Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD-6 4x4 Epic Black Test Review

The Toyota Fortuner and Hilux models have earned their stripes over many years in Mzanzi and throughout the world. For any other manufacturer to claim the titles of Legend or Epic would seem rather bold, yet in this case it simply feels like it's been earned.
Added to the top of the Fortuner range recently, the Epic Black introduces the new face with updates to the grill and lighting treatment. Then, as befits a model at the top of the range, it adds a number of trim and luxury items to the tried and tested mechanical recipe.
Coming as standard in gleaming Glacier White paint with contrasting black roof, items like the nudge bar, LED lights and black 18 inch alloys it even stands out from the crowd of more "standard" Fortuners that you see everywhere on our roads.
On the interior, items like the touchscreen infotainment system with full navigation, full leather trim with contrasting stitching and air-con vents for the middle and rearmost seats add to the luxury feel.
The Epic Black is powered by the familiar 2.8L 4 cylinder turbodiesel with 130kW and 450Nm available through the 6 speed automatic transmission. Standard format is rear wheel drive but a simple twist of the know on the fascia can move you into 4 wheel drive high or on to 4 wheel drive low range. We didn't use 4 wheel drive on this test but you can rest assured that the Fortuner is just as capable off-road as it's Hilux brother and we certainly proved the capability of the mechanically identical Hilux Legend 50 on a recent test.
The automatic transmission is smooth and efficient in general driving but I did notice a tendency to hunt between 5th and 6th gears when cruising at freeway speeds. I’m certain this is purely a function of the gearing on the vehicle and could be eliminated by a small speed adjustment
7 Airbags, every possible form of driver assistance including trailer sway control (important as the Fortuner is rated to tow up to 3000kg braked) form part of the package. With 279mm of ground clearance, you know that you can tackle just about any obstacle with confidence.
The only issue I have with the Fortuner is the 2 extra rear seats that still fold up to the sides of the load area instead of folding into the floor as on most of the competitors in this category. It certainly does not seem to worry the legions of buyers who consistently put the Fortuner at the top of the sales charts, so maybe it's not that important.
Fuel economy for the test period showed 9.8L/ 100km. Interestingly, the trip computer shows a target figure of 10.0 so I feel that this figure should be easily achieved in normal driving.
Part of the reason for the popularity of the Fortuner is the fact that it is not over endowed with electronics and that there is a dealer under every bush throughout Southern Africa. This means that the family can go adventuring with confidence.
Service intervals are set at 10 000km so the service plan is 9 services or 90 000km plus a 3 year/ 100 000km warranty.
Current price for the Epic Black is R753 900.
#Toyota
#ToyotaSouthAfrica
#ToyotaSA
#TSAM
#ToyotaFortuner
#Fortuner
#4x4SUV
#4x4FamilyVehicle
#Luxury4x4

[@masonwabefuzani8274]

Great review love the practicality 👌

[@MotorMatters]

Glad you liked it

[@KerriChoga]

I love it 🥰

[@dlepuno]

peope are rude you guys say its a bad car but what i what to know is what car do you drive

[@NathanThupe3650]

Please review the land cruiser 200 series

[@giftysambo4238]

Good review. Those things r tough

[@MotorMatters]

Yes they are

[@shathaniketogetswe4271]

Funny how I can't get mine down below 10.9lt/100km

[@PreeMoo]

Toyota are certainly making some exciting looking vehicles nowadays. Unfortunately, the Fortuner isn’t one of them. I wonder who thought that a floating black roof on a squared off 2 box design which was never penned to carry off such stylistic fripperies, was a great idea?

