Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner is a body-on-frame SUV that has become a symbol of road presence in India. Built tough for highways and rough terrain alike, it pairs proven diesel and petrol engines with genuine off-road hardware. It is not the most refined or feature-loaded SUV at its price, but few rivals match its sheer dependability, resale value and commanding stance. For many buyers, it remains the default big-SUV choice.

The Fortuner's biggest strength is also its calling card: it feels indestructible. The ladder-frame construction, high seating position and muscular styling give it presence that smaller monocoque SUVs simply cannot replicate. The 2.8-litre diesel is the heart of the range, serving up 201 bhp and 500 Nm in automatic guise, enough to haul this two-tonne SUV with surprising urgency once it gets going. The petrol exists mainly for cities with diesel restrictions, but most buyers will sensibly pick the diesel for its torque and long-distance manners.

On the move, the Fortuner is built for the open highway rather than tight urban streets. Ride quality is firm and there is noticeable body roll through corners, a reminder that this is a rugged workhorse first and a family cruiser second. The cabin is spacious and the seats are comfortable, though the third row is best left to children or short trips. The 4x4 variants with low-range gearing make it genuinely capable when the tarmac ends, which is rare in this segment.

Where the Fortuner shows its age is in the cabin. The dashboard design is functional rather than plush, the touchscreen and feature set trail newer rivals, and material quality does not always justify the premium price. There is no panoramic sunroof, no ventilated seats on lower trims, and the technology feels a generation behind. The Legender and GR-Sport variants address some of this with sharper styling and added kit, but at a steep cost.

Fuel economy is modest given the weight and the engines, and running costs are higher than a monocoque SUV. Yet none of this seems to dent its appeal. The Fortuner sells on reputation: Toyota's reliability record, an extensive service network, and resale values that remain the envy of the segment. For buyers who value peace of mind over the latest gadgets, that combination is hard to argue with.