Hi,
Looking at buying a 2018-21 Fortuner. Will replace my Forester as a daily and will be used for weekend escape and camping (we usually sleep in the car, hence the need for a big one).
We gonna test drive one this weekend but before that, I'd like to hear some real life feedback on it and anything I should look for on the car.
Thanks !
Posted Nov 29, 2023, 10:42 PM UTC
I’ve driven a fortuner, and wasn’t a fan.
They’re big, heavy cars, and you feel it when you’re driving it. It feels out of place in the suburbs, and is a stressful highway drive, in that it feels floaty and like it wants to wander.
For its size, the inside feels cramped. The door apertures are small, so even though it’s a step up to get in, you still have to duck so you don’t bump your head. The seats aren’t particularly comfortable, the boot hasn’t got a huge amount of space unless you take out the back row of seats entirely, visibility out the back is poor and mediocre out the sides, and it generally bounces and squeaks and rides like shit.
The best part of the whole experience was handing the keys back to Avis at the end of the rental period. “Free upgrade” my arse.
I haven't drove one yet but did drove some big car previously, they are obviously more sensitive to lateral winds than small cars.
I did like the Everest but not my wife 'it's a Ford, the third cousin of my great uncle in law yada yada ... said he didn't like Ford and that was 20 years ago"...........
For visibility, is it better or worse than a Prado with the spare tyre at the back?
So just test drove a 2018 GXL.
Overall happy with car apart from:
- last 2 rear seats are crap and should not even be there, I can't sit on them at all and access is very hard so first thing will be to take then out as many other owners.
- C pillar are huge.
- AC knob felt the same as in my old 2003 Camry. I will try one with automatic AC to see if it worth the extra price.
The diesel did have diesel particulate filter (DPF) issues though it may have been fixed in that gen.
Otherwise it isn't bad. Just a bit unrefined and unsophisticated but otherwise trusty
Fairly rough ride, but good quality car and capable off road.
Never driven but heard a few people say they ride like shit. They share a bit with a hilux which might make them a bit agricultural