Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner (AN160, 2016 onwards) is confirmed in the hire fleet of multiple Sri Lanka operators: Casons, Asia Fleet Lanka, Lanka Holidays, and Shineway all list it. Toyota Lanka also sells it new, making it more consistently available than pure used-import vehicles. The 2.8L turbodiesel with selectable 4WD and 279 mm ground clearance gives it the most terrain ability of any standard hire vehicle in the fleet.

Three rows seat 7. The 3rd row fits adults on journeys under 3 hours; on longer routes, 5 passengers with the 3rd row folded is the better configuration. Folding the 3rd row opens the cargo area to 716 L — 3 to 4 large suitcases fit without difficulty. A roof rack adds more capacity for full-group luggage.

The Fortuner handles all sealed tourist routes, hill country roads, and moderate gravel access roads to national park gates or remote viewpoints. It is not a purpose safari vehicle for inside Yala or Wilpattu — use the open-top jeep for that. For everything else on the tourist circuit, including routes where a sedan or compact SUV feels underpowered or under-clearanced, the Fortuner is the right answer.