Toyota Fortuner Legender: In the cluttered segment of hard-core SUVs in the Indian market, there is one name that all coupes d’etats and dictatorships bow before – the Toyota Fortuner Legender.
This range-topping model from Toyota’s best-selling Fortuner range has affirmed itself as the premium SUV segment particularly SUV market leader by combining brute-power, modern comfort and extra-fine Toyota longevity.
Thanks to its iconic road presence and unrivalled performance, the Fortuner Legender has truly become the symbol of Unstoppable power and unmatched prestige on off-road escapades.
Toyota Fortuner Legender Beast Behind the Hood: No Other Power Notes
At the heart of the Fortuner Legender’s dominance is the mighty powerhouse. Underneath this brawny hood is a 2.8 L, 4-cylinder, 1GD-FTV turbocharged diesel engine making a monstrous 201.15 bhp @ 3000-3400 RPM.
This engineering masterpiece really excels in the torque department, churning out a massive 500 Nm from 1600 – 2800 RPM in the automatic – numbers which outmuscle a lot of rivals in its price range.
This high-performance engine is exactly what makes Fortuner Legender a performance beast. The fantastic power flow allows the smoothest running, no matter how challenging the terrain or when chock-a-block with load.
Whether you’re fighting through packed city streets, or exploring new trails in the countryside, the Legender’s commanding charge fills you with confidence.
In particular, kudos to the six-speed automatic transmission, which shifted seamlessly and managed power intelligently. It has three driving modes (Eco/Normal/Sport), which drivers can have their vehicle operate under at any time.
In Sport mode, the throttle response becomes more fervid to turn the bawdy crossover into an even sharper implement.
For those who like more control over shifting, the Legender also gets paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel. This racer-inspired add-on enables fast, manual shifts without letting go of the steering wheel, delivering that true, sporty driving sensation that high-performance drivers demand.
Tough Guy Design: On the Design of Intimidation
When in motion, the Fortuner Legender exterior styling reflects its strong performance capability. The front end is dominated by a mean, mesh-type grille encased in a pair of sharp LED headlamps and along with integrated DRLs.
This distinctive front-end design has an imposing on-the-road presence which can be heard and felt way before the mighty, chassis-tuned engine gets anywhere close to the outer ear.
The side profile showcases powerful muscular lines and large 18-inch alloy wheels, machined finish wheels add to dynamic appearance. And these wheels aren’t just for looks, they’re capable of taking a punishing while out on the trails, yet remain stable on the highway. The 279mm ground clearance is another factor that builds the Legender off-road prowess making it cross the rough with ease.
At the back, the car comes with split LED tail lamps and a roof-mounted spoiler giving the car a muscular look. The Legender comes in a unique Platinum White Pearl and a dual-tone sporty black roof which underlines its premiumness in the category.
This two-tone livery has been a bit of a status symbol on Indian roads and immediately identifies this car as the top-spec Legender variant.
Luxury And Technology In Perfect Harmony: The Interior
The moment you step in to the Fortuner Legender, you see a cabin which fuses luxury, technology and practicality together well. It is a 7-seater arrangement, so there’s some great room provided in all the three rows, this made my family outings or adventure trips with friends hassle-free.
Leather upholstery with contrast stitching gives the cabin a premium feel and the ventilated front seats are designed to provide comfort even on extended drives in India across a variety of weather conditions.
The cockpit-style interior includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel and audio, phone and cruise controls. Supplied with it is an optitron instrument cluster that delivers all necessary information with impressive visibility.
An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system comes standard, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for easy smartphone integration.
Other interior highlights include wireless charging (for compatible devices), automatic climate control with rear vents on all rows, smart entry with push-button start, and an electrochromic rearview mirror that dims in low light to reduce glare from following vehicles at night.
The cabin also provides smart and typical Indian storage binnacles, with a cooled glovebox (for beverages – a fine touch for the long drives on different terrains of our country).
Conquer All Terrain: Off-Road Performance
The Fortuner Legender is a success in the city, but this is where the tarmac ends, and the real soul of the car comes to the fore. If those tires start to spin, the 4×4 model is fitted with Toyota’s tried and true four-wheel-drive system and also features an electronically controlled locking rear differential as well as Active Traction Control (A-TRC). These systems work together to improve traction on a number of surfaces from wet mud to loose sand.
The Legender’s 29-degree approach angle and 25-degree departure angle, combined with that aforementioned 279mm of ground clearance, means this is an SUV that can handle obstacles other inferior SUVs wouldn’t even attempt to deal with.
The vehicle has a wading depth of 700mm so even water crossings that would swallow up most SUVs should present no issue to the Fortuner Legender.
Also included are Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC), which help out more timid off-road drivers in tackling uphill and downhill situations.
Drivers can also choose from multiple terrain modes to configure the vehicle’s systems to suit the terrain the car is tackling, including Normal, Rock, Mud & Sand and Gravel.
Safety First: Full Protection
In terms of safety, Toyota Fortuner Legender comes with many safety features which further ensure the safety of the occupants within, reflecting Toyota’s priority in this space. The SUV has seven well positioned airbags for all round impact protection.
