2021 Toyota Fortuner launching soon in Australia; price and specs revealed

KUALA LUMPUR: The global premiere of the all-new Toyota Fortuner happened in June this year, coinciding with the debut of the refreshed Hilux, which shares the same platform. At the same time, the automaker launched the model in its home market in Thailand, where it is built for the ASEAN and Australian markets. 

While we are expecting the arrival of the new Fortuner soon in Malaysia, Toyota has announced its details and official launch date for Australia. 

Toyota Australia previews the computer-generated images of the facelift Fortuner, boasting a fresh face, increased performance, and lesser fuel consumption. Available in three variants, the SUV features sharp exterior styling, including the revised front end that centres on a more massive black grille, redesigned lower front bumper, slimmer Bi-LED headlights, and new tail-light pattern. The GX and GXL versions come with the same 17-inch alloy wheels while Crusade gets newly designed 18-inch rims.

Under the bonnet, 2021 Toyota Fortuner houses the upgraded 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV four-cylinder turbo diesel engine coupled with a six-speed automatic gearbox, which now makes 204 PS of power and 500 Nm of peak torque, increased by 27 PS and 50 Nm respectively. The factors contributed towards the improved mechanical numbers are a larger water-cooled ball-bearing turbocharger, a new variable nozzle vane mechanism, improved engine rigidity, cooling, and efficiency.

Despite the increased output, fuel consumption has been reduced by 11.6%. It is now rated at 7.6 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle, down from 8.6 litres per 100 km. The urban test cycle is improved by 17.3%, dropping to 9.1 litres per 100 km from 11 litres per 100 km.

The significant cabin changes comprise a revamped instrument cluster with new fonts, a satin finish, and a multi-info display, which also displays the steering angle and the status of the particulate filter now. The new Toyota Fortuner also gets a 9.0-inch Android Auto/Apple CarPlay enabled touchscreen that features voice activation capabilities. 

Other standard tidbits are air-conditioned cool box, audio, and phone controls mounted on the steering wheel, 60/40 tumble-and-slide second-row seat, tilt-and-telescopic steering column and six-way driver and four-way front-passenger seat adjustments.

Set to hit Australian retailers on August 27, the 2021 Toyota Fortuner price starts at AU$49,080 (RM 147,400). 

Also read: Toyota Fortuner: Old vs. New