2025 Toyota Legender mild-hybrid review, first drive: Is this the most fuel-efficient Fortuner yet?

India Today

25-07-2025

The Toyota Fortuner doesn't need an introduction. It's been India's default big SUV for nearly two decades. Simply put, it's tough, dependable, and immune to trends. While rivals have come and gone (some quietly, some not), the Fortuner has only grown stronger in numbers and street cred. But for all its dominance, there's one thing it's never been known for is efficiency. Until now.
Spot the difference? No point, it's exactly the same as before.
advertisementToyota has added a 48V mild-hybrid system to the Fortuner's 2.8-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine and slapped on the 'Neo Drive' tagname. It's not the kind of hybrid that lets you coast in silence or drive on electric power. This is more subtle. Think smoother engine starts, torque assist at low speeds, and marginally better fuel economy. So, is this mild-hybrid Fortuner the smarter choice? Or just a clever badge and a small bump in numbers?Does it look any different? Any new features?Not at all, honestly, you'll be hard-pressed to find any differences. The only thing that sets both the Legender and Fortuner apart is a badge that reads 'Neo Drive' at the back. That's it. The colours, alloy wheels, and design language are identical. The tired old cliche of 'if it ain't broken...', sits perfectly with the Fortuner. I'd say it's a poster child for it.
The cabin layout remains the same, albeit with some minor changes.
On the inside, there's now a wireless charger, which was missing from the Fortuner, but was already part of the Legender's feature list. There's also a 360-degree camera added to the mix, which will be extremely helpful given the dimensions. There's also the smart start-stop function, and there's an airbag indicator on the dash, which is also new.
There are a total of six different settings to choose from that vary according to four-wheel-drive modes.
One of the prominent changes on the inside is the multi-terrain modes, which differ according to the four-wheel drive modes. For example, L4 gets rock, mud, sand and auto. H4 gets deep snow, mud, sand, dirt and auto; while H2 has a choice between sport, normal and eco. However, Toyota has removed the ventilated seats, and there's still no sunroof in sight.Does it feel different to drive?Before discussing the driving experience, it's essential to understand the components of the 48V infrastructure. Right up front, the alternator has been replaced with a 48V motor generator; essentially, it acts as an assist to the engine and generator to recover energy during deceleration. It also works as a starter motor during engine restart and is connected to the serpentine belt. Under the passenger seat sits the DC-DC converter, which is there to convert high-voltage DC 48V electricity to standard DC 12V electricity, which then supplies power to charge the 12V auxiliary battery. That brings us to the 48V lithium-ion battery, which sits between the second and third row, and stores electrical energy recovered during braking and deceleration or regenerative braking. It also supplies power to the motor generator during acceleration and start-stop operations. FYI, the motor power is rated 8.5kW or 11.5bhp, and the warranty of the 48V battery pack remains the same as the standard warranty of the car (three years/one lakh kilometres).
That familiar display between the dials has a new addition for the 48V system.
Net result? Acceleration from a standstill feels more spirited, and roll-ons also feel smoother. That distinct clatter of the diesel mill also feels more refined, and the whole experience made the Fortuner, or Legender in my case, more finely distilled. It's still a sledgehammer of a car, one that will do its job well, just like it before this update. But now, the sledgehammer's handle has a comfortable cover on it. There's a neat readout on the tiny LCD in the middle of the two analogue dials displaying the charge going back into the batteries when decelerating, and that does feel odd at first, coupled with this big, burly SUV. The smart start-stop system is also fairly aggressive. I must say, it works well, given the size of the motor. We didn't get a chance to test out the multiple terrain modes on offer, which differ between L4, H4 and H2.
This is still the same Fortuner that many have come to love, just with a few mindful upgrades.
advertisementAlthough Toyota officials claim that this 48V setup will aid off-roading to some extent. There's also no change to the water wading capacity, which still sits at 700mm. One thing that did feel a bit odd was the spongy feel from the brakes, but that could've been because of the brake testing at the track earlier. Most importantly, Toyota states that this new mild-hybrid variant will give 43km more than the standard equivalent variant. It's important to note that there are no changes to power or torque figures, and it still sits at 204bhp and 500Nm. In the long run, with that extra price that one pays, one should be able to recover that money. Overall, the driving experience isn't very different from Fortuner or Legender before this, but these subtle and mindful updates make an already well-rounded proper SUV even better.advertisementVerdictLet's speak about price first. The Toyota Fortuner 4x4 AT Neo Drive costs Rs 44.72 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Legender costs Rs 50.09 lakh (ex-showroom). Also, these variants will replace the 4x4 AT variants available, and this will be the default choice. The price difference is about Rs 2 lakh, and that could feel like a lot.
That 'Neo Drive' badge is the only change on the outside.
advertisementTo me, the Fortuner is a kind of vehicle wherein people won't mind paying top dollar, simply because there's an understanding of the value Toyota brings to the table. I'd love to see a strong hybrid petrol version, and the mild-hybrid tech coming to the 4x2 variants as well. What's not to like about a more efficient Fortuner or Legender? Fuel savings FTW!Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine- Ends