Review: 1st-gen Toyota Fortuner

dilipkumar7278 · 13th October 2010, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by raj_5004

@ dilip: do the steering controls still work?

Yes Raj it works. Will post pics soon.
Soon.
Cheers
Dilip

nilanjanray · 13th October 2010, 15:04

I have been getting 11.5 kpl average (half highway, half city) - maha impressed!!

Been driving with a light foot though...the mileage (as per the real-time calculator) seems to be best around 2000 rpm - and when just maintaining the speed.

drmohitg · 13th October 2010, 15:28

11.5 is amazing man. Is this with the ac on 100%?

n.devdath · 13th October 2010, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

I have been getting 11.5 kpl average (half highway, half city) - maha impressed!!

It will improve to around a kpl more when fully run in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmohitg

11.5 is amazing man. Is this with the ac on 100%?

Another T-Fort owner on TBHP; Manuj has been getting even better FE Doc, that's the magic of it.

nilanjanray · 13th October 2010, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmohitg

11.5 is amazing man. Is this with the ac on 100%?

This is with ac on 80% of the time. Do note that I don't have to face bumper to bumper traffic on a daily basis.

@devnath: am happy with 11.5 :-)...anything over is just a bonus. I had expected 9.5-10 overall when I bought it.

dhuli · 18th October 2010, 14:58

Any guesses when the 3rd round (1st round - launch sep 2009, 2nd round - mid 2010) of booking for Fortuner is likely to open up? I would like to TD one again.

zipperone · 20th October 2010, 22:15

Any news on the automatic fortuner. I am really looking forward to one

TheStig · 21st October 2010, 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipperone

Any news on the automatic fortuner. I am really looking forward to one

According to the dealer here in Trivandrum, it will not be launched anytime in the near future. Right now Toyota is only focussed on clearing up their extremely long waiting list.

StarrySky · 25th October 2010, 11:52

I had the opportunity to have a look at a friend's Fortuner last weekend. Just had a look, didn't have a ride or drive it myself. Anyway, the first thought that struck my mind was - it looks so big from the outside, but it's not so big on the inside. Probably there was an issue with my expectation levels. There's very little luggage room with all 3 rows of seating in place. If the vehicle is designed to carry a family of 7, there should be a bit of space for their luggage too, right? Anyway, the third row has little space, so probably you are better off using the Fortuner as a 5-seater. I agree with GTO's comment that the interiors are utilitarian rather than luxurious. I had expected a bit more luxury and features in a 20L+ vehicle. My friend's driver showed me some of the features - auto AC with temp setting, external temp display, DTE etc - and I started appreciating my Punto even more

Maybe, he didn't demonstrate the right features to wow me.

Disclaimer: The above are only my own views, no comparison to any of the Fortuner's rivals - because I haven't had a look at any of them.

The owner isn't happy about the comfort levels in the middle row, so his brother who was also planning to buy one has cancelled his booking. Also heard the same opinion from one of our distant relatives who've been Toyota customers for long (Qualis->Innova->Fortuner). Is the middle row such a bad place to be in?

GTO · 26th October 2010, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarrySky

The owner isn't happy about the comfort levels in the middle row, so his brother who was also planning to buy one has cancelled his booking. Also heard the same opinion from one of our distant relatives who've been Toyota customers for long (Qualis->Innova->Fortuner). Is the middle row such a bad place to be in?

No one should buy the Fortuner for comfort! For one, the ride is bumpy. Second, an Innova with captain seats offers far greater middle-row comfort.

raj_5004 · 26th October 2010, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

No one should buy the Fortuner for comfort! For one, the ride is bumpy. Second, an Innova with captain seats offers far greater middle-row comfort.

+10 to that. also, i feel the captiva is also more 'comfortable' than the fortuner. yet to test drive the santa fe & outlander.

StarrySky · 26th October 2010, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

No one should buy the Fortuner for comfort! For one, the ride is bumpy. Second, an Innova with captain seats offers far greater middle-row comfort.

I think a lot of families who buy the Fortuner will be looking for a comfortable ride in the middle row. We can argue that they haven't done their research properly, but I think a lot of people buy the Fortuner because it's a "BIG car" for 20L.

The 3rd row is cramped, middle row too isn't comfortable - what are you left with? The front two seats? Incidently, that's exactly what the owner of the vehicle told me - that he is using it as a 2-seater. For me, that's two very expensive seats.

4x4addict · 27th October 2010, 16:54

@StarrySky:

Anyone who cancels a booking or doesn't book a Fortuner now is actually helping the thousands who are eagerly awaiting one.

