This flagship SUV from Japan is one of the most popular vehicles in countries like India, where it has built a reputation as a rugged, dependable, and luxurious 7-seater SUV. While considered rugged and highly functional, the Fortuner can be said to consider modern safety features as one of its most important characteristics. Toyota has paid attention. Here in this blog, we will discuss the Fortuner Safety Rating and check how well it has scored on crash safety and other protection parameters.
Also read: 10 Features We Find Missing On The Toyota Fortuner
Why Global NCAP (GNCAP) Matters
Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) has somehow become the soul of car safety standards in the modern automobile industry. Here are a few things that explain its importance:
- Standardized Safety Test: Global NCAP has become the standard vehicle safety testing procedure, used and recognized all over the world. It allows the consumer to compare vehicles with measurements that are objective and scientifically tested, not just manufacturer estimates. This gives transparency to consumers who want to make well-informed decisions as to how safe their cars are.
- Pressure on Manufacturers to Start Caring about Safety: The Global NCAP rating system puts pressure on manufacturers to start treating the improvement of safety standards as a high priority. A good NCAP rating goes a long way in influencing the market performance of a particular brand, as vehicle buyers tend to prefer cars with robust safety ratings. This creates pressure for manufacturers to come up with advanced safety features and verifications that make cars safer.
- Consumer Awareness: The main aim of the Global NCAP is to create awareness among consumers regarding vehicle safety. The submission of detailed results of crash testing and safety ratings, makes car buyers understand the significance of safety in choosing a car.
- Global Standards: Global NCAP sets up common safety standards for vehicles that are accepted around the globe. This allows consumers to hold faith in how safety is being tested, no matter where they are located around the globe. The kinds of features that are taken into account during the NCAP rating include a comprehensive approach, looking at adult and child protection, pedestrian safety through protection, and active safety features.
- Road Safety Improvement Worldwide: With an increasing focus on road safety worldwide, Global NCAP has a pivotal role to play in the automotive sector. They ultimately help to minimize road deaths and injuries by putting out the necessary push for integrating safety features into vehicles to create a safe haven for everyone, whether in the car or outside.
Fortuner Safety Rating
In contrast to a few other models, the Toyota Fortuner is not one of the models that have been through full crash tests by Global NCAP. The Toyota Fortuner underwent testing by ASEAN NCAP (Association of Southeast Asian Nations New Car Assessment Program), wherein it received a 5-star safety rating. The following is the analysis of its safety rating in different categories:
| Test Category | Score |
| Adult Occupant Protection | 34.03/36 |
| Child Occupant Protection | 43.38/49 |
| Overall Safety Rating | 5 stars |
Here is a detailed description of the Fortuner Safety Rating:
1. Adult Occupant Protection (34.03/36 points)
Under the Adult Occupant Protection category, the Toyota Fortuner received an excellent 5-star rating. It obtained a score of 34.03 out of 36 points for the frontal-offset crash test, which proves its capability to deliver extensive protection to the driver and front passenger. The 2017 Toyota Fortuner is the best car to blend the aspects for both on-road and off-road driving purposes. It is a few features for which the car can be compared with a few top-selling cars. It may be worth noting that the main feature or trait of this specific size of the vehicle is that a lot of people trust it. The vehicle has been designed on its exterior profile giving it a unique touch of luxury in its body structure.
2. Child Occupant Protection (43.38/49 points)
In child occupant protection, the Fortuner also scored good at 4 stars, i.e. it got 43.38 out of 49. The Fortuner is also equipped with an ISOFIX child seat anchorage and points for the top tether, which facilitates secure installation of child seats, providing excellent protection for children on board. The score indicates that the Fortuner is quite safe for children, although slightly behind other topers in the segment of child protection.
3. Pedestrian Protection
The protection of pedestrians rates 3 stars in the Toyota Fortuner. The 3 stars in Pedestrian Protection prove that the vehicle has an average performance in this particular area. This means the extent to which the design of the front end effectively reduces the risk of injury to pedestrians when involved in a collision with Fortuner. The weight and impact-absorbing structure and pedestrian protection support are attached to the Fortuner, but still, a few areas can be improved, mainly on the head and legs. Safe for pedestrians, plus the vehicle is gigantic and heavy. However, this 3-star rating does not give the best measure at all when it says that the Toyota Fortuner really is a fairly safe option as concerns pedestrian protection. Further modification in the front-end design may make it even safer for pedestrians.
4. Overall Safety Rating.
A 5-star rating was awarded to the Fortuner in terms of adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, and pedestrian protection. This fantastic credit has placed the Fortuner in the bracket of the safest SUVs in its class, with good occupant protection while making prudent arrangements for pedestrian safety. In fact, the Toyota Fortuner is fitted with many safety features not only for road users but also for the occupants themselves. Here is a look at some of the great safety features afforded by the Fortuner: Such elements help the Toyota Fortuner have an excellent Fortuner NCAP rating.
Fortuner Safety Features:
The safety rating of Toyota Fortuner can be easily understood by the safety features it acquires.
- Airbags: They inflate almost instantaneously upon impact, preventing the driver and passengers from being harmed by hard objects like steering wheels, dashboards, and windows. Serious injury possibilities are cut down, especially concerning the head and chest.
- Side Airbags: They deploy upon a side impact or crash to protect the occupants of a vehicle. Side airbags become very useful in the event of a collision in preventing injuries to the upper body, especially the torso.
- VCS: Cornering very rapidly or sharply suddenly in the direction of the vehicle’s intended motion at such time, using either acceleration or deceleration applied through selective wheel locking or braking as necessary, whereby additional vehicle stability control can be achieved as a means to augment the stability of the vehicle when moving over wet or stable surfaces.
