In the congested marketplace of high end SUVs, there’s more needed than speed or luxury–presence is all.
The Toyota Fortuner has been an undisputed king when it comes to this space and now, with the new Leader Edition, Toyota has cemented the pitch further with the vehicle.
This limited edition model continues to live up to the Fortuner’s imposing image, but adds unique styling cues and extra features perfectly suited for those who want to stand out while maintaining the value and the class leading performance and capabilities that have made the Fortuner stand the test of time.
A Legacy of Leadership
Ever since its launch in India in 2009, the Toyota Fortuner has enjoyed supremacy in the premium SUV space.
Having sold more than 251,000 units till date, the vehicle maintained the segment leadership by resonating with the customers who prefer a vehicle with indestructible quality, durability, and reliability, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said in a press release announcing the Leader Edition.
Sales figures like these only prove how popular and successful the model has been for them – and why not, Toyota seems to be in tune with what the Indian SUV buyer craves.
The Fortuner has become a cult car over the years and there are many such owners who have started to promote the car among friends and family.
This natural buzz has been a major factor in the longevity of the model and has helped turn into a flywheel of brand strength.
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The Leader Edition is set apart with bold enhancements designed to amplify the Fortuner’s already commanding looks. The biggest change is perhaps the addition of dual-tone exterior colour options.
For base colours, customers can select between three elegant shades and three-tone options: Super White, Platinum Pearl White and Silver Metallic, combined with a black roof to create a more distinctive two-tone concept for the SUV compared to the stock model.
The wheel gets a black alloy wheel in place of the standard silver finished one. This smoked treatment brings a sense of sportiness and aggressive character that gels well with the two-tone body color.
There are also front and rear bumper spoilers (or ‘extenders’) to give the Leader Edition an even more aggressive profile which comes as part of the dealer-fit Toyota official accessory schedule.
The change in design isn’t just superficial – the new design adds an extra dollop of road swagger to the Fortuner – a characteristic that has always been the car’s appeal.
The Leader Edition enhances this already defining feature with a focused addition of styling changes that keep with the style of the original but giving its own identity.
Refine
While the cosmetic changes are the headlines, Toyota has not missed the interior aspect of the Leader Edition. Inside, the interior is subtly upgraded to improve comfort and convenience for the driver and passengers.
The light and colour treatment for the interior gives it a refreshing feel compared with the typically sombre cabins of the segment.
The wireless charger is one of the most useful inclusions though and thankfully it’s standard fitment on the Leader Edition as we saw in CarWale’s feature review of the special edition.
These cords are an unnecessary and unsightly hassle, and this one feature alone makes it ridiculously easy to have a charged smartphone at hand when leaving the car, avoiding that fumble for power on the subway, in a restaurant, or back at home.
A notable addition is the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) that has been taken from the more premium Fortuner Legender variant, as per a CarDekho review of the new edition.
This safety feature works to ensure tires are not over or under inflated, possibly reducing the risk of tire failure and helping to increase tire life, ultimately providing the driver with more confidence on the road.
Other new interior comfort bits from the standard Fortuner are ventilated front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivities, and automatic climate control.
The Fortuner Leader Edition continues the tradition of practical luxury, souped up but not pimped out.
Powertrain: No Radical Changes in Performance
Its the one part of the Fortuner Leader Edition that doesn’t mess with the proven powertrain recipe of the SUV, with the powerful 2.8-litre diesel engine that’s widely lauded for its brawny performance and durability continuing under the pumped-up SUV’s bonnet.
The 2.8L unit churns out a healthy 201 bhp of power while generating 420 Nm (with manual transmission) or a meaty 500 Nm (with automatic transmission) of torque enabling the beast to give a strong and powerful performance as specified by Toyota’s official release.
The engine is mated to 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission for drivers to choose according to their driving tastes.
With its superior torque, the automatic option is best for city and highway cruising and/or those who prefer spur-of-the-moment peace cruising over aggressive riding.
Toyota’s known for building rock-solid powertrains and owners can feel good knowing this pair is likely to keep running strong for years to come.
It’s important to mention that while CarWale reports the Leader Edition is only available in 4×2 (two-wheel drive) form, with no 4×4 option.
It may leave the hardest-core off-road fanatics wanting for more, but it’s a pragmatic pick for most of the people who buy Fortuners, whose off-road antics on infrequent weekends are usually pretty mild.
The 4×2 drivetrain also helps enhance fuel efficiency – something that’s now a highly valued aspect even in the high-end SUV category.
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Aside from its cosmetic and feature additions, the Leader Edition still carries over all the utilitarian features that has made the Fortuner a staple in the premium SUV segment.
The driving position is very commanding that offers a good view all around and the decent ground clearance (225mm) provides the confidence to drive over those bad roads as specified at V3Cars.
The large cabin still offers three seating rows with space for seven passengers, ensuring that the Fortuner Leader Edition remains the perfect family companion.
