Why Does Fortuner Sell More Than Rs 15 Lakh SUVs? » MotorOctane

The Toyota Fortuner has been the talk of the town for more than a decade. You think of SUVs, and the Fortuner is the first thing to come to your mind. There have been plenty of other SUVs to choose from, but the Fortuner continues to rule the SUV segment. The Fortuner couldn’t replicate this success in global markets, with Toyota even discontinuing it in Australia. So why do Indian’s love it so much?

In November, the Fortuner recorded more sales than the Elevate, Kushaq, Taigun, and Hector, which sit several price brackets below the Fortuner. These numbers are astonishing. Today. We will look at why the Toyota Fortuner is so popular and whether it makes sense to buy one today.

Looks

The Fortuner has always been a good-looking vehicle. The first generation and the first-gen facelift had a rugged look, like serious off-roaders. Back in 2010, it was the most desirable SUV in the market. Its competition in the Tata Safari, Mahindra Bolero, Mitsubishi Pajero, Ford Endeavour and Mahindra Scorpio stood no chance against it. The Fortuner looked more modern than all those SUVs, while still having the butchy look of an SUV.

But with the 2nd gen, Toyota gave it a more sophisticated look, making it look like a premium SUV rather than a no-nonsense off-roader. The high stance and ground clearance gave it a lot of road presence. In fact, people claim that the Fortuner’s road presence has been a major selling point. These people are certainly not wrong since the Fortuner, even the older models, stand out in the crowd of mid-sized and compact SUVs.

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Interior

This has been the Fortuner’s biggest flaw. The cabin is outdated when compared to cars that sit several segments lower on the price bracket. Despite paying more than 50 lakhs, you miss out on ADAS and a sunroof. Moreover, dashcams and wireless phone chargers are not offered on any variants and can only be equipped as additional accessories. Even the 360-degree camera is only available on the mild-hybrid trim.

Many of its competitors have started offering dual-screen setups, some even offering a three-screen setup, but with the Fortuner, you are stuck with an 8″ touchscreen with a TFT display for the driver. Furthermore, the material quality is not what you would expect in a car this expensive. You can find hard plastics across the cabin.

But if you ignore these flaws, it is a rather spacious cabin. The build quality is excellent, and there is plenty of legroom and headroom in the first two rows. The space in the last row can be manageable for adults on a short journey. Even with all rows in place, it has a decent 296L boot. Fold down the previous row, and you have enough space for supplies for a month-long family trip.

Powertrain

This is the Fortuner’s strong suit. It gets powerful powertrain options with the 2.7L Petrol and 2.8L Diesel. The Petrol produces 165 horsepower and 245 Nm torque. These numbers are measly when compared to the 2.8L diesel, which produces 205 horsepower and twice as much torque. The Petrol is only available in RWD, but comes with 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic gearbox options. With the diesel, you get a 6-speed IMT and a 6-speed AT as options, along with 4WD alternatives. The top variant also comes with a mild-hybrid powertrain.

The ride quality is also excellent on Indian roads and remains stable at highway speeds.

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What’s The Reason For Its Success?

The main reason is the badge. When buying a Toyota SUV, you expect it to run an eternity. This case is true for a majority of Toyota cars. The engine is dependable, the chassis is robust, and the build quality is top-notch. It is a go-anywhere car, and you do not need to worry about the engine going bust after a lakh kilometres. You are essentially paying 45-50 lakhs for its reliability. You can easily use it for the rest of your life without worry. It is also known as the safest SUV on the market. You get 7 airbags as standard, and it boasts a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating.

Secondly, the Fortuner retains value really well. You will struggle to find any used model with fewer than 1.5 lakh kilometres. Even the 2010 model, with its heavy mileage, is difficult to find under 8 lakh rupees. It is also near-impossible to find a 2nd-gen 2017 model for less than 25 lakh rupees. Keep in mind that this is an 8-year-old car that still retains more than 50% of its original value.

Additionally, the Fortuner has become more of a status symbol. People resonate with the Fortuner as a symbol of wealth, and buy one so they can brag about it to their friends. And the Prime Minister of India, using a Fortuner as a convoy for carrying the Russian president, only further boosted its reputation.

Despite being an SUV, it is a blast to drive. The more popular Diesel engine makes for enjoyable drives thanks to its low-end punch. Add its off-road capabilities to that, and it is easy to see why India loves the Diesel Fortuner.

Should You Buy One?

In November, Toyota sold more than 2,600 Fortuners. These are considerable amounts, as the price starts at 43 lakh rupees and can go up to 63 lakh rupees (on-road, Mumbai). Many manufacturers have tried to go up against it, but failed. The Skoda Kodiaq, MG Gloster, and Jeep Meridian have been unable to take the Fortuner’s crown despite offering more features, more luxurious interiors, and a cheaper price tag. The Ford Endeavour fared well initially, but Ford’s exit from the country left the SUV market to the Fortuner.

If you wish to buy a feature-loaded car that provides utmost luxury, you are better off with a Kodiaq. The Kodiaq. The engine may not be as powerful as the Fortuner’s, but it feels much more premium at the same price point. You should only consider the Fortuner if you wish for a dependable SUV that can outlast you and has a powerful engine. If these are on your priority list, the Fortuner is the way to go.

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