Faults:

Rattles from day one that the dealer can't get sorted.

I have complained directly to Toyota and they can't be bothered either.

Automated tailgate needed four attempts from the incompetent dealer to fix.

Still rattles like crazy and now I think the entire body flexes when going around tight corners.

General Comments:

I needed a 7-seater 4x4 as the 2017 Camry V6 would be useless in the muddy countryside. And since I had a good experience with Toyota, then logically I decided to switch from the Camry to the Hilux based SUV.

I wish I hadn't... Anyway, on to the review.

OK, first off the good stuff:

- It's very capable at off-roading.

- Performance is... Surprisingly OK considering it weighs almost 2.2 tons and only has 204 hp on tap. The 509 Nm of torque certainly helps.

- Seven airbags, electronic stability control as standard and it's got an NCAP five-star safety rating.

The ride is appalling, the handling is a joke, the steering is heavy and slow, the fuel consumption is atrocious for a diesel.

Transmission has a mind of its owns and sometimes it downshifts when it's not needed. Dealer says it's normal... OK, then...

The seats lack lumbar support, the the wood on the steering feels cheap and nasty, the infotainment system is dated and dangerous to use, reverse camera doesn't have rear-traffic alert.

The Fortuner's adaptive cruise-control is useless and so are the front parking sensors that only cover the corners of the car.

The Fortuner just feels outdated and reeks of cost-cutting; from the manual handbrake to the horrible third row folding arrangement, which rattles and squeaks like crazy.

Can't lock the car from the automated tailgate like you can in a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, which comes with electronic parking brake and handles better, though it's much less powerful than the Fortuner.

Level of technology and standard equipment leaves a lot to be desired, given how much it costs. Insurance is very expensive and Toyota's warranty is useless as I still have to pay a small fortune for periodic maintenance.

Oh and reliability is not that great either; my 2021 Fortuner is a rattle city and I had to go to the dealer FOUR times to fix the automated tailgate and they still can't fix the interior rattles.

All in all, an outdated, overpriced, overrated 4x4.

Worst car I have ever owned.

And it's a Toyota... Oh what an irony.

Faults:

Perhaps too early to say this considering my short ownership, 2 years... but there is nothing wrong with the car. Maybe the previous owner is some kind of a CEO, not often traveling long distance... my friends were also shocked that I really got a 'like new' 11 year old Fortuner...

Sluggish when climbing high hills with pavement... maybe air filter/spark plug/head gasket needs replacing.

General Comments:

2 years of ownership, all I can say is I love my Fortuner. No major repairs so far, only wear and tear parts replaced. Also general maintenance like engine oil replaced every 10000km, 10w-40 for protection. Also the 2TR-FE engine is really reliable; there's reason Toyota used the SAME engine again on their 2nd gen 2016 Fortuner.

Design wise, a very macho look. It's a looker even for a 2005 SUV. Many on the road would 'give way' to the Fortuner due to amazing road presence. My black Fortuner, the windows tinted black, put that state logo on plate number; a 'VIP' indeed. Besides, this car earned its reputation here in Malaysia as an official government car. Anyone would mistake any passing Fortuner as one of the government cars. Also it dwarfs even big MPVs such as the 1st gen Innova with its great road presence.

Comfort wise, among the best I ever sat in; the similar Innova can't provide such comfort. But the Fortuner's comfort can't compete with the Harrier's.

Middle seat is shockingly, very spacious. Even when the rear seat is occupied with middle sized adults. Rear seats are comfortable enough for middle sized adults.

Sound insulation could be better though.

Also the ride can very bumpy on very uneven roads, but my friends that have sat in my Fortuner praise the ride quality.

Boot space, with rear seats folded, is as close as enclosed Hilux SR rear storage.

Handling, among the sharpest turning angle of all SUVS, but don't try sudden sharp cornering at high speeds (70-80kmh). You will end up cornering at a bigger angle, resulting in possible 'offroading' to the other side. That only sedans can do that, normally.

Normal circumstances, it's a pleasure to handle.

High speed cruising also great. I heard about instability due to its very high ground clearance, but I don't feel any.

Fuel consumption is its worst aspect. 65L gives 500km or less, mixed driving. But overtaking performance is a breeze, so I don't worry much about that.