Toyota’s rugged lineup didn’t exactly pivot overnight, but once the refreshed Hilux showed where things were heading, the Fortuner was bound to follow. And now it has. The next-generation Fortuner has been caught on a camouflage test, which proves that the current model is already prepared to undertake the change towards a three-row SUV.
The next generation will probably put you off-track in terms of stylizations, as Toyota appears to be intending something extreme with this model, given the current generation is approximately less than a decade old, and an update in the middle of the cycle has already been carried with it in 2020.
Exterior
From the side, not much seems different at first glance. The silhouette is familiar, the greenhouse nearly identical, and most of the sheet metal appears to carry over. That alone signals continuity.
The front, however, shifts the tone. The car will also be fitted with thinner LED headlights that will be mounted above a more squared-off bumper, with the honeycomb re-arranged lower on the fascia. The impact of the newest Hilux is rather evident, particularly the design language of the Sumo, which defines the general language.
There’s even the possibility that split LED headlights could replace the current single-unit setup, although that detail remains uncertain for now.
Move to the rear, and the updates become clearer. Full-width LED taillights now define the back end, joined by a redesigned tailgate and a different rear bumper. It’s modernized, but not dramatically reimagined.
Digital artist Theophilus Chin has produced renderings heavily inspired by the new Hilux, though Toyota’s own designers appear to have taken extra steps to prevent the SUV from feeling like a direct copy of its pickup sibling.
Interior
Interior photos haven’t surfaced yet, so expectations rely on what Toyota typically does within this family. The new Fortuner is likely to borrow the major styling from the Hilux and the Land Cruiser Prado as well, both in technology and layout features.
The three-row seat setup is one of the car`s main important feature. Others include dual 12.3-inch displays integrated into redesigned dashboard, with also a couple of physical buttons expected to stay.
Safety tech should see improvement as well, with a more comprehensive ADAS suite likely introduced.
Complete Powertrain Information
Under the hood, the new Fortuner will be offered with a 2.9-liter turbodiesel engine plus a mild-hybrid setup. In the current configuration, this setup outputs 201 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. Probably, the new Fortuner will remain under the same figures. Also, depending on the market, the SUV will be offered with a choice of both RWD and 4WD.
Although the Hilux now exists in fully electric form, a similar EV version for the Fortuner seems unlikely, as its audience typically prioritizes range and durability over plugging in.
