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Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost

Shaun · May 29, 2021 05:54 PM

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 01

In this article, we’ll dive into the 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ and scrutinise it through the WapCar’s Ratings test. The Toyota Fortuner is a 7-seater SUV that competes against the Mazda CX-8, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace R-Line, and Hyundai Santa Fe.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 02

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ: Driving Performance – 30/50, strong powertrain

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Facts and Figures
Engine 2.8-litre turbodiesel 4-cylinder
Transmission 6-speed automatic transmission
Power 204 PS @ 3,000 - 3,400 rpm
Torque 500 Nm @ 1,600 - 2,800 rpm
Weight 2,160 kg
0-100 km/h 12.8 seconds
100-0 km/h 49.0 metres

The facelifted Toyota Fortuner gets a new engine that is much welcomed as it fixes the pre-facelift's problem of lacking the grunt to match its weight.

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With 500 Nm of torque, pushing its kerb weight of 2,160 kg remains an ease. The Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ picks up speed effortlessly and has no trouble overtaking slower moving traffic.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 01

The Toyota Fortuner dispatches from 0-100 km/h in 12.8 seconds, and needs 49 meters to come to a halt from that speed.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 02

Steering feel is decent from the hydraulic power assist and is well-weighted at all speeds. It also gets the Auto Limited Slip Differential (A-LSD) system that controls braking and when one of the rear wheels start to spin - plenty useful in difficult, low-terrain conditions.

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Driving Performances Breakdown
Engine Acceleration 3 / 5
In-gear Acceleration 3.5 / 5
Throttle Response 3 / 5
Transmission Shift Logic 2 / 3
Smoothness 4 / 5
Sport/Manual Mode 3 / 3
Steering Accuracy 1.5 / 3
Response 1 / 3
Weight & Feel 1.5 / 3
Braking Distance 1 / 3
Feel 2 / 3
Handling Chassis Balance 1.5 / 3
Grip 1.5 / 3
Load Reaction 1.5 / 3
Total   30 / 50 pts

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ: Ride Comfort – 34/50, supple but a little buoyant

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 03

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Cabin noise
0 km/h (AC off) 46 dB
0 km/h (AC on) 48 dB
60 km/h (AC on) 59 dB
90 km/h (AC on) 63 dB
110 km/h (AC on) 68 dB

In terms cabin noise, the Toyota Fortuner is generally well-insulated from all sources of noise. As with most tall-riding SUVs, wind noise starts to intrude the cabin at triple-digit speeds..

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 04

There is a hint of stiffness in the Toyota Fortuner’s suspension, but the thick tyre sidewalls help provide a supple ride. There’s a ladder frame jiggles can be felt, but it’s relatively minor.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 05

The leather seats at the front provide adequate back and thigh support. The rear bench is not as well contoured, and the high floor contributes to a slight crouching sitting position.

Due to the high centre of gravity, lateral movements (rocking sensation) are more pronounced and passengers are more prone to motion sickness.

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Ride Comfort Breakdown
Sound Proofing 8 / 10
Suspension 8 / 10
Passenger Comfort 7 / 10
Seat Support 3 / 5
Ergonomics 3 / 5
Engine Refinement 5 / 10
Total points 34 / 50 pts

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ: Quality and Features – 36/50, has everything you’d need

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 06

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Panel Gaps (mm)
Location Driver Side Passenger Side Difference
Bonnet 4.5 4.5 0
Front Fender 4 4 0
Front to Rear Door 4 5 1
Rear Door to quarter panel 4 4 0
Tailgate 5 5 0
2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Paint Thickness (µm)
Location Driver Side Passenger Side
Front Bonnet 138
Front Fender 100 98
Front Door 105 90
Rear Door 84 85
Rear Quarter Panel 106 98
Tailgate 105
Roof 128
Average paint thickness: 103 µm ±17

The Toyota Fortuner gets excellent scores in paint thickness and panel gap consistency, suggesting an above average build quality.

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Exterior Material Use
Bonnet Soundproofing Material Thick
Struts Manual
Front Fenders Soundproofing Material Yes
Doors Front Windows Single Glazed
Rear Windows Single Glazed
Construction One Piece
Tailgate/Boot Opening Manual

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 07

Inside, it’s similar to the Toyota Hilux with a few premium touches like the leather finishing around the dashboard, but there’s no soft plastics. Quality wise, it’s sturdy and gives off the impression of durability.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 08

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Cabin Material Use
Seat Seat Cover Leather
Armrest Armrest Cover Leather
Dashboard Upper Section Hard Plastic
  Lower Section Hard Plastic
Front Doors Upper Section Hard Plastic
  Middle Section Leather
  Lower Section Hard Plastic

The 9-inch infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and is snappy to use. There’s rear-seat entertainment with a screen that flips down from the roof, and a remote control to match.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 09

Standard passive safety features are all accounted for plus ADAS, which includes ACC, AEB, and LDA. There’s also blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert.

