The new 4Runner, what do you think of it?

[rollerracing]

The New 2010 4Runner, what do you think of it? I like it better than the last model.





What is it?: Toyota's completely redesigned off-road SUV.
The basics: Go-anywhere capability, on-road manners, not too pricey.
On sale: TBA
Price: $29,000 (est.)
The 2010 Toyota 4Runner has just made its debut at the Texas State Fair, and as expected, in many ways it's a throwback to the original 4Runner, bucking the trend of increasingly civilized paved-road crossovers for a rough-and-ready all-terrain feature set.

That's not to say it's not still as friendly on the road as any Toyota; ever since the original hit the roads in 1984, the 4Runner has been as much about comfort as it is about capability. But unlike some of the mid-sized SUV competition, Toyota has adhered to the 4Runner's off-road roots as well, sharing the same body-on-frame platform as the FJ Cruiser and growing both longer and wider than the current 4Runner.

Three trims are available on the 2010 4Runner: Trail, SR5 and Limited. SR5 and Limited grades add a chrome-plated grille insert, fog lamp bezels and front bumper molding to the Trail's basic layout, plus color-keyed front and rear over-fenders and chrome-plated side molding, roof rack and rear bumper. Integrated side-mirror turn signals are also standard on SR5 and Limited grades.

Gone is the option of a big V-8 engine, but nothing is really lost with a new 4.0-liter V-6 engine providing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, up 34 horsepower from the previous V-6 and even 10 horsepower more than the previous V-8. Toyota has done its best to balance power and efficiency in this engine, leveraging Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) to help deliver low-end grunt and cruising efficiency.

Together with a more slippery exterior, the new 4Runner is good for an estimated EPA rating of 17 mpg in town and 23 mpg on the highway for two-wheel-drive models, with the all-wheel-drives good for 17 mpg in town and 22 mpg on the highway. That's an improvement of 1 mpg city and 2 mpg highway across the board over 2009 models.

For those that want slightly more efficiency and don't need the towing power of the V-6, a 157-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder is also available, rated at 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The four-cylinder is only available with a four-speed automatic transmission.

A wide range of two-wheel-drive and part-time and full-time four-wheel-drive powertrain options are available, with the 4Runner Limited topping the off-road range with full-time four-wheel drive, a locking center differential and a three-mode console-mounted switch. To help increase off-road grip, all 4x4 models get a standard A-TRAC force distribution system, ensuring any one wheels with grip gets the power. A Crawl Control system is also standard on Trail grade models, which helps keep vehicle speed low for navigating particularly tricky or steep terrain.

Exterior styling is another major change for the 2010 Toyota 4Runner, with a new wider, more rugged fender and bumper design accenting new headlights and taillights that improve nighttime visibility. Seventeen-inch aluminum alloy wheels are standard on SR5 and Trail models, with 20-inch wheels standard on the Limited, with all models getting a full-size spare.

It's not all about getting over big rocks or down to the hardware story, however. The 2010 4Runner also offers a lot of entertainment features, including a standard five-speaker (Trail) or eight-speaker (SR5) CD stereo system with XM satellite radio capability. A premium 15-speaker JBL audio system is available, and adds Bluetooth, iPod and MP3 control. When it's time to tailgate before the big game, the 4Runner's premium JBL sound system even has a "party mode" that biases output to the rear of the vehicle and cranks up the bass.

Safety is a big concern with the new 4Runner as well, and all models get the Star Safety System, which is Toyota's name for a slate of electronic aids including stability control (VSC), traction control, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist and ABS. Passive safety features include eight standard airbags for front, side and knee airbags in the front row, and side curtain bags for the second and third rows.

Toyota's foray into the telematics field with Safety Connect also makes its way into the 2010 4Runner, and is available both with and without the optional navigation system. Safety Connect offers: Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance Button and Roadside Assistance. Though it's a subscription-based service, a one-year trial subscription is included with the purchase price of equipped vehicles.

The 2010 model of the 4Runner has some big shoes to fill, with the 2009 model currently nominated for the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year award. For more on the 2009 model, check out our Full Review or for a quick-shot analysis, read the Bottom Line.

For more on the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards, including our own Executive Editor Marty Padgett's role as a juror, check out our story on the 2010 NACOTY nominees.

[Toyota]

[megolfer]

looks like the 4 door version of the fj, dont like the look

[Toyrunner87]

looks more like a rav4 on steroids.

[eknuik]

looks like the lexus rx350 with second row doors.

[slickrock]

The inside is cool. Still waiting for the day an oil burner is put into a Toyota. NExt year, heep has plans for ll Rubicon platforms to have that as an engine platform. Hate to say it, but that is going to be cool.

[D'Animal]

I thought they were merging the 4-runner and the FJC together. or is that a rummor?

[Toyrunner87]

People have figured out that the front end sheetmetal from the FJ will bold onto a current gen 4runner. So like the guys who grafted an escalade front onto their chevy pickups they are making FJ runners...thats probably where a lot of the confusion is coming from.

This was a sema show truck with the conversion last year

[Mauricio]

I like them. Now all Toyota has to do to jam the Hilux's 3.0L D4D TDI powerplant into it with manual transmission, and it's ready.