Toyota Fortuner

When entering the 2025 Fortuner, it can be noticed that Toyota has tried to prioritize more on comfort, ease, and luxurious touch. 

Design & Materials

The interior welcomes you with a Toyota layout, enhanced with better materials. On my V6 test version, I observed soft-touch dashboard surfaces, above-average quality plastic on the doors, leather upholstery (higher trims), and tasteful trim accents (wood/metallic, depending on spec). The general design is minimalist and practical with a bit of flashy.

Toyota's emphasis on “Lighter body more performance” and “Safety taking first place”. This inner feeling of giving precedence to utility and beauty is conferred.

Driving Position

The driving controls are very easily located: the steering wheel has intuitive buttons to control media/phone/cruise, the gear lever is in the middle of the board, and the instrument cluster is easily readable. The steering column is well adjusted, and the reach/tilt is good, giving a comfortable seating position to the taller drivers. The front seats were comfortable on longer journeys. 

Caution: the seat adjustments and cushioning are less lavish in the base 2.7 L model than in the upper trims (which come with ventilated seats, leather etc). 

Passenger Comfort & Space

As a passenger, I had lots of room in the second row. With the bench being three-adult-friendly. But in the case of long highway trips, I would say two adults will accommodate comfortably. There was sufficient legroom and headroom, but you will feel more limited in the third row. The third row can be used by children or by the adult in the occasional use. There are rear AC vents (mid/higher trims) and the cabin is fairly quiet considering the size of the car.

Storage & Practicality

In terms of functionality the Fortuner is a star. The door bins are fairly good, glovebox is accessible, and centre-console storage is good enough to keep daily use items. The boot is huge with the standard seven-seats set up - although Toyota does not report a large number because of the third-row occupants and luggage. It has 348 litres of trunk capacity in the 2.7L EXR. Folding (or removing) the third row allows you to have a far more practical cargo area, perfect when you are going on a family trip with strollers, shopping bags, or even luggage. 

• Rear view camera
• Blind spot monitor
• Rear cross alert
• Anti theft system
• Parking sensors
• Dual front airbags with knee airbag for driver
• Cruise control
• Rear differential locks

Once you step towards the 2025 Fortuner, you just get to love it even more.

Bold Road Presence

The front end is majorly spectacular with the large upright grill and smooth LED headlights. Toyota in the UAE dubs it as "Simply Sleek" and they are rightfully so. It has that solid, reliable appearance brought about by those silver bumper strips and that huge grille. 

Right Size for UAE Families

The size of this Toyota’s beast is 4,795 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width, and 1,835 mm in height. That said, it is that midrange, seven-seater that will have all your weekend stuff, yet be drivable in the city as well. When I was driving in and out of the tight parking places and the various multi-storey garages in Dubai, I did not feel like I was driving something huge.

Front Profile and Design

The LED headlamps (with auto-leveling in higher trims) and daytime running lights give a real modernist touch, all chrome and with a broad grille. 

Side Profile & Wheels

It has that SUV standard side look with a long hood, high roofline and useful roof rails. On the low-end trims, the Toyota Fortuner has 17-inch wheels, although you can have 18s or in some of the high-end models, you can have 19s. The higher trims do appear rather high-end with their glossy black panels, shiny alloys, and chrome-accented details. One thing, though, it will be a little noisier on the highway than you would normally expect in a typical SUV but that is what you do get with a body-on-frame SUV of this size.

Rear Appeal

The rear view of Toyota Fortuner holds its own with its big tailgate, huge bumper, and vintage Toyota looks. Some of the higher trims offer dual exhaust styling and LED taillights with sharper styling, providing a more refined look than previous generations. My observation: the tailgate height is a bit tall, if you’re loading large items you’ll need to lift a bit higher than some rivals but it’s quite usable.

Colours & Finishes

In the UAE, Toyota has a lot of color options, including a nice metallic and pearl finish. The paint finish of my test car showed tremendous holding power in our UAE’s unkind sun, and the build quality of the panel gaps were also at par.

The SUV is all about the way it performs, whether it is on the tarmac, the dunes, or the highway. You will ride it everywhere in the UAE, not only in the daily commute to work but also in mountain biking and the occasional off-road.

