BMW iX3 crowned World Car of the Year 2026 as EVs lead the way
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
- Industry News
- 2 April 2026
Talk about tried and trusted and you get to Toyota’s Fortuner that has just been refreshed.
The Fortuner still commands the largest slice of the medium SUV segment, clocking in average sales of more than 800 units a month with a market share of over 40%. Fortuner’s highest market share was recorded in 2020 with a staggering 57%.

What’s new?
Toyota’s Fortuner takes a design direction with catamaran-inspired elements. These are noticeable at the extremities of the vehicle, which mimic a catamaran’s twin hulls. The new, sharply angular front and rear bumper treatment, featuring aero-corner moulding complemented by black trapezoidal foglamp housings upfront and L-shaped reflector inserts at the rear.
The black mesh upper grille has been slimmed down, while the lower aperture has been considerably inflated in keeping with Fortuner’s new look.
At the rear, reworked elements include the aforementioned bumper treatment, a new design for the taillight clusters and a piano black numberplate garnish.
The new two-tone black and metal 18-inch multi-layered, machine-cut finished alloys (now standard across the range), provide the final flourish. Customers can specify the new bi-tone colour option on the 2.8 model, which pairs a black roof with the Platinum Pearl White exterior.
On the inside, leather is standard across the range, but the package is elevated further for 2.8-litre customers with the adoption of a new dual-tone colour palette, which sees the pairing of black and maroon leather.
All the 2.8 variants further benefit from the addition of a USB points for rear passengers. One other discernible differentiator on these models is the revised instrument cluster, which features all-new graphics, new black background ornamentation and revised opening animation for the TFT display.
A safety upgrade was made for the 2022 model year (2.8 models only). To further bolster active safety, a Lane Keeping System with Land Departure Alert (LDA), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Adaptive Cruise Control and a brake-synchronised Pre-Crash System have been added.
Additionally, at that time all Fortuner models received an enhanced Smart Entry system with additional security measures.
Engines:
As before, Fortuner is offered with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine (150 kW and 500 Nm) mated with a six-speed automatic transmission and a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel with 110 kW and 400 Nm either with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed auto transmission.
Prices:
2.4 GD-6 RB MT (R653 500), 2.4 GD-6 RB AT (R677 500), 2.4 GD-6 4x4 AT (R709 800), 2.8 GD-6 RB (R794 600), 2.8 GD-6 RB VX (R837 800), 2.8 GD-6 4x4 (R873 500) and the 2.8 GD-6 4x4 VX (R915 400).
* Bi-tone models command a R10 200 premium.
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