- Camouflaged Fortuner prototype spied testing in Thailand.
- Ladder-frame SUV gets a redesigned front end like the Hilux.
- It should debut later this year for Southeast Asia markets.
The new Hilux has already signaled where Toyota’s rugged lineup is heading. So once the updated pickup arrived, it was only a matter of time before attention turned to its three-row SUV sibling, the Fortuner. And right on cue, Toyota is preparing a new generation, with a camouflaged prototype now spotted testing in Thailand.
The current Fortuner generation dates back to 2015, with a mid-lifecycle update arriving in 2020. That is a long run in today’s market. Even so, the next iteration will not be a clean-sheet rethink. Much like the Hilux, it is expected to retain the IMV ladder-frame chassis, sticking with what works rather than chasing reinvention.
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Spy shots show a familiar silhouette and an almost identical greenhouse, giving the impression of a comprehensive facelift rather than a ground-up redesign. Up front, slimmer LED headlights sit above a more upright, squared-off bumper. The honeycomb grille has been repositioned lower on the fascia, echoing the Sumo-inspired look of the Hilux pickup range. There is also the possibility of split LED headlights replacing the current single-unit setup.
From the side, the Fortuner remains instantly recognisable, with most of the sheet metal carried over. The rear tells a different story. It now features full-width LED taillights, a redesigned tailgate, and a different rear bumper.
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Digital artist Theophilus Chin has also produced speculative renderings of the upcoming model, drawing heavily from the latest Hilux. His take aligns closely with the camouflaged prototype, though Toyota’s own designers appear to have gone further in differentiating the SUV from its pickup sibling.
Modernized Interior
While interior photos have yet to surface, the Fortuner is expected to borrow extensively from the Hilux and the Land Cruiser Prado in terms of layout and technology. It will continue to offer a three-row, seven-seat configuration, a key selling point in its core markets.
A redesigned dashboard should feature dual 12.3-inch displays in higher-spec variants, paired with physical controls for essential functions and a chunky steering wheel. Toyota is also likely to upgrade the SUV’s safety credentials with a more comprehensive ADAS suite.
What Powers The Next Fortuner?
Underneath, the new Fortuner is expected to use a strengthened version of the durable IMV ladder-frame architecture. Suspension revisions will likely focus on improving ride comfort without dulling its rugged character.
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The engine lineup should continue to be led by the mild-hybrid 2.8-liter turbodiesel already offered in the current model, producing 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. As before, both RWD and 4WD configurations are expected, depending on the market.
Although the Hilux now comes in fully electric form, a similar EV variant for the Fortuner seems unlikely. Its target audience tends to prioritise range and durability over plugging in.
Where Will It Be Sold?
Illustrations Theottle
The new Toyota Fortuner is expected to debut later this year, most likely in Thailand before expanding across Southeast Asia. Australian buyers, however, should not hold their breath. The Fortuner was recently discontinued in Australia, and reports suggest it will not return, with Toyota focusing instead on the similarly sized Land Cruiser Prado.
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North America will remain off the map as well. Toyota already offers two similarly sized ladder-frame SUVs there, the Toyota 4Runner and the Land Cruiser.
Key rivals include the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, each based on a midsize pickup platform.