Tougher and meaner, one of the Japanese’s sought-after models, the new Toyota Fortuner, upgraded for the year 2024 and launched in Malaysia.

Locally-assembled (CKD - Shah Alam), available via UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) are three variants (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4).

Priced (OTR, w/o insurance) respectively at MYR 195,880, MYR 202,880 and MYR 241,880, included is a standard warranty (five years, unlimited-mileage).

Optional (MYR 3,990) is the GR Bodykit (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4), featuring a tusked (body-colour) lip kit (front, rear), contrast trims (Chrome), and a diffuser (Black).

Four standard (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4) exterior colours (Attitude Black Mica, Phantom Brown Metallic, Medium Silver Metallic, Silver Metallic). 

Two variant-specific (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4) exterior colours (Bronze Mica Metallic, Super White II).

Two variant-specific (2.8 VRZ 4x4) exterior colours (Bronze Mica Metallic-Black roof, Super White II-Black roof).

Weighing in at 2,110 KG (2.4 4x4), 2,020 KG (2.7 SRZ 4x4) and 2,160 KG (2.8 VRZ 4x4), the new Fortuner measures at 4,795 MM long, 1,855 MM wide, 1,835 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,745 MM.

Robustly-sporty, its exterior exudes a commandingly-burly physique with seamlessly-rounded and cleanly-cut contours.

The front-end sees a sculpted bonnet, muscular quarter panels, a single-piece-rectangular grille, and a thick-blocky-central-vented bumper (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4).

Variant 2.8 VRZ 4x4 upgrades to the ‘Legender’ fascia, featuring a two-section-rectangular grille, and a thick-pointed-angular bumper.

Optional is the GR Bodykit (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4), featuring a tusked (body-colour) lip kit, and contrast trims (Chrome).

Accentuations are body claddings/trimmings (Black - fenders, side sills, side mirror arms/bumper, grille, window surrounds), under-guard (Silver), and contrast roof (Black - 2.8 VRZ 4x4).

Widely-squared, it continues the commandingly-burly stature with horizontally-cut lines and smoothly-shaped surfaces.

The rear-end sees a straight-cut roofline, a roof-edge spoiler, muscular quarter panels, an upright tailgate, and a thick-blocky bumper (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4). 

Variant 2.8 VRZ 4x4 upgrades with a contrast roof-edge spoiler (Black), and a slimmer-moulded bumper (corner-slit-like vents).

Optional is the GR Bodykit (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4), featuring an angular lip kit (integrated fog lamps), and a diffuser (Black).

Accentuations are body claddings/trimmings (Black - bumper, fenders, side sills/ tailgate, bumper, window surrounds), under-guard (Silver), and contrast roof (Black - 2.8 VRZ 4x4).

Housed thick (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4) and slim (2.8 VRZ 4x4), the two-section (upper - main/DRL, lower - turn signals) headlamps are inward-tilted and angularly-shaped.

Variant-specific, installed are bi-LED (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4) and quad-LED (2.8 VRZ 4x4) units.

Features are LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), projection function, automatic On/Off/high-beam/levelling, welcome/leaving lights, and turn signals (bulb - 2.4 4x4, LED - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, sequential LED - 2.8 VRZ 4x4). Included are fog lamps (LED).

Angularly-wrapped-around, the tail lamps are framed with pointed edges and inverted V-shaped light graphics.

Installed are combination (LED, bulb) units. Features are welcome/leaving lights, and turn signals (bulb - 2.4 4x4, LED - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, sequential LED - 2.8 VRZ 4x4). Included are fog lamps (LED), and a spoiler-integrated stop light.

The side mirrors (two-toned - Black-body-colour) are electric-powered (auto-fold, adjust), with turn signals (LED), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM - optional - 2.4 4x4/standard - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4), Electro-Chromic function (2.8 VRZ 4x4), and puddle lamps (2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4).

Variant 2.4 4x4 rides on a set of 17-Inch multi-spoke single-tone (Silver) alloy rims, wrapped-up in 265/65 R17 (front, rear) all-terrain tyres.

Variants 2.7 SRZ 4x4 and 2.8 VRZ 4x4 mount a set of 18-Inch dual-five-spoke two-tone (Silver-Black) alloy rims, rubbered-up in 265/60 R18 (front, rear) highway terrain tyres.

The new Fortuner gets an upright and tiered dashboard design (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4), linked to a low-rising centre console (armrest).

Soft-/hard-touched, it sees a single-tone (Black) with contrast accent (Marron) leather (2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4) upholstery (dash, steering wheel, centre console).

Fitted is a central touchscreen unit (infotainment), a driver display (instrument cluster), and air-conditioning vents/controls (centre-top, corners/centre-bottom).

Accentuations are trims (Silver - dash, steering wheel). Variant-specific (2.4 4x4/2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4) are door card trims (fabric - Black trims/leather - Silver trims).

Inclusively, the layout is purposefully-arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented), with easy-to-reach accessibilities.

Installed (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4) is an Optitron (electronic, illumination) instrument cluster, featuring a 4.2-Inch Colour TFT Multi-Information Display (MID).

The interior sees fabric (2.4 4x4) and fabric-leather (2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4) upholsteries, in a single-tone (Black) with contrast accent (Maroon) colour scheme.

The first-row gets manual-operated (driver-six-way, passenger-four-way - 2.4 4x4) and electric-powered (driver/passenger-eight-way - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4) seats.

