Toyota Fortuner Crusade manual 2016 review: Top 5 reasons to buy video

In 2015 Toyota introduced the Fortuner to its SUV family. The large seven-seater SUV is based on the HiLux ute and comes in three specifications – the entry level GX, the GXL and the Crusade with prices ranging from $47,990 to $61,990.

The Fortuner lives above the Kluger and below the Prado in Toyota’s SUV hierarchy. Far more capable off road than a Kluger, but not as decadent as a Prado the Fortuner is a mid-way point between them.

We spent some time with the king of the Fortuners – the Crusade with the six-speed manual gearbox – and here are the top 5 reasons to buy it.

#1 Talented off roader

The Fortuner’s body sits on a ladder frame and as any four-wheel driving enthusiast will tell you it plays an important role in giving the vehicle the strength needed withstand the stresses of travelling through tough terrain.

The driver can switch between two- and four-wheel drive with a high and low range.

The Fortuner has a ground clearance of 225mm, an approach angle of 30 degrees, a departure angle of 25 degrees and a wading depth of 700mm.

#2 Stylish interior

We thought the entry GX spec had a stylish interior and the extra trimming which the Crusade brings makes the Fortuner’s cockpit even classier. It’s not lavish by any means, but the leather seats, padded glovebox lid and chrome-effect trim throughout the cabin add a more premium feel.

There’s a clean dash design with a seven-touch screen mounted into the centre consul above the air-con controls which have a higher-end look to those on the GX.

The instrument cluster looks impressive with its ‘light-point’ speedo and tacho needles, and 4.2-inch screen.

#3 Excellent seats

Something buyers might not expect from an SUV based on a workhorse ute is excellent seating and this is another area the Fortuner impresses. There’s comfortable and supportive sports buckets up front and the 60-40 split sliding second row offers good levels of comfort, too.

The Crusade has leather-upholstered seats in a choice of dark brown or fawn. It’s a touch which clearly distinguishes the Crusade’s cabin from the GX and GXL as a bit more special.

#4 Great engine

The Fortuner has been given Toyota’s new 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. It’s lightweight, efficient, quiet and produces 130kW of power and a high torque of 450Nm with the six-speed automatic transmission. Our test vehicle had the six-speed manual and this limits the torque to 420Nm. We recommend going with the auto to ensure you get the most out of this excellent engine.

The manual gearbox does get better fuel economy with Toyota claiming a combined average of 7.8L/100km, while the auto sees 8.6L/100km.

The turbo-diesel is Toyota’s new-generation global engine also found in the Prado. It’s a smooth operating unit which is easy to live with even in the daily commute through city traffic.

#5 Convenience features

Why choose the Crusade over the GX and GXL? The convenience features. Stuff like proximity unlocking, satnav, a power driver seat and auto tailgate. You don’t absolutely need any of these features but they just make life easier.

The proximity unlocking feature is gold – walk up, touch the door handle and you’re in. A decade ago the technology was only available on high-end vehicles and it’s great that it’s now becoming more common place.

Drawbacks

The Toyota Fortuner is a capable off-roader and the top of the range Crusade specification adds a premium touch with the some great convenience feature, but there’s room for improvement. The third row seats for example fold up when not in use, but it's the way they are stowed which causes an issue - they obstruct rearward-side vision and clutter the storage area.

A system which sees them fold flat and into the floor similar to the way the third row folds in the Toyota Prado would be favourable.

How do you think Fortuner compares to its off-road SUV rivals? Tell us in the comments below.

Click here to see more 2016 Toyota Fortuner pricing and spec info.

At a glance

Price from: $59,990
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
Safety: 5 stars
Engine: 2.8-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel, 130kW/420Nm
Transmission: 6-speed man; FWD
Thirst: 7.8L/100km
Dimensions: 4795mm (L), 1855mm (W), 1835mm (H)​

You'll find anything Fortuner-related at our Fortuner hub.

More: See all Toyota SUVs here.

Related: check out our buying guide for seven-seater SUVs here.

Plus: find all off-road SUVs here.

See: Our Top 5 reasons to buy video for the Fortuner GX auto here.