New Toyota Fortuner 2025: When Toyota first introduced the Fortuner to global markets back in 2005, few could have predicted how this rugged, Hilux-based SUV would evolve into a veritable institution in countries like India, Thailand, and Australia.
Fast forward to 2025, and the latest iteration of this venerable nameplate doesn’t just continue its legacy—it completely reimagines what a body-on-frame SUV can offer in an era increasingly dominated by car-like crossovers. After spending a week with the new Fortuner, I’m convinced that Toyota hasn’t just updated an icon; they’ve future-proofed it.
New Toyota Fortuner 2025 Bold New Design Language: Evolutionary Yet Revolutionary
Pull up alongside the 2025 Fortuner, and you’ll immediately notice its more assertive stance. Toyota’s designers have clearly drawn inspiration from the larger Land Cruiser 300 series while maintaining the Fortuner’s distinct identity.
The front fascia makes an immediate impression with its dramatically larger hexagonal grille—now featuring a unique mesh pattern on higher trims—flanked by slimmer, more angular LED headlamps with distinctive daytime running light signatures that give the SUV an unmistakable presence on the road.
The hood sits higher than before, with pronounced character lines that sweep toward the A-pillars, creating a more muscular appearance. From the side, the Fortuner maintains its characteristic silhouette but adds more pronounced wheel arches housing either 18-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels, depending on the variant.
The shoulder line rises more dramatically toward the D-pillar, giving the SUV a more dynamic profile without sacrificing the boxy, utilitarian shape that Fortuner loyalists appreciate.
At the rear, the most notable change is the redesigned tailgate with a more three-dimensional treatment for the LED tail lamps, which now extend partially into the quarter panels.
A subtle roof spoiler and dual exhaust tips on higher variants complete the more premium look. Ground clearance remains impressive at 225mm, enabling the Fortuner to tackle challenging terrain without breaking a sweat.
Toyota offers the 2025 Fortuner in eight exterior colors, including three new options: Celestial Silver, Attitude Black, and the particularly striking Phantom Brown—a rich, deep color that shifts subtly under different lighting conditions. The paint quality deserves special mention, with a deep, lustrous finish that should withstand the test of time, even in harsh climatic conditions.
Under the Hood: Power Meets Efficiency
The 2025 Fortuner introduces significant powertrain updates, reflecting Toyota’s commitment to balancing performance with environmental responsibility.
The mainstay of the range is an updated version of the 2.8-liter GD-series turbodiesel engine, now producing 204 horsepower and a substantial 500 Nm of torque—increases of 27 horsepower and 50 Nm over the previous generation.
This unit delivers robust low-end grunt and mid-range punch, making light work of overtaking maneuvers on highways and providing the necessary torque for serious off-road scenarios.
For the first time in the Fortuner’s history, Toyota has introduced a hybrid powertrain option, combining a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 250 horsepower.
This hybrid system, derived from Toyota’s proven TNGA architecture but adapted for the body-on-frame platform, delivers a surprising blend of refinement and efficiency.
During my test, the hybrid returned approximately 14 km/l in mixed driving conditions—impressive figures for a vehicle of this size and capability.
Transmission options include a revised 6-speed automatic for the diesel variants and an e-CVT for the hybrid. The former features recalibrated shift logic that holds gears longer during spirited driving or when towing, while the latter does an admirable job of keeping the engine in its efficiency sweet spot without the rubber-band effect that plagues many CVTs.
A 6-speed manual transmission remains available on entry-level diesel variants in certain markets, catering to purists who prefer complete control over their gear selection.
Four-wheel drive is standard on higher-spec variants and optional on mid-range models, featuring a selectable low-range transfer case for serious off-road duty.
Toyota has retained the mechanical rear differential lock while adding a newly developed electronic limited-slip function for the front axle, enhancing traction in challenging conditions without compromising on-road handling.
Cabin Comfort: A Quantum Leap Forward
Step inside the 2025 Fortuner, and the most dramatic improvements become immediately apparent. The dashboard has been completely redesigned, featuring a more horizontal layout with genuine aluminum or wood accents depending on the trim level.
The center console houses a freestanding 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Toyota’s latest generation interface, which finally offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
The driver faces a configurable 7-inch digital instrument cluster flanked by analog gauges on mid-range models, while premium variants receive a fully digital 12.3-inch display offering multiple view options, including a dedicated off-road mode that displays vehicle angle, wheel articulation, and differential lock status.
Material quality has taken a substantial leap forward, with soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard, door panels, and center console. The leather upholstery on higher trims feels genuinely premium, with perforations and contrast stitching that add visual interest.
Even the plastics used in lower sections of the cabin exhibit good grain and solidity, with none of the hollow, cheap feel that plagued some areas of the previous generation.
The front seats offer excellent support for long journeys, with 10-way power adjustment including lumbar support for the driver on higher specs. The second row can slide and recline, providing exceptional legroom when the third row isn’t in use.
Speaking of which, the third-row seats now fold flat into the floor rather than to the sides, resulting in a more usable cargo area when they’re not deployed.
With all seats up, there’s enough space for a couple of soft bags; fold the third row, and you can accommodate several large suitcases with ease.
Thoughtful touches abound throughout the cabin. From the wireless charging pad capable of handling larger smartphones to the cooled center console that can keep beverages chilled, the Fortuner demonstrates genuine attention to real-world usability.
The panoramic sunroof, a first for the model, bathes the cabin in natural light, making it feel airier than its predecessors despite similar external dimensions.
