New-gen Toyota Fortuner spied in India for first time — Ford Endeavour rival

New-gen Toyota Fortuner spied in India for first time — Ford Endeavour rival

Although D-segment SUVs contribute only a paltry section of the passenger vehicle segment. Toyota Fortuner is one of the few locally-made large D-segment SUVs left in the Indian market. Now, we already know that Toyota is working on a new version of the Fortuner which has reportedly been spotted on foreign soil some time ago.

However, there is no concrete evidence regarding the development of a new Fortuner until now. A new fully camouflaged test mule has been spotted by one of our readers in the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway and we believe this could be the new-gen Fortuner in the making.

For the uninitiated, the current second-gen Fortuner was launched in India in 2016, and a mid-cycle facelift of the same was introduced in 2021. With Ford reportedly returning to India with the Endeavour in a brand new avatar, it is high time Toyota gives the Fortuner a much-needed and significant upgrade.

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New-gen Toyota Fortuner: What to expect?

From the recent spy images of the camouflaged test mule, it is clear that the exterior design will receive significant changes. For example, the tailgate looks completely revised with vertical reflector lamps on the sides and a brake lamp housed within the roof-mounted spoiler visible. Another interesting highlight is the twin exhausts– one on each side.

Side profile remains intact for most parts barring the new machine-cut alloy wheels. Up front, while Toyota retains the angular face of the Fortuner, the grille and nose have been redesigned with the Toyota logo taking centre stage. Further, the headlamps flanking the grille have been changed. It is expected to get a modern split lighting setup with the LED DRLs on top and main projector headlamp cluster housed within the front bumper.

Toyota Fortuner spied (Image: Express Drives)

There is no clarity on its equipment or interiors, but we expect some substantial changes here as well. The images, however, didn’t suggest the addition of an ADAS sensor which has become a norm for most premium cars.

New-gen Toyota Fortuner: Expected powertrain

The current Fortuner is available in either a 2.7-litre petrol or a 2.8-litre diesel engine. Both these motors are expected to make it to the new model albeit in a mild hybrid form which will offer better fuel efficiency. The diesel mill with a 48V mild hybrid setup recently made its debut with the updated Hilux in Europe and the updated Fortuner in South Africa. Outputs are expected to hover around the same region.

In its current form, the petrol motor is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox whereas the oil burner can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The diesel powertrain also offers an optional 4-wheel drive setup with a low-range transfer case.

Toyota Fortuner mild-hybrid (Image: Toyota)

New-gen Toyota Fortuner: Expected launch, price, rivals

The most crucial factor for Fortuner will be its price, which is already too steep for its liking, going over Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom), for the top-spec Legender variant. Upon launch, it will take on the likes of the MG Gloster and Jeep Meridian— both due for facelifts launching later this year— as well as the upcoming and all-new Ford Endeavour.

We expect the all-new Toyota Fortuner to make its debut at the end of this year with a possible market launch early next year.