Butch-Looking Toyota Fortuner Facelift Gets A Spicier TRD Trim. India Launch Soon?

• Design highlights include sportier alloy wheels and dark accents all around.

• Cabin remains unchanged compared to the standard Fortuner trim.

• The India-spec model could be powered by the uprated 204PS/500Nm 2.8-litre diesel engine and 2.7-litre petrol engine.

• Expect it to debut in India only after the standard Fortuner, which could arrive by early-2021.

It's only been over four months since the Toyota Fortuner received a mid-life refresh in Thailand. Now, the carmaker has given its sportier-looking trim, the TRD Sportivo, a similar update in Indonesia. While the standard Fortuner facelift was already a bold update, the TRD brings a bit more to the table. 

On the outside, it gets familiar updates like the larger grille, redesigned LED headlamps with sleek LED DRLs, new front and rear bumpers, revised fog lamp housing, and LED detailing for the tail lamps. The TRD Sportivo adds dark accents on the grille, mirrors, front bumper and fog lamps. The front grille also gets a red strip and TRD badging. Other notable bits include aggressive 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and chrome black backdoor garnishes. 

Heading inside, the Fortuner TRD Sportivo’s cabin remains relatively unchanged compared to the standard facelifted model, aside from the addition of a rear seat entertainment system. Notable features include a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, an updated 4.2-inch multi-info driver’s display, and powered front seats. It also gets ambient lighting, anti-glare mirrors, connected car technology, wireless charging, and an activated kick door that allows you to open the boot by waving your leg underneath the car.  Safety kit includes seven airbags, hill start assist, vehicle stability control and traction control.

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Under the hood, the Indonesia-spec Toyota Fortuner TRD is powered by a smaller 2.4-litre diesel engine that produces 150PS and 400Nm. For reference, the standard facelifted Fortuner in Thailand utilises an uprated 2.8-litre diesel engine pushing out 204PS and 500Nm. The India-spec model is expected to get the updated 2.8-litre diesel engine. The transmission option will be a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission as before. It is offered in both rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive variants.  

Back home, Toyota recently launched the current Fortuner’s TRD Edition, so don’t expect the facelifted TRD Sportivo to be introduced before the standard Fortuner facelift. Speaking of the standard Fortuner, it could head to India by early-2021. The manufacturer has already started testing the updated SUV in the country. Expect it to be pricier than the current-gen model which starts from Rs 28.66 lakh (ex-showroom). It will go up against the Ford Endeavour, Mahindra Alturas G4 and MG Gloster. The TRD Sportivo, on the other hand, has the Ford Endeavour Sport to contend with.