Rumors of a new mild hybrid (MHEV) variant for Toyota’s Fortuner midsize SUV have been circulating since 2022. However, it wasn’t until recently that Toyota finally brought this to fruition with the launch of the new Fortuner MHEV in South Africa.
The new mild-hybrid Toyota Fortuner 2024 officially launched in South Africa
Unsurprisingly, the 2024 Toyota Fortuner MHEV shares its mild-hybrid powertrain with its Hilux sibling. Specifically, powering this D-segment SUV is the familiar 2.8-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder diesel engine. The engine is paired with a 48V electrical system and a generator.
The aforementioned powerplant still produces a maximum power of 150 kW (about 201 horsepower) and a peak torque of 500 Nm. While the power output remains unchanged, the engine consumes up to 5% less fuel. According to Toyota, fuel consumption ranges from 7.3 to 7.6 liters per 100 km, depending on whether the vehicle is rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). Additionally, the 2024 Toyota Fortuner MHEV comes equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Toyota says the mild hybrid system will assist the vehicle when going downhill and improve its performance at low speeds and when braking. Acceleration is also smoother thanks to the 12 kW (16 horsepower) and 65 Nm of additional power that is instantly available from a standstill.
The Toyota Fortuner MHEV 2024 offers two driving modes: Eco and Sport. The vehicle also comes with a standard limited-slip differential. The 4WD variant, meanwhile, features 2H high-range, 4H high-range, and 4L low-range modes.
Aside from the new powertrain, the Toyota Fortuner MHEV 2024 in the South African market also comes with other standard features such as automatic LED headlamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, smart key, leather-wrapped and power-adjustable front seats, leather-wrapped and wood-trimmed steering wheel with integrated controls, dual-zone automatic climate control, a touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, and a 6-speaker sound system. Higher variants add features such as heated seats and an 11-speaker JBL sound system.
The interior of the Toyota Fortuner MHEV 2024 in South Africa
Standard safety features include cruise control, hill-start assist, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, anti-lock braking system (ABS), brake assist, and seven airbags. Meanwhile, a 360-degree surround-view camera, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring are reserved for higher variants.
In the South African market, the Toyota Fortuner MHEV 2024 is available in a total of four variants, with prices ranging from 834,800 to 961,800 Rand (approximately 1.112 to 1.281 billion VND). It is still unclear whether the mild-hybrid variant of the Toyota Fortuner will be sold in Vietnam in the future. In Vietnam, this midsize SUV currently comes with three engine options: a 2.4-liter diesel, a 2.8-liter diesel, and a 2.7-liter gasoline engine.
Nissan’s 4WD Vehicles – 65 Years of Historic Journey
After a challenging journey full of obstacles, Nissan has now established a prestigious legacy in the field of 4×4 drivetrains. Through years of research, Nissan has developed cutting-edge technical secrets and world-class technologies, propelling the brand from its early Jeep-inspired models in the 1950s to the bold and powerful vehicles we see today. Let’s take a moment to review Nissan’s renowned legacy in the SUV segment and explore the history of iconic representatives such as the Patrol, Murano, Pathfinder, Qashqai, X-Trail, and Juke through the following information.