Advanced driver assistance systems on the RAV4 feature intuitive technologies such as VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) that allow you to make secure turns without having to readjust engine and brake settings. Traction Control (TRC) helps maintain traction on wet, icy, or loose surfaces.
Other safety features include: Hill Assist Control (HAC), which helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an incline; and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) for maximum stopping power.
The Fortuner Legender is also fitted with a 360-degree camera system offering a bird’s eye view of the vehicle’s immediate surroundings, making parking and low-speed driving much simpler.
Position in the Market: No.1 Hands down!
In the Indian auto industry, the Fortuner Legender is that one-of-a-kind vehicle. Available at a price range of ₹44.11 lakh to ₹48.09 lakh (ex-showroom), it is sold at a premium compared to the regular Fortuner as well as many of its rivals. But this is the price you pay for an engine so powerful, luxurious and capable inside the car.
It takes on the likes of the MG Gloster SUV and the Skoda Kodiaq, and to some extent the Jeep Meridian. But the Fortuner Legender has a few aces up its sleeve compared to these rivals and that starts with Toyota’s unmatched reputation for reliability and the wide-ranging service network that stretches across the whole of India – an important aspect to consider for a vehicle that’s meant for long-distance driving and exploring.
The Fortuner nameplate has developed a cult following in India over the years, and many buyers are prepared to wait for several months to get behind its steering wheel.
This strong brand cachet and top-notch resale value make the Legender a compelling package despite premium pricing. In fact, secondhand Fortuners hold onto 80% of their value when they reach three years old – an indication of how popular and robust the car is.
Ownership Experience: Life After the Sale
Getting behind the wheel of a Fortuner Legender is an experience that lasts beyond the initial purchase, thanks to the thoughtful service that Toyota is famous for. It comes with a 3-year or 100,000 km standard warranty that you can choose to extend for added peace of mind.
The schedule for services falls under every 10,000 kms or 6 months, depending on what happens first. That might sound more often than some rivals, but it ensures the car stays in the best possible shape over the years. Toyota’s service charges are also quite acceptable for a vehicle in this segment with periodic service cost being ₹12,000 to ₹15,000 each.
You’d also think fuel efficiency, a common bugbear among powerful SUVs, would be a bigger thorn in the side than it is for the Fortuner Legender.
The ARAI-certified fuel mileage figure of the car varies between 14.2-14.4 kilometres per litre, although in reality the car’s fuel economy remains around 12 kilometres per litre in city while it might touch as high as 16 kilometres per litre on highways. Despite the performance and proportions these are very impressive numbers.
The Future: Prospects
On the horizon, Toyota is also planning to introduce a mild-hybrid trim of the Fortuner, likely coming to India join by 2025. Such a development should give a serious boost to both performance and efficiency, continuing to secure the model’s position as the class leader of the luxury SUV segment.
There are also murmurs regarding further variants with more bespoke off-road equipment for the enthusiasts who truly work their vehicles hard.
These enhancements will increase the Fortuner Legender’s attractiveness to an even wider range of customers, including urban professionals and hardcore enthusiasts.
Toyota Fortuner Legender Conclusion: Power, Prestige and Pragmatism
The Toyota Fortuner Legender is the epitome of SUV experience that you can get in India today – Powerful, luxurious, and off-road capable in all.
It has big road presence — enough for it to have even the most delicate of heads turning — and is backed up by an engine that should make for constant excitement, no matter what you throw at it.
And for people who want something for everyday use that also makes sense for the weekend, the Fortuner Legender does make a lot of sense.
It’s an expensive vehicle but it’s got it all – power, luxury, reliability and, yes, reputation – and for discerning consumers it’s worth the cost.
In a segment inundated with choices, it remains as the reigning monarch of the premium SUV category – the epitome of Power, Presence and Performance, a vehicle that sets the bar for its rivals to reach up to.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the engine details of Toyota Fortuner Legender?
A: The Fortuner Legender is powered by a 2.8-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine which generates 201.15 bhp at 3000-3400 RPM and 500 Nm of peak torque at 1600-2800 RPM in the automatic transmission version.
Q: What is the cost of Toyota Fortuner Legender in India?
A: The Toyota Fortuner Legender ranges from ₹44.11 lakh to ₹48.09 lakh (ex-showroom) and it all depends on the variant and the transmission you opt for.
Q: Is the Fortuner Legender 4WD?
A: Yes, the Fortuner Legender is offered in 4×2 (2WD) and 4×4 (4WD) versions, and the latter comes with Terrain Command and Downhill Assist Control modes for rough road driving.
Q: What is the average* of Toyota Fortuner Legender?
A : The ARAI claimed mileage of Fortuner Legender is 14.2 – 14.4 kmpl, whereas as per the users city mileage is 12 kmpl and highway 16 kmpl.
Q: In how many seating combinations is the Fortuner Legender available?
A: The Fortuner Legender is a seven-seater three-row SUV. The second-row seats are customizable for added passenger comfort.
Q: Who are Toyota Fortuner Legender’s main competitors in India?
A: The primary rivals are the MG Gloster, Skoda Kodiaq, Jeep Meridian and higher trims of the Mahindra XUV700. But the Fortuner Legender, with its potent engine, reliability and brand value, has its unique advantages in the segment.