2008 Toyota Fortuner

Competing in the mid-size sport utility vehicle segment, Toyota’s Fortuner makes its presence felt being a ‘good-buy’ for buyers looking for reliability as well and value for money. Actually built and destined for some Asian, African and Latin American countries, Toyota felt the need to have an mid-size SUV under the 100,000AED bracket in the Middle East and so extended the Fortuner to this part of the world too.

At 1.85m tall, the Fortuner is lankier than most supermodels but its style is subjective. With a well-proportioned body, bulging wheel-arches and chunky tyres, Toyota designers have attempted to give the Fortuner a ruggedly handsome appearance. Some like it and some don’t!

Since the SUV is quite tall as compared to the competition, passengers will have to climb up into the cabin rather than walk straight into it. Three rows of seating take the Fortuner into the legions of a full-size SUV at the price of a mid-size SUV. Legroom in the third row is tight with the high floor forcing an awkward seating posture. If extra boot space is required, the rearmost seats fold away to the side, rather than into the boot floor as is the norm for seven-seaters.

Although the Fortuner shares its platform with Toyota pick-up range, its styling is pure SUV with hints at the Lexus RX (though a tad bigger in this case). It mates true go-anywhere ability with space for seven, in a value-packed price.