Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6 4X4 A/T (2025) Review

Introduction

Look - if you’re after a proven seven-seater 4x4 that’ll cart your family to school, haul a trailer, and still be ticking over in 2035, the Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6 4x4 A/T is everywhere for a reason. Most South Africans buy this one, even with its basic three-year warranty and tech that feels stuck in the last decade. Out of twelve Fortuner models, the 2.4 4x4 A/T is the sensible buy - the one your cousin probably owns. But here’s the honest question: does it still earn its reputation as the “family SUV benchmark,” or are we just defaulting out of habit? That answer isn’t as obvious as it once was.

Key takeaway: The 2.4 4x4 A/T makes the most sense for families who’ll use its 4x4, but rivals now own the warranty, tech and safety bragging rights.

Design & Exterior

No revolution here. The second-generation Fortuner’s 2024 facelift brings a bigger grille, sharper LED lights, and a chunkier bumper, but the 2.4 4x4 A/T skips the GR-Sport’s menacing black trim. It’s still a tall, boxy, Hilux-based SUV built at Prospecton in Durban. No one’s confusing it for an Everest or a GWM P-Series.

Stance and presence

Parked next to a Ford Everest, the Fortuner’s conservative approach stands out. Everest’s got the broader, bolder nose, and the latest Isuzu MU-X looks fresher by comparison. Sure, none of that matters when you’re towing a Jurgens down the N1, but let’s be real - when a new Everest Sport rolls up next door, the Fortuner’s age shows.

Wheels and finish

You’re looking at 17-inch alloys and shiny chrome handles. No black pack, just clean Toyota lines. Paint holds up - I saw a mate’s 2018 Fortuner after countless gravel trips to Limpopo, and the bodywork was still impressively straight for a bakkie-based SUV.

Cabin & Practicality

The interior is where the Fortuner’s wrinkles are most visible. That 8-inch infotainment screen now feels tiny, especially next to the Everest’s massive 12-inch SYNC 4A. But here’s a win - proper buttons for climate, drive modes, and 4x4. When you’re balancing a Wimpy coffee and inching through the N3’s Mooi River toll, you appreciate that more than you’d think.

Materials and ergonomics

Leather seats come standard, but hard plastics dominate below the beltline. The steering wheel is pure Hilux, and the seating position is upright and old-school. It’s all functional, but nothing really wows. That’s the Fortuner cabin in a nutshell.

Seven seats and the boot

Practicality wins over style every time in the Fortuner.

• Third-row seats flip up and sit against the windows, not flat into the floor like the MU-X manages.
• This cuts side visibility for second-row passengers and gets annoying on long trips.
• Boot space with all seven up? Scarce. Fold the third row, and you’ll manage a pram and a week’s groceries, maybe even a Builders Warehouse flat-pack if you pack smart.
• ISOFIX mounts are fitted to the outer second-row seats.
• The 80-litre tank is a bonus - Joburg to Cape Town on one stop, easy. On my recent N1 run, loaded with four people and bags, I managed 8.2L/100km. Not bad for a two-tonne SUV.

On the Road

Under the bonnet, you get a 2.4-litre GD-6 diesel with 110 kW and 400 Nm, paired to a 6-speed auto and switchable 4x4. That’s 40 kW and 100 Nm shy of the 2.8. On paper at least, that gap is big - but it only matters in specific situations.

Around town

With the torque arriving at 1 600 rpm, the Fortuner is relaxed in traffic. The old-school six-speed auto is smooth and never stumbles for gears like a confused dual-clutch on a steep Hillbrow climb. Its 11.8-metre turning circle is tight enough for parkades, but in a parallel bay, you’ll need some patience.

Open road and overtaking

Here’s the rub: overtaking that slow truck requires planning. Two downshifts, the engine gets gruff above 3 500 rpm, and you’ll wish for more poke compared to the 2.8. If towing heavy loads or carrying seven adults plus luggage is your game, go with the 2.8 GD-6. For school runs and typical family use, the 2.4 is enough.

Off-road

You get low-range, rear diff lock, and - unusually - hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering, which gives real feedback. I once took a 2.4 4x4 up a sandy trail near Mabula; the steering told me exactly what was going on under the tyres. No drama, just steady progress. That’s rare these days.

Data & Comparison

Time for numbers. Here’s how the Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6 4x4 A/T stacks up against its actual South African rivals.

Cost of ownership

Five-year total cost of ownership for the 2.4 4x4 A/T is around R230 000 - that covers fuel, tyres, insurance, and servicing when out of plan. Toyota’s dealer network is everywhere: from Mthatha to Mossel Bay, you’re sorted. That’s worth more than spec-sheet warriors like to admit.

