Toyota Fortuner Facelift : The unmistakable outline of Toyota’s flagship SUV was camouflaged at crucial areas, but the refreshed front and all new lighting system were traits the test mule could not escape from even when it was being road tested around the outskirts of Bangalore, around Toyota’s production plant.
However, after following up several prototypes and discussions with sources close to the development, we now have significant information on the Fortuner facelift, which is expected to hit Indian showrooms around mid-2025.
The incoming update will be the most comprehensive yet on the current-gen Fortuner, and will help maintain Toyota’s best-selling premium SUV’s lead against the growing competition from the MG Gloster, Jeep Meridian, and the newly facelifted Skoda Kodiaq.
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Toyota Fortuner Facelift Design Evolution: Keeping the Dominant Look
With the Fortuner, you’ve always known who’s in charge – and what you see is what you get.
That basic character carries over into the 2025 facelift, but is joined by more modern styling cues in keeping with Toyota’s global SUV design language.
“They’re not reinventing the wheel here,” said Rajiv Kumar, a Toyota dealer principal I’ve known forever, who had a look behind closed doors at Toyota’s regional office.
“The changes are definitely evolutionary, but in combination they give both the front-end a much more modern look, with a clear tie back to existing loyal Fortuner customers.
The biggest changes are at the nose, where an all-new grille design brings a more three-dimensional look with fine detailing — instead of the simpler horizontal slats on the current model.
The headlamps get a substantial update too, they are slimmer now and are comprised of LED projector units with a unique light signature, which makes them look more technical and upmarket.
The front bumper is now more chiseled with bigger, angrier-looking air intakes and a trench of a silver skid plate that really raises the SUV’s rugged appeal.
Fog lamp housings have been repositioned to vertical, imparting a more aggressive and planted look to the front.
On a sighting near Hosur Road, I saw that the hood gets more prominent power bulges, contributing to the muscular demeanor that Fortuner customers have become accustomed to.
The fenders look a tad bit flared, but nothing looks to be significantly out of shape, based off what we’re hearing from those in the know about this project.
On profile, the 2025 Fortuner is still instantly recognizable but there are new alloy wheel designs in either 18-inch or 20-inch sizes, depending on the variant.
There’s a bit more of a wheel arch cladding here, helping to establish the off-road credentials.
The back gets more discreet changes, that would be updated LED taillights with a new lighting signature that mirrors that of the front.
Both the tailgate and rear bumper are slightly updated, while the rear bumper includes larger exhaust finishers on some higher trims.
Two new exterior colors will be added to the color chart – Attitude Black (a dark metallic black) and Platinum White Pearl (which will replace Super White) – on top of existing options such as Phantom Brown and Silver Metallic.
Toyota Fortuner Facelift Cabin Upgrades: Tech and Luxury Touches
The exterior modifications are subtle, if noticeable, but inside is receives a much bigger shaking up in the form of an attempt to remove the one or two weak points the current model has -quality of the perceived quality and some bits of technology used for it.
“The change will be the most obvious in the cabin,” said a supplier whose company is involved in the project and asked not to be identified. “Toyota has really used European competition on materials and interfaces.”
The latter has allowed Jag to redesign the dashboard around a much bigger freestanding touchscreen infotainment system – already stretching from today’s existing 8-inch unit to an altogether larger 10.1-inch display with much improved resolution and processing power.
This system will feature Toyota’s newest connected car technology that offers enhanced functions, such as remote operations through a smartphone app.
The instrument cluster gets a big boost as well and top-spec models are fitted with a 12.3-inch fully-digital display with multiple customisation options.
Lower trims will see a semi-digital arrangement with analogue gauges either side of a 7-inch multi-information display.
Material’s quality is much improved, with soft-touch surfaces now reaching to additional parts of the cabin such as the door panels and lower dashboard.
Higher trims will get real leather seats with more complex stitching patterns, and a new premium leather option with ventilated and massaging front seats will be reserved for the top-spec Legender model.
“They have paid attention to detail that customers have to see and touch on every visit,” said a Toyota showroom manager who was recently briefed on the updates.
“Stuff like the switchgear just feels more substantial, and even the plastics in less obvious places are nicer to the touch.”
Riding in the second row gets better thanks to reclining seatbacks, more cushioning and dedicated climate controls, and there are easier entry and exit to the third row because the new folding process for the second row is less awkward than before.
Tech-wise, it gets a new wireless charging setup with cooling function, a new 360-degree camera system with ‘clearer resolution’ on higher variants, there’s even a head-up display on the top variants as well as an upgraded 11-speaker JBL audio system tailored for the Fortuner’s cabin acoustics.
