Autodealer Newcastle June 2016 | Page 3

Will people like the new one ? Will it be up to standard when compared to the competitors ? Will the new car be value for money ? Well , when the latest Fortuner 2.4GD-6 arrived at our office , I grabbed the keys from Sean so that I can answer these three questions :

1 : Will people like it ?

I don ’ t see why not . The new Toyota Fortuner brings with it an array of new features and technologies that the previous model could only dream about . However , let me address the looks first . The Fortuner has been designed to stand out in urban settings as well as withstand tough outdoor conditions . It boasts sharp , sculpted exterior lines and slender headlamps . I particularly like the bold characteristic line which runs along the side , across the doors between the flared front and rear fenders , it gives some refinement in the midst of toughness . What is more noticeable with regards to the exterior , apart from the car ’ s ground clearance , is that Toyota is taking more and more design ideas from its luxury sibling , Lexus . For example , the Fortuner features black rear pillars and a pronounced rear spoiler , the effect of which is a floating roof that gives the vehicle a dynamically striking stance even when it ’ s stationary .

2 : Will it be up to standard , compared to the competitors ?

With the arrival of the Ford Everest and its pretty impressive interior , Toyota had to make a drastic plan to improve on the car ’ s interior as the previous model , like the Hilux on which it was based , felt a little utilitarian . This new model seems to have corrected that issue . For starters , the new Hilux has a very good interior , so having that as a base on which to improve on is a plus . The Fortuner features the same dashboard layout and comes with some added pizzazz . A leather-covered glove box with Fortuner insignia tends to add to the luxury feel . Wood trim and privacy glass also give the Fortuner a more upmarket feel .

The model I drove was the entry level model and even in basic spec it was really good . To be honest I didn ’ t miss the colour touch-screen multimedia system as found on the higher spec model . I did however miss the colour screen found in the instrument cluster . The car I drove also didn ’ t have leather seats , instead it had durable material seats which featured a neat pattern .

Space inside the car is as one would expect … ample ! The rear passengers get their own air-conditioning system for added comfort as well as decent head and leg room . I will admit , I ’ m still not a fan of the fact that the sixth and seventh seat hang from the side of the boot as before . Surely they could have made a plan to design them into the floor of the boot ? Nevertheless , there is space for seven people .

3 : Will the new car be value for money ?

Times are tough and customers want the best value for their money that they can get . The Fortuner seems to have them covered . The model that I drove retails for around R436 400 . Now , the Fortuner is based on the Hilux platform so it is , as before , reliable and rugged . However , the new Hilux has been reworked to offer a more compliant ride quality and the Fortuner even more so . I was hugely impressed with the ride quality , which is soft and comfortable and the engine - although the entry level - is impressive .

The 2.4 GD-6 produces 110kW and delivers 400Nm of torque . The new sixspeed manual gearbox does a good job of getting the power down to the rear wheel . In fact , the car makes such good use of its torque that once in sixth gear you rarely have to change down , on the highway . I also managed to average around 8.6 litres / 100km during my time with the car .

I can say the new Fortuner is a huge improvement on the previous model . Yes , the Everest does offer more in terms of optional equipment but that never stopped buyers before and I doubt it will this time . For many buyers , purchasing a Toyota comes down to brand loyalty and the fact that there ’ s a three-month waiting list at my little dealership , here in Witbank , I reckon that loyalty is pretty strong .

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