In India’s cut-throat and ever-evolving SUV market, Toyota is gearing up to introduce a new player: a rugged and affordable SUV, affectionately dubbed the ‘mini Fortuner.’ With Mahindra’s Thar Roxx and Scorpio-N soaring in popularity, Toyota intends to position this SUV to compete directly with these vehicles as per AutoCar India.
It would sit somewhere between its Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the premium Fortuner, offering off-road capability that wouldn’t compromise on Toyota’s reliability, all at an affordable price point for Indian buyers.
Why Toyota Needs A Mini Fortuner?
In response to the overlap in demand for a vehicle that can do it all, from navigating city streets to trekking on tough terrains, Mahindra has captured the zeitgeist by launching the Scorpio-N and the Thar Roxx. The former is an affordable off-roader with SUV muscle, while the latter is an affordable off-roader that oozes SUV attitude. Both are likely to be household names.
While the Fortuner, which was a segment leader in the premium SUV category for a long time, has faced steep competition in the higher price range. At prices of more than ₹50 lakh for top-end variants, buyers are also exploring other relatively cheaper options. The increasing on-road price of the Fortuner further has added to the stiff competition by Mahindra, which is charging a massive discount.
As a result, despite its reputation for reliability and performance, the sales of the Fortuner have seen a major dip in recent months. Toyota is now under pressure to expand its SUV portfolio to meet the demand in the mid-sized SUV segment currently ravaged by Mahindra.
The Technical Blueprint – What We Know So Far?
The ‘mini Fortuner’, as it is already being b all-new monaco-frame architecture of the new approach will provide ride comfort and versatility while still retaining ruggedness and an off-road-ready image. The platform will be flexible enough to accommodate various body styles and powertrains and, given Toyota’s future plans, one can expect an entire family of vehicles, including electrified ones, to come from this platform.
Although some preliminary rumors had suggested that this SUV might use the IMV 0 platform, which underpins the Hilux and the Innova, recent reports indicate that this is not the case. Instead, Toyota is developing a new platform that’s not even a derivation of the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, which underpins the Innova Hycross, indicating that the company is determined to engineer a vehicle that challenges in both terms of engineering and market positioning.
Powertrain Possibilities – What’s Under the Hood?
The mini Fortuner is also expected to come with a petrol-strong hybrid powertrain, and with Toyota pushing for more hybrid and battery-electric vehicles, and the Innova Hycross doubling up on fuel economy and performance, this new SUV is likely to be fitted with a similar kind of system – perhaps a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to bolster fuel economy and performance.
This hybrid configuration is likely to strike a chord with buyers looking for the right balance of power and sustainability especially in a landscape where diesel engines are becoming less popular with the stricter emission norms.
But more intriguingly, there are rumors that the mini Fortuner may also be offered in an all-electric variant, though this too could be two or three years away. For now, Toyota’s aim is to field a rugged hybrid that offers a convincing alternative to Mahindra’s petrol and diesel variants.
Toyota’s Strategic Move – Pricing and Production
The highly anticipated mini Fortuner is likely to come with another important USP: a price tag. Industry experts believe the SUV will start somewhere between ₹25.9 lakh and ₹31.1 lakh (ex-showroom), significantly cheaper than the Fortuner and potentially more affordable compared with the Toyota’s premium-feeling, and ruggedly capable, rivals.
In the sub-30 lakh price range, it will compete with the Mahindra Scorpio-N and the Mahindra Thar Roxx, which have hit sales home runs at their respective price points.
Toyota will produce this new SUV at its Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) plant. Production is scheduled to start in 2027. The company has ample time to finalize the design, testing and marketing strategies to ensure a smooth market launch.
The new SUV will undoubtedly adopt the design cues of the Fortuner, which include bold lines and high ground clearance with off-road styling to cater to adventure-seeking buyers.
A New Chapter in India’s SUV Story
With the launch of a mini Fortuner, Toyota’s strategy for India is turning on its head. Although the Fortuner still dominates the premium SUV segment, competition from Mahindra is on the rise, particularly in the mid-size, more affordable SUV space. With a more accessible, tough SUV with the same reliability and off-road ability as its bigger sibling, Toyota could well pull in a much wider audience.
Secondly, the growing demand for SUVs in India is only going to increase. Consumers are looking for vehicles that offer a commanding road presence, versatility and the comfort to drive over various conditions, whether that be a busy city road or a rough rural road. This is an opportunity for Toyota to get in on the action, competing with Mahindra, but offering something new as well.
Finally, on Toyota’s launch pad, the mini Fortuner is likely to be a gamechanger for the Indian SUV market – if it manages, as expected, to blend the rugged look and feel of an SUV with hybrid technology at the right price point. In case it does that, Mahindra’s Thar Roxx and the Scorpio-N will really need to worry. As Toyota gets ready for the launch, it will be interesting to see if the new entrant manages to replicate the Fortuner’s success story in a market where value for money is all-important.