Toyota Fortuner Facelift Performance and Capability: Evolved, Not Revolutionized
Powering the 2025 Fortuner will be the tried-and-tested 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit, albeit updated calibrations for enhanced refinement and compliance with the stringent emission norms.
And power output is still 204 PS of power and 500 Nm of torque, numbers that have been more than sufficient for the needs of this vehicle.
“Toyota’s way of thinking is more toward evolution than revolution in powertrains,” said an automotive engineer who works with the brand and is familiar with its development plan.
“They’re more focused on long-term reliability, rather than chasing headline power figures.”
Software updates for the six-speed automatic gearbox make for better, smoother shifts and more intelligent gear selection, especially in off-road situations. Lower and mid-level variants will still get a manual option.
4WD systems get new management systems to improve torque distribution on slippery surfaces.
Off-road capability is still strong, with downhill assist control, active traction control, and a rear differential lock (on higher variants) all in the line up.
A ride that has on occasion been bashed in the present model is addressed by retuned suspension bits.
When speaking to an auto component exhibition, one of the suspension suppliers for the vehicle was quoted as saying, “A lot was done to improve high-speed stability and impact absorption without losing out on the off-road capability that is the Fortuner.
Toyota Fortuner Facelift Expected pricing: Premium position endures
With all these improvements, the 2025 Fortuner will obviously be priced at a premium over the current version.
According to dealer briefings and industry analysis, here’s what the pricing structure is expected to resemble when the facelift debuts:
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– 4×2 MT Petrol: ₹35.50 lakh (from existing ₹33.43 lakh)
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4×2 MT Diesel: ₹38.90 lakh (hiked compared to ₹37.79 lakh at present)
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4×2 AT Diesel: ₹41.30 lakh (existing ₹39.95 lakh)
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4×4 MT Diesel: ₹43.60 lakh (against current ₹42.18 lakh)
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4×4 AT Diesel: ₹46.20 lakh (against current ₹44.63 lakh)
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— Legender 4×4 AT Diesel: ₹51.50 lakh(Current ₹49.83 lakh)
(All prices ex-showroom)
The hike in price is well-justified based upon the comprehensive updates,” an automotive credit analyst I asked for estimated pricing said after seeing it.
Toyota is aware it has a lot of brand equity in the Fortuner, but it also knows just how competitive the segment has become.
The intriguing part here is how Toyota’s putting the various trims in line. Dealer sources told us the mid-tier models would come with greater amounts of extra kit and likely offer better value than before, despite the higher prices in dollar terms.
“They are making sure that they spread the features among all the ranges,” said Kumar, the dealer principal.
“Some features that were exclusive to the Legender will also be now available on the standard 4×4 automatic, providing a much stronger proposition for those who want the capability without spending for the Legender’s largely cosmetic upgrades.”
Toyota Fortuner Facelift Impact on the Market and Roadmap to Launch
Dominates PREMIUM SUV THE SUV SEGMENT since over a decade, has been ruling the segment for a decade, selling between 1500-2000 vehicles month after month with minimal changes irrespective of increased competition.
The extensive nature of this facelift implies Toyota is doing its utmost to keep the money rolling in.
Production of the facelifted version of the car should start in March 2025, according to those in the supply chain, with it arriving in showrooms two months later at the very latest; most likely May-June 2025, depending on the market.
Demos and training will be offered to dealers about a month in advance of launch to the public.
“The timing is tactical,” said an industry analyst who follows production schedules.
“It allows Toyota to run down inventory of the current model through the first quarter and even into the second quarter of 2025 before it launches the revised model just as buying activity usually picks up after the financial year change.
The Fortuner facelift will land at an interesting time in the premium SUV segment.
With Ford moving out and quitting the Endeavour’s space, and the MG Gloster and Jeep Meridian still finding their place in the hierarchy, Toyota has a chance to solidify the Fortuner’s preeminent status with this well-timed update.
The decision for potential customers is whether to buy the current iteration and earn end-of-life-cycle discounts, or wait for the 2025 version, which will be significantly different.
Given how deep the changes run – especially inside, in the tech package – the waiting period for the facelift may well be worth it.
Now as I broke the conversation with Kumar, he presented a viewpoint that probably defines the gravity of this update better than anything else, “The current Fortuner is still selling in spite of its age because it still offers what the buyer bodies – trust, ability and status”.
The 2025 model keeps all those strengths but improves where the firm was beginning to feel its age. That is precisely what a good facelift should do.”
