[Reinhard]

Frustrating of course - for most of us. But then I feel its just an indication of how well Toyota India analyzes its sales and customer base. The feature deletions and price bumps of the Fortuner, simply are an equation of the primary audience and customer base of this car.

Yes of course - there will be a small % of customers of standard car mindset, who will miss these features/speakers and always keep wondering if the price justifies what the car brings. Because they want it as a regular use personal "car". But then - one doesn't need to think a lot, to know who buys most of those white Fortuners out there. Nothing wrong in it nor am I profiling - but the target audience is looking for that big brawny "SUV" that makes a statement and gives them the grand entrance that they want. The "Yes I bought a 60L car" in itself is a statement to be made, and a USP of the car for many. They are least bothered of what speakers are in there (or even whether there are any speakers at all)!

Well played Toyota.

[padmrajravi]

Originally Posted by mayankk

This is a hilarious car.

What is the value of this car, I have never understood. What is the "bulletproof" reliability that's thrown up every time someone talks of Toyota, that a Maruti or a Hyundai dont offer? Even if it exists in a plane several above the rest, is it really worth it for the price? Does a fortuner auto-fix itself, while an endeavor's main purpose was to break down and leave you stranded?

Pushing the envelope, for toyota seems to be. How much lesser car can we give with more money, lets see.

Looks like you have answered your question yourself. Suzuki or Hyundai does not have a Fortuner equivalent. That is why this car has so much value. The only alternative is Mahindra, but Toyota has an advantage in its quality control. If Suzuki or Hyundai comes with a Fortuner equivalent, this craze with Fortuner will go away.

[The Rationalist]

Fortuner’s and Innova’s price is not based on usual metrics. It’s ‘discovered’ like some stocks whose value is not known to ordinary investors. Toyota also doesn’t know the real value, hence they are resorting to things like removing speaker sysytem. If this works out, next in line will be leather seats, spare wheels etc. Given the kind of sheep Toyota has managed to garner, I won’t be surprised if tyres, gearbox and engine are all deleted in future to arrive at the inherent value!

[century]

I don't know if it is feasible or not; why can't Big Three launch a bare minimum (with comparable specs) seven seater SUV rivalling Fortuner and bring their numbers up? Even with a sister/new brand?

Also why Kia is not launching Big SUV? According to JD Power 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study, Kia is more reliable brand than Toyota. Although I would still prefer a Toyota in Australian Outback (matter of life) but in India most of the Fortuners are used not for off-roading but for commute from city to city and rurals.

Is there anybody with same thoughts?

[Sierra__foxtrot]

Originally Posted by century

I don't know if it is feasible or not; why can't Big Three launch a bare minimum (with comparable specs) seven seater SUV rivalling Fortuner and bring their numbers up? Even with a sister/new brand?

Also why Kia is not launching Big SUV? According to JD Power 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study, Kia is more reliable brand than Toyota. Although I would still prefer a Toyota in Australian Outback (matter of life) but in India most of the Fortuners are used not for off-roading but for commute from city to city and rurals.

Is there anybody with same thoughts?

Its the brand image Toyota has created over decades around the world in different regions with different set of people (UN to the Taliban ) which will be difficult for any manufacturer to recreate and forget the big 3 in this case of a barebones suv and kia might be rated more reliable in JD rankings but in the outback and the sub saharan regions Toyotas still rule the roost. Until the other Japanese makers pull up their socks looks like Big T is having a free run.

[GTO]

Depressing news for potential Fortuner owners. You can't really live with a basic 6-speaker sound system in a 50-lakh car. For people like me who listen to music every waking hour, it would be a major dealbreaker.

Sure, one can upgrade the audio in the aftermarket, but not everyone is keen on the option (wiring, warranty, opening up panels).

Toyota shouldn't think so small. If someone is paying big bucks for a product, by all means, give him / her a truly premium experience! This nickle & diming never bodes well for organisations in the longer term.

[arjab]

Interesting to see that while mass market models are increasingly adopting premium sound system as part of their original equipment, in their high end models, so called "premium" manufacturers like Toyota is actually diluting their market positioning.
Maruti has moved to decent sounding Arkamys setup's, Hyundai is a fan of BOSE infotainment units, Tata, way back in 2015-2016 set the ball rolling with JBL/Harmann music systems, first in the Hexa and then with the Tiago.

I still cannot fathom as to why Indian OEM's do not offer "Option Packs" , as is available internationally.
Even Toyota globally has it. Toyota could have easily configured for the Fortuner, something like a "Techno Pack" , "Lux Pack", "Audio pack", "Adventure Pack" and so on and so forth and probably charged even greater premium!

