Meet Toyota's updated Fortuner

It's here! Braam Peens of CAR magazine reviews the second-generation must-have 150kW GD-6 Toyota Fortuner.

- Braam Peens

The Toyota Fortuner has become every bit the metropolitan must-have as the latest iPhone or Eskom-busting battery backup.

A number of successive facelifts extended the Fortuner’s tenure until an all-new second-generation model followed in 2016, which itself earned a noteworthy upgrade in 2020 when the flagship 2,8-litre GD-6 engine was boosted by a welcome 20kW/50Nm. Now the Fortuner has been treated to another, albeit minor, re-imagining.

Pricing starts at R635 500 for the entry-level 2,4 GD-6 RB manual (the sole three-pedal derivative on offer), and extends to R915 400 for the top-spec 2,8 GD-6 4x4 VX.

All variants are equipped with redesigned 18-inch (457mm) alloy wheels and quad vertically slitted LED headlamps.

The more compact headlamps are instrumental in the re-proportioning of the primary and secondary grilles, of which the former has halved in size to the benefit of a larger bottom section that is rounded off by a silver-hued skidplate.