The epic new Fortuner Epic – driving impression
2006 saw the launch of the Toyota Fortuner and since then, 900 units have been sold every month since. That is quite an achievement and just goes to show how popular this mid-sized SUV is in the South African market. Toyota puts it down to this vehicle being a “B&B” – ‘Bush and Boulevard’. It is built in South Africa and so resonates with us in what Toyota calls the “Go anywhere, do anything attitude” and it of course matches our environment.
In 2009 in saw a spec change and in 2011 the Fortuner got a minor facelift and the smaller capacity 2,5 MT was introduced which would widen its appeal. Then in 2012 the 2,5 AT was added to the range. We got the Limited Edition in 2013 and this year we say hello to the Fortuner Epic.
Unlike so many of the modern mid-sized SUVs we see come in to this market, the Fortuner is more than capable trekking through rather rough terrain – it is based on the Hilux after all. As happy as it is to be seen on the smooth suburban roads of the upmarket areas In South Africa, so too is it happy as a clam climbing mountains and descending rocky cliffs – all with 7 people in tow.
This isn’t the new generation Fortuner, we can expect that once the new Hilux makes its debut, but rather a mild refresh with a limited edition to “create excitement.”
The redesigned front-end gains new headlights with black-out detail, a teardrop-shaped chromed bezels surrounding the front fog lamps, chromed outer mirrors and new rear tail lamps. The Epic will be applied to 50% of the 3,0 D-4D and 4,0 V6 models. It will boast dark grey 17-inch allow wheels, a chrome nudge bar with Epic branding, a towbar and rear sill protector.
This week we got to step inside the 3,0 turbo-diesel (with its permanent four-wheel drive) to have a little off-road fun. We had the automatic which was a relief to my driving partner who had not done any 4x4ing before. What was amazing to see was how easy this car made things for my driving partner. It maneovered over obstacles with ease and my partner was made to feel as capable as the car itself. And we weren’t even pushing this car to its impressive limits.
Once back on the tar roads heading back towards Durbanville, we went straight back in to what could be considered mom or dad’s taxi mode and the 120 kW and 343 N.m of torque made overtaking effortless.
It is really obvious to see why this car sells so well. It offers the best of both worlds. If you have a load of kids to fetch and carry every day but also enjoy a little adventure on the weekends which would include the dogs, house and kitchen sink, then you cannot go wrong with a Fortuner. Could one consider this the perfect all-rounder? We would say so.