Toyota Fortuner Crusade Review
2021 Toyota Fortuner is Toyota’s SUV based on the top-selling Hilux.
Originally launched in 2015, Fortuner is a tough old bird. It resembles the Hilux on which it is based. Sadly, it lacks the luxury feel a 60 grand SUV should have. None the less, it has 7 seats and has recently been fitted with some of the latest gadgets for a 2019 5 Star ANCAP result. The 2021 Fortuner (MY20) is a purpose-built off-roader.
Crusade is the top of the 3 models and comes in at a hefty 2155kg,
Outside:
The profile has the chunky look of Hilux, so if you like the pick-up truck, you’ll like Fortuner. By comparison, Hilux is Australia’s top seller with 4,610 units finding homes in July, but only 412 Fortuners sold last month.
This top model gets 18” wheels and a power tailgate. LED head and tail lights have brought Fortuner up to date. This is a facelifted model of the original 2015 car but the cabin feels a good deal older than that.
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Above: This Week 2021 Toyota Fortuner CRUSADE FULL Review
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ABOVE: 2021 Toyota Fortuner (MY20)
Inside:
The 3rd row of seats folds up against the side windows, LC200-style. If you don’t intend to use the back row, there are “how-to” videos on Youtube to remove them. It is a bit of a faff but worth it to gain so extra space.
Crusade has rubber mats, but the carpet felt decidedly cheap.
The 2nd row slide forward, and the front row have powered adjustment. 2 climate zones for front and 2nd row can be controlled independently, with roof-mounted vents and buttons for the 2nd row.
The infotainment system grew an inch, to 8” and now has Apple Carplay/ Android AUTO.
The dash is a set of conventional dials with a small4.2” LCD in the centre. Cruise controls is are a small stalk, and also activates the lane centering functionality (once the latter is set to ON with an additional button).
The centre stack contains off-roading controls, noting the 4WD system should be used off-road only.
The centre stack looks old fashioned, ala LC200.
Upholstery has leather “appointments” which means some is from a cow, and some from a factory. Seats are fairly comfortable, which you’d need to if you head out into the wilds of central Australia.
It would be remiss to move on without mentioning the sound system. Crusade has JBL speakers, with quite a decent tone. We liked it a lot.
The Drive:
On-road, Fortuner uses the rear wheels. 4WD is as tough and reliable as her tray-backed sister. It will crawl over rough terrain, but doesn’t the “crawl” function of LC200. The articulation, and 216mm ground clearance, make Fortuner able to go anywhere Hilux can, in greater comfort.
The engine power increased to 150kw/500Nm, and is paired to a 6-speed automatic. Drive modes “Eco, Normal, Sport,” make Fortuner slightly more flexible, but it is an SUV, not sports car. It drives like Hilux, chunkily. Official economy has fallen to 7.6L/100k, and our tests came in at around 8L/100k. That is excellent for such a big SUV. It is an 11.6% improvement over the old model, with city economy at 9.1L/100k, a 17.3% improvement.
Steering feels as you’d expect with such big all terrain tyres. You have to allow a little extra space for turning, but parking is much easier than you might think. The reversing camera is aided by sensors, and even the tightest shopping centre parking is pin-sharp.
The Lane Departure Alert can’t steer the hydraulic power steering, so it jumps on the brakes on the front wheel opposite to the one crossing the line. Although Fortuner doesn’t currently have Blind Spot Monitoring, it is coming in an update soon.
Ride is smooth on smooth roads, but on anything but a billiard table, you feel every bump. It isn’t unpleasant as such, but it certainly is not the limo-like experience of her bigger LC200 cousin. You already know that if you’re going into the Fortuner, so it won’t be a surprise.
Cabin noise is quite good. The engine only intrudes slightly, under harsh acceleration. Other than that, you’re treated to a fairly calm experience.
There is plenty of space for 5, but I wouldn’t want 7 people on a long trip. My advice is to forget the 3rd row. If you want to cart more than 5 people around, buy a people mover. Fortuner is fabulous at what it is designed for, off-roading with confidence. You could drive it off a vertical cliff, drop it from a chopper, and fire a missile at it, and it would probably still get you home.
As a road going car, it is still capable. If you plan on doing all your driving on tarmac, perhaps a Kluger is a better choice. The new Kluger is a belter!
Conclusion:
Fortuner looks good, and is fairly frugal. Crusade has most of the comforts of home, and would be extremely capable off-road.
Best of all, it was easy to get in and out of.
Price:
| GX | $49,080 |
| GXL | $54,350 |
| Crusade | $61,410 |
| GX option pack: | $1,000 |
| GXL option pack | $2,500 |
| Premium paint: | $600 |
Engine: 2.8L turbo diesel
Econ: 7.6L/100k (city 9.1L/100k)
Trans: 6-sp auto
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