction from a mass of drivers.
1. 2.7-litre Petrol Engine: The naturally aspirated, fuel-fed unit brings a more civilized assertion of 166 PS and 245 Nm. It’s either mated to a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission and is aimed squarely at those who look for silky smooth movement through the urban jungle, coupled with some fairly decent highways.
2. 2.8-litre Diesel Engine While the diesel variant is sold in greater numbers in India, the diesel version also breathes out an astonishing 204 PS of power and 500 Nm of torque (with the automatic transmission). It comes mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The diesel engine has huge amounts of torque that are perfect for towing, off-roading, and long highway running.
The Fortuner does come with a diesel engine and 4-wheel-drive options at the very least, which should position it above the driving force of most of its competition. Its “shift-on-the-fly 4WD system” provides for a smooth transition between 2WD and 4WD so there is no need to stop when switching between the two modes, and this should translate into better grip on sand or snow, or indeed gravel.
The 2024 variant has also improved the suspension setup. It has a more refined setting that makes it more comfortable without trading off the off-road capability of the SUV. Double-wishbone suspension at the front and multi-link suspension at the rear make it so effortless to have the Fortuner navigate through rough terrains, and yet make the ride via city roads as smooth as possible.
Advanced Safety Features
In all ways, Toyota has always ensured that safety is on the top list, and Fortuner certainly does the same. For this 2024 model, Toyota has developed an all-inclusive safety package designed to get the driver and passengers safe as far as they can.
Standard Safety Features:
-7 airbags: Front, side, curtain, and a knee airbag for the driver
-ABS with EBD
-VSC
-TCS
-Hill Start Assist
-Downhill Assist Control
The Fortuner comes with an available Toyota Safety Sense suite which it is made available on its higher trim grades, which adds advanced driver assistance systems. This system includes:
Pre-crash System: It’s designed to detect collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians and may even employ brakes if it can avoid or reduce the possible impact.
Lane Departure Warning: Warns you when your vehicle drifts out of its lane in a manner that seems unintentional.
– Adaptive Cruise Control: Adjusts the car’s speed to maintain a safe gap from the vehicle in front.
– Automatic High Beam: Switches from high to low beam, providing fewer disruptions for oncoming traffic without losing too much visibility.
With solid build quality, it places the Fortuner within one of the safest SUVs around in its class.
Market Position and Competition
For Toyota Fortuner, the car is easily on the list of the best premium full-size SUVs in India. The clashes are with some of the likes of Ford Endeavour, MG Gloster, Mahindra Alturas G4, and Jeep Meridian. But due to unmatched reliability, off-road ability, and brand value, it continues dominating the segment without a contemporary rival.
Another key reason that made Fortuner conquer the market is the reliability and great after-sales service of Toyota. Owners praise its durability, and several examples are still running with very few years and hundreds of thousands of kilometers on the odometer.
While some competitors sport more contemporary features or aggressive pricing, resale value and reliability make this Fortuner a long-term investment for those buyers seeking longevity with hassle-free possession.
Future of Toyota Fortuner
Toyota is to continue to fiddle with the Fortuner to make it fit for changing market demands of India. Going forward, it would be a surprise if the Fortuner does not have a hybrid variant.
Toyota already offers hybrid powertrain on some of its global models and this has something that’s going to be done pretty sooner than later in case of Fortuner as India keeps bringing in stricter emission norms for vehicles.
At the same time, Toyota can also add advanced driver-assistance systems and connected car features for the Fortuner, considering the increasing demand of such a vehicle that is technology enabled.
The Toyota Fortuner is unquestionably the leader in the market of full-size SUVs; it updated itself for the 2024 model year to further bolster that position.
Bold design, luxurious interiors, powerful engine options, and advanced safety features obviously say it all to the potential buyer: a buy sure enough for a reliable, able, and premium SUV.
Whether it is meant to be driven off roads, cruise long distances of highways or for traversing through urban traffic, it is on all fronts that Toyota Fortuner delivers. Coupled with the rugged performance with refined luxury will ensure the king of SUVs in India for years to come.