I absolutely love Toyota SUVs. But the land cruiser is a massive beast, mostly impractical for city and urban driving considering what it is capable of. For me, the Fortuner is ideal. It oozes manliness, don't fuck with me, no nonsense approach to cars (and life). Not too big, drives and behaves like a sedan when needed. But also great for forays across the causeway. I do prefer the first-generation model though.
Second generation model
Toyota Fortuner is a big functional family car
Toyota's second Fortuner is a massive SUV which aims to replicate its predecessor's illustrious 11-year inning
Most of the improvements in the Fortuner are found in the cabin. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Christopher Tan
Senior Transport Correspondent
- Published
May 28, 2016, 5:00 am SGT
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Forget about designer lines and driving lines. Sometimes, all people want is a big, functional family vehicle which they can drive everywhere.
The Toyota Fortuner is proof of that. The massive seven-seat SUV was first launched here in 2005. That first-generation car was so successful that Toyota did not see a need to replace it until now, 11 years later. And the new car looks set to do an encore.
Just look at it. There is nothing graceful, elegant or remotely sexy about it. But what it lacks in beauty, it makes up for in sheer size.
The new car is even bigger than the first one. It is longer, wider, taller and heavier. It is as if Toyota - the maker of fuel-sipping hybrids - did not get the global memo on downsizing.
This must be good news for those who prefer old-school SUVs. Other than the Mercedes-Benz G-class, the Fortuner is possibly the only old-school SUV available here.
- SPECS / TOYOTA FORTUNER
Price: $153,888 with COE
Engine: 2,694cc 16-valve inline-4
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with paddle shift
Power: 163bhp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 245Nm at 4,000rpm
Top speed: 175kmh
0-100kmh: 12.5 seconds
Fuel consumption: 10.7 litres/ 100km
Agent: Borneo Motors
You have to climb on board. Yes, the side step is not to make the car look more rugged. It is not decorative. Use it or risk splitting your tight pants getting in and out of the lofty cabin.
https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/motoring/toyota-fortuner-is-a-big-functional-family-car