Tech-Forward: Features and Connectivity
The 2025 Fortuner embraces technology without overwhelming users with needless complexity. The centerpiece of the tech suite is the aforementioned 12.3-inch infotainment system, which features significantly improved processing power over the previous generation, resulting in snappy responses to inputs and smooth animations.
The voice control system now understands natural language commands, allowing drivers to adjust climate settings, navigate to destinations, or change audio sources without taking their hands off the wheel.
Toyota’s connected car platform has been expanded for the new Fortuner, offering features like remote engine start, cabin pre-conditioning, vehicle tracking, and geofencing through a dedicated smartphone application.
Over-the-air updates ensure that both the infotainment system and various vehicle systems can be enhanced over time, a notable departure from Toyota’s traditionally conservative approach to vehicle electronics.
The JBL premium audio system, available on higher trims, delivers impressive sound quality through 11 strategically placed speakers, including a subwoofer mounted in the cargo area. The system’s digital signal processing creates a wide, enveloping soundstage that makes long journeys more enjoyable for audiophiles.
Other notable tech features include a 360-degree camera system with a dedicated off-road view that shows obstacles directly in front of and below the vehicle, a head-up display that projects key information onto the windshield, and a digital rearview mirror that provides an unobstructed view even when the cargo area is fully loaded.
The Road Less Traveled: Off-Road Excellence
While many modern SUVs sacrifice genuine off-road capability in favor of on-road comfort, the 2025 Fortuner remains unapologetically capable when the tarmac ends.
The revised four-wheel-drive system, now featuring a Multi-Terrain Select system with dedicated modes for mud, sand, rocks, and snow, optimizes the vehicle’s electronic aids for various conditions.
Approach and departure angles have been improved to 31 and 26 degrees respectively, while the breakover angle stands at a respectable 24 degrees. The 700mm water wading depth means most river crossings are well within the Fortuner’s comfort zone.
During our test on a challenging off-road course, the Fortuner displayed remarkable articulation, keeping wheels planted on uneven terrain thanks to the well-tuned suspension.
The hill descent control manages steep declines with confidence-inspiring surefootedness, while the reinforced chassis shrugged off the kind of impacts that would leave lesser SUVs calling for a tow truck.
What’s particularly impressive is how the Fortuner accomplishes this without the bone-jarring ride quality that once characterized body-on-frame SUVs.
Toyota has recalibrated the suspension—double wishbones up front and a four-link coil spring setup at the rear—to provide better absorption of small bumps and ripples while maintaining the structural rigidity necessary for serious off-roading.
Safety: Protection by Innovation
Toyota has equipped the 2025 Fortuner with its latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite, which includes advanced driver assistance systems previously reserved for its more premium offerings. Adaptive cruise control now functions from highway speeds all the way to a complete stop, making traffic jams less stressful.
The lane-keeping system has been refined to provide more natural interventions, while the pre-collision system can now detect and react to cyclists and pedestrians even in low-light conditions.
New for this generation is an intersection support system that warns drivers of potential collisions when turning across traffic, and an emergency steering assist function that provides additional steering force during evasive maneuvers while maintaining vehicle stability.
Passive safety features include eight airbags as standard across the range, including knee airbags for both driver and front passenger. The body structure has been reinforced with additional high-strength steel, designed to absorb and distribute crash energy more effectively.
The Ownership Experience
Owning a Fortuner has always been about more than just the vehicle itself—it’s about becoming part of a community that values reliability, capability, and adventure.
Toyota has enhanced this ownership experience with extended service intervals (now 15,000 kilometers for diesel variants and 20,000 kilometers for hybrids), potentially reducing maintenance costs over the vehicle’s lifetime.
The warranty package has been improved to 5 years or 150,000 kilometers, whichever comes first, with the hybrid system components covered for 8 years or 160,000 kilometers.
Toyota’s legendary reliability should ensure that the 2025 Fortuner remains a dependable companion for years to come, while its traditionally strong resale values protect owners’ investments better than many competitors.
Market Positioning and Value Proposition
The 2025 Fortuner continues to occupy a unique space in the market. While premium enough to serve as a family vehicle for urban use, it retains the authentic off-road credentials that have made it a favorite among adventure seekers.
This duality of purpose—comfortable daily driver and weekend warrior—gives it a versatility that many more road-focused crossovers simply cannot match.
Pricing remains competitive given the significant upgrades, with Toyota positioning the Fortuner as a premium offering within its segment rather than chasing entry-level buyers.
The value proposition is strengthened by the comprehensive standard equipment list, improved fuel efficiency, and the peace of mind that comes with Toyota’s reputation for building vehicles that stand the test of time.
New Toyota Fortuner 2025 Conclusion: Evolution of a Legend
The 2025 Toyota Fortuner isn’t just an update to a successful formula—it’s a comprehensive reimagining of what a modern body-on-frame SUV can be.
By embracing technological innovation and improved refinement without compromising the rugged capability that built its reputation, Toyota has ensured that the Fortuner remains relevant in an increasingly crowded and competitive segment.
For existing Fortuner owners looking to upgrade, the new model offers meaningful improvements in every area without alienating loyalists. For those new to the nameplate, the 2025 model presents a compelling alternative to car-based crossovers, promising adventure and capability wrapped in a more refined, technologically advanced package than ever before.
In an automotive landscape increasingly dominated by vehicles that prioritize style over substance, the 2025 Fortuner stands as a refreshing reminder that genuine capability and modern luxury need not be mutually exclusive.
It’s not just an SUV; it’s a statement of intent from Toyota that the body-on-frame SUV still has a bright future ahead—and the Fortuner will continue to be at the forefront of that evolution.