Toyota Fortuner GR Sport debuts in Thailand 

Updated Aug 27, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

It’s essentially a more aggressive-looking Fortuner LTD. 

In Thailand, Toyota has launched the Fortuner GR Sport variant. It comes on the heels of the Toyota Hilux GR Sport, and is vastly different from the Fortuner GR Sport that was launched earlier in Indonesia. So what’s new with this Toyota Gazoo Racing-branded midsize SUV?

A picture of the Toyota GR Sport

The new Fortuner GR Sport variant for the Thai market 

Exterior 

At a glance, one can see that the Fortuner GR Sport is based on the top-of-the-line Fortuner LTD. And like that variant, it comes with a two-tone color scheme. The new Thai-spec GR Sport variant however now bears a lower grille that looks similar to the Toyota GR Yaris. Furthermore, it also has gloss black emblems, and a set of black colored 20-inch wheels. 

A picture of the rear of the Fortuner GR Sport

The Fortuner GR Sport from the rear

Interior 

As with many GR Sport variants, the Fortuner GR Sport gets a predominantly black interior with contrasting red stitching. The front seats also have embroidered GR logos, and the steering wheel looks different with its perforated leather and GR logo on the lower spoke. The said wheel also gets a red 12 o’clock marker. 

Moreover, the new Fortuner variant uses a smoked silver trim piece for the center console, as well as aluminum pedals. It also gets a gear shifter and interior door trim pieces that are clad in black leather and adorned with smoked silver trims. 

A picture of the Fortuner GR Sport's seats

Like other GR Sport variants, its seats also get embroidered GR Sport logos 

And like the Vios GR Sport, the Fortuner GR Sport is likewise equipped with a new gauge cluster with GR Sport branding. Other than that though, it gets the same interior features as the Fortuner LTD. 

Tech and Safety 

Like the Fortuner LTD, the Fortuner GR Sport released in Thailand also gets an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also gets a nine-piece speaker system as well. 

Its safety kit is also identical to that of the Philippine top-spec Fortuner. So this means that it is equipped with anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, hill-start assist, auto-dimming rear-view mirrors, seven airbags, stability control and traction control. 

A picture of the interior of the Fortuner GR Sport

It retains the same interior arrangement as the Fortuner LTD 

Additionally, it also has Toyota Safety Sense. This collection of driver-assist features includes lane departure alert, radar adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a pre-collision system, among others. 

Engine 

While the Fortuner GR Sport gets a whole lot more aggressive in terms of looks, its mechanicals remain identical to the Fortuner LTD.  

Under its hood is a 2.8-liter turbodiesel inline-4 engine, which can make 201 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. It then uses a six-speed automatic transmission which sends power to all four of its wheels. And of course, the aforementioned tranny has a paddle-shifter controlled manual mode. 

A picture of the Fortuner GR Sport on the road.

Would you like to see the Fortuner GR Sport in the Philippines?

So, is the Fortuner GR Sport coming to the Philippines? Well, it is highly likely since Toyota Motor Philippines already has the Vios GR Sport, and the Yaris GR Sport. So yeah, the only question now is when. 

For more car news, car reviews, keep reading here on Philkotse.com

Know more about Toyota Fortuner 2024

Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner 2024 sold in our market spans six five trim levels and 11 variants. Toyota Fortuner prices in the Philippines range from PHP 1,769,000 for the Fortuner G 2.4 M/T to PHP 2,650,000 for the flagship GR Sport 2.8 A/T. This midsize SUV spans two turbodiesel options, with most of the range equipped with a 6-speed automatic gearbox (6-speed manual for the base variant) as well as a 4x2 drivetrain (4x4 is available on the LTD trim and is standard on the GR Sport). The Fortuner brings a length of 4,795mm, a width of 1,855mm, and a height of 1,835mm on a 2,745mm wheelbase. 

The lowest monthly installment starts at Php 19,683 for the G 2.4 4x2, with 60-month payment terms on a 50 percent downpayment. As a contender in the midsize SUV segment, the Toyota Fortuner faces off against a slew of rivals including the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Nissan Terra, Ford Everest, Isuzu mu-X, and Foton Toplander

 

Toyota Fortuner Launch

Toyota Philippines launched the 2021 Fortuner facelift in late 2020 with the addition of the new and distinct variant called LTD. All of the variants introduced by the Japanese carmaker come with an automatic transmission except
the G variant which has to option to go for a manual transmission. Only the top-ranging LTD variants are benefited by a 4x4 drivetrain and a two-tone paint that comes with a blacked-out roof.

One of the best and new features the facelifted model brought in the country is the more powerful engine. The 7-seater midsize SUV now offers Filipino car buyers a 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV diesel engine that allows it to join the 500 Club
alongside other midsize SUVs in the country such as the Ford Everest and Chevrolet Trailblazer. Since the Fortuner's entry in the local market in 2005, TMP has already sold over 220,000 units of the unit.

Toyota Fortuner Exterior

The Toyota Fortuner gets a more confident and stylish design. The top-spec LTD comes with a 2-tone color black roof color lineup, a bolder and sportier front and rear bumper design, and machine-cut 18-inch alloy wheels. Split-type LED headlamps and LED front foglamps, sequential turn signal lamps, and the redesigned LED rear combination lamps give the LTD variant a more dynamic design while maintaining visibility on Philippine roads. 

Toyota Fortuner Philippines front view

The Toyota Fortuner gets a more confident and stylish design

On the other hand, the Q and V variants of the new Fortuner get LED foglamps and redesigned LED rear combination lamps, as well as Bi-Beam LED Headlamps with LED Line Guide - Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Meanwhile, G variants also now come with Bi-Beam LED Headlamps with LED DRL.

