Toyota Fortuner Crusade 2025 Review

Toyota doesn’t mess around with the Fortuner’s pricing or varietal choices. There are just three models: the entry GX at $53,775 plus on-road costs (ORCs), the mid-level GXL at $58,895 plus ORCs, and the top-end Crusade, reviewed here, which is $66,755 plus ORCs.

Sure, the flagship Fortuner Crusade’s pricing is well short of premium-spec rivals such as the full-time 4x4 Ford Everest Platinum at $81,200 plus ORCs and the part-time 4x4 Isuzu MU-X X-Terrain at $75,100 plus ORCs but, among the competition’s similarly equipped volume sellers, the three-model Toyota range slots in more comfortably.

For example, the Fortuner Crusade’s closest competitors, pricewise, include the mid-spec Ford Everest Trend at $67,040 plus ORCs and the similarly positioned $63,400 plus ORCs Isuzu MU-X LS-U. A bit of shopping around will find the Toyota SUV, despite the limited model offerings, at least has rivals on hand.

Although it’s been updated since its 2018 launch, the second-gen Toyota Fortuner nevertheless presents as a mildly outdated ute-based large-class SUV. The tending-to-passé interior features part-leather trim, powered driver and passenger seats with heating, a quality 11-speaker JBL sound system and dual gloveboxes.

The wheels are 18-inch alloys wearing 265/60 multi-purpose tyres and there’s an underslung full-size alloy spare wheel.

The spread of infotainment tech is enough to get you by and includes wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, integrated satellite-navigation and three 12V accessory sockets – plus a sole USB-A point in the front centre console.

With seven airbags, high- and low-speed autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert and front, side and rear parking cameras, the Toyota Fortuner scored a five-star safety rating in 2019.

The Fortuner’s warranty is a common five-year, unlimited-kilometre deal but roadside assist incurs an extra cost and the servicing intervals are scheduled every six months or 10,000km, which is less generous than the 12-month/15,000km deals that are almost universal among its competitors (the Isuzu MU-X stretches the warranty to six years or 150,000km, and includes a puzzling 13 months of roadside assist).

The Fortuner shares its 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with the HiLux workhorse ute and cab-chassis range, but not the recent, more economical 48-volt V-Active mild-hybrid version. The Fortuner’s diesel produces the same power as all 2.8-litre Hilux models, with outputs of 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm between 1600rpm and 2800rpm.

As per the Hilux, all three Fortuners run a part-time dual-range 4x4 system that incorporates a six-speed torque-converter transmission and a rear differential lock.

Toyota’s fuel consumption claim for the Fortuner is 7.6L/100km – not as good as the 2.0-litre Ford Everest’s 7.2L/100km. On test, our Fortuner recorded what we saw as a still-impressive average of 8.8L/100km.

Sharing its driveline with the Toyota Hilux earns the Fortuner instant off-road credibility. It inherits all that’s good about its workhorse relations and is possibly advantaged because it is shorter in wheelbase and overall length (less likely to be hung-up on boulder-strewn tracks) but maintains the same 700mm wading depth and 216mm ground clearance.

The Fortuner also tends to be better off for front and rear overhangs than Hilux utes, while the locking rear differential is a confidence booster on gnarly off-road tracks.

On sealed and generally easily navigable roads the steering is not unreasonably low-geared (3.6 turns from lock to lock) and the rear live axle is controlled by a coil-spring, multi-link suspension that leans away from the load-toting firmness of the Hilux ute’s leaf springs.

The Fortuner’s power-to-weight balance is such that its throttle response on the road is better than might be expected. It’s no V6-engined Ford Everest, but it’s livelier than the bulk of its four-cylinder competitors.

Inside, the dash layout – apart from some minor design differences including heavier cowling on the passenger side – pretty much replicates the Hilux. Notable features include dual gloveboxes, conventional analogue instrumentation in two circular dials, and a chunky-looking leather-rimmed multifunction steering wheel.

The Fortuner’s cabin is what you expect of this large-SUV breed: good leg/head/shoulder room all round, with comfy seats. In Crusade specification, that includes heated and power-adjustable front seats and a handy power tailgate.

In contrast with its similarly sized but highly styled purpose-built large SUV competitors (such as the new Toyota Prado), the Fortuner’s seven-seat layout varies from conventional three-row systems with rearmost seats that swing up and attach to the side panels. This partly restricts the overall loading width but gains some extra height when the seats are folded up. The centre-row seats use a 60/40-split folding system.

The smallish centre screen continues with Toyota’s tendency – even though a three-camera parking system is used – to not get overly concerned with image clarity. And, despite the twin gloveboxes, in-cabin storage space for incidentals is at a premium.

The Fortuner’s braked towing capacity drops from 3500kg for the Hilux to 3100kg, where both the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X maintain the same 3500kg rating as their ute donors. Like the Toyota Hilux, the Fortuner emulates some of its competitors by employing a manual, pull-up handbrake.

Another ongoing gripe is that the Toyota’s brake-activated lane keep assist system continues to be unsettling, pulling the car away from the detected white lines in a way that could be potentially hazardous.

If you’re prepared to accept the limited model choices available, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t buy a Toyota Fortuner Crusade.

The Fortuner competes dynamically with its main competitors in terms of driving dynamics and off-road capabilities, is as happy with up to seven passengers and, in flagship Crusade form, is fitted out to compare favourably with its direct price-rivals.

Whether or not Toyota puts more of its marketing might into play with the new Fortuner that is expected to appear in 2026, remains to be seen.

2025 Toyota Fortuner Crusade at a glance:
Price: $66,755 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 150kW/500Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.6L/100km
CO2: 201g/km
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2019)

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