TOYOTA Hilux SW4 2006-Present Photos, engines & full specs

Toyota took a shortcut when it tried to offer a rugged SUV for the countries where the roads were bad, unpaved, and muddy. Thus, a body-on-frame vehicle built on top of a Hilux just made more sense than developing a completely new vehicle from the ground up.

Toyota was reckoned as one of the most reliable vehicles worldwide, and in many countries was already considered a luxurious vehicle. To keep its customers close, the Japanese carmaker installed a new bodywork on top of a Hilux chassis, leading to the Fortuner, or the SW4 as it was named in several markets.

While the front end featured some elements carried over from the Hilux, such as the headlights and the one-slat grille, the rest of the vehicle was a completely different story. Its raked windshield led the way to a sporty-looking cabin. The car's dynamic look was emphasized by the raked-forward C-pillars and the darkened real pillars that flanked the tailgate.

Depending on the options, the cabin received either a fabric or a leather-wrapped interior. Its dashboard was made from hard plastic, resembling the one installed in the Hilux pickup. Its front seats offered enough space for two passengers that had to share the same center armrest. On the center stack, Toyota installed the HVAC controls and the audio system. In the back, the carmaker offered a better bench than the one found in a regular Hilux. Moreover, despite the transmission tunnel, the SW4 provided enough room for three passengers and still got a decently-sized trunk.

Under the hood, Toyota installed a wide engine range, depending on the market and the model year. It started with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine and went all the way to a 4.0-liter powerplant. Moreover, a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel version was available.