The Toyota Fortuner has long been one of the countries favourite 7-seater SUV's, based of the ever popular Hilux, this car has fought of some tough competition from the likes of Ford, Isuzu and most recently the surge of Chinese SUV's flooding the market. Given the impressive underpinnings of the Hilux and the reputable and reliable name badge, people are still drawn to this car despite its aged design and offerings. With the impending arrival of the new Hilux which will possibly break cover at the end of the year or early in the new year, spells an end to the life cycle of the current Fortuner which will also have a brand new model based on the new Hilux. Hence Toyota decided to smack on the GR name badge to the Fortuner, with not only cosmetic enhancements but performance as well.
DESIGN
The GR-Sport treatment takes the familiar Fortuner shape and adds real presence without gaudiness. Outside you get a reshaped front bumper with a bolder lower “spoiler” look, black 18-inch alloys, a roof spoiler, GR badges, and darker exterior accents. It still reads as Fortuner—upright and purposeful—but the GR bits give it a tougher, more athletic stance. Inside, Toyota leans into the theme with perforated suede-and-leather sports seats, aluminium pedals, red instrument highlights and GR branding on the wheel, start button and key. The regular Fortuner’s update brings full-LED lighting with neat sequential indicators and a cleaner, more premium cabin layout; the GR-S simply turns the dial up visually.
PERFORMANCE
Under the bonnet sits the uprated 2.8-litre GD-6 turbodiesel tuned to 165 kW and 550 Nm, paired to a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. That’s a healthy bump over standard 2.8s (150 kW/500 Nm), and you can feel the extra mid-range shove when overtaking or towing. Toyota also fits a retuned suspension specific to the GR-S, aimed at sharper body control while keeping the Fortuner’s long-distance plushness. Independent SA tests report 0–100 km/h anywhere from the mid-8s to low-11s depending on equipment, surface and methodology—quick enough for a ladder-frame 7-seater and notably stronger than non-GR 2.8s. Real-world, it’s the torque plateau from ~1 600 rpm that defines the drive: relaxed cruising, decisive kickdown, and less hunting between ratios on rolling highways.
OFF-ROAD
This is still a Fortuner at heart: proper 4×4 hardware (low-range transfer case), a rear diff-lock, and Toyota’s A-TRC traction logic that meters brake pressure at spinning wheels to keep you moving over cross-axle obstacles. Downhill Assist Control helps on steep, loose descents, and Hill-start Assist keeps things tidy on climbs. The GR-S adds its suspension tune and slightly more responsive powertrain mapping, which you notice when feathering the throttle over technical sections. Approach/departure numbers aren’t the sales pitch here—the story is the predictability: clear sight lines, sensible throttle calibration, and electronic aids that step in seamlessly rather than snatching. If you regularly mix gravel touring with the odd rocky pass, this setup hits the sweet spot between comfort and control.
COMFORT
Seven seats remain, with easy one-touch access to the third row. The second row is family-friendly (ISOFIX on both outer seats), and the third row is fine for kids or occasional adult hops. The boot is square and useful; the flip-up third-row still divides opinion, but it does free a tall, usefully wide load floor when stowed. Ride quality is classic Fortuner: supple over rough tar and gravel, a touch firmer on sharp urban edges in the GR-S but still compliant. Front seats are heated and power-adjustable, and the split-zone climate control with rear ventilation keeps the cabin temperate on long hauls. Noise isolation is improved versus older Fortuners; the 2.8’s balance-shaft work pays dividends at idle and highway cruise. Infotainment is centered on an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and up to 11 speakers. The TFT multi-info cluster is clear and useful, and the electrochromatic rear-view mirror on 2.8-litre models is a nice touch. Toyota Safety Sense is available on the GR-S, bundling a Pre-Crash System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane-Keeping Assist; you also get front/rear PDC and a reverse camera. The GR-S can be optioned with a Panoramic View Monitor to make tight manoeuvres and off-road wheel placement easier. Passive safety is comprehensive with front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags.
VERDICT
While I may criticize Toyota for not making any drastic changes to the design and interior over the years, the numbers tell no lie, people still love this car and giving it a sporty derivative will only enhance it's appeal to many. While I feel this car is faster than it needs to be, it doesn't take away how much fun it is to drive, especially off-road. The space and practicality of the car is hard to beat, even the Everest, while much more attractive in design and technology, the trusty Toyota badge does shine through in the end with its comfort and reliability.
SPECIFICATION
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