Engine & Specification

The Fortuner 2025 is available in the UAE in two petrol engines:

• 2.7 L 4-cylinder with about 164 hp (some 164-166 hp) and 245 Nm torque.
• V6 with 4.0 liter capacity with approximately 235 hp and 376 Nm of torque.

Both the options have a 6-speed automatic gearbox and the 4x4 drivetrain system. The fuel economy estimates are not fixed: for the 2.7 L you’re looking at combined around 10.4 km/l (or about 9.4 km/l to 10.4 km/l depending on driving) in UAE conditions. For the 4.0 L V6 the number is slightly lower (9.6 km/l combined in one source) given the higher performance.

Having driven both versions

• The 2.7 L was sufficient for everyday use in the city. It has smooth transitions, is relatively reliable, and has the capability of being a family-oriented car. On highway the 2.7 is fine but you will feel that it requires a little bit more effort to pass by or to climb steep slopes than the V6.
• The 4.0 L V6 is much more powerful: it is faster to respond, more convenient in overtaking. The additional torque provides you with additional assurance.

Ride & Handling

• The Toyota Fortuner is constructed to be strong with a body-on-frame design and therefore is suitable on rough roads but a bit stiffer than a general luxury SUV. 
• Its suspension is effective in smoothing the bumps in the city roads and it feels secure in highways with light and easy steering. 
• On rough or off road terrain, the Fortuner performs brilliantly. It is stable and the high ground clearance is also an advantage. 
• There are sharp bumps which may feel hard particularly at the back when the car is empty. 

Real-World Economy & Practicality

The real-life fuel economy and run-up expenses are some of the factors to be considered in the UAE heat. According to my experience: the combined figures of city/hwy are approximately 9 -10 km/l with the 2.7L version and a bit less with the V6. During my highway drive (120-130 km/h constant) with family, moderate luggage and AC running full, the consumption was similar to what had been anticipated, the V6 averaged more like 8-9km/l in that run (heavy load + AC + desert entry).

Infotainment & Tech Features

The Fortuner gets a decent tech suite, though not as cutting-edge as some of the European models. In UAE spec, you’ll get an 8-inch display audio system (AM/FM/DAB) as standard. There are numerous trims offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In the higher trim, it features paddle shifters (4.0 L V6 trims) and more luxury upholstery. 

Point to be noted: the driving information display is clear and functional, but some of the competitors provide bigger screens, wireless charging, and more sophisticated connections in the same price bracket. In the Fortuner’s defence: it is built and designed to be durable and user-friendly (which proves to be even more desirable in hot and dusty UAE).

The price and variant breakdown of the Fortuner 2025 in UAE is as follows:

• 2.7 L EXR (base petrol 4-cyl): It starts from approximately AED 126,900 to AED 128,900.
• 4.0 L GXR (V6): Priced around AED 153,900.
• 4.0 L VXR (top-end V6, with extra luxury/options): As much as AED 172,900.

Suggestion: The 4.0 L GXR would be my choice of what offers the most balanced experience to the UAE family buyer since the additional features and power, though not as high as the highest-end model. The 2.7 is satisfactory when you live in the city, and do not intend on heavy loading/outing. However, the V6 provides extra headroom.

Remember: the on road cost may be higher with optional packages, accessories (sun-roof, premium sound, upgraded wheels, off-road packages). Fortuner also has good resale values in the UAE, which helps the ownership equation.

The Toyota Fortuner 2025 is no longer off-road only vehicle but this SUV has become family oriented with full-size and seven-seater features with enhanced comfort, refinement and the versatility of the UAE buyers.

What it does very well

• Good brand image, support, and service system in UAE.
• Good exterior appeal and family/weekend usage with seven seats.
• Better comfort and cabin materials than in the previous generations.
• True off road ability of 4×4, good chassis and good build.
• High resale value and protracted durability.
• Highway ride and moderate rough road ride.

Other Options To Consider Than Toyota Fortuner

• Nissan Xterra
• Toyota Highlander
• Toyota RAV4
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado