Fortuner driven!

[Wave]

To keep with tradition I went to drive the Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 auto, it was the 4x2 but I'm sure the drive is much the same as the 4x4 model, as it is no longer permanent 4wd with drive to the rear wheels only for normal driving conditions.

Toyota has the widest choice in the model line up so if your budget is short for the whopping R661K for a new 4x4 auto you can select a cheaper option, the downfall of the other 2 brands.
The ticket price is R30K odd more than the MU-X and R40K odd over the Sport, something to keep in mind...

Exterior
I do like the styling of the Tuna, I have liked it since launch, its got sporty lines and the nose actually looks very similar to the Sport, or is it the Sport that looks similar to the Tuna?
The Tuna also has chrome trim everywhere so it seems that no matter your preferred vehicle, it comes with chrome, as with the other 2 vehicles the side steps are a nice cosmetic trim and need to be removed or replaced for any off road 4x4 excursions. 18" mags are order of the day, so in the end all these top spec models have the wrong diameter wheels and although they are A/T tyres the tread pattern is more road based. The Tuna doesn't feel much bigger than the out going model, whereas the MU-X felt biggest and the Sport only a tad smaller, the Tuna feels smallest and made me feel more comfortable on the road. The strange side rear window sill "bump" is an odd design and I'm not a fan, I think that a smooth flowing line would suit better, but maybe I'm just nit picking now.

Interior
The Toyota's cabin is also a very nice place to sit, the leather seats are comfortable and the driving position is decent enough, I preferred the Sport in this department. The reverse camera does the same job as the others, the test unit had a tow bar fitted and you can view the ball in the mirror so you could hook up a trailer or caravan on your own, I cannot comment on the others as both test units where tow bar-less. The jump seats still fold to the side as per the previous model so the boot floor level is low and loading heavier items will be easier and with 2 bolts per side you can remove the jump seats. The access to the rear is easy with a tumble of the middle row in one swift movement, an improvement over the previous Tuna. 3rd row leg room is also limited but because the Tuna can move the 2nd row forward you have a few inches extra when loading 7 people. As per the other vehicles, no adult would really want to sit in the 3rd row for a long period of time. The rear vents are also linked to the climate control so its not just cooling in the back which is a bonus for those Gauteng winter mornings. As to be expected the Toyota is put together very well, cabin insulation is very good. The cluster is easy to read and Toyota have maintained the needles for fuel and temp, so that's right up my alley. The info display has everything you need, it did take a few seconds to see whats where as its a tad busy. The center console is easy to navigate and I found it easy to find the buttons I wanted. The gear selector was the most cumbersome to use of the bunch so far, as its not one slick movement, you have to shift it through different planes to get into the desired mode of drive, I would say that the Sport was easiest with the MU-X a close 2nd with ease of use, keep in mind I'm coming from never owning an auto and its probably something you just get used to no matter what SUV you buy.

Drive
Here the Toyota actually surprised me, I was expecting it to be worse than it was, the engine is noisy, more so then I expected, probably the worst of the bunch so far, if not a close 2nd to the Isuzu, but it performs very well, in town the auto box trumps the MU-X, the Toyota, like the Sport, seems to do a better job of predicting your next move, so the auto box delay is very limited, changes are smooth and overall that 6 speed is very responsive and enjoyable, not quiet as smooth as the Pajero, but a very very close 2nd. Not once did the Toyota double down shift to get going from slower speeds. The engine is happy to work, it moans at higher RPM's but it still gets the job done and as you come back onto the power with small throttle openings it is quick to down change and start delivering the power, the delay is minimal and most instances you don't even notice the box ready itself, wide open throttle openings where received very well, the Toyota delivers its power very well and not once was I found wanting a tad more power. I found the Toyota to be the easiest to take up to 120km/h without having to mash the go fast pedal to the floor, so power delivery is the best so far. The ride is on par with the Pajero, so not as smooth as the MU-X but still acceptable if you compare to the Sport. Here the rear diff lock is also standard. The warranty is a standard 3yr 100 000kms and a 5yr 90 000kms service plan with 10 000kms service intervals, much the same as the competition, although the Isuzu's 120 000km warranty could come into play when you start comparing the nitty gritty to see what deal is best. The Tuna has the biggest tank which is a bonus for those longer trips.

Overall? Would I buy it? Yes, yes I would, would I pay R40k more than the Sport??? Probably not as that's a fair chunk of change for anyone shopping at the top end of 4x4 SUV's with a proper ladder frame chassis.

[Mad Manny]

Good write up...

[Johannes]

Thanks for the write up !

[AndreasR]

These write ups have been fantastic Geoff. Well done.

[Mad Manny]

I'd still buy the MU-X though...

[Mike Nel]

Thanks for that

[Wave]

I have requested a test drive via the Ford website (as I did both the MU-X & Pajero Sport) and no sales person has tried to contact me, so I'm guessing that they sell so many Fords that they do not need my potential business...

[KurtG]

You’re not missing anything. It’s just a Ford.

[Mike Nel]

You’re not missing anything. It’s just a Ford.

Whatever

We await the review. Just a pity Fords customer service sucks

[Wave]

I can get a new 2.8 4x4 auto for R615 000 which makes this a very appealing deal.