Toyota Fortuner Interior

The Toyota Fortuner LTD variants offer a more premium interior feel as compared to other variants thanks to its variant-exclusive leather with maroon accent seat material. Another feature found in the top-spec variant only is the leather plus galaxy black trim steering wheel which complements the seats. The G and V variants come with fabric upholstery, while the Q variants benefit from leather upholstery.

Toyota Fortuner interior view

The maroon trims are excellent touches

Standard features for the 7-seater midsize SUV include a 4.2-inch multi-information display (MID), tilt and telescopic steering column, four cupholders and two bottle holders up front, two cupholders and two bottle holders at the rear, 60:40 split for the 2nd-row passengers with 1-touch tumble with center armrest, and 50:50 split for the third-row seats. A cool box is included for all variants except the base G variants.

Technology & Safety Features

Comfort and entertainment are guaranteed the whole journey for the driver and passengers as LTD and Q variants have 8-Way Power Adjust front seats, and Front Seat Ventilation System for the LTD variant. Never lose power with the wireless charger and rear USB chargers available on LTD, Q, and V grades, and experience premium sound quality over the LTD variants’ 9-speaker JBL sound system. The new Fortuner also comes with either a seven- or eight-inch infotainment touchscreen depending on the variant. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard across all variants of the new Toyota Fortuner.

Toyota Fortuner's dashboard

The new Fortuner also come with either a seven- or eight-inch infotainment touchscreen depending on the variant

Toyota Fortuner Philippine seats

Comfort and entertainment is guaranteed the whole journey for the driver and passengers

Standard safety features in the SUV include dual-SRS airbags and driver's knee airbag (LTD variants get side and curtain airbags), an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), vehicle stability control (VSC) with traction control, hill-start assist control (HAC), and ISOFIX tethers. The higher-trim Q and LTD variants are installed with a pre-collision system (PCS), lane departure alert with yaw assist, and adaptive cruise control (ACC). 

Platform & Chassis

The Toyota Fortuner Philippines is a five-door midsize SUV that is built on the same IMV platform as the Hilux and Innova. The three models share the same engines, but the outputs and displacements differ. The front suspension is handled by the fully independent double-wishbone, while a rigid axle with coil springs handles the rear suspension. This seven-seater SUV has a length of 4,795 mm, a width of 1,855 mm, a wheelbase of 2,745 mm, and a ground clearance of 193 mm.

Two of the Toyota Fortuner variants

All variants share the same brake and suspension parts

>>> Toyota Fortuner for sale in the Philippines at best prices

Engine & Drivetrain

The new Toyota Fortuner LTD and Q variants are powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine that delivers 201 hp and 500 Nm of torque. On the other hand, the V and G variants of the model come with a 2.4-liter diesel engine that generates 148 hp and 400 Nm of torque. All variants come with a six-speed automatic transmission except for the entry-level G variant, which has a 6-speed manual transmission.

Toyota Fortuner Philippines on the road

The new Toyota Fortuner LTD and Q variants are powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine

All variants of the 7-seater midsize SUV utilize a 4x2 drivetrain. However, Toyota Motor Philippines also offers a 4x4 drivetrain which is made available only on the top-ranging LTD variant that comes with auto disconnect differential and differential lock for a more seamless off-roading ride.

>>> For your further reference:

Available colors for the Toyota Fortuner 2024 are Silver Metallic, Attitude Black Mica, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Sparkling Black Pearl Crystal Shine, Attitude Black Mica, Gray Metallic, Silver Metallic, and Super White II. 

For off-road capability, the Toyota Fortuner 2024 is equipped with a rear-locking differential that works with its four-wheel drivetrain. Toyota Safety Sense is standard on the Q, LTD, and GR Sport trims, bringing driver-assist features such as a pre-collision system and adaptive cruise control. Upper-spec variants also come with a panoramic view monitor that provides a 360-degree view of the vehicle’s exterior. Also, the Fortuner Philippines is the only one in its class that offers ventilated front seats. 

Toyota Fortuner Pros & Cons

 Pros  Cons
 
  • Muscular design 

  • Improved interior and safety features 

  • Robust powertrain and suspension

  • Extensive variant lineup

  • Not so comfortable ride quality 

  • Pricey compared to rivals 

Toyota Fortuner Q&A

1. Does the Toyota Fortuner have 7 seats?

Yes, it is a midsize SUV that has 7 seats.

2. Will the Toyota Fortuner 2024 have a sunroof?

Unfortunately, no. Sunroofs are not available on the Toyota Fortuner 2024.

3. What is special about the safety system of the Toyota Fortuner 2024?

The safety system of the Toyota Fortuner 2024 has been improved because it includes Blind spot indicators with rear cross-traffic alert, stability control, traction control, and hill start assist.

4. How is the Toyota Fortuner price in the Philippines?

The price of Toyota Fortuner is quite good. It ranges from 1,769,000 Php for the entry-level G 2.4 4x2 MT to 2,650,000 Php for the top-of-the-line Toyota Fortuner GR Sport 2.8 Diesel 4x4 AT.

5. Which Toyota Fortuner Philippines color is best?

It’s difficult to tell which color is best since this depends on each one’s preference. However, Fortuner 2024 black and Fortuner 2024 white seem to be popular choices.

 

₱ 1,736,000 - ₱ 2,595,000

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Cesar G.B. Miguel

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

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