2010 4Runner

marcfj60 · 10-20-09, 07:36 AM

Has anybody seen the new 4Runner in person? Apparently it was introduced to the public about a month ago at the Texas State Fair (weird place?). I got an email today and went to the website to check it out. 4Runner

I'm having a hard time distinguishing it from the Highlander and the Sequoia. Looks like it got a reduction of the departure angle too, starting to look like a 60 with that overhang.

I haven't dug through the specs yet, just wondered if anybody else had seen, driven or read about them.

marcfj60 · 10-20-09, 11:09 AM

Looks like the dimensions are nearly identical to a 100.

4Runner vs. 100

Wheelbase - 109.8 vs 112.2
Track Width - 63.2 vs 63.8
Overall Length - 189.9 vs 192.5
Overall Width - 75.8 vs 76.4
Ground Clearance - 9.6 vs 9.8

Only big difference is weight

Curb Weight - 4750 vs 5400

I don't have approach/departure angles for the 100 but the 4Runner ('Trail' version) is 33/26 degrees.

The motor is the 4.0 V6 (270 hp/278 lb-ft) which has 40 more horses but 40 less lb-ft torque than the 4.7 V8 motor in the 100. But both peaks in the 4.0 are achieved at 1,000 higher RPM than the 2UZFE.

Don't know why I care about all this. I like my 100 better and it cost me $22K less than the MSRP on a new 4Runner 4WD 'Trail' version.

DanS HJ-45 · 10-20-09, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcfj60

Don't know why I care about all this. I like my 100 better and it cost me $22K less than the MSRP on a new 4Runner 4WD 'Trail' version.

Also, the 2010 4-Runner looks atrocious. Seriously.

I'm really tired of manufacturers trying to make trucks "look tough." Hear me Toyota? Just make a tough truck (like the 70 series). Who cares what it looks like. Beauty comes from function, and function alone. Form without function is worse than meaningless--it's a lie.

There. The engineer in me had to get that out.

Dan

marcfj60 · 10-20-09, 11:59 AM

I agree with the ugly looks. It's unfortunate that Toyota has decided to market only what the majority of people will buy in this country, rather than giving us the option to buy other vehicles they already sell in other markets. I guess the US has become simply too urban for any manufacturers other than Jeep to justify offering a true utilitarian off-road vehicle. Too bad Jeeps suck.

Cruisergreg · 10-20-09, 12:40 PM

I always thought the 3rd gen 4Runner was based on the LWB Prado.

marcfj60 · 10-20-09, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruisergreg

I always thought the 3rd gen 4Runner was based on the LWB Prado.

Are you saying that you believe that gen was a true utilitarian vehicle because it was based on the Prado platform? From the limited material I've seen on the Prado I don't know I'd classify it as a basic utilitarian vehicle either. Plus the 3rd gen 4Runner is now 2 generations old.

We all have different definitions of utilitarian. If a vehicle has cloth seats, a manual transmission, basic controls and creature comforts but not lots of extra automatic stuff and luxury appointments, I would classify that as utilitarian. A fuel efficient engine would help too, rather than the 'bigger is better' philosophy of most autos marketed in the US.

Cruisergreg · 10-20-09, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcfj60

Are you saying that you believe that gen was a true utilitarian vehicle because it was based on the Prado platform?

I was just saying that we get the same stuff they get overseas but with more window dressing (Mike's curtains notwithstanding). Gens 1-2 were based on the Hilux chassis Gens 3-4 were based on the Prado platform. No clue what 5 is built on. I guess Toyota positioned the FJ as its "utility" offering to the US.

marcfj60 · 10-20-09, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruisergreg

I was just saying that we get the same stuff they get overseas but with more window dressing

... and less drivetrain options.

Toyota isn't stupid. They're going to sell what their marketing folks have determined to be the most sellable models and packages to maximize their profit. We're just victims of circumstance, living in a country where we have less options because of the tastes of the 'average' consumer.

Who knows, maybe folks in Australia are jealous of our luxo-cruiser packages. Maybe they can only get the more utilitarian packages with solid axles, manual transmissions and diesel engines. Maybe they would like the heated mirrors, heated seats, automatic rear vent windows, gas guzzling big V8s, etc........ just like all American consumers demand.

2manycruisers · 10-20-09, 09:28 PM

article in the latest fourwheeler mag where they invited journos to take it on the rubicon. haven't read it yet. personally I think all the toyota trucks are getting ugly. Hell, even the 200 series looks like a big highlander. Tundra has to be my fave right now, and I'd love to have that 380 hp 5.7l :-)

2manycruisers · 10-20-09, 09:33 PM

Go look at Toyota Australia or check out some classified ads for new rigs to see what they get. The cruiser pickups, 79-series I think they still are, are about AU $65,000 now and still have cloth/vinyl, manual tranny, manual hubs, manual windows, etc. They got IFS 100 series and auto trannies but never the V8. Now they have the IFS 200 series, no more solid front axles except the 70-series. Don't have all the panty-waist options in any of them, unless it's in the new 200s.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcfj60

.
Who knows, maybe folks in Australia are jealous of our luxo-cruiser packages. Maybe they can only get the more utilitarian packages with solid axles, manual transmissions and diesel engines. Maybe they would like the heated mirrors, heated seats, automatic rear vent windows, gas guzzling big V8s, etc........ just like all American consumers demand.

bonfire · 10-22-09, 11:49 PM

The new 4runner (like most new trucks) looks like it needs to go on a "utilitarian"diet.

DirtyHarry · 10-28-09, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcfj60

We all have different definitions of utilitarian. If a vehicle has cloth seats, a manual transmission, basic controls and creature comforts but not lots of extra automatic stuff and luxury appointments, I would classify that as utilitarian. A fuel efficient engine would help too, rather than the 'bigger is better' philosophy of most autos marketed in the US.

That describes my '98 4Runner (although it does have rack and pinion steering). I haven't driven a new 4Runner yet and I agree that it looks pretty hideous, but the friends I have who have tested them off-road tell me that they are pretty capable, and you can get a rear locker in them.

lurch · 10-29-09, 12:24 PM

I've seen 2- the limited and the off road package. I didn't like the limited at all and thought it looked like smaller sequoia. The off road package looked a lot better and had much better approach and depart angles. Still 3rd gen was the last body style I like.

irbrito · 10-29-09, 01:12 PM

I would like to see it with a full "ARB Package," that might rub off some of the cuteness.