The SUV segment has always been on fire in India. Selling like hotcakes, some of the SUVs have set a benchmark so high that none of the new entrants even dare to breach that. And when I say SUV, I am not talking about the crossovers which sell in the name of compact SUVs in India. I am talking about the fully-grown ladder-on-frame chassis. One such SUV is the Toyota Fortuner. The first generation of Fortuner was introduced back in 2009, a time when Indians were not given many options in the name of SUVs.
Toyota Fortuner | Filling The Gap Since 2009!
At the time when Fortuner was yet to launch in India Toyota offered just two cars, the Innova and the Prado. There was a huge gap that needed to be filled. An SUV was needed in the mid-range pricing. So, the Toyota Fortuner was launched at a price of ₹18.4 lakhs (Ex-Showroom). Toyota Fortuner came with just one variant, a 3.0-litre 4WD MT. What it had to offer under the hood? Let’s see!
Toyota Fortuner | Engine Specifications |
|
Engine | 3.0-litre D-4D 16V |
Fuel | Diesel |
Power | 168hp@3,600rpm |
Torque | 343Nm@3,400rpm |
Transmission | 5-speed Manual |
Drive Type | 4WD |
The 3.0-litre diesel engine was powerful and with the 4 wheel-drive configurations, it had one of the best powertrains to offer at that time. Toyota Fortuner was assembled at the Karnataka plant of the company and imported as a CKD unit.
Take a look: Revisiting the Toyota Innova and Why India loves this MPV
What all it had to offer?
Toyota Fortuner is a huge SUV for sure. It met the expectations of people wanting to own a Prado but at much lower costs. Inside, you could find a 2-din audio system with CD player, dual-zone automatic Air Conditioning, digital multi-information display, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob and transfer case knob, optimum storage spaces, front and rear armrests and much more.
What about the safety features in the Toyota Fortuner First Generation?
Power, as well as the safety, were two USPs of this SUV. It came equipped with dual-front SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, seatbelts for all the rows, parking sensors, high mounted LED tail lamp to ensure visibility of the beast from far distances at nights, and so on.
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The Ultimate Driving Experience!
The Fortuner is a beast, that we know for sure. Even the first generation offered power and torque at the tap of the accelerator. It also offered good fuel efficiency of 12.5kmpl on a highway. The suspension was on the firm side making the ride a bit bumpy. The looks of the first generation are absolutely stunning, stunning enough to turn eyes, even now. And the competitive pricing made this an ultimate SUV at that time.
So this is all for the first generation of the undisputed king of SUVs. Want to know about another car? Do let us know in the comments section below.