Hi Mark,In South Africa we only have two versions of the 4x4 GD 2.8. I have the entry version, which has a lot more technology than your version,which would remove 60% of your dislikes. Leather seats, keyless entry, push button start, electronic tail gate etc. maybe you should buy up a level. The other interesting thing is the Fortuner in SA is the biggest selling SUV by far, and has been so for many years, so it is intriguing that in Aus, this doesn’t seem to be the case. I changed from a Ford Ranger last year, to my first Toyota, as I am exploring Southern Africa, and towing an off-road camper, and have really enjoyed the vehicle thus far. I like the Everest, but the reliability is just not as good. (Just ask our mines in Africa,they will only buy Hilux as nothing lasts like they do) Thanks for your shows!
Thank you for the comment. I feel the same way. I think the fortuner is fantastic but people over here buy more for luxury and features so they often opt for the Everest or the Isuzu MUX. I can see why it is the biggest seeking car in SA. It is an absolute beast. Thanks for watching 😄
A couple of things Mark, I don't agree in door height i am only 5ft 6 no issues. The camera offset is no problems, does take getting used too. I tow a tandem trailer and drop the ball on straight up. First thing I and everyone I know has done is got rid of the third row of seats 30 minutes from getting home gone. You can by some neat covers from WA to fill in the holes. Keep the great conten coming Mark. Cheers 👍
Thanks Richard. It’s good to hear from people who have lived with the vehicle for long periods of time. I was wondering about the door height but if it’s not an issue for you then that’s perfect. I was more thinking for people who had 7-10 year olds and asking them shut a door like this would be difficult. Let me know if you disagree though. When I was little, I was able to shut the door of our commodore wagon but only just and it was way shorter. Thanks for your comment Richard. I always appreciate your thoughts 😊
Constant AWD without traction control is literally 1 wheel drive once one of the wheel lost traction similar to RWD. Toyota probably combine the parts bin for Fortuner and Hilux for better production cost (someone correct me). For the aircon vents, if you shut the unused one you'll get stronger flow on the open side. For someone who didn't get a chance to purchase 80 series back in the days, I think the rear seat lifting up configuration is an iconic to land cruiser model though I've never complain about the folding down style on my Pajero sport. That tiny rear windows don't make much difference even when the seat down. I think FJ40 has better all around view.
I’d say you are right. Interesting thoughts on the awd. I never spun the wheels in my Prado but I did in this so it does make some difference. The seats are iconic but a bit in the way
I see your point. However, after this review I drove it around in an urban setting for 3 more weeks and noticed no advantage over my heavier and 4H Prado
I disagree with you about the key vs keyless. I HATE the push button start. Because - suddenly, my ability to start is now dependant on yet another battery (because the security has to sense it), and that battery is not rechargeable. I have been caught a few times, over the years, with a dying battery, not quite dead but weak, and the car unable to start. It becomes scary - if I drive to a place, I may not be able to come back. So I have to start carrying a spare battery before it dies. Old style key has the security chip inside, and the system detects or checks, but it is not "wireless". And so, my other car (keyed) is 25 years, and NEVER EVER has it failed to start. No F-ing battery to let me down. In fact, if the Fortuner has keys, that's the one I'm buying!!
Hello Mark. Well presented and honest assessment thanks. The main thing I hate about my Fortuner is that I don't have it yet after paying the deposit 13 months ago! What is your experience with Fortuner wait times?
