Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner, also known as the Toyota SW4, is a medium-sized SUV based on the Toyota Hilux. Originally assembled only in Thailand, but later also in Indonesia and other countries, the Fortuner is built on the Toyota Hilux pickup truck platform. It features three rows of seats and is available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive among others. The Fortuner is part of Toyota's IMV project in Thailand, which also includes the Toyota Hilux and the Kijang Innova (in Indonesia). The Fortuner, meanwhile, arrived Thailand in 2004 and raised the low-cost SUV game significantly with a much more integrated SUV design language compared to the preceding 4Runner, which always retained a look of the ‘backyard conversion’ about it. Developed in large part by Toyota’s Thai operations, the Fortuner has piggybacked the success of the Hilux and is now built in a number of countries including India, Argentina and Indonesia, although outside Thailand its success has been mixed. However in the Sydney Morning Herald, Gillard who worked for the Toyota Technical Centre (TTC-AU) stated that the organization has been working on the Fortuner since 2006. In fact, this Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) is designed in Thailand by Thai and Japanese engineers. However the facelift version of the IMVs vehicles including the Fortuner was designed in Australia by TOYOTA Australia who, in addition, are responsible for developing the next generation of the Fortuner.

A number of engine options are available depending on the country of sale, including a 2.7 L 2TR-FE and 4.0 L 1GR-FE V6 petrol with Variable Valve Timing and 2.5 L 2KD-FTV and 3.0 L 1KD-FTV common rail variable geometry turbocharger diesel models.

Trim levels are G and G Luxury for rear-wheel drive diesel and gasoline, and V for 4×4 Diesel and gasoline. The common rail turbo intercooled diesel has functional scoop on its hood.

In 2007 Toyota Thailand dropped the 4×4 gasoline model and replaced it with a two-wheel drive gasoline version.

This car was the best selling in its category (SUV/PPV) in Thailand.

The Fortuner is not offered in Japan, Europe, North America, Australasia, or China. For the medium pick-up based SUV segment in those markets, Toyota offers the Hilux Surf (Japan), 4Runner (North America) and Land Cruiser Prado (Europe, Australasia and China). However, in some Central American countries (Panama for example), Toyota offers the Fortuner alongside the 4Runner and Land Cruiser Prado.