Service plan reality

The Toyota Fortuner service plan South Africa covers scheduled maintenance for a set term, with top-ups available. Is the Toyota Fortuner expensive to maintain? Within the plan, no. Out of plan, parts are locally sourced from Prospecton, so prices stay fair, and labour is kept in check by Toyota’s sheer dealer count. That’s the backbone of Toyota Fortuner reliability here - and it’s why so many families stick with the badge.

Segment trend

Between June and November 2025, SUVs scored 77.9 in June and 76.0 in November for buyer interest. That’s just behind Luxury and Hybrid models. Double-cabs? Languishing in the low 60s. South Africans want big, practical SUVs. The Fortuner is right in the thick of that demand.

Pricing position

Within the twelve-derivative Fortuner range, this is the only non-flagship 4x4 auto diesel. The price step to the 2.8 is real, and unless you’re towing big or living on the road, it’s tough to justify the jump. For the Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6 4x4 A/T price in South Africa, check Toyota’s site for the current sticker prices have moved since launch.

Editorial Focus

So, is this still the family SUV benchmark? Here’s the reality: it’s the default, not the benchmark. And that difference matters.

Want the spec king? That’s the Ford Everest. It has a big touch screen, 10-speed auto, full driver-assist suite, and a longer warranty. The MU-X, after its 2025 update, brings a 5-year/120 000 km warranty, flat-folding third row, and wireless CarPlay. On features, the Fortuner is now behind.

But the Fortuner shines in the stuff that doesn’t fit on a brochure. Three-year-old examples barely lose value; resale is bulletproof. The dealer network - truly everywhere. Built locally at Prospecton, so parts keep flowing, even with global chaos. And its reliability, deserved or not, keeps insurers and bank managers happy.

As for problems in the Toyota Fortuner? It’s mostly the small stuff: occasional infotainment gremlins, rare diesel injectors on high-milers, and the odd DPF issue for urban-only drivers. Major failures? Almost unheard of. Most issues are boring, fixable niggles - and that’s why loyalty runs so deep.

So, for this Toyota Fortuner review, here’s my take: it’s a benchmark for trust, not for tech. And that’s the point.

People Also Ask

Is the Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6 4x4 A/T powerful enough for towing?

For light to medium towing - single-axle caravan, fishing boat, bike trailer - absolutely. The 400 Nm from 1 600 rpm makes highway towing at 120 km/h relaxed. But if you’re consistently pulling heavy-braked trailers or heading up Van Reenen’s Pass fully loaded, you’ll want the extra grunt of the 2.8 GD-6.

How does the Toyota Fortuner compare to the Isuzu MU-X?

MU-X gives you a longer 5yr/120 000 km warranty, fresher cabin, and cleverer third-row folding. Toyota counters with resale, that unmatched dealer footprint, and proven long-trip reliability. If you value gadgets and warranty, go MU-X. For bulletproof ownership, Fortuner still has the edge.

Is the Toyota Fortuner expensive to maintain?

Not during the service plan. Once you’re out of plan, parts prices stay sensible because of local production, and labour rates aren’t crazy - thanks to Toyota’s wide dealer network. Tyres and brakes wear as expected for a two-ton SUV. Insurance is trickier: Fortuners remain a theft magnet in South Africa.

What are the most common Toyota Fortuner problems?

Most complaints are minor - infotainment quirks, the odd injector on high-milers, DPF niggles if you only do short trips. Major failures are rare. Regular long drives and scheduled maintenance keep headaches at bay.

Is the Toyota Fortuner a good family car?

Yes, with a couple of caveats. Seven seats, real 4x4, ISOFIX, and that big tank all work for SA families. The third row isn’t as clever as the MU-X, and the safety kit trails the Everest. Still, for daily runs, holidays to Plettenberg, and gravel weekends, the Fortuner is tough to top.

What is the price of the Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6 4x4 A/T?

This 2.4GD-6 4x4 A/T is the value-focused 4x4 auto in the Toyota Fortuner lineup - less than the 2.8 and far below GR-Sport money. For the latest Toyota Fortuner price in South Africa, check Toyota’s site; 2025 pricing has shifted since launch.

Verdict

Here’s where the Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6 4x4 A/T lands: buy it if you want a fuss-free family 4x4 that’ll hold its value, get serviced at any corner of South Africa and handle a decade of school runs and Kruger road trips. If you want cutting-edge cabin tech, a long warranty, or the sharpest safety suite, the Everest and MU-X have moved the game on.

The 110 kW/400 Nm 2.4-litre diesel is enough for most. The old-school auto is easygoing, off-road steering is a rare treat, and the cabin is dated but functional. Warranty is short; resale is class-leading. Dealer support? Unmatched.

Rating: 7.5/10. It loses half a point for the short warranty, and a full point for lagging tech and safety. It’s not the segment’s measuring stick anymore - but it’s still the safest bet. And in South Africa, that matters...