SPY PICS: 2027 Toyota Fortuner steps out in Thailand 

While it may not be coming to Australia, the new-generation 2027 Toyota Fortuner has just been spotted testing in Thailand looking almost exactly as predicted, albeit under plenty of camouflage. 

Shared to Instagram by Kurdistan Automotive Blog, the next-generation Fortuner will follow an identical recipe to its HiLux ute sibling in being more of a heavy facelift than all-new product. 

It’ll wear the same basic front fascia as the HiLux while retaining the old model’s body shell and wheelbase, though the cabin will be overhauled and the chassis tweaked in the name of refinement. 

If it was coming here, the new Fortuner would undoubtedly feature a carried-over 2.8-litre turbo-diesel powertrain good for an unchanged 150kW/500Nm, however certain variants would adopt the Hilux’s, Prado’s and LandCruiser 70 Series’ 48-volt mild hybrid system. 

Toyota Australia confirmed to carsales last month it didn’t have a direct Fortuner replacement on the way for our market, meaning those after an off-road capable Toyota will have to continue fronting up at least $72,500 (plus on-road costs) for a Prado. 

Put simply, the brand doesn’t need a third large SUV in its ranks between the capable Prado and road-going Kluger, even if the North American 4Runner – which is built in the same Japanese factory as the Prado and LandCruiser – seems mighty appealing with its tough looks, turbo-petrol and turbo-hybrid powertrains.

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