Toyota Fortuner 2.7L and 3.0D4-D test drive report

[mbt]

just had a short drive and ride of the Fortuner 2.7L (gas) and 3.0 turbodiesel...

some impressions (keep in mind that we just drove one round around two or three city blocks though):

spacious interior: generous legroom and footroom for the second row, and the third-row is quite habitable even for adults, with adequate headroom for average-sized adults and passable legroom and footroom for short trips. raising the split-half third-row bench out of the way reveals a large cargo bay

unremarkable driving experience: the fortuner is a truck, make no mistake, and drives like one -- though a good one. turning the wheel at speed produces loads of body roll, and the steering isn't as quick or as responsive as car-based SUVs, but that's certainly to be expected. vibrations and friction work their way through the steering wheel to thrum at your fingers, but the refinement and the responses are certainly adequate. at least, the steering is far more direct and far more pleasant than that of say, the Ford Everest. quite good as trucks go, but still won't match car-based vehicles.

the acceleration of the 2.7L inline-4 gas-fed variant is underwhelming; the turbodiesel feels just slightly less responsive, but feels more powerful and more capable of hauling the vehicle and its payload around. the refinement of the turbodiesel is top-notch: quiet and linear, with just a tiny hint of the takka-takka-takka clatter associated with diesels. the full-time four-wheel drive of the turbodiesel makes it an excellent all-weather runabout, and low-range makes it an all-terrain crawler. the automatic transmission seems to be a high point, offering prompt downshifts and smooth upshifts.

the ride isn't bad, but not stellar especially considering that the suspension seems tuned to allow a lot of body motion. every surface bump and wrinkle seems to filter to the seat of your pants, but the impacts are not harsh.

the high hood takes some getting used to, but this is common in most every tall truck if you've been raised on smaller vehicles.

good interior: the interior is trimmed in classy beige, and the plastics are of good quality. the optitron guages are a nice touch, and the automatic and digitally-controlled climate control gives an air of sophistication. however, the interior would likely look dirty after only a short while.

butch styling: the fortuner is a head-turner. the meaty 265/70R-16 tires and fender flares (which the hilux badly needs) give it a butch stance, and the styling is well-done.

structure doesn't seem too rigid: this new test unit seemed to shudder slightly over bumps, and doesn't suggest a bank-vault-tight structure. this is rather disappointing for a new vehicle, and i get the feeling that creaks, squeaks, groans, and rattles will manifest after a year or so. but then again, the nissan patrol is like this too.

OVERALL, i'd say that the Fortuner is a good truck that offers a compelling all-purpose, all-conditions package, but the Kia Sorento may seem a better value. the 2.7L 4x2 fortuner seems to be a bad choice -- gas-powered compact SUVs do a better job of driving on pavement (unless you need seven seats and won't settle for a minivan) -- but the turbodiesel Fortuner blends diesel economy with style and genuine off-road capability for a relatively accessible price.

indeed, the Fortuner is in many, many ways what the Mitsubishi Pajero "Fieldmaster" was in the early 90's. sure, they may not be particularly memorable drives, but the Pajero's blend of style, economy, practicality, and rugged capability (heck, they BOTH have full-time 4wd standard!) was insanely popular, and there is little doubt that the Fortuner's will be too.

in fact, there's already a three-month wait list. enough said.