Drove the Fortuner from Lahore to Murree and back. Since the car is quite big, air resistance plays the dominating role on the motorway. Therefore, at 120kph, the gear often needs to downshift to 5th or 4th to maintain speed. This adversely affects fuel economy which was 9.2 kmpl between lahore and salt range, and 7.5 between salt range and Islamabad with cruise control between 110-120kph.
Due to the high air resistance at 120kph, the car practically behaves like an XLi in terms of speed/pick at 120kph, with screaming engine at every incline. Tire noise is low and wind noise is louder than tires. Engine noise is lower or equal to wind up till 2500rpm. From 4000-5600rpm, only engine can be heard drowning every other sound including radio.
However between Islamabad and Murree, since speed is lower, around 60-80kph, the air resistance factor is not there. Throttle response is much better, and car is a calm cruiser.
Suspension is well engineered with adequate comfort. Bad surfaces, potholes, etc. do not affect cabin much and there is no impact felt through the steering wheel or change in direction of vehicle.
As for steep hills and sharp upward inclines and turns, car feels very surefooted and powerful. Once in 4Low, it can climb any road and when coming down, with paddle shifters it is possible to use engine braking with no need of pressing the break pedal to slow. Amazing experience with no complaints.
A small note about steering alignment, when I got the car, its steering pointed bit toward left when going straight. Got it realigned from showroom, now its better but on motorway it kept going to the left. Like if I let go of the steering, the car will move to the next left lane in about 10 seconds. Not sure if its due to misaligned wheels or tilt of road surface. But my 8 gen civic (reborn) is now 10 years old. From day one it has moved straight as if on a rail track. Not had its alignment done even once in 10 years and never faced any such issue.
