The last of the premium ladder frame chassis SUVs one can buy in India is the Fortuner. The SUV has been on sale in India for a long time — 2009 onwards — the SUV has seen many updates over time, and has grown in size as well.
The added size has given it bulk, and the weight is evident despite a powerful engine, as this is felt in stop-and-go traffic or when off-roading. That said, the large diesel engine will soon come under the scanner for pollution, even though it meets the latest standards.
Toyota has come up with a solution — hybrid tech. Toyota has tried to fix a few things that didn’t really matter to those who love the Fortuner, and in our short outing, we got to test the most we could and here’s what we think.
Toyota Fortuner Hybrid review — What are the changes?
There are a few, and the design is not one of them. It carries forward the same design language, and the hybrid system is available in two variants: the top-spec Fortuner and the Legender, both diesel 4X4s. The GRS version does not get the hybrid system.
Inside, the features on the vehicle see a small rejig, as the hybrid versions don’t get ventilated seats anymore because of the space utilised by the hybrid system, as the battery pack sits between the second and third row seats. The SUV gets a wireless charger for smartphones, a 360-degree camera, a start-stop system, and a terrain mode selector — more on this later.
Toyota Fortuner Hybrid review — How is it to drive?
Toyota says that the acceleration is smoother with the new hybrid system, and we agree with that. The Fortuner feels lighter off the line, but there is no hiding the weight of the SUV. The inclusion of the hybrid system has made the Fortuner quicker, but one can understand the difference only when driving the hybrid version and the non-hybrid version back to back.
On the road, it retains all the Fortuner traits — massive presence, commanding position, and comfort. It feels light in stop-and-go traffic, but where the vehicle shines is when off-roading. The hybrid-assisted tech offers loads of torque when the surface gets tricky.
This assisted with the terrain selector – Rock, Mud, Sand, and Auto – in 4WL, is capable enough to get you out of any situation right out of the box. One thing to watch out for is the size of the Fortuner when off-roading, as this can be a disadvantage when the path is narrow.
Toyota Fortuner Hybrid review — Should you consider it?
The inclusion of the hybrid system in the Fortuner has given the SUV a lighter feeling in terms of acceleration and off-roading, while the inclusion of the terrain selector gives the SUV more capabilities. That said, if you are looking to buy one, we don’t see any reason not to, as the hybrid version offers more mileage, ~43km more on a full tank when compared to the non-hybrid version.