The second-row gets manual-operated (60:40 split-fold, one-touch-tumble, sliding, recline) bolstered seats (three-seater). 

The third-row gets manual-operated (50:50 split-fold, one-touch-easy-space-up, recline) bolstered seats (two-seater).

Included are armrests (first-row - centre console, second-row - centre seat fold-out, third-row - side door panels) and headrests (first-, second-, third-row).

Courtesy of a bulky build, the seven-seater (layout - 2-3-2) offers generous cabin space, providing the first-, second-, and third-row occupants with ample interior mobility.

Sufficient head-, shoulder-, and leg-room.

Practical storage areas. E.g., side door/seat back pockets, two glove boxes (passenger side - upper, lower/cooler - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4), under seat stowage, and centre console caverned/partitioned spaces.

Provided are four cup holders (two - first-row, second-row), and four bottle holders (one - side doors).

Variants 2.4 4x4 and 2.7 SRZ 4x4 come with two USB ports (one - first-, third-row), three 12 V sockets (one - first-, second-row, boot), and a wireless charger (first-row).

Variant 2.8 VRZ 4x4 comes with three USB ports (one - first-, second-, third-row), two 12 sockets (one - first-row, boot), and a wireless charger (first-row).

Accessing its powered-tailgate (contactless - remote/key fob, button, kick-sensor - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4), opens up to 200-Litres of load space. 

The new Fortuner (2.8 VRZ 4x4) is installed with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) set of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Grouped are Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Yaw Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Cruise Control (CC - 2.7 SRZ 4x4).

Other systems, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM - 2.4 4x4 - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Downhill Assist Control (DAC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Active Traction Control (A-TRC), Down-Hill Assist Control (DAC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), 3D Panoramic View Monitor (PVM - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4), reverse camera (guidelines - 2.4 4x4), and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver, driver-knee, front, sides, curtain), seatbelts (anchors, reminders, pre-tensioners), ISOFIX (two - outer-second-row seats), parking sensors (two - front-rear), speed limiter, automatic headlamps (low-/high-beam, levelling), automatic wipers (rain sensing), automatic-double/speed-locking doors, anti-theft system (alarm, engine immobiliser, cabin sensor, glass break sensor), Vehicle Telematics System (VTS - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4), Digital Video Recorder (DVR - front), and Toyota Premium Security-Solar Film.

Featured (2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4) are three drive modes (NORMAL, ECO, POWER). Variant 2.8 VRZ 4x4 upgrades to SPORT mode (POWER omitted).

Included is a 4WD transfer dial drive system (electronic - H2, H4, L4).

Installed is a 9.0-Inch touchscreen central display. The system supports navigation, USB, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wired/wireless).

The new Fortuner features variant-specific powertrains.

Variant 2.4 4x4 nestles a 2.4-Litre in-line four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC intercooler turbocharger VNT diesel engine (2GD-FTV), producing 148 HP and 400 NM.

Variant 2.7 SRZ 4x4 harbours a 2.7-Litre in-line four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC dual VVT-i naturally-aspirated petrol engine (2TR-FE), making 164 PS and 245 NM.

Variant 2.8 VRZ 4x4 anchors a 2.8-Litre in-line four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC intercooler turbocharged VNT diesel engine (1GD-FTV), creating 201 HP and 500 NM.

Married to the setups is a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shifter.

Power is transmitted to all four wheels, via a part-time Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) system with Automatic Disconnecting Differential (ADD). 

Included (2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4) is rear differential lock, Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (A-LSD) and Variable Flow Control (VFC) power steering (2.4 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4).

The new Fortuner features these conveniences.

E.g., Smart Keyless Entry System (engine Start/Stop button), Remote Engine Start (RES - Toyota MyApp - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4), powered-tailgate (contactless - remote/key fob, button, kick-sensor - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4), automatic headlamps (On/Off, low-/high-beam, cornering), automatic wipers (rain sensing, intermittent), Electro-Chromic rear-view mirror (exterior/interior - 2.8 VRZ 4x4), steering wheel (multi-switches, column adjustments), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM - 2.4 4x4 - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), 3D Panoramic View Monitor (PVM - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4), reverse camera (guidelines - 2.4 4x4), electric-powered (driver/passenger-eight-way - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4) seats, two glove boxes (passenger side - upper, lower/cooler - 2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4), dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents (2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4), illumination system (engine Start/Stop button, room, footwell, centre console, door trim - 2.8 VRZ 4x4/engine Start/Stop button, room - 2.4 4x4, 2.7 SRZ 4x4), parking sensors (two - front-rear), wireless charger (front), and puddle lamps (2.7 SRZ 4x4, 2.8 VRZ 4x4).

The ladder-Frame chassis is propped-up by a suspension setup of independent double wishbone with coil spring and stabiliser (front), and four-link coil sporing with lateral control rod and stabiliser.

Ride comfortability feels flexible and firm at the same time. The vehicle delivers a connected steering feel, with more linear and balanced weighing at all speeds. 

Elsewhere, it is spacious, firm and safe, and the seats are supportive and well-bolstered, offering a sporty driving dynamic.

Overall, the ride quality is satisfactory. Safe and suitable as a daily-driver and off-roading.

Good sound insulation, covering all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects. The cabin is serene, with the tyre, road and wind noises mostly hindered.