Toyota Fortuner

Toyota Fortuner: car&bike Expert Take

The Toyota Fortuner is not just another SUV on the road — it is the benchmark for what a ladder-frame SUV should feel like in India. From Dubai’s desert highways to India’s broken rural roads, its global off-road pedigree is undeniable. The 2.8-litre diesel engine with 500 Nm of torque makes it a true torque king, whether you are overtaking on the Yamuna Expressway or crawling over rocky trails. It feels premium inside, yet built to take punishment outside.

As Shams Raza Naqvi puts it, “It sits in a league of its own”.A globally proven off-road SUV that still rules Indian roads. 

Expert Review Context

Shams Raza Naqvi, Senior Editor at car&bike, brings over 16 years of automotive experience and more than 3,00,000 kilometres of driving across India to this review. 
You test the Toyota Fortuner where it truly matters, navigating peak-hour Bengaluru traffic, squeezing through tight urban streets, and then opening it up on the Bengaluru–Mysore highway for sustained high-speed runs. Beyond smooth tarmac, you drive it over broken rural roads, loose gravel stretches, and light off-road trails to understand its real-world toughness.
What adds depth to this experience is the Fortuner’s global credibility. This is the same SUV engineered to survive harsh Middle East desert conditions. Tested in real Indian terrain, yet built with global endurance in mind, that’s what gives it confidence.

Toyota Fortuner Overview

For over 14 years in India, the Toyota Fortuner has defined what a full-size SUV should feel like. You don’t just buy it for transport — you buy it for presence. Globally, it is sold across the Middle East, Asia and Australia, markets known for extreme heat, desert terrain and long-distance driving. That global credibility matters when you are investing this kind of money.
Built on a tough ladder-frame chassis with clear Land Cruiser-inspired DNA, the Toyota Fortuner feels engineered rather than assembled. Under the hood sits the 2.8-litre diesel engine producing 204 PS and a massive 500 Nm of torque. Paired with an 80-litre fuel tank, it’s positioned as a long-haul machine — something you can drive across states without thinking twice.
Built for tough conditions, that durability translates well to India’s broken roads, gravel stretches and rough patches. You feel that robustness when you drive it.
With its seven-seater layout, commanding stance, and proven reliability on Indian roads, the Fortuner continues to lead India’s premium SUV space.

Explore more at: Review: 2021 Toyota Fortuner Facelift
As Shams Raza Naqvi says, “There’s a reason this remains the benchmark in its class.” Global toughness meets Indian dominance.