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Toyota

Fortuner

AN160· 2015-2026 suv-4wd Value
Price (AUD)
$25k-$60k
Body styles
5-door wagon (7 seat)
Drivetrain
Part-time dual-range 4WD (rear diff lock on GXL/Crusade)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Thailand

Overview

Australia's body-on-frame, HiLux-based 7-seat 4WD, sold here only from October 2015 in GX, GXL and Crusade grades and built in Thailand. Unlike the Prado it shares its ladder chassis, 2.8L 1GD-FTV diesel and much of its running gear with the HiLux ute, so it is mechanically simple, tough and cheap to service - but rides firmer and is less plush inside than a Prado. Diesel-only in Australia for the whole run: the 130kW/450Nm engine ran 2015-2020, then a major 2020 upgrade lifted it to 150kW/500Nm with a retuned 6-speed auto and 3100kg braked towing. The defining caveat is the 1GD's diesel particulate filter: early (Oct 2015-Apr 2020) cars were the subject of a successful Federal Court class action over a defective DPF that clogged, blew white smoke and dropped into regen too often, especially on short urban trips. A 2018 manual-regen function and the 2020 hardware revision largely fixed it. Otherwise the platform is among the more dependable 4WDs you can buy used, provided the DPF history and servicing are sound.

Engines & variants

2.8L 1GD-FTV diesel (130kW, 2015-2020)

Engine
2.8L common-rail turbo diesel I4, DOHC 16v, VNT turbo + intercooler, DPF
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
2755cc
Power
130kW @ 3400rpm
Torque
420Nm @ 1400-2600rpm (manual) / 450Nm @ 1600-2400rpm (auto)
Drivetrain
Part-time dual-range 4WD
Economy
8.6-9 L/100km combined (claimed), 9-11 real world
Tow (braked)
3000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT, 6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven

Pros

  • Tough, simple HiLux-shared driveline that is cheap to service
  • Genuine 7 seats and a proper dual-range part-time 4WD system
  • Strong low-down torque for touring and towing
  • Massive parts, accessory and dealer support across Australia

Cons

  • Pre-April-2020 DPF is the subject of a successful class action - clogging, white smoke, frequent regens
  • Less power and torque and 100kg less towing than the 2020 upgrade
  • Pre-2018 cars lack the manual DPF regen button
  • Firm, utility-derived ride and a cramped third row vs a Prado

Known problems

high
Defective DPF (Oct 2015 - Apr 2020 class action)
The early 1GD DPF was found by the Federal Court to be defective: it could not regenerate effectively in normal use, clogging up, emitting white smoke and a foul exhaust smell during regen, and warning that the filter was full. Affected HiLux/Prado/Fortuner diesels bought Oct 2015-Apr 2020 were eligible for compensation for lost value.
Fix: Confirm any DPF-related field fixes/software are applied, check the car has the post-2018 manual regen function, do regular highway runs; severe cases need DPF clean or replacement. Check class-action/compensation status.
From Any (especially short urban trips) · ~$500-3500
medium
High oil consumption / fuel-in-oil dilution (early build)
Early 1GD engines reported high oil consumption, and frequent failed/incomplete DPF regens plus short-trip running can dilute the engine oil with diesel, raising oil level and degrading lubrication.
Fix: Apply Toyota's ECU software update, monitor oil level/condition, change oil on time, give the engine regular long hot runs.
From Any (early build) · ~$300-2000
medium
Injector and EGR / intake carbon
Common-rail injectors wear and the EGR/intake accumulates soot over time, causing rough running, smoke and reduced performance - worsened by poor fuel quality and infrequent servicing.
Fix: Injector test/replacement by a diesel specialist; EGR and intake clean; quality fuel and filtration.
From 120k+ km · ~$500-2500

2.8L 1GD-FTV diesel (150kW, 2020-2026)

Engine
2.8L common-rail turbo diesel I4, DOHC 16v, revised VNT turbo + intercooler, DPF with manual regen
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
2755cc
Power
150kW @ 3000-3400rpm
Torque
500Nm @ 1600-2800rpm
Drivetrain
Part-time dual-range 4WD
Economy
7.6-8 L/100km combined (claimed), 8.5-10.5 real world
Tow (braked)
3100kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven

Pros

  • 20kW/50Nm stronger than the original engine - far more relaxed loaded or towing
  • 3100kg braked towing (up 100kg) plus the manual DPF regen function
  • Revised hardware and tune materially improve DPF behaviour over early cars
  • Better-equipped facelift with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and updated safety

Cons

  • Auto-only after the 2020 update (manual was dropped on most grades)
  • Still a DPF diesel that dislikes short-only urban running
  • Thirstier than the claimed figure when loaded or towing
  • Firm ride and modest third-row/cargo space remain

Known problems

medium
DPF clogging on short urban-only use
Even with the improved hardware and the manual regen button, a DPF diesel used only for short cold trips will accumulate soot, throw DPF-full warnings and need forced regens; neglected cases require a clean.
Fix: Use the manual regen function as directed, do regular highway drives, address warnings promptly; DPF clean/replace if badly clogged.
From Any (urban use) · ~$300-2000
medium
Injector / EGR carbon at higher km
Standard common-rail maintenance - injector wear and EGR/intake soot build-up at higher mileage causing smoke, rough idle and lost power.
Fix: Injector service, EGR and intake clean as needed; quality fuel and on-time servicing.
From 150k+ km · ~$500-2500
medium
Turbo VNT vane sticking
Carbon can cause the variable-nozzle turbo vanes/actuator to stick, giving over- or under-boost, limp mode and lost performance.
Fix: Clean or replace the VNT/turbo, service the EGR; keep the intake clean.
From 120k+ km · ~$1500-3000

Common problems (all variants)

high
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) management
Across the whole AN160 run the 1GD's DPF is the single biggest ownership issue - early cars were defective enough to lose a class action, and even later cars dislike short urban-only driving. Symptoms are white smoke, foul exhaust smell, DPF-full warnings and frequent regens.
Fix: Confirm software updates and the manual regen function, do regular highway runs, fix warnings early; clean or replace a badly clogged DPF.
From Any · ~$500-3500
medium
MAF sensor dust contamination - limp mode
Fine dust can pass a poorly sealed air filter and coat the mass-airflow sensor, feeding bad data to the ECU and dropping the engine into limp mode - a known issue on the 1GD platform in dusty Australian conditions.
Fix: Clean or replace the MAF; use a quality, well-sealed air filter and inspect the airbox seals after dusty touring.
From Any (dusty use) · ~$150-400
low
Firm, utility-derived ride and live rear axle
The HiLux-based ladder chassis and rear leaf/coil setup give a busier, firmer ride than a Prado, and an unladen rear can feel skittish on rough roads.
Fix: Not a fault; quality touring suspension or correct tyre pressures/load improve it.
From Any · ~$0-2500
low
Brake wear (heavy 7-seat 4WD)
A heavy 7-seat 4WD, especially when towing or carrying load, works through brake pads and rotors faster than a road car.
Fix: Quality pads/rotors; towing-spec pads if used to tow.
From 60k+ km · ~$400-900
low
Coastal / underbody rust
Beach and coastal examples can develop underbody, tailgate and chassis surface rust over time.
Fix: Underbody inspection pre-purchase; wash down after beach/saltwater use.
From Any · ~Varies