The original Toyota Fortuner SUV was introduced in Thailand back in late-2004; it made its Philippine debut several months after in 2005. Like the original 4Runner SUV, the Fortuner was based on the immensely popular Hilux pickup. Despite its rugged construction, its styling was modern and very urban with softer lines and a spare tire hidden from sight. Under its hood were a choice of D-4D diesels and one VVTi gasoline mill. The first gen Fortuner stayed in production for over a decade, during this period it received to facelifts.

The second generation Toyota Fortuner made its world debut in mid-2015, it landed on our shores in early 2016. Size-wise, the current Fortuner is roughly the same size as the model it replaces; it does get a few extra centimeters of length, most of which goes to the front overhang. Up front it features a bold grille framed by broad chrome bars, next to this are slim swept back headlights. Moving on to its sculpted sides, it gets flared front and rear wheel arches. Its C-pillars are now blacked-out for a floating roof look. The end is dominated by sleek horizontal taillights linked by a chrome bar that carries the model’s name.

Inside, the Fortuner features a flowing dashboard reminiscent of the one in the Japanese carmaker’s Corolla Altis. Its instrument cluster contains a set of analog gauges and a central 4.5-inch color TFT multi-info display. Below the high-mounted center AC vents is a 6.5-inch touch screen. Front and rear auto climate control is standard across the board.

Three engines are offered on the Toyota Fortuner, the familiar 2.7-liter VVTi inline-4 gasoline mill which makes 163hp and 245Nm of torque, the new 2.4-liter D-4D diesel motor which produces 147hp and 400Nm of torque, and the larger 2.8-liter D-4D diesel unit which pumps out 174hp and 450Nm of torque.

The 2.4-liter diesel engine can be paired to either a manual transmission or an automatic tranny, while the 2.7-liter gas & 2.8-liter diesel powerplants come standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission. 4WD is standard on the range-topping variant equipped with the larger displacement oil-burner; the rest of the Fortuner lineup is only available in RWD form.

The second generation Fortuner rides on an updated IMV architecture. Its suspension setup remains the same, independent double wishbones with stabilizer bars up font and live axle with coil springs and stabilizer bars at the rear. In 2017 the Fortuner was upgraded, all variants were now equipped with four-wheel disc brakes. The range topping variant is equipped with 18-inch alloys shod with 265/80R18 tires, other variants in the range get 17-inch alloys on 265/65R17 tires.

The Toyota Fortuner comes standard with dual-SRS airbags, driver’s knee airbag, and anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution. The top of the line 4WD V variant adds side airbags, curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-start assist control, and trailer sway control. All variants come with standard three-point seatbelts for all seven occupants, the second row comes with two ISOFIX child seat anchors.

items hehe for debgging purposes