The Drive claims that the 2021 Toyota Fortuner is evidence that we are missing out on the trendiest SUVs. For the record, we omit the Toyota Hilux as well as some other really great vehicles.
An SUV called the Fortuner is built on the Toyota Hilux platform. It boasts a body-on-frame construction for a comfortable ride while keeping a tough configuration for off-roading.
In 2004, the first Fortuner was released. The second version of this off-roader debuted with the 2015 model. The model for 2021 has already been unveiled, sporting a redesigned face with sharper lines and new LED headlights.
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What American equivalent exists for the Toyota Fortuner?
You’ll be shocked by how much the Fortuner resembles the 4Runner, one of Toyota’s most well-known SUVs in North America. Sadly, it’s not available here.
Given that it is a multinational company, Toyota produces a wide range of products. The midsize SUV Toyota Fortuner is one such option. You might be startled to learn how similar it is to one of the most well-known Toyota vehicles in the North American market—the 4Runner—since many of you would be hearing about it for the first time.
Yes, depending on the market, the Fortuner has practically the exact same dimensions and the same powerful engine as its North American cousin. The SUV, like the 4Runner, is positioned as a utilitarian vehicle with tough exterior styling and exceptional off-road skills.
The Fortuner is almost indestructible, you may say. Remember the old Top Gear segment where they attempted to destroy a Hilux pickup? The truck keeps avoiding everything that is thrown at it thanks to the engineering wizardry of Toyota. The in question SUV is built on the Hilux chassis and shares many characteristics with the aforementioned pickup.
The 2022 Toyota Fortuner will be covered in-depth in this article, including discussions on the interior, exterior, available engines, and more. We also briefly discuss the reasons Toyota never released the Fortuner on the American market.
Does the Toyota Fortuner resemble the 4Runner?
The Fortuner is initially more expensive than the car with the same name, the 4Runner. The starting price of the 2021 4Runner is reported to be around $37,500, which is about $1,500 more than the Fortuner. The 4Runner, on the other hand, comes with a 4.0-liter V6 gas engine rather than a turbo-diesel. This V6 has more horsepower but less torque than the Fortuner, with ratings of 270 hp and 278 lb-ft.
Both versions are extremely comparable SUVs when it comes to off-roading. According to Car and Driver, the 4Runner is equipped with traction control and a locking rear differential as standard equipment. Like the Fortuner, the 4Runner performs admirably off-road in tests, especially in its TRD configuration. Consequently, both Toyota SUVs have fairly similar off-roading abilities, despite the possibility of some minor variances in the end.
However, there is one area where they diverge: the interior. The Fortuner and 4Runner are both considered mid-size SUVs. The 4Runner lacks third-row seating, although the Fortuner does. Owners of Fortuners can therefore transport more passengers on an off-road excursion than owners of 4Runners. Additionally, the Fortuner has a significant torque advantage over the 4Runner, allowing it to haul substantially more weight.
Does the Toyota Highlander resemble the Fortuner?
The Highlander is 155mm longer, 75mm wider, and has a 105mm longer wheelbase than the Fortuner in the Indian market. The Fortuner, however, is 22mm taller than the Highlander and is 106mm taller overall. Overall, the new Highlander sports a striking, modern design with recognizable Toyota stylistic characteristics.
Do Toyota Fortuners sell in the United States?
The Toyota Fortuner’s interior hasn’t undergone any alteration for 2021. Eight inches have been added to the touchscreen infotainment system, up from seven.
Additionally, it now includes an additional powered subwoofer in addition to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Consequently, you can have a blast while conquering the trails.
For more comfortable use, the touchscreen has been updated with quicker shortcuts and commands. Additionally, the front seats are heated and ventilated to keep you comfy.
The top-of-the-line trim, the Toyota Fortuner Legender, comes with a variety of extras, including two-tone seating, ambient lighting, an electronic rearview mirror, wireless charging, additional USB ports, and a sensor that opens the tailgate when your hands are free.
The third row is quite roomy, and the second row has plenty of room for people. However, taller people could have trouble getting enough knee room. The 4Runner’s third row is only big enough for kids.
