TOW TEST: Toyota Fortuner GXL

It’s a masterful multi-tasker but can Toyota’s ute-based SUV handle the big loads?

The HiLux-based Fortuner arrived late in 2015 as the new entry-level model in Toyota’s off-road SUV range. With the petrol-only FJ Cruiser soon to depart, it will soon slot under the premium-priced LandCruiser trio comprising family-favourite Prado, Outback-friendly 200 Series and tough-as-nails 70 Series.

The five-door Fortuner also lobs into the growing and increasingly more car-like group of ute-based SUVs that includes the new Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and older models like the Holden Colorado 7 and Isuzu MU-X.

Like its main rivals the Fortuner comes to the party with gutsy turbo-diesel power, decent off-road capability and (except for the Mitsubishi) handy seven-seat versatility. And it does a pretty good job of all three, as we discovered during a recent six-vehicle comparison where the Fortuner pipped the more tech-laden Pajero Sport and Everest as king of the multi-taskers.

However, one increasingly important role for these type of vehicles not covered in the SUV showdown, was towing – something that the Fortuner claims to be pretty good at as well.

According to Toyota, the Fortuner is rated to tow as much as 3000kg when fitted with the six-speed manual transmission, or 2800kg with the six-speed auto as tested here. That’s slightly less than auto-equipped rivals like the Everest, MU-X and Colorado 7 which have a 3000kg towing maximum, and Pajero Sport (3100kg).

However, as advertised towing figures can be deceptive, we decided to hitch up a big caravan weighing 2550kg (not far off the Fortuner’s maximum) to see how it coped in the real world.

The first thing we noticed was how far the rear suspension sagged; not surprising really given the long travel, coil spring rear end and close to 280kg on the tow ball which was right on the limit. While this didn’t seem to upset the balance of the rig too much, or subsequent handling it’s not ideal and for safety reasons Toyota recommends the fitment of a factory optional weight distribution hitch.

It also recommends an additional sway control device if the trailer weighs more than the tow vehicle, which it did in this case. That’s despite Trailer Sway Control (part of the vehicle’s electronic stability control system) already fitted as standard on the Fortuner.

The output from the auto-equipped Fortuner’s 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine sounds promising, with 130kW at 3400rpm and 450Nm between 1600-2400rpm (30Nm more than the manual version). That torque figure not only compares favourably with many of its rivals, but exceeds the recommended towing ‘ratio’, where the figure should be more than 65 for the ratio of Nm to GCM (tonne).

It didn’t feel quite enough in practice however. With a Gross Combined Mass of around 4650kg (the maximum GCM for the Fortuner is 5545kg), the Fortuner struggled to get up to speed, revved too high on the open road and felt sluggish up any sort of incline. With not much in reserve the Fortuner's engine provided little confidence when trying to overtake slower vehicles. It remained smooth and refined right the way to 4500rpm redline though.

One issue appeared to be the large gap between fourth and fifth gears, meaning the top two gears were not available on anything but the flattest road and lightest throttle. The automatic transmission would not allow the driver to manually override and select a higher gear either.

As a result, the engine revved most of the time between 2200-3000rpm in third or fourth gear, raising cabin noise and contributing to higher fuel consumption. The average at the end on the trip computer was 19.2L/100km, compared to 10.5L/100km when driven solo. We also had the chance to tow a lighter 2180kg caravan with the same vehicle, which resulted in a slightly lower 17.4L/100km.

The lacklustre engine response when towing was in stark contrast to normal driving with one or two passengers, when the Fortuner felt much zippier and the transmission was happier to use all the gears including occasionally sixth on the freeway or even around town.

On a more positive note, the Fortuner felt quite stable and the ride was smoother with a trailer in tow, with less pitching and swaying compared to the leaf-sprung HiLux on which it’s based.

Towing aside, the Fortuner in mid-spec GXL trim offers decent value for money, with plenty of comfort, tech and safety features. But while we can cope with ‘poverty-pack’ items like cloth seats and manual-adjust driver’s seat, we reckon the omission of standard items like sat nav is inexcusable on a $55,000 vehicle, despite other manufacturers trying the same trick of forcing buyers into spending more on the top-spec model.

The Fortuner’s tumbling second row and side-folding third row seating work well in practice, although the third row seats when not in use do severely block rear vision when reversing, and cut into rear load space. Although they can be removed, they’re reportedly very difficult to put back in.

It’s also worth noting that with a Tare weight of 2100kg, GVM of 2750kg and the maximum 280kg on the tow ball, the Fortuner’s payload is reduced to 370kg, which isn’t much when you include a few passengers on board.

As a result the Fortuner’s true towing potential at least with the automatic transmission is probably closer to the Prado’s, which has a towing limit of 2500kg. Although we’ve only tried it with the HiLux the Fortuner’s slick manual ‘box seems a better bet if towing, particularly when the 5745kg GCM for the manual Fortuner, is 200kg more than the auto-equipped version.

Either way the Fortuner is not quite the workhorse it seems on paper, and we wouldn’t recommend using it to tow much more than two tonnes. If you want a serious tow tug with a Toyota badge, the LandCruiser 70 or 200 Series remain better options.

WE LIKED:

>> Stability and ride when towing

>> Decent value for money

>> Versatile seating arrangement

NOT SO MUCH:

>> Lacks bottom-end torque

>> Top gears too tall

>> No sat nav in mid-spec model

2015 Toyota Fortuner GXL

Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

Output: 130kW/420Nm

Transmission: Six-speed auto

Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)

Tow rating: 2800kg (braked), tow ball mass 280kg

Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP
Price: $54,990 (plus on-road costs)

TOW TEST: Toyota Fortuner GXL

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