Toyota Mini Fortuner : Toyota, after all, has the reputation for producing tough, reliable SUVs and in India, the undisputed king of the hill for the Japanese brand is the Fortuner.
Now what if you could get that same muscular vibe, commanding stance and Toyota ruggedness in something smaller and cheaper? This is where the Toyota Mini Fortuner comes in.
This new sub-compact SUV is said to be targeted at those who like the Fortuner’s looks but seek something more car-like and wallet-friendly.
Speculated to be built on the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform, the Mini Fortuner may be Toyota’s strategy to solidify its grip on the compact SUV stakes by combining premium looks with functionality.
Design:-
A Compact Suv In Looks, But Formidable In Style The new Fortuner has followed the footsteps of the old one in chasing a down-sized Land Cruiser look.
At the onset, it is quite clear that the Mini Fortuner resembles its bigger brother unmistakably.
Complemented by a forward-leaning stance with large over-fender, muscular bumper lines, an upswept belt-line and a high-rise, tied-in rear spoiler, its design speaks to the Design DNA of the larger Fortuner.
It gets LED headlamps with DRLs and sporty character lines on the side profile giving it a premium appeal.
While it’s physicaly smaller, it’s doesn’t look small. The upright stance, sizable wheel arches and two-tone roof of the vehicle lend it a sporty and tough look, while still being well-suited for the city as well as the highway.
Interior and Cabin Experience
Internally, smart and neat cabin design will be the hallmark of Mini Fortuner. While the cabin will not be as spacious as the full-size Fortuner, there will still be enough room for five passengers with adequate legroom and good shoulder space.
The dashboard layout should be practical with soft touch panels, and brushed metal inserts on higher trims.
Features may include:
9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
Digital instrument cluster
Push-button start
Automatic climate control
Connected car tech
360-degree camera in high trims
On the inside it will be more of a utilitarian/premium mix, with practicality being coveted while the modern touch is still very much apparent.
Engine and Performance
The Toyota Mini Fortuner can be expected with a 1.5-litre petrol motor and a robust hybrid version likely that borrowed from the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
This combination should provide between 100 – 115 bhp, depending on which one.
Toyota might also provide manual and e-CVT auto gearboxes. The hybrid model would be a go-to car in the range for economy conscious buyers, with figures not far off 25-27km/l in the real world.
It’s not designed for hard-core off-roading like the full-size Fortuner, but should cope with rough rural roads and gentle trail-driving with ease.
Ground clearance, suspension tuning and drive assist features will make it a starting point for a dextrous compact SUV.
Safety and Features
Essential safety features will be offered by Toyota in the Mini Fortuner, like:
6 airbags
ABS with EBD
VSC VSC, which is turned on by default.
Hill assist
Park sensors and camera to the back
ISOFIX child seat mounts
These are matched to worldwide safety standards set by Toyota and make this vehicle an attractive site to both family buyers and city dwellers.
Pros of Toyota Mini Fortuner
Bold design reminiscent of the Fortuner in a compact size
Hybrid choice with good gas mileage
the 100000 mile mark is where you can almost always count on a Japanese car to still be running12 Toyota quality and it shows
Contemporary interior style with integrated elements
Decent ground clearance by Indian standards
Anticipated competitive pricing among its peers
Cons of Toyota Mini Fortuner
No diesel, that one’s gone as well.
May not have real off-roading chops
Tight interior space for tall folks.
priced like a fully loaded rival
Expectations for the brand might outweigh pragmatism
Toyota Mini Fortuner: Verdict
India’s compact SUV space now has a spicy new masala in the form of the the Toyota Mini Fortuner.
For people who adore the Fortuner’s size and flattery but seek something less unwieldy and thirsty, the slimmed-down model may be made to measure.
It combines style, efficiency and day-to-day usability, yet still dons the reliable Toyota badge.
Whether you’re a city slicker or a weekend warrior, the Mini Fortuner won’t let you down in the style and features stakes while putting a hole in your pocket!