The Toyota Hilux and Fortuner, for example, aren’t available in the United States because they don’t meet the country’s stricter pollution regulations. They would need to be substantially altered. But given that we already have the Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner, why would Toyota do it?
What’s the name of a Toyota 4Runner over there?
The passenger-car version of the Toyota Hilux pickup truck is the Toyota 4Runner, often referred to as the Toyota Hilux Surf in various regions. From 1992 to 1995, the Toyota 4Runner (Toyota Hilux Surf) was offered for sale in the UK before being superseded by the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
How many different kinds of Fortuner exist?
There are 9 different variations of the Toyota Fortuner, including the GR S 4X4 Diesel AT, Legender 4×4 AT, 4X2, 4X2 AT, 4X2 Diesel, 4X2 Diesel AT, 4X4 Diesel, and Legender.
What’s the Toyota Highlander known as over there?
The Toyota Kluger is how our Australian friends refer to the Toyota Highlander! In German, the word “Kluger” (pronounced Klu-ger) is used to describe someone who is smarter than another. From 2000 to 2007, the Highlander was also sold in Japan as the Kluger, but when the second-generation model was introduced, the crossover was no longer produced. The Highlander and Kluger are essentially identical, with the exception of the nameplate and steering wheel being on the right side. GX, GXL, Black Edition, and Grande trims are available for the Kluger, whereas L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum trims are available for the Highlander.
Which model of Fortuner is best?
The 2.4 GD-6 Automatic Toyota Fortuner is the model that sells the most new cars and will hold its resale value the best. The 2.8 GD-6 Epic is the next model, followed by the 2.8 GD-6 4X4 Epic. The 2.4 GD-6 4X4 Automatic is the fourth most popular model.
Which SUV should you buy in the USA?
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has a smooth power delivery and achieves 41 mpg in the city, and the Prime plug-in model dispels the myth that hybrid vehicles are slow by being the most potent and swiftest RAV4 of them all. Even the standard RAV4 uses little gas, getting 38 mpg on the interstate. All RAV4 Hybrid interiors feature the same practical, well-thought-out layout as the conventionally powered vehicles, featuring big, intuitive knobs and a practical shelf in front of the front passenger. This year’s updates include a new entry-level trim, a bigger touchscreen infotainment system that is optional, and more. [Learn more about the hybrid Toyota RAV4]
Why doesn’t America have Hilux vehicles?
The so-called “Chicken Tax” is to blame for the lack of Toyota Hiluxes in the United States. This tax refers to a 25% tariff that the U.S. government levies on imported goods like brandy, potato starch, and dextrin as well as light trucks like the Hilux. If the Toyota Hilux were produced in the United States, it could be sold for a reasonable price and not be subject to the Chicken Tax.
Toyota must produce a truck in the United States in order to avoid paying this tax. The Tacoma is essentially Toyota’s answer to the Chicken Tax.
Therefore, Chicken Tax prevents the Hilux from competing in the American pickup truck market since this tariff drives up the price of the vehicle. On the other hand, you are free to import a Toyota Hilux from someplace else in the world. There are no legal restrictions on purchasing a Toyota Hilux in the United States.
Is the Toyota Hilux sold in the USA?
One of the most well-liked, resilient, dependable, and adaptable pickup trucks in the world, the Toyota Hilux is the standard model in a huge number of nations. You might be wondering why you can’t buy a Toyota Hilux in America if the Hilux is so great and no country likes trucks as much as we do in America. And before we go any further, selling the Hilux in the US is not prohibited.
The Chicken Tax, a 25% tariff (tax) levied by the American government on imported brandy, dextrin, potato starch, and light vehicles like the Toyota Hilux, prevents you from purchasing a Toyota Hilux at the moment. The Hilux wouldn’t be subject to that tariff if Toyota constructed it here in America like many other Toyota models, enabling Toyota to sell it for a reasonable price. The Hilux would become uncompetitive in the market for compact pickup trucks as a result of the levy.
Although it’s impossible to purchase a Hilux in the United States, you can get some excellent secondhand trucks and other automobiles for incredibly inexpensive costs here that might be sufficient. Ex-government and confiscated automobiles of various varieties are available for purchase at government auctions, where savvy bidders can score a significant discount.