- Hill Assist Control (HAC): HAC is the device that prevents the car from rolling back during the start on steep incline slopes. It will temporarily hold the car in place after the driver releases the brake so that the driver can thrust to accelerate the vehicle forward. This is very useful in the case of steep hills.
- ISOFIX Anchors: The ISOFIX is the system in the industry that has standardized the attachment of child safety seats in vehicles. The Fortuner comes with ready-installed ISOFIX mounting points for safely attaching child seats, guaranteeing a safer here fitting with less chance of the child seat moving in the case of a collision.
- Electronic stability control: In short, ESC makes the vehicle stable by sensing the loss of traction and restoring its traction, especially when a skid happens. The system applies a brake automatically on individual wheels of the vehicle to realign itself with its path in case of skidding accidents due to loss of control.
- Emergency Brake Signals: These trigger the rear hazard lights in order to give warnings to other drivers as a result of sudden or harsh braking. The flickering brake lights serve to prevent a rear-end collision in the case of emergency braking by indicating warnings to downstream drivers.
Related: Indian Sedans Listed According to Their NCAP Safety Ratings
Motorcyclist Safety Test and Pedestrian Protection: Toyota Fortuner
Here’s a detailed table summarizing the safety rating of the Toyota Fortuner in the Motorcyclist Safety Test and Pedestrian Protection:
| Test Category | Performance | Comments |
| Motorcyclist Safety Test | Decent Protection | The Fortuner’s front-end design offers basic protection to motorcyclists during a collision. However, it does not excel in this category compared to some of its competitors. |
| Pedestrian Protection | 3 Stars | While the Fortuner’s front-end design provides some protection to pedestrians, it scored only 3 stars, suggesting that improvements are needed in its pedestrian safety features, like a more pedestrian-friendly bumper and active pedestrian protection systems. |
Test Explanations:
- Motorcyclist Safety: The Fortuner undergoes a test regarding the extent to which a motorcyclist can be saved from injury in a crash. This includes things like the front-end layout of the vehicle and any features that might warrant softening injury. The Fortuner provides little protection but is by no means the worst in this regard; moderate ATM injuries to motorcyclists can be expected in case any unfortunate events occur, given the design of the vehicle.
- Pedestrian Protection: Three stars for pedestrian protection means it offers some protection features but still requires improvement. Improvements in bumper design, active pedestrian protection systems, and advanced features such as autonomous braking should be incorporated. While the three-star rating means it does somewhat nicely when absorbing impact, it is a far cry from ideal compared with other cars in its category.
Why Is Toyota Fortuner A Name On The Lips Of Everybody?
Apart from the excellent Fortuner NCAP rating, the car has been made popular for many reasons, but the most prominent are maybe the reputation of the Toyota brand and its success in integrating features appealing to a vast general consumer base. It is not just any car out there- reliability, performance, and value have made it a widely recognized name.
- Toyota’s Reliability Reputation: Toyota has for decades, built up a reputation for making reliable cars that last. When you think of some reliable products, for most, Toyota is the first thing that comes into their mind. Fortuner is no exception. Owners know they can depend on the Fortuner to go through the journey performance without many hassles.
- Rough Handling and Capability: The Fortuner is well-suited for city driving as well as off-road. It is a 4×4 lover in place for those outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy camping or off-road driving. Its toughness gives it an edge over other urban SUVs because it is allegedly for people who want a car that can take so much abuse.
- Big and Stylish Design: It is not just about performance, it is also about luxury and comfort. The Fortuner gives off a modern style, with a classy inside space that should keep any buyer interested in some practicality. It is a clear family favorite, but stylish on the highway; hence, it becomes one of the topmost choices for customers who want an SUV with luxury as well as capability.
- Successful Marketing: Toyota’s marketing strategy for the Fortuner is right on target for the vehicle to get to where it is wanted. Advertisements told of the SUV with respect to luxury, safety features, and off-road capability and appealed to people across all demographics. Word of mouth was also very important; current owners praising the car’s features have only helped the recognition of the Fortuner further.
Conclusion
The Toyota Fortuner is known for safety and functionality. It represents excellent braking assistance, stability control, and child occupant protection. This car also achieves excellent performance in adult occupant protection. Vulnerable-road-user protection (i.e. motorcycle and pedestrian protection) needs some more attention. The performance of the Fortuner in ASEAN NCAP’s Safety Assist shows a strong, yet not entirely convenient protection. However, a customer who cares much about pedestrian protection or motorcyclist safety should choose another alternative car. Nevertheless, Toyota’s focus on the improvement of safety is clear and one can only look forward to seeing improved features in the next model.
FAQs
1. Is Fortuner 5-star safety rating?
Yes, Fortuner has a 5-star rating from ASEAN NCAP crash test, and based on the result it is fair to say that it provides adequate amount of safety to its passengers with safety features like ABS with EBD, 7 airbags, and VSC(Vehicle Stability Control).
2. Is a Fortuner safe?
Yes, Fortuner is a safe car loaded with safety features such as vehicle stability control, 7 airbags, HAC(Hill Assist Control), and an ISOFIX child seat.
3. Why is a Fortuner very costly?
The reason behind Fortuner’s costly price tag is its image in the market, with various features and a powerful engine option. It is especially known as a status symbol for some people due to its high cost.
4. Is Fortuner a VIP car?
Fortuner is known for its prestige in the market due to its usage by politicians, businessmen, and those who want road presence. Hence, it can be considered a VIP car in the Indian roads.
