Cannot-have Fiat Toro shows updated polarising face

On the back of unveiling the updated Strada, Fiat has taken the wraps off of the step-up Toro that, for now, serves as its flagship bakkie in South America.

What is it?

Soon to the succeeded by the Peugeot Landtrek-underpinned Titano as range-topper, the Toro, which made its debut in 2016, remains dimensionally unchanged with no changes having been applied to the Small Wide 4×4 platform that also underpins the Fiat 500X, Jeep Compass, Alfa Romeo Tonale and the new Ram Rampage.

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Second only to the Strada as the best-selling bakkie in Brazil, the Toro, whose initial refresh occurred two years ago, comprises a line-up of five trim levels; Endurance, Freedom, Volanco, Ranch and Ultra, and only as a double cab with a choice of a single flex-fuel ethanol/petrol or turbodiesel engine.

Known as the rebadged Ram 1000 in other Latin American markets, the Toro measures 4 945 mm long, 1 845 mm wide and 1 678 mm tall while riding on a wheelbase stretching 2 990 mm.

Similar to the Strada, the Toro has a claimed towing capacity of 400 kg and accommodate items up to 937-litres in its loadbin.

Claimed payload is 750 kg for the flex-fuel and exactly 1 000 kg for the diesel, with ground clearance rated at 207 mm across all models.

Changes and spec

Building on the changes applied in 2021, the Toro’s newly gained adaptions comprise a restyled grille and model-specific alloy wheels on the Ranch and Ultra. As before, the unique barn-door opening split tailgate is standard across all derivatives.

Reserved for the Ultra is a hard-top colour coded loadbin cover, red detailing on top of the grille and on the FIAT badge itself, black finishes on the skidplates and roof rails and Ultra embroidery work on the black leather seats.

For its part, the Ranch boasts a two-tone brown-and-black leather interior reminiscent of the Strada Ranch, chrome side steps, a chrome sports bar and all-terrain tyres wrapped around the diamond-cut 17-inch alloy wheels

Elsewhere, little has changed with the Endurance still making do with a seven-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system, while the Freedom and Volcano are both fitted with the bigger 8.4-inch setup.

Although both are equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, only the latter offers satellite navigation. A seven-inch digital instrument cluster prevails across all five trim grades.

Also included on the Volcano is the Comfort Package Plus which brings rain sense wipers, a wireless smartphone charger, reverse camera, front and rear armrests, auto on/off headlights, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror and parking sensors front and rear. Push-button start, keyless entry and a sunroof rounds the model off.

Available as an option on the Volcano, the 10.1-inch Uconnect is standard on the Ranch and Ultra, the only models to feature an expanded array of safety and driver assistance systems comprising Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning and Auto High Beam Assist.

Safety on all Toro models consists of ABS and EBD, traction control, stability control, Hill Start Assist, six airbags on the Endurance and Freedom and seven on the Volcano, Ranch and Ultra.

Firefly or turbodiesel

Left for last, the Toro’s biggest nuance is the discontinuing of the General Motors co-developed 1.8-litre E.torQ petrol/ethanol engine that had been available since 2016.

In its place, the turbocharged 1.3-litre Firefly engine becomes standard on the Endurance, Freedom and Volcano with outputs of 137kW/270Nm regardless of the fuel used.

The only transmission option is a six-speed automatic following the departure of the six-speed manual during the first round of revisions two years ago.

Optional on the Volcano, but no longer available on the Endurance or Freedom, the 2.0-litre Multijet turbodiesel, also used in detuned form on the Rampage, continues to be the sole option for the Ranch and Ultra with outputs of 125kW/350Nm.

As before, drive is routed to all four wheels from the get-go through a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Look on South Africa

Set to go up against higher-end versions of the petrol/ethanol only powered new Chevrolet Montana, the Toro remains a market specific model and as such, will continue to be made solely with left-hand-drive.

Price

In total, the Toro can be decked-out in five colours; red, silver, White Ambient, Granite Crystal and Carbon Black with Jazz Blue and Sting Silver available exclusively on the Volcano, Ranch and Ultra.

Directly converted from Real to rands as a comparison, pricing for the Toro is as follows:

• Toro 1.3 T270 Endurance AT – R $149 900 (R573 668)
• Toro 1.3 T270 Freedom AT – R $164 190 (R628 356)
• Toro 1.3 T270 Volcano AT – R $178 590 (R683 465)
• Toro 2.0D Volcano 4WD AT – R $192 390 (R736 277)
• Toro 2.0D Ranch 4WD AT – R $209 990 (R803 633)
• Toro 2.0D Ultra 4WD AT – R $210 990 (R807 460)

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