Review: 1st-gen Toyota Fortuner

sbraj · 5th August 2010, 09:28

@TheStig, congratulations on the booking.

Now that you are spending on accessories, why not add a GSM car security system to the lot? See here. Costs around 4K, much lesser compared the 'look good' accessories.

Not to scare you, but SUVs have a habit of getting stolen and end up in some politician's garage.

Or does Fortuner have a built in equivalent?

greencity · 5th August 2010, 11:28

Innova-style gear shift. Sure slotting transfer case:

What is it beside the Gear Rod?
Sorry if Iam Stupid asking this question

but I really don't know what it is?

decced · 5th August 2010, 12:12

^^ That is the lever to engage the different 4WD modes..

greencity · 5th August 2010, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by decced

^^ That is the lever to engage the different 4WD modes..

Can you be more clear?!

.anshuman · 5th August 2010, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by greencity

Can you be more clear?!

Fortuner comes with AWD, meaning all wheels get the power always.

You can select between the following modes using the lever.

H: Default mode. AWD
HL: AWD with normal gearing(H) but the front and rear get 50:50 split power locked.
N: Neutral
LL: AWD with Low gearing with 50:50 power split locked.

It has shift on fly, it can be shifted from H to HL without stopping and without using the clutch.

For more information, browse through offroading technical section in the Forum.

dhuli · 6th August 2010, 18:14

I dont want to draw us back into "innova vs fortuner" apples and oranges debate. That being the intention, and as mentioned in my earlier post - started with an Innova as choice of car and gravitated to Fortuner, crossing from oranges to apples (oranges being cheaper in price than apples), I wondered about becoming an "accidental 4x4". No puns there since I dont want to roll off the road, quite accidentally in a Fortuner.

Having test driven it at 40kmph, unlike NilanjanRay's energetic burst on Bangalore's new Nice road, I did feel it is my comfort first and then my being one with the beast (mastering the vehicle, that is). I realize I am doing the 4x4 test simulation in mind, having read and seen nice videos on youtube (posted in TeamBHP). I had only one experience where I was offroad more on a grassy kerb than the deep gullies, wet mud. The rear wheels slipped a lot and the car didnt budge! Managed with the help of some locals who gave a helping hand. Now, in hindsight, if I had read the tips on TeamBHP, I might have managed without that help (floormats, appropriate braking, etc.)
That brings me to the subject of this post - accidental 4x4. My experience tells me, traction control or even the more advanced stability control, would have made it a non issue. After reading the 4x4 theory, not ever having driven a 4x4 off road, I wanted to understand, how the Traction Control technologies (ABS, ESC, etc.) complement 4x4 functioning on vehicles such as Fortuner. I am assuming the pricier 4x4s come with ESC and 4x4 or is that not true. I havent researched this aspect. I look forward to being educated here. Thanks in advance. Will the replies help me change my view on Fortuner as a choice? Perhaps. Should I wait for Aria? 4x4 plus stability control? I will keep hill descent for another post. I dont get that too.

salman_ferrari · 8th August 2010, 10:24

Took delivery of my white fortuner on friday,

Tried it on some beach sand off ECR, here are some pics.

GTO · 9th August 2010, 10:15

Congrats Salman! Used the 4x4 on the 1st day, eh?

Please share a detailed ownership report with the community, covering the buying & driving experience, as well as the pros / cons of this SUV. Such reviews immensely help others who are in the market. Thanks and drive safe.

n.devdath · 9th August 2010, 12:05

Hi Salman,
Congrats on your acquisition and the Fortuner, in my opinion looks best in black and white. What was the cost of it OTR Chennai?

Also, did you get any freebies etc with it?

sbraj · 9th August 2010, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by n.devdath

Also, did you get any freebies etc with it?

Freebies? With a Fortuner? Are you serious, or joking?

For such a hot selling model, why would Toyota and/or dealer give any freebies?

nkrishnap · 9th August 2010, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbraj

Freebies? With a Fortuner? Are you serious, or joking?

For such a hot selling model, why would Toyota and/or dealer give any freebies?

I guess with the current demand the dealer would not even offer the floor mats. May be the customer has to bear that cost as well.

By the way white looks very good and already on the sand

testing the 4X4.

salman_ferrari · 9th August 2010, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Congrats Salman! Used the 4x4 on the 1st day, eh?

Please share a detailed ownership report with the community, covering the buying & driving experience, as well as the pros / cons of this SUV. Such reviews immensely help others who are in the market. Thanks and drive safe.

Thanks GTO,

was very curious how it handled off-road. It was just great, being my first time off-road. Will surely compile a ownership report and buying experience as soon as I run-in the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by n.devdath

Hi Salman,
Congrats on your acquisition and the Fortuner, in my opinion looks best in black and white. What was the cost of it OTR Chennai?

Also, did you get any freebies etc with it?

No, I didn't get anything not even floor mats as sbraj pointed out it is a hot selling model.

