Everything you need to know about the 2021 Toyota Fortuner

Toyota has unveiled the updated version of its popular Fortuner midsize SUV. Both the Fortuner and its Hilux sibling, which it’s based on, received a mid-cycle refresh to keep them on par with the competition. Today, we’ll be focusing on the Fortuner which is the best selling SUV in the Philippines.

This is the biggest update to the Fortuner locally as previous updates only made minor additions such as interior trim color changes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, new climate controls, a reverse camera, and rear disc brakes, all added separately between 2016 and 2019. What Toyota did this time was add some more technology to the vehicle plus some mechanical changes to the powertrains. The styling updates are also big to keep it fresh on the outside.

Two Different Exterior Designs

Never in the Fortuner’s lifespan did it have two different faces sold at the same time. For the 2021 model, you can get two different front fascias. One is similar to the pre-facelift model and another is a completely new face on the top-spec version.

The first one which is still similar to the pre-facelift version gets a larger front grille with a pattern similar to that of the 2009-2011 Fortuner. The headlights also sport a different cluster design which looks both more elegant and sporty. On the lower part, there are larger fog light housings and a faux skid plate. Also noticeable are the new LED daytime running light strips below the fog lights. They also function as the turn signals. There’s a new set of alloy wheels and updated taillights which look very similar to those on the Camry.

The top-spec version, dubbed as the Legender, gets a totally different front fascia which looks less elegant but a lot more sporty. It gets a different bumper that is similar to those on Lexus products, different LED headlights, and smaller front grille. Some say it looks like a Geely Coolray but we think that it’s only at the first glance. The Legender also gets a different set of 20-inch alloy wheels, and a blacked-out roof.

Minor Interior Updates

Compared to the exterior, Toyota didn’t do much to change the interior of the Fortuner. There’s a new instrument cluster which sports a different font and a blue background color. There is also a new 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which we most likely won’t be getting here once it’s launched as Toyota Motor Philippines usually fits their own infotainment system. It also gets a wireless charging pad and for higher-spec variants, interior mood-lighting.

The Legender also gets its own different instrument cluster which still looks a bit similar to the one on the pre-facelift model. 

Added Safety

As more and more cars on the market get more safety features, the Fortuner does too and we hope it’ll get these features once it’s launched here. The new Fortuner is now fitted with Toyota Safety Sense. This safety suite includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. Higher-spec variants will also get a 360-degree around-view monitor. 

Engine Upgrades

When compared to competition, the current pre-facelift Toyota Fortuner lags a bit when it comes to powertrain specifications. That won’t be a problem anymore as Toyota has made the Fortuner’s engine one of the most powerful in its class. The 2.8-liter GD turbo diesel engine now makes 201 hp and 500 Nm of torque. An increase of 27 hp and 50 Nm. This makes it on par with the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Ford Everest as the most powerful vehicles in the segment. Lower-spec versions will still get the same 2.4-liter turbo diesel with the same 147 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Toyota says that the engines should also be quieter and more refined thanks to an added balance shaft. The smaller 2.4-liter option should also get better fuel economy thanks to some revisions the company made.

Expect the driving experience to improve as well as Toyota has equipped all Fortuners with variable flow control or VFC. This allows the vehicle to have lighter steering at low speeds and heavier steering at higher speeds.

We don’t know when Toyota Motor Philippines will be launching the new 2021 Toyota Fortuner locally. We hope we get all the upgrades it received and the Legender version as well.