The third-row simply folds into the floor when not in use, liberating some space in the boot which, at 296 litres (manufacturer figures), is quite small, as per the CarWale spec sheet.
This convenience provides an adaptable solution for owners whether they are transporting a full load of passengers or simply carrying cargo.
The fuel tank again is a large 80 litres and offers capability to go long distances between stops at the fuel pump – which is useful and convenient for those that travel long distances as per CarWale’s tech specs.
This big car also has a big fuel tank and combined with the relatively frugal diesel engine (around 14.4 kmpl in the case of the automatic), represents fewer stops while covering huge distances.
It’s Very Safe And Secure (Safety: Peace Of Mind As Standard)
Safety has long been one of the Fortuner’s strong points and the Leader Edition doesn’t sway from this path. The safety kit include seven airbags, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist and ISOFIX child seat anchors in CarDekho’s safety features list.
Adding TPMS as standard fitment on the Leader edition only adds to the safety quotient by forewarning drivers about tire under-inflation, which could otherwise result in a tire failure.
Together with the inherently tough and stable chassis of the Fortuner, and its elevated driving position, these safety features provide a secure layer of protection for its passengers.
Market Positioning: Premium But Not The Crazy Kind
Toyota has yet to officially announce pricing for the Leader Edition, though experts in the automotive industry believe it will carry a premium of around ₹50,000 to ₹80,000 over its regular Fortuner 4×2 counterparts, as reported by MaxAbout.
The ongoing Fortuner 4×2 diesel automatic costs approximately ₹39.16 lakh (ex-showroom) as per V3Cars, which places the Leader Edition squarely in the premium SUV space but still within reach for its intended audience.
The Leader Edition is an in-between option, sitting above the standard Fortuner and below the costlier Legender model, giving buyers some visual distinction and additional features from the latter without the full price hike.
This clever move allows Toyota to reel in people in the market for that something special, but who can’t quite stomach the cost of a Legender.
The Fortuner Leader Edition can be booked now at all Toyota dealership in the country and deliveries will begin soon. The timing of this launch – just before the festive season – is clearly a strategic one, since there is usually an increase in sales of luxury cars during this season.
Rivals: Proudly Holding On in a Heated Race
There has been an increasingly heated competition in the premium sport utility segment with established rivals and new contenders.
The Fortuner Leader Edition goes up against rivals such as the Skoda Kodiaq, MG Gloster, Jeep Meridian, and the recently updated Hyundai Tucson.
Each one of them has its own strengths to play – the Kodiaq has European cleanliness and road behaviour going for it, the Gloster looks large and is feature-packed with advanced driver assistance systems, the Meridian has legitimate off-road credentials along with American genes in its make up, and the Tucson is sharp looking and feature-rich.
However, the Fortuner still easily knocks over its competitors (including those from its own stable), mostly because of the brand value, reliability, strong resale value and wide-service network that’s synonymous with Toyota ownership security.
The Leader Edition carries forward the same core strengths, but introduces sufficient visual differentiation and feature upgrades to ensure the model has a fighting chance in the face of newer rivals.
The Light of New and Old: Hybrid Horizons
The Fortuner Leader Editon is kind of the as is phase of the Fortuner, now Toyota is working on the next phase of the model.
The company has also showcased a mild-hybrid variant of the Fortuner in the South African market and that such a technology could come to India as well as CarWale reported from its news section.
Such a hybrid powertrain would most likely consist of the current 2.8-litre diesel engine mated to a 48V mild-hybrid system for increased fuel dampening and lower emissions, without compromising on the performance utility of other Fortuner owners.
If it did come to fruition then it would dovetail nicely into Toyota’s worldwide electrification plans without departing the formula that has worked so well for the Fortuner.
Toyota Fortuner Leader Edition : The Challenge is Simply Being a Leader
The Leader Edition is a sort of refinement over reinvention of this recipe, a revised Toyota Fortuner rather than an all-new departure.
And by making the car stand out visually with dual-tone exteriors and black alloy wheels, adding some features that make sense (wireless charging and TPMS) and keeping the solid powertrain and seven-seat practicality, Toyota has delivered a special edition that addresses wants without shunning the air base of the model.
So for those in the market for a high-end SUV that offers the “brand presence one desires” coupled with reliability, comfort, and the ability to go anywhere in a homegrown package that doesn’t look bland or derivative, then the Fortuner Leader Edition is a tough one to ignore.
It feels cocky, but not pretentious or arrogant, the confidence of a carmaker that is a long-term and unambiguous market leader; the car knows what it does well, and acts as you might expect if you were first in so many games for over a decade.
According to Mr. Sabari M., Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s Vice President of Sales-Service-Used Car Business, the launch of Fortuner Leader Edition is “a clear indication of Toyota’s unwavering focus on offering best-in-class product to the customers, leading the way with the most powerful and stylish offering in its segment.”
That said, for a segment where nobody seems to be the real McCoy, the Fortuner reigns supreme, and the Leader Edition ensures its reign is renewed with added muscle and street cred.