The Toyota Fortuner has just received significant updates in Thailand. Released in 2022 for the 2023 model year, this new Fortuner has a few new exterior bits as well as some revamped features inside. It even gets a new variant dubbed the Fortuner Leader.
FORTUNER LEADER’S GENERATION: New Fortuner Leader
Of note, the Leader sits below the Thai-spec Toyota Fortuner Legender in Toyota Thailand’s lineup. The latter of course, is the Land of Smile’s equivalent to the Philippine-spec Toyota Fortuner LTD.
That said, let’s check what this new variant offers as it might preview what’s to come for the local version of the Toyota Fortuner in the near future.
Exterior
On the outside, the silhouette of this macho-looking SUV remains the same. For the Fortuner Leader specifically, changes are then focused on the front portion of the vehicle. Specifically, it gets the styling cues of the Legender (LTD), whilst bearing the simpler headlamps of lower-spec Fortuner trims.
A closer look at the Fortuner Leader's front end
No, it does not come with the Legender’s (LTD) two-tone black top paint scheme, though some of its bits are blacked out. These include the grille trims. It then uses a set of 18-inch alloy wheels which also looks similar to the top-spec model.
Also new to this refreshed Fortuner is the addition of automatic high beams. Of note, these are not present on the current Philippine-spec Fortuner LTD though both do come with automatic on-off control functions.
The 2023 Toyota Fortuner Leader
Interior
Inside, the refreshed 2023 Toyota Fortuner pretty much carries over the features and styling details of the last version. You still get leather seating, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a 60:40 split-folding second row, and a 50:50 split-folding third row. In total, it can, of course, seat up to seven.
Inside the Fortuner Leader. Not much changes here
Likewise, the recently launched 2023 Fortuner in Thailand, also gets a push button start, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a 4.2-inch TFT gauge cluster, a tilt and telescopic steering column, a cooled box storage compartment, as well as a dual-zone automatic climate control system.
Tech & Safety
On the tech side of things, the updated Thai-spec Fortuner gets the same eight-inch touchscreen that’s already present on the current model. It still gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Fortuner Leader gets seven airbags
The new Leader variant also comes with additional driver assist safety features. Among these are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree view camera. That’s not as comprehensive as the one on the Legender (LTD), though one can say that it has more kit than the Fortuner V and G.
Engine
Now, this is where Toyota Thailand throws a curveball. That’s because while the new Fortuner Leader variant looks similar to the Legender (LTD), it instead uses the smaller 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine that’s present on the lower-spec Fortuner V and G trims in the Philippines.
In the local market, this powertrain for the Fortuner can produce up to 148 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. It is then paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox, with a paddle shifter manual mode.
Price
In Thailand, the Fortuner Leader starts at 1,371,000 Baht, which is around Php 2,100,000 before taxes and other fees. With that in mind, it slots just below the more expensive Legender (LTD) variants which in turn starts at 1,859,000 Baht or around Php 2,876,000. Think of it as an LTD-lite, or one can even say that it fits the bill of what the Ford Everest Sport is to the Everest variant lineup.
The Toyota Fortuner Leader in Dark Blue Mica
On the flipside, the new Leader trim might even replace some local variants entirely. Then again, Toyota Motor Philippines has yet to say anything about this refreshed Fortuner.
Catch more information about the refreshed Toyota Fortuner and other car industry updates here in the Philippines’ largest automotive portal.