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With the original concept of the true SUV 4x4 morphing evermore into niches, most nowadays are nothing more than glorified automobiles. It was the 1962 tough Jeep Wagoneer, based loosely on the famous WWII Jeep, that started the ball rolling.

It was a station wagon with passenger car styling, comfort, convenience and the advantages of a genuine 4x4 - which Range Rover cemented in 1970 as a true SUV family vehicle with go-anywhere qualities. The latter's tough as nails rigid rear axle layout and double wishbone front suspensions - both coil sprung - in combination with low-range ratios, which offered off-road horizons never dreamt of in a family vehicle.

Where is this all going, you may ask? Well, the Toyota Fortuner re-visits these true off-road principles with the suspension set-up being heavy-duty in construction - while road holding and ride comfort remain good enough.

Tough where it counts

Furthermore, there's no intricate and delicate 4- or 5-link front and rear suspension layouts prone to damage under extreme use. With the Fortuner you need not fear damaging suspension settings when 'hitting' those ditches at speed on unpaved country roads. And when you add the low ratio, central and rear diff-locks, rock strewn tracks become an easy task.

The interior layout seemingly matches these demands with a touch of sturdiness added via wood panel inserts on the centre cluster, power window switch surrounds and the Sand Beige seat covers. And to keep you on top of the game, driver aids such as Vehicle Stability Control, ABS, EBD, VSC and Brake Assist add to its overall prowess.

Looks good

The Fortuner looks good, matching most rivals with its tough, compact and crisp-looking exterior. The latest minor updates such as revised frontal treatment, rear lamp design and new 17-inch wheels add to its appearance and appeal - something buyers have spotted, with the Fortuner outselling rivals by around 3.5:1.

Page two ... Performance and specifications

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