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Quality & Feature Breakdown
Exterior Paint Finish 3 / 4
Panel Gaps 4 / 4
Assembly Quality 2 / 2
Interior Build Quality 4 / 5
Materials Used 3 / 5
Features Safety 7 / 10
ADAS 3 / 5
Luxury 3 / 5
Convenience 4 / 5
Infotainment 3 / 5
Total   36 / 50 pts

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ: Space and Practicality – 32/50, generous amount of storage spaces

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 10

With the second-row seats pushed all the way back, legroom is generous while headroom is average. A 175 cm tall adult has 3 tennis balls of legroom and 1 tennis ball of headroom.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 11

Second row head- and legroom

Third row head- and legroom are rather tight; with the second row adjusted to normal seating position (25 cm from the front seat), there is no wiggle room for a typical-sized adult.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 12

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 13

Third row is tight

The Toyota Fortuner has plenty of cubby spaces and 12 cupholders in total. The centre storage beneath the armrest is rather large despite a small portion of it taken by the wireless charger.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 14

The boot space is rated at 200 litres with the third-row seats up, but can be made larger stowing away the second- and third-row seats. But unlike most other SUVs, the seats fold upwards which affects total cargo space.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 15

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 16

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Interior Space Breakdown
Front Row 7 / 10
Middle/Back Row 6 / 10
Third Row 2 / 5
Boot Space 2 / 5
Practicality 4 / 5
Storage Space 4 / 5
Visibility 4 / 5
Storage Flexibility 3 / 5
Total 32 / 50 pts

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ: Fuel Economy – 9/20, thirsty for a diesel

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 17

After travelling 105 km in 50% urban and 50% highway conditions, the Innova used up 14.5 litres of fuel. This gives the 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ a fuel consumption figure of 13.8-litre/100km.

The onboard trip computer displayed an average of 13-litre/100 km, which is not too far off the actual figure.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 18

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Fuel Consumption Test Breakdown
Fuel Consumption 5 / 15
Eco Mode 2 / 2
Indicator Accuracy 2 / 3
Total points 9 / 20 pts

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ: Purchase and Cost – 17/30, on the pricey side 

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 19

The 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ is priced at RM 203,183 (OTR without insurance and SST). The Mazda CX-8 2.2D is slightly more expensive at RM 206,265, but it is more upmarket inside and out.

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 20

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ service costs
Month Mileage (km) Cost (RM)
1 1,000 296
3 5,000 226
6 10,000 456
12 20,000 595
18 30,000 456
24 40,000 1,235
30 50,000 456
36 60,000 595
42 70,000 456
48 80,000 1,545
54 90,000 456
60 100,000 595
Total 7,367

Warranty given is 5 years/unlimited mileage which is par for the course. Servicing costs tally up to RM 7,367 over the course of 5 years, which is rather high.

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Purchase & Cost
Purchase Car Price 8 / 15
Warranty 4 / 5
Cost Maintenance 3 / 5
Fuel Cost 1 / 5
Total   17 / 30 pts

2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ: Conclusion – 158/250 pts overall

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 21

The 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ scored admirably in comfort, quality and features. It’s also fairly decent in terms of performance and interior space.

However, its fuel consumption was higher than expected from a diesel engine and its RM 200k asking price is on the pricey side, not to mention the above average maintenance cost

Ratings: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Decent in most aspects, except cost 22

That being said, should you require a robust 7-seater SUV, perhaps to due poor road conditions or even lack thereof, then the Toyota Fortuner with its body-on-frame built makes perfect sense.

Full Ratings list: https://www.wapcar.my/car-ranking

Also read:

Pros and Cons: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ - Floods aren't a problem, but your stuff might be

Review: 2021 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 VRZ in Malaysia; as good as the Land Cruiser?

Shaun

Senior Writer

The quest for automotive knowledge began as soon as the earliest memories. Various sources information, even questionable ones, have been explored including video games, television, magazines, or even internet forums. Still stuck in that rabbit hole.

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