Quote Originally Posted by tidus1203 View Post
2nd gen? Wala pang 2nd gen na Fortuner. If you mean the facelifted one then its just that, a facelift and this not a new generation. Its a so-called Gen 1.5. Tapos they fixed something in the suspension so we can call it Gen 1.75
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As of 20 October 2009, there are actually 3 sub-models of Toyota Fortuner. These are:

1. The original sub-model introduced in 2005 (with the brochure indicating: Front Suspension - Double Wishbone with Coil Springs and Stabilizers);

2. The 09 facelifted sub-model introduced during the first half of 2009 (with the brochure indicating: Front Suspension - Double Wishbone with Coil Springs and Stabilizers); and,

3. The upgraded sub-model intoduced during the 2nd half of 2009 (with the newspaper ad of 13 October 2009 indicating: Front Suspension - Double Wishbone Front Suspension Sysem offers excellent stability and a smoother ride).

Considering the above information, the following questions come to mind:

1. What is the difference between "Front Suspension - Double Wishbone with Coil Springs and Stabilizers", which is indicated on the brochures for the original sub-model (introduced in 2005) and the 09 facelifted model (introduced during the 1st half of 2009) and "Front Suspension - Double Wishbone Front Suspension Sysem", which is indicated in the news ad dated 13 October 2009 for the upgraded sub-model (introduced during the 2nd half of 2009)?

2. When the 09 facelifted sub-model introduced during the first half of 2009, a number of car magazine and newspaper reviews mentioned that the ride quality of the 09 facelifted sub-model has substantially improved compared to the original sub-model introduced in 2005. Is this really true?

3. Considering Toyota's advertisement, does this mean that the ride quality of the upgraded sub-model, intoduced during the 2nd half of 2009, is better compared to the ride quality of the 09 facelifted sub-model introduced during the first half of 2009? Has anyone validated or confirmed this?

4. Take note that the brochure of the original sub-model and the brochure of the 09 facelifted model do not indicate that the Fortuner "offers excellent stability and a smoother ride". Only the news ad of the upgraded model indicates that the Fortuner "offers excellent stability and a smoother ride". Is there really am improvement in the ride quality of the upgraded Fortuner (introduced during the 2nd half of 2009) compared to the ride quality of the 09 facelifted Fortuner (introduced during the 1st half of 2009)?

In addition, according to the November 2008 issue of Top Gear Magazine, the 09 facelifted Fortuner has improves its ride quality, as follows:

1. The New 17-inch alloy wheels bestow the Fortuner a gentler ride; and,

2. It is also worth mentioning that the ride quality of the Fortuner has improved, and this is where form, function and simplicity get together to improve the ride quality without affecting the pricing radically. The huge 17-inch wheels and 265/65 highway-rated tires swallow road imperfections by just being big.

The following additional questions come to mind:

1. Based on the above review, does this mean that the original sub-model Fortuner has the worst ride quality?

2. The ride quality of the 09 facelifted Fortuner sub-model (introduced during the latter part of 2008 or the 1st half of 2009) is better than the ride quality of the original Fortuner sub-model (introduced in 2005)?

3. The ride quality of the Upgraded Fortuner sub-model (introduced during the 2nd half of 2009) has been further improved and is better compared to the ride quality of the 09 facelifted Fortuner sub-model (introduced during the latter part of 2008 or the 1st half of 2009)?

4. Is it then correct to say that in terms of ride quality, the Original Fortuner sub-model (introduced in 2005) has the worse ride quality, the 09 facelifted Fortuner sub-model (introduced during the latter part of 2008 or the 1st half of 2009) has been improved and has better ride quality compare to the Original Fortuner sub-model (introduced in 2005), while further improvements were made in the ride quality of the Upgraded Fortuner sub-model (introduced during the 2nd half of 2009) such that the latest model's ride quality is the best among the three. Can anyone confirm this?

I hope someone can organize a comparo of the three (3) sub-models of the Fortuner or someone from Toyota can clarify the differences in ride quality and suspension among the three (3) Fortuner sub-models.