[@TypeZA]

Unbraked towing mass of 3T? Never. Unbraked is 750kg, unbraked is 3000kg

[@MotorMatters]

Apologies, I actually corrected myself later in the video. It's 750kg Unbraked and 3000kg Braked. Thanks for the comment

[@TypeZA]

@@MotorMatters Sorry should watch the entire thing before commenting. Great vid as always. Have a good weekend sir

[@MotorMatters]

You too, please keep safe on the roads

[@dlepuno]

Hi

[@dlepuno]

review the ford everest

[@MotorMatters]

Search on my channel, there are a number of tests of the Everest

[@dlepuno]

Thanks your reviews are very informative

[@dlepuno]

its a 2021

[@danielmattheus3401]

I cant believe you said a lot of buyers prefer less electronics? Really. Park Assist, Brake Assist, 360 degrees cameras, keyless entry, keyless start, automatic tailgate open and close, climatronics, seat cooling and heating, Apple Car Play, Android Auto. Sorry but your review is so pro Toyota even though the plastics is cheap and hard and the interior looks outdated from a car from the 90s. Its really not a nice looking car. Pity we dont see the Toyota Vellfires in South Africa. They have more better interiors. Its like Toyota South Africa hasnt planned passed the 90s. Amazing whoever designed the Rav4 as clearly as thats not a Toyota guy.

[@PeterDful]

The needs a REAL HONEST review, I have had my fortuner for 3 years, it's the worst car I have ever owned. you cant fold the rear seats down when the front seats are set a bit far back unless you remove the head rests. When you do they don't lay flat. The Bluetooth doesn't always work. The loading space is actually very small, unless you have removed the stupid rear seats. The buzzer behind the dash beeps at you for everything. I had to physically remove the speaker. You cant program the locking system, every time i need to access another door I have to go back to the driver side and press a button to unlock the rest of the car, The rear hatch has to be slammed to close properly. and and and... The wiring in the engine compartment isn't well protected, on 2 occasions I've had rats eating the wiring, once is SA and once in Mozambique. The flappy padles are a waist of time, as is the power mode, what a joke, it does nothing .This is the last Toyota I will ever buy. I'm very disappointed in this car. The good side is that it's very light on fuel for it's size, and relatively comfortable on long distances.

[@MotorMatters]

@Peter D, you mention some valid points here. Many SUV's don't provide a completely flat floor when the rear seats are folded and some do require rear headrests to be removed. I also agree with you re the rear seats, I have mentioned this many times. As for "flappy paddles", I regularly point out in my reviews that this are somewhat gimmikey and a waste on most cars other than genuine performance vehicles. It's sad that you have had a bad experience, sales numbers prove that most owners are happy with the Fortuner and Toyota is constantly making small changes and improvements

[@PeterDful]

I just feel that Toyota should have put more attention to detail.its also a south african trend to strip a lot or tech out of the car, that most other countries have as standard

[@MotorMatters]

Some of it is simply why change a winning formula, although constant changes and improvements are being made. Also remember that the current Fortuner has been around for a while so I'm sure a lot of items may be addressed on the next generation. Sadly, many manufacturers do exclude some tech from SA models, especially like Active braking and similar that are becoming standard (or required) in Europe. I agree that this should be on our models, but cost is a major factor as always

[@PeterDful]

A friend of mine has a Peugeot 5008, although im not a fan of french cars, the rear seats fold completely flat, and although it has also had the "tech" limited you can load alot more holiday gear into it, and almost everything is programmable to your own preference. You can even change how the car smells inside by changing the environmental settings. Its a pity Toyota have slipped up. My previous Toyota was a 2008 4Lv6 hilux, i drive that for 10 years, and clocked up about 600 000 km, and took it half way up into africa, every second month, the only hassle I ever had, was the occasional battery, and a few flat tyres. Anyway, enjoy your weekend, 👍👍

[@djtobiseopa]

Truly agree, I traded my fortuner for a ford everest limited biturbo. I can tell you its such a huge difference. Problem with fortuner is that it constantly feels like a lot of things are after thoughts. Terrible transmission, lack of features , lack of comfort I can go on and on

[@kosiekoos9408]

Fuel consumption🥴never a priority i suppose for bakkie drivers