Thanks for the comment. I work a bit differently. I contact my dealer to see what cars are preallocated to the dealership. If I ordered them, I would be in the same boat as you. Instead, I buy the preallocated vehicles and I get them in 3-6 weeks. I hope this helps
I've been driving my father's 2017 Toyota Fortuner G model, with a manual, and yes nothing much really has changed. Mostly driving in the city so the clutch really is a pain sometimes when its traffic. But for me, durability really is the first thing that comes to mind. Feels like I'm the last of the people who actually drive manual these days :( edit: man wish I could drive a Land Cruiser soon, it has always been my dream to own one edit2: here's also some feedback I had in my couple of years of driving the Fortuner 1. For manual transmissions, the clutch kind of sucks to be honest, very tall 1st gear, super sensitive throttle pedal (for 1st gear, 2nd & 3rd gears are fine, 4th gear is weak, 5th and 6th rarely used). The stick shift is rubbery. 2. The A pillars are thick enough to have a very bad blind spot both left and right, mine's a left hand drive setup, so it can get very tricky for left turns. I almost got into accidents because of that thick A pillar. Frankly its probably Toyota prioritizing design over usability, which brings me to my next point 3. driver's seating position is very bad at least for the manual setups, since manual positioning with the clutch pedal and everything is key for a comfortable drive. The seating position is low and sporty and the dash is high. For automatic transmissions, this is not an issue. the Prado and the LC 200/300 have way better seating/driving positions. 4. 2nd row / B Pillar grab handles are non-existent, big downer, unlike all the other competitors, they have. the Fortuner never had it and it sucks. I know they just lazilly put a plastic mold on the lower side of the B pillar in order to act as a pseudo grab handle, but it doesn't work and nobody really notices except for the owner, and for the passengers they will have a hard time climbing into the 2nd row. (heck even the hilux has 2nd row grab handles, why can't the Fortuner have it, and for years the new ones still doesn't) 5. 3rd row seats, self explanatory, it sucks, but it works I guess, but it does block the C pillar and 3rd row windows, resulting in diminishing visibility. 6. the base model is not equipped with a power tail gate, oof 7. reverse camera is not centered unlike other competitors, very lazy coming from Toyota plus the reverse camera quality is bad, sometimes when I hit it into Reverse gear right away, the camera glitches and doesn't show on the infotainment screen and shows an error. 8. load lip isn't sturdy enough, and may likely get damaged if trauma is applied to it. 9. (almost forgot) not enough room for seatbelts to easily return to its default position after use, almost all the time it always get stuck on the side of the chair on the front row (front row problem only) 10. suspension setup is really hard, I had friends complain about how bad the ride was sometimes. I may be nitpicking about the small stuff but those were the things I encountered during the years I spent with the Fortuner.
Hmmm interesting. Very similar experience to me. I agree. Hard wearing and reliability looks fantastic but there are compromises as it is quite evident that it is built off a truck chassis. A bit firmer than most monocoque wagons and the features aren’t great but that’s what I like about it, simplicity. It could have done with a few more features for the money but once you are driving around in it and commit to it being your only car, these aren’t deal breakers. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It is greatly appreciated 👍
@@NorthOz Agreed, the reliability is spot on there, no complaints about it. Yes it is basically a Hilux SUV, and I pretty much prefer and love body on frame vehicles, not only they've got very nice ground clearance (roads here are just completely bad), but also there won't be too much stress on the chassis itself unlike a unibody one, and yes it does come with very big tradeoffs but most of the time I'm fine with that. The lower end base model I've got has the 4x2 2.4L 2GD-FTV (aprox. 50hp less than the 2.8L 1GD-FTV), and so far 7yrs of ownership, it runs like a dream, no problems with it whatsoever. Thanks for the taking the time to reply to my earlier comment, and I hope others will also get to notice my feedback from a long-term owner's perspective.
The fortuner by a landslide. The rogue is very quiet but the fortuner has better ride comfort. Fully loaded the rogue is pretty good but you can’t beat the fortuner rear independent suspension
@@aj-qj4lt Firstly congrats with the order & I'm sure you will definitely like it for the price. Fortuner shown in this video is not 2023 model. GX has keyless start, means button start. you have button to open doors with fob in pant pocket. I personally prefer GX over GXL, not to spend another 5K for the options I don't use in GXL. GXL have chrome handles, paddle shifters & roof rails.
What roof racks you looking at? Seep Supercheap ones (pro rack) for about $370 including the fittings or rhino rack for $420... Brain tells me to just get the rhino rack clip ons lol.
When you want a ute you buy a Hilux, when you want a wagon you buy a Prado. When you really want a wagon but can’t afford a Prado, you buy a Fortuner. The Fortuner is a bit mismatched for the Australian market. It does well in countries like South Africa, South America and Asia because the weak currency in these countries makes import of more luxurious SUV’s like Prado simply too expensive. For example the Fortuner is the only SUV manufactured locally in South Africa where the Prado is fully imported. In Australia it’s lower spec and flawed design has to try compete with other more sophisticated designs in a market where people can afford to pay more. Australia should not have the Fortuner, we should get the 4Runner.
I agree with the fortuner being under specced here. Definitely not the best selling wagon but is a tough tourer. The 4Runner would do well over here paired with the hilux would be a good offering
For me personally, - Fortuner is a weird one- It should be redesigned to compete with Pajero sport, But its not... Its below Pajero sport and above Hilux... Its the add one in the line up. Good Car for anyone who used it before. I know may of my South African friends love the Fortuner... but in Aus it does not fit in. ( In my point of view)
We are big on the ford Everest here so that is very popular but I think you are right. The luxury family suv market is more popular than rugged wagons. Thank you for your comment 😊
