2025 Toyota Fortuner Legender Review – Still the Same, Yet So Expensive
Over the past 9 years, the Toyota Fortuner has continued in the same generation. It still carries the same engine, chassis, drivetrain, and electronic architecture, with only minor revisions along the way. Despite this, its ex-showroom price has jumped by a massive ₹17,50,000.
When it was first launched, the Fortuner cost around ₹31.12 lakh, and today, the base model starts at ₹48.80 lakh ex-showroom. That’s a significant increase for a product that hasn’t seen a complete generation change.
So, what’s the logic behind this huge jump? Let’s find out.
Positives of the Toyota Fortuner
Now, let’s talk about what makes the Fortuner legendary, quite literally.
Ask anyone about the Fortuner’s biggest strength, and the answer is unanimous: reliability and low maintenance.
Unmatched Reliability
The Toyota Fortuner is rock solid. Drive it gently, avoid harsh acceleration or unnecessary stress, and it rewards you with years of trouble-free ownership.
Owners report driving 15–17 full tanks of fuel before each scheduled service. A full service costs roughly equal to one tank’s fuel cost, and the SUV can easily last 2–3 lakh km without major issues.
That’s Toyota’s biggest strength, reliability. It’s the foundation of Toyota’s brand reputation and the reason people pay a premium upfront. Every component might not feel luxurious, but it’s designed to outlast the car’s lifespan.
Negatives of the Toyota Fortuner
Same Generation Since 9 Years
For the last nine years, the Fortuner has been in the same generation.
Same engine, same chassis, almost the same body panels, electronic architecture, and drivetrain are all unchanged.
Yes, the power has increased, some features have been updated, and new variants like Legender and GR Sport have been added, but the overall vehicle remains the same.
Massive Price Hike
It was launched at ₹31,12,000 and today starts at ₹48,80,000 ex-showroom.
That is an increase of ₹17,50,000 for almost the same generation SUV.
What is the logic behind such a jump?
Outdated Engine and Refinement
The engine is not great overall and could have been better if updated.
Despite the heavy weight and noise, the transmission still performs well, but overall refinement is missing.
Average Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency has improved slightly with Neo Drive, but this car still delivers only decent mileage.
Expect around 9 to 10 km/l in the city and about 12 km/l on highways.
Lack of New Features
Some features have been revised and a few new variants introduced, but otherwise, everything else including the engine, chassis, body panels, and drivetrain remains unchanged.
Engine, Performance & Neo Drive
The Fortuner continues with its proven 2.8-litre diesel engine, producing 204 bhp and 500 Nm of torque.
While the engine itself feels slightly outdated, it still performs impressively well. The Neo Drive technology has slightly improved fuel efficiency, and the transmission remains smooth, even with the SUV’s heavy build.
Despite being noisy at times, the engine-transmission combination feels refined when driven sedately. The Fortuner isn’t about raw performance; it’s about confidence and endurance.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel economy has improved marginally over the years. The Fortuner Legender now delivers:
City: 9–10 km/l
Highway: 12–13 km/l
Depending on your driving style, it can even touch 13 km/l on longer highway runs. What’s impressive is that load doesn’t affect efficiency much, a rare trait for such a large SUV.
When compared to Mahindra’s 2.2-litre engines, Toyota’s motor stands out for its consistency and smooth torque delivery, even though Mahindra’s SUVs are lighter.
Off-Road Capability
The Fortuner remains a true off-roader. Even on uneven terrain, the diesel torque allows it to crawl effortlessly without throttle input.
You can halt completely on rough ground, release the brake, and the Fortuner will move forward on its torque alone. That’s the mark of a capable off-roader, one that performs even when the road disappears.
The Neo Drive system complements this behavior, maintaining balance and traction while improving efficiency.
Verdict – A Trusted SUV That Outlived Its Own Generation
The Toyota Fortuner Legender may not be a new-generation SUV, but its reliability, build quality, and durability continue to make it one of the most trusted names in the segment.
Yes, the ₹17.5 lakh price hike since launch is hard to ignore, especially considering that the engine, chassis, and drivetrain remain largely unchanged. But you’re also paying for Toyota’s bulletproof reliability, proven after-sales service, and off-road credibility that few SUVs can match.
The Fortuner’s charm lies in its dependability, not in fancy tech or luxurious interiors, and that’s exactly why it still rules Indian roads.
Frequently Asked Questions – 2025 Toyota Fortuner Legender
1. Has the Toyota Fortuner received a new generation?
No, the Toyota Fortuner has been in the same generation for the last nine years. It still uses the same engine, chassis, and electronic architecture, with only minor feature updates and new variants like Legender and GR Sport.
2. Why is the Toyota Fortuner considered expensive?
The Fortuner was launched at ₹31.12 lakh, and now starts at ₹48.80 lakh ex-showroom. That’s an increase of ₹17.5 lakh with mostly the same generation and structure, which makes buyers question the logic behind the price hike.
3. How is the engine performance and refinement?
The engine performs decently but feels outdated in terms of refinement. Despite the heavy weight and engine noise, the transmission still performs well, but overall smoothness could have been improved.
4. What is the fuel efficiency of the Toyota Fortuner Legender?
With Neo Drive, fuel efficiency has improved slightly, but overall mileage remains average. Expect around 9 to 10 km/l in city driving and up to 12 km/l on highways.
5. What new features are offered in the latest Fortuner Legender?
The latest Fortuner Legender gets some revised features and added variants, but the major components such as the engine, body panels, and drivetrain remain unchanged from the older version.