You friend may want to try the new Hyundai Santa Fe. For the money, I feel it offers the most bang for buck if you don't mind the Hyundai Badge. For 20 Lakhs With a budget of 20 Lakhs there are not much choices especially if you want deisel.

allana13 · 27th October 2010, 19:10

Dont know if its known but the Fortuner is the same as the parado with the only diff that the Fortuner is made in Malaysia and ofcourse the trim is more expensive on the Parado.

But the engine is pretty much the same.

nilanjanray · 28th October 2010, 08:45

Ummmm, no. Prado has a different chassis, and many other fancy features (which you are calling trim). The current 4Runner is based on the Prado chassis.

Though people say (e.g. what I have read on the net on) that the Fortuner is equally capable - in the right hands - as the Prado. In fact, probably a bit more rugged, given its simplicity and less reliance on fancy electronics. However, the Prado is much more comfortable and luxurious.

Disclaimer: I have never driven a Prado. I did consider going for a second hand Prado (same price as a new Fortuner), but the TCO would have been far higher.

13th October 2010, 15:04	#602
nilanjanray Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: HR, UK, RJ, TN Posts: 1,888 Thanked: 2,946 Times View My Garage	I have been getting 11.5 kpl average (half highway, half city) - maha impressed!! Been driving with a light foot though...the mileage (as per the real-time calculator) seems to be best around 2000 rpm - and when just maintaining the speed. Last edited by nilanjanray : 13th October 2010 at 15:07.
	() Thanks

13th October 2010, 15:28	#603
drmohitg Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Liverpool/Delhi Posts: 5,449 Thanked: 7,573 Times	11.5 is amazing man. Is this with the ac on 100%?
	() Thanks

18th October 2010, 14:58	#606
dhuli BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 201 Thanked: 49 Times	fortuner bookings - any guesses Any guesses when the 3rd round (1st round - launch sep 2009, 2nd round - mid 2010) of booking for Fortuner is likely to open up? I would like to TD one again.
	() Thanks

20th October 2010, 22:15	#607
zipperone BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: new delhi Posts: 186 Thanked: 52 Times	Any news on the automatic fortuner. I am really looking forward to one
	() Thanks

25th October 2010, 11:52	#609
StarrySky Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: EU - Nordic Posts: 2,096 Thanked: 3,231 Times	I had the opportunity to have a look at a friend's Fortuner last weekend. Just had a look, didn't have a ride or drive it myself. Anyway, the first thought that struck my mind was - it looks so big from the outside, but it's not so big on the inside. Probably there was an issue with my expectation levels. There's very little luggage room with all 3 rows of seating in place. If the vehicle is designed to carry a family of 7, there should be a bit of space for their luggage too, right? Anyway, the third row has little space, so probably you are better off using the Fortuner as a 5-seater. I agree with GTO's comment that the interiors are utilitarian rather than luxurious. I had expected a bit more luxury and features in a 20L+ vehicle. My friend's driver showed me some of the features - auto AC with temp setting, external temp display, DTE etc - and I started appreciating my Punto even more Maybe, he didn't demonstrate the right features to wow me. Disclaimer: The above are only my own views, no comparison to any of the Fortuner's rivals - because I haven't had a look at any of them. The owner isn't happy about the comfort levels in the middle row, so his brother who was also planning to buy one has cancelled his booking. Also heard the same opinion from one of our distant relatives who've been Toyota customers for long (Qualis->Innova->Fortuner). Is the middle row such a bad place to be in?
	() Thanks

27th October 2010, 16:54	#613
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,497 Thanked: 4,650 Times View My Garage	@StarrySky: Anyone who cancels a booking or doesn't book a Fortuner now is actually helping the thousands who are eagerly awaiting one. You friend may want to try the new Hyundai Santa Fe. For the money, I feel it offers the most bang for buck if you don't mind the Hyundai Badge. For 20 Lakhs With a budget of 20 Lakhs there are not much choices especially if you want deisel.
	() Thanks

27th October 2010, 19:10	#614
allana13 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Maidenhead Posts: 541 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	Dont know if its known but the Fortuner is the same as the parado with the only diff that the Fortuner is made in Malaysia and ofcourse the trim is more expensive on the Parado. But the engine is pretty much the same.
	() Thanks

28th October 2010, 08:45	#615
nilanjanray Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: HR, UK, RJ, TN Posts: 1,888 Thanked: 2,946 Times View My Garage	Ummmm, no. Prado has a different chassis, and many other fancy features (which you are calling trim). The current 4Runner is based on the Prado chassis. Though people say (e.g. what I have read on the net on) that the Fortuner is equally capable - in the right hands - as the Prado. In fact, probably a bit more rugged, given its simplicity and less reliance on fancy electronics. However, the Prado is much more comfortable and luxurious. Disclaimer: I have never driven a Prado. I did consider going for a second hand Prado (same price as a new Fortuner), but the TCO would have been far higher.
	() Thanks