I am sure this is a result of some over zealous "VA-VE" project within Toyota India - where the mantra is usually to delete everything that can you can set your eyes on.
Anyways, Toyota India is more Maruti now rather then their own original selves. Maybe they'll launch a rehashed variant of the Maruti Van/Omni next and price it at 15-lakh rupees and still have droves of people queueing up for it.

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by arjab

I still cannot fathom as to why Indian OEM's do not offer "Option Packs" , as is available internationally.
Even Toyota globally has it. Toyota could have easily configured for the Fortuner, something like a "Techno Pack" , "Lux Pack", "Audio pack", "Adventure Pack" and so on and so forth and probably charged even greater premium!

Imagine Toyota asking for 1L as additional for the JBL enhanced stereo pack - not many would buy it. However if Toyota keeps JBL only to the top end trim which also has perhaps larger alloys, different upholstery, different grill etc and then charge 5L extra, we`ll buy it without a doubt.

This is currently how the market is, who knows maybe a new variant is about to arrive.

[Slushmaster]

Very poor play at Toyota's end. They are taking the Indian customer for granted and understand that there is no real competitor to it. It will bite them in future if they keep pushing the value equation out of its lineup. Not cool Toyota!

Now coming to the profiling done by some esteemed BHPians for the people who own this car, kindly don't make assumptions only on the basis of what you read here or elsewhere. Also, don't base your judgement just on the basis of you seeing politicians owning it.

I used to drive A Tata Safari Storme 4wd and when I wanted to upgrade it in 2021, there was no alternative to it. The only option was the underpowered 2L endeavour and that too when ford was leaving India. I have spent many years with brands like Tata, Honda, Maruti and Mahindra and I don't want to go back to them after seeing poor service and bad handling of cars(Maruti only exception). Coming to 2023, people crib about the cost of Fortuner without owning it or just simply the deep rooted hate based on the wrong profiling of people who own them. Tell me a worthy opponent to a Fortuner that has a robust platform, proper 4wd, decent reliability, decent after sales service, powerful engine and that too with a diesel. Name one car that checks all the boxes in the 50lakh price range, the answer is 'None'.

So, till the time other brands bring something that really takes care of what the Fortuner owner wants, overpriced Fortuner will sell. Toyota knows it and is getting benefits out of the equation.

Lastly, all Fortuner owners are not goons, netas or people who want to make a statement on arrival. Some are just normal people like you who just want to own a real SUV that they can rely on and take it to places where the pseudo SUVs with good music systems and flashy interiors can't even think of going without breaking something.

[MotorDev]

Already the fortuner is over priced for the features it offers right now and now this !
I don't know what is going on with the management of Toyota India. They have gone nuts!

[4x4addict]

Very disappointing move by Toyota. I was fine with the Fortner not having unnecessary frills, but a good music system in any premium car is a must. Hope they correct course and put a good system back.

[iTNerd]

The only reason why opted to buy the 4x4 variant was for the 11 JBL sound systems else the 4x2 base variant was suiting my requirements much cheaper (4x4 system was not a must have requirement). And I guess I got lucky that I bought the car with JBL system just in the nick of time, this January. If I have to buy now, I won't have bought it as the 6-speakers system is a joke on a 45 lacs car.

[horsepower911]

I love the ride quality on bad road where Fortuners true character is visible.

Last week after my service the car started giving sound alarms after 8 PM after they dropped it (because I couldn't go and it pickup) and I called the Relationship manager and within minutes he connected to the chief Mechanic and problem solved.

This is the reason I am still keeping this horse.

[GrammarNazi]

There have always been cars with luxurious interiors & features but people still buy the fortuner.

I really wonder why people don't consider other cars aren't ALL that unreliable that makes the Fortuner worth such a crazy premium! Beyond a point, too much obsession on "reliability", is a misplaced priority.

I'm sure people spending money have full knowledge of what they're doing, but there's a vast vast majority of crowd that will never find it worth such a huge premium even in the used car markets.

[avira_tk]

I don't think the 11 speaker jbl was ever a selling point for the Fortuner, it simply is the unchallenged king of the hill and Toyota is selling every one it can make. The competition is dead and gone, if you want one, buy today, as the prices will go up next month.

Desirability is what drives the sales here, there is no toyota badge magic, the combination of reliability, resale and service is unmatched. This is one vehicle I always check in the classifieds, the resale is phenomenal, you can always upgrade the audio.