2015 Toyota Fortuner SUV revealed | video

Toyota Fortuner set to take on Everest, MU-X, Challenger and Colorado 7 in the Australian ute-based SUV segment. 

If you’re in the market for a relatively cheap seven-seat SUV with proper off-road credentials, your decision is about to get that much harder.  

Toyota has taken the wraps off the all-new second-generation Fortuner today, with the HiLux-based SUV being revealed simultaneously in Bangkok and Sydney.

The Fortuner rides on a shortened version of the new HiLux’s ladder-frame chassis 

The unveiling follows Toyota’s similar debut of the new sixth-generation HiLux ute in May, and confirms the seven-seat SUV’s future down under.

The Thai-built Fortuner will be sold in Australian showrooms for the first time from October, to sit beneath the larger LandCruiser Prado and offering a more rugged and diesel alternative to the Kluger family-favourite. 

The Fortuner will compete with the upcoming Ford Everest, and join other ute-based SUVs  like the Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Challenger and Holden Colorado 7 in the Australian ute-based SUV market. 

The new Fortuner’s Australian arrival was hinted at last November, when it was spied testing in the Northern Territory testing alongside the new HiLux. 

The off-road traction aids and suspension has been tuned locally.

The Fortuner rides on a shortened version of the 2015 HiLux’s ladder-frame chassis, but the only sheetmetal shared between the two appears to be the front doors and the bonnet.

Under that bonnet will be the same 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV turbodiesel from the new HiLux and upcoming Prado update. Like the HiLux, the130kW unit will produce 450Nm in six-speed manual guise, but 420Nm with the six-speed torque converter automatic.  

Toyota has confirmed that all Australian Fortuners will be four-wheel drive, and expects manual models to return less than 8.0L/100km on the combined cycle.

The Fortuner also joins its immediate rivals in using disc brakes all round and a five-link coil-sprung solid rear axle - unlike the leaf setups of their ute cousins – but misses out on the Everest’s Watts linkage.

Four-wheel drive can be engaged electronically, and all variants will be equipped with a mechanical rear diff lock.

The four-wheel drive system will be aided by the latest A-Trac off-road traction aids and hill-descent control, which along with the suspension has been tuned locally.

The Fortuner’s full-size spare wheel is mounted under the rear, limiting undercarriage space to an 80-litre fuel tank – unlike the Prado’s 150-litre dual-tank setup.

The Fortuner does beat the Prado for ground clearance by 5mm, with a running figure of 225mm also beating the Kluger by a full 25mm. Like Toyota’s existing off-roaders, the Fortuner carries a 700mm wading depth rating.

Manual models will carry the segment benchmark maximum braked tow rating of 3000kg, but the automatics will be limited to 2.8 tonnes. Towball ratings will adhere to Toyota’s 10 per cent policy, meaning 300kg for manuals and 280kg for autos. All versions will also come with trailer sway control. 

Three trim levels will be offered, starting with the familiar GX and GXL, and topped by the new Crusade nameplate previewed at the unveiling.

All versions will come with touchscreens with the Toyota Link multimedia system, dual air conditioning systems and a cooler box that can also be heated. 

GX and GXL models will come with 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tyres, while the Crusade will ride on 18 inch alloys and highway terrain tyres, and also feature bi-LED headlights and a powered tailgate. Rear parking sensors will be standard on the GXL and Crusade, but front sensors will remain optional on all variants.

The previous Fortuner served as a benchmark for Ford's engineers during development of the Everest.

A five-star safety rating is expected, with seven airbags covering all three rows of seats and a reversing camera standard across the lineup, but Toyota is yet to confirm whether forward collision alerts or AEB will be available.

Toyota has prepared a comprehensive array of genuine accessories, including steel and alloy airbag-friendly bullbars. 

The previous Fortuner was sold across Thailand, Indonesia, India, Malaysia and South America since 2005, after being co-developed by Toyota engineers in Australia. It also served as a benchmark for Ford's Australian engineers during development of the new Everest.

Toyota Australia has been down a similar path before with the 4Runner, which sold across two generations between 1984 and 1996 (along with thousands of grey-imported Surf-badged models) before being replaced by the larger and more expensive Prado. 

Full specifications and pricing will be revealed closer to the Fortuner’s Australian showroom arrival in October.