Toyota Fortuner 2024 Unveiled – What’s New?

The Toyota Fortuner 2024 has been officially launched in Thailand, and while it brings some enhancements, it may not meet the high expectations of those hoping for a major overhaul. Here’s a closer look at what’s new with this updated model and what we can expect in India.

New Features and Enhancements

The 2024 Fortuner comes with several upgrades in terms of power and technology:

• Engine Performance: The diesel variant of the Fortuner has seen an increase in power. The 2.8-litre engine now delivers 224bhp, up by 20bhp, and 550Nm of torque, an improvement of 50Nm. This enhancement makes it one of the most powerful SUVs in its segment. There have been no changes to the petrol engine, nor is there a new hybrid variant, whether petrol or diesel.
• Interior Upgrades: Inside, the Fortuner receives a few technological improvements. The touchscreen infotainment system has been upgraded to a 9.0-inch unit, now featuring wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Additionally, a tyre monitoring system is now included, which was already available in India. However, other features, such as a sunroof, are still missing, and the rear AC remains roof-mounted. The dashboard design remains unchanged, as this update is more of a model year enhancement rather than a new generation.

Toyota’s Strategy

So, is this a facelift? Not quite. The 2024 Fortuner doesn’t bring any changes to its exterior, including the front grille, and the interior remains largely the same. There’s been ongoing speculation about a full redesign of the Fortuner, but it seems we might have to wait a bit longer for that.

Toyota is currently focused on expanding its lineup and has hit a significant milestone, selling 20,000 units per month with models like the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Innova Hycross, and the re-badged Maruti Suzuki vehicles such as the Glanza and the recently introduced Rumion. The collaboration with Maruti Suzuki has been highly beneficial for Toyota, with a substantial portion of their manufacturing capacity in Karnataka dedicated to these vehicles.

Toyota is also working on a new SUV, positioned between the Hyryder and the Innova Hycross in terms of size, expected to be priced around Rs 25 lakh. This new model is currently in development, with a third manufacturing plant in India being established specifically for it.

What’s Next for Toyota?

Looking ahead to 2024, we can anticipate more re-badged models, with the Fronx set to join the Toyota lineup, and potentially even the Ciaz making its debut. Toyota is already exporting the Ciaz to international markets, so its introduction to India seems imminent. As for the next generation Fortuner, we expect a full redesign to be unveiled either late in 2024 or early in 2025. This new model will likely feature more advanced technology and hybrid engine options, distinguishing itself as the Toyota Fortuner 2025.

Stay tuned for more updates and information on upcoming Toyota models and other automotive news!