Toyota Fortuner unleashes luxury and power

Driving the Toyota Fortuner GR Sport for a week was extra special, as I have always admired this seven-seater SUV. Since its debut in early 2006, the Fortuner is both rugged and the perfect family SUV.

It’s built on the same chassis as the Toyota Hilux and available in petrol and diesel engines. Fortuner enthusiasts have various models to choose from – the 2.4L, 2.8L, 2.8L 48V, and the 2.8L GR-Sport which I recently had.

The GR-Sport version unleashed luxury and power, and it was fun to drive.

All current models are sleek, but the GR-Sport is the beast of all, and this is brought out by a combination of enhanced engine performance, a GR-turned monotube suspension system, or should I say aggressive motorsport cosmetic upgrades. It’s powerful turbo-diesel engine makes it the ultimate off-road icon.

At the heart of the Fortuner GR-S is a 2.8 GD-6 diesel engine, delivering an impressive 165kW of power and 550Nm of torque. Power is transferred to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox, making it the most powerful Fortuner variant to date.

A key factor behind the Fortuner’s success is its exceptional 4×4 and all-wheel-drive capabilities which I didn’t get to try, but I so wanted too, maybe next time. Built on a rugged ladder-on-frame chassis, the SUV is designed to withstand the harshest conditions, providing unmatched durability and resilience when the road gets rough.

Besides being spacious, it’s kitted out in premium materials and GR styling. Features include a touchscreen infotainment system, LED lighting, and a power-operated tailgate.

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