Cost break-up:
Ex-showroom - 19,29,510/-
Tax & Regn & Road Safety Tax - 3,00,927/-
Insurance - 72,447/-

Total - 23,02,884/-

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

I guess with the current demand the dealer would not even offer the floor mats. May be the customer has to bear that cost as well.

By the way white looks very good and already on the sand

testing the 4X4.

Thanks

nkrishnap

TheStig · 9th August 2010, 21:42

Congrats salman_ferrari! She looks gorgeous in White!

I have a query though. Is the fender mirror of any use? Can someone please explain to me their function? Forgive me if I'm being stupid

salman_ferrari · 9th August 2010, 23:45

Thanks Stig!! Fender mirror is very useful during parallel parking to view the front wheel arch and the front bumper.

n.devdath · 10th August 2010, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbraj

Freebies? With a Fortuner? Are you serious, or joking?

For such a hot selling model, why would Toyota and/or dealer give any freebies?

For the well connected, they get deliveries in a week. In fact, someone I loosely know and who is "someone" at Bidadi, got a TRD kit with the Fortuner they purchased, FoC.
Was checking if Salman has any such "connections".

5th August 2010, 09:28	#571
sbraj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: B L R / T V M Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 9 Times	@TheStig, congratulations on the booking. Now that you are spending on accessories, why not add a GSM car security system to the lot? See here. Costs around 4K, much lesser compared the 'look good' accessories. Not to scare you, but SUVs have a habit of getting stolen and end up in some politician's garage. Or does Fortuner have a built in equivalent?
	() Thanks

5th August 2010, 11:28	#572
greencity BANNED Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 30 Thanked: 0 Times	Innova-style gear shift. Sure slotting transfer case: What is it beside the Gear Rod? Sorry if Iam Stupid asking this question but I really don't know what it is?
	() Thanks

5th August 2010, 12:12	#573
decced BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 49 Thanked: 2 Times	^^ That is the lever to engage the different 4WD modes..
	() Thanks

6th August 2010, 18:14	#576
dhuli BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 201 Thanked: 49 Times	accidental 4x4 I dont want to draw us back into "innova vs fortuner" apples and oranges debate. That being the intention, and as mentioned in my earlier post - started with an Innova as choice of car and gravitated to Fortuner, crossing from oranges to apples (oranges being cheaper in price than apples), I wondered about becoming an "accidental 4x4". No puns there since I dont want to roll off the road, quite accidentally in a Fortuner. Having test driven it at 40kmph, unlike NilanjanRay's energetic burst on Bangalore's new Nice road, I did feel it is my comfort first and then my being one with the beast (mastering the vehicle, that is). I realize I am doing the 4x4 test simulation in mind, having read and seen nice videos on youtube (posted in TeamBHP). I had only one experience where I was offroad more on a grassy kerb than the deep gullies, wet mud. The rear wheels slipped a lot and the car didnt budge! Managed with the help of some locals who gave a helping hand. Now, in hindsight, if I had read the tips on TeamBHP, I might have managed without that help (floormats, appropriate braking, etc.) That brings me to the subject of this post - accidental 4x4. My experience tells me, traction control or even the more advanced stability control, would have made it a non issue. After reading the 4x4 theory, not ever having driven a 4x4 off road, I wanted to understand, how the Traction Control technologies (ABS, ESC, etc.) complement 4x4 functioning on vehicles such as Fortuner. I am assuming the pricier 4x4s come with ESC and 4x4 or is that not true. I havent researched this aspect. I look forward to being educated here. Thanks in advance. Will the replies help me change my view on Fortuner as a choice? Perhaps. Should I wait for Aria? 4x4 plus stability control? I will keep hill descent for another post. I dont get that too.
	() Thanks

8th August 2010, 10:24	#577
salman_ferrari BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 105 Thanked: 31 Times	After a long long wait finally Took delivery of my white fortuner on friday, Tried it on some beach sand off ECR, here are some pics. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

9th August 2010, 10:15	#578
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,748 Thanked: 311,528 Times View My Garage	Congrats Salman! Used the 4x4 on the 1st day, eh? Please share a detailed ownership report with the community, covering the buying & driving experience, as well as the pros / cons of this SUV. Such reviews immensely help others who are in the market. Thanks and drive safe.
	() Thanks

9th August 2010, 12:05	#579
n.devdath BANNED Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,287 Thanked: 2,813 Times	Hi Salman, Congrats on your acquisition and the Fortuner, in my opinion looks best in black and white. What was the cost of it OTR Chennai? Also, did you get any freebies etc with it?
	() Thanks

9th August 2010, 21:42	#583
TheStig BHPian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 172 Thanked: 163 Times View My Garage	Congrats salman_ferrari! She looks gorgeous in White! I have a query though. Is the fender mirror of any use? Can someone please explain to me their function? Forgive me if I'm being stupid
	() Thanks

9th August 2010, 23:45	#584
salman_ferrari BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 105 Thanked: 31 Times	Thanks Stig!! Fender mirror is very useful during parallel parking to view the front wheel arch and the front bumper.
	() Thanks