Toyota Fortuner Neo Drive Full Review – Honest Talk From a Normal Car Lover

Hello my dear reader, how are you today? I hope your day is going well. Today, I am going to share something really exciting with you – a full and honest review of the Toyota Fortuner Neo Drive. I am not a professional auto journalist, just a simple guy who loves cars and wants to talk with you like a friend. So don’t expect difficult technical words, I will explain everything in easy and simple language, just the way we normally talk.

First Look – The King of the Road

When you see the Toyota Fortuner Neo Drive for the first time, you instantly feel its powerful presence. This is not just a car, it’s a statement. In our town, whenever a Fortuner passes by, people automatically look at it. It has that strong road presence which no other SUV in this segment can match.

I still remember when I saw the Neo Drive variant in the showroom for the first time – big, tall, stylish, and bold. You don’t even need to be a car expert to know this is something special.

So friend, let’s know something more interesting – the Fortuner Neo Drive has a unique front grille design and LED projector headlamps which make it look even sharper and more attractive.

Price in Our Town

So brother, I know the first question in your mind – “Kitne ka hai?” (How much does it cost?).

In our town, the Toyota Fortuner Neo Drive costs around ₹35.5 lakh to ₹38 lakh on-road depending on the variant and features you choose.

Yes, it is on the expensive side, but do you know its very special thing? – Even after 5-6 years, a Fortuner still sells at a very good resale price. That’s why people call it not just a car, but an investment.

Engine and Performance – The Real Power

When we talk about SUVs, the first thing is power. And believe me, Fortuner never disappoints.

The Neo Drive comes with:

  • 2.8L Diesel engine (201 bhp, 500 Nm torque)
  • 2.7L Petrol engine (166 bhp, 245 Nm torque)

So friend, let’s know something interesting – the diesel automatic 4×4 variant is the most popular because it balances power and off-road capability perfectly.

I once drove it on the highway while visiting Jaipur, and within seconds it touched 100 km/h. The car feels stable, strong, and gives you full confidence. Even on broken rural roads near my village, it moved smoothly without any problem.

Do you know its unique point? – it has Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes. So you can change the driving feel according to your mood.

Mileage – Let’s Be Honest

Here I won’t sugarcoat anything. Mileage is not the strongest point of Fortuner.

  • Diesel: 10–13 km/l (depending on city or highway)
  • Petrol: 7–9 km/l (in real usage)

So brother, if you are expecting high mileage, then this car is not for you. But if you want power, presence, and reliability, then mileage becomes a secondary thing.

Interiors – Comfort Like a Lounge

When you open the door and sit inside, you instantly feel premium quality.

  • Big, wide seats with leather upholstery
  • Driver seat 8-way power adjustable
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Ambient lighting for a classy feel

So friend, here’s an interesting thing – the second-row seats can recline, which makes long journeys more comfortable.

The infotainment system is a 9-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The sound system is so powerful that my cousin once said, “It feels like a DJ party inside the car.”

And yes, in long highway drives, I never felt tired inside the Fortuner. That’s the real comfort value.

Features & Technology

So brother, let’s know something more exciting about the features. The Fortuner Neo Drive comes with:

  • Wireless charging
  • Ventilated seats (front)
  • Cruise control
  • Connected car technology
  • 360-degree camera
  • Keyless entry & push start button
  • Electric tailgate with memory function

Do you know its very special safety point? – It comes with 7 airbags, hill assist control, vehicle stability control, ABS with EBD, and more. Toyota has clearly focused on safety.

Available Colours

Now let me tell you about the colours. I saw these in the brochure and showroom:

  • Pearl White
  • Attitude Black
  • Super White
  • Silver Metallic
  • Grey Metallic
  • Phantom Brown
  • Avant-Garde Bronze
  • Sparkling Black Crystal Shine

In our town, Pearl White and Attitude Black are the most popular. Personally, I love the Sparkling Black Crystal Shine because in sunlight it looks magical.

Real Life Example

Let me share a real story. One of my close friends, Ravi, bought the Toyota Fortuner Neo Drive Diesel Automatic (4×2) last year. His house is around 25 km from the city, and the road condition is average with many potholes.

He once told me, “Earlier I used to slow down my old SUV on every bad patch, but now with Fortuner, I don’t even think twice. It just glides through.”

This is the real-life benefit of Fortuner – it gives you freedom and confidence.

Driving Experience – City & Highway

So friend, let’s talk about how it feels to actually drive.

  • In city traffic – You sit high, so visibility is excellent. But yes, because of the big size, parking in small lanes can be tricky.
  • On highways – This is where Fortuner shines. The car feels rock solid at high speeds, overtaking is easy, and the engine feels powerful.
  • Off-road – The 4×4 system is a beast. Mud, sand, small rivers – it handles everything.

Do you know its unique feature? – The traction control system automatically manages wheel spin while off-roading, which means you don’t need to be an expert to handle rough terrains.

Pros & Cons – My Honest Opinion

Pros:

  • Bold design and powerful presence
  • Reliable Toyota engine and build quality
  • Comfortable interiors with many features
  • High resale value in second-hand market
  • Smooth highway and off-road performance

Cons:

  • Expensive compared to rivals
  • Mileage is average
  • Big size is not city-friendly
  • Features like sunroof are missing

Competitors in Market

So brother, let’s quickly compare with other SUVs in India. Fortuner’s main rivals are:

  • MG Gloster – More features but less brand trust
  • Jeep Meridian – Stylish but smaller
  • Skoda Kodiaq – Premium feel but petrol-only
  • Hyundai Tucson – Modern but not as powerful

In real life, people still choose the Fortuner because of Toyota’s reputation, durability, and strong resale value.

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My Verdict – Should You Buy?

So friend, here comes the final part. If you want a car that gives you power, respect, comfort, and long-term trust, then yes, Toyota Fortuner Neo Drive is worth buying.

It may not give you high mileage or fancy features like some Korean SUVs, but it gives you something more valuable – peace of mind and a status symbol.

Whenever I see someone in our town driving a Fortuner, I know one thing – that person has achieved something big. It’s not just a car, it’s a dream SUV for many.

Final Words – From Me to You

Dear reader, thank you for reading this full review. I tried to share everything in easy words just like a normal person’s point of view.

So brother, next time you see a Fortuner Neo Drive on the road, you will also understand why people respect it so much. And who knows, maybe one day you will be the one driving it proudly.

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