Pics: Off-roading with the fortuner 4x4 at Toyota's off-road event

With confirmation that this wasn't just for existing Fortuner and Hilux owners, I convinced my dad to accompany me to the event the very next day.

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Off-roading with the fortuner 4x4 at Toyota's off-road event

My dad and I recently took part in an offroad event set up by Nippon Toyota in Thrissur, Kerala. It all started with a random whatsapp message from the salesman who took my Hycross booking inviting me to their offroad event:

With confirmation that this wasn't just for existing Fortuner and Hilux owners, I convinced my dad to accompany me to the event the very next day. Knowing he is an ardent fan of rugged SUVs, I knew that he would probably enjoy this even more than me!

Arrived at the venue late in the afternoon to beat the horrid midday heat in Kerala. It was a large estate with an off-road track dug up and prepared. We were treated to our first glimpse of the Fortuners we would be experiencing, done up in the dealership's decals.

The second generation fortuner still strikes a handsome look despite being introduced all the way back in 2016.

Also available to drive was a red Hilux which looked very good in the sun.

After registering at the little tent they had set up, we were provided with yellow wrist bands to show that we would be driving. Meanwhile, passengers got red wrist bands. The dealership had kindly provided refreshments and snacks for the attendees.

Almost immediately afterward, we were shown to the car we would be driving. There were 3-4 fortuners available so wait times were minimal.

I shook hands with the off-road coach and decided to go first with my dad riding passenger. First thing I did was turn on the ventilated seats. These Kerala summers are no joke

The car was already in 4HIGH so I just slotted it into drive, turned on downhill assist control and drove headfirst into the track they had prepared. Here is a video containing the highlights recorded by both my dad and myself while the other was driving.

One thing that struck me was how effortlessly the fortuner went over hills, dips, inclines, declines and everything in the middle. I assumed i would need to use 4LOW on some of the steeper climbs but nope, it tackled it all in 4HIGH itself. Even more impressive, it barely needed me pushing the accelerator at all. Just had to give it a jab whenever it felt like it was slowing down and it kept going. I think I completed the entire track without even going above 2k rpm. I guess that's how it is when you have a massive 500nm of torque available right from 1500rpm from the 2.8L diesel engine.

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