2010 Toyota 4Runner: A true off-roader in a luxury package

By Mike Blake, Carlisle Events

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Since the Toyota 4Runner sports utility vehicle began life as the Toyota Hilux Surf with compact dimensions in 1984, it has been a trendy, hip vehicle of choice for young upwardly mobile professionals and style-conscious drivers of all ages.

Now, substantially larger, and considerably more lavish, the midsize body-on-frame SUV proudly bills itself as an upscale off-road middie while competition moves to crossover marketing campaigns. In its fifth generation, 4Runner displays solid highway and trail capabilities, available in both 2WD and 4WD configurations, showing off-road ruggedness and athleticism in an indulgent, but muscular package. The 2010 version has cast away its fuel-sapping V-8 in favor of a weaker, but more efficient V-4 in the basic 4Runner and a surprisingly powerful V-6 in the upper-echelon Limited trim, which I tested.

Built on the FJ Cruiser platform, 4Runner plays like a truck with a big feel behind the wheel, a Land Cruiser personality, straight up-and-down cabin, forward-sloping front shoulders and windshield, sculpted front end and curved rear from roof to license plate.

Measuring 189.9 inches in length, 75.8 inches in width and a relatively low and stable 70.1 inches in height on a 189.9-inch wheelbase with 9.6 inches of ground clearance, 4Runner is a stable city and highway performer as well as a formidable country road warrior.

Brawnier than ever, the 2010 basic 4Runner is powered by a standard 157-hp 2.7-liter engine. My review 4Runner muscled up via an all-aluminum, 4.0-liter V-6 with a 5-speed automatic tranny and 4x4 set-up. The combination throatily offers 270 hp and 278 lbs-ft of torque, which is enough to propel the 4750-lb. SUV down the track and on the highway with confidence and performance.

In speed tests on the track, my test 4Runner came up smoking with a quick-feeling 8.3-second zero-to 60mph sprint and a 16.2-second quarter-mile trip on all-season P265/70R Bridgestones (17s in front and 18s in the rear). While 4Runner hesitates a bit off the line, the engine doesn’t hold back at speed. On the interstate passing is assertive and smooth, and fighting through trail mud and irregular terrain, torque easily overcomes obstacles.

During autocross tests, some upper body wobble and body roll are apparent, and rack-and-pinion speed-proportional power steering response holds for a beat, but stability control keeps the grip firm, and double wishbone control arms, coil springs, stabilizer bar front suspension and solid live axle, panhard bar and coil spring rear set-up, smooth out most imperfections 4Runner is likely to meet.

Fuel economy is what one would expect from a sports-ute, as the vehicle is EPA rated at 17mpg in city driving and 19 on the highway; my week of mixed-use driving finished with the 4Runner averaging a crisp 18.8mpg

Inside, the cabin is roomy for 5 (or as many as 8 with the optional third row of seating – my test vehicle was configured with two rows). Front legroom offers 41.7 inches with 32.9 in row two and 29.3 in row three. Headroom comes in at 39.3, 38.6 and 34.3, while shoulder room measures 57.8 in row one and two and 57.7 in the optional third row. And there’s plenty of room inside for cargo, as seats fold down and an available pull-out cargo deck that can carry 440 lbs, slides out to make loading heavy items easier.

Comfort isn’t spared, as my Black over Black test 4Runner began the party with exterior high-gloss paint outside, enriching the cabin with black leather inside. Bright, readable instrumentation, an Eco-Driving feedback system, compass indicator and outside temperature display add functionality in outdoor settings, while multi-zone climate control air conditioning keep the function operating inside as well.

Safety features include front airbags, dual side airbags in the first row, head air bags for front and rear seats, anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, rollover protection and tire pressure monitor.

The 2010 Toyota 4Runner is base priced at $28,300 (in SR5 trim). My upgraded test 4Runner Limited was base priced at $39,800. The Limited trim augmentation said goodbye to the 4x2 with a standard 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, and replaced it with an all-business and all-terrain 4x4 powered by 4.0-liter V-6 engine coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission.

The move to Limited also added a backup camera linked to an electrochromic mirror with integrated backup camera monitor, sliding rear cargo deck with under-floor storage box, power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade, front and rear 120v AC power outlets and anti-theft alarm system with engine immobilizer.

Add-ons that turned a trendy, enhanced vehicle into a luxury off-roader’s paradise included: Voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system with 15-speaker JBL® AM/FM/MP3 4-disc CD changer and subwoofer, integrated XM Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic®, iPod® connectivity, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology, and integrated backup camera ($1420); towing ball mount ($60); alloy wheel locks ($81); first aid kit ($29); emergency assistance kit ($70); remote starter kit ($529), and delivery and processing fees tacked on $800. That put the drive-off price at $42,789 plus tax.

The fifth-generation 4Runner is a 4-season SUV that treats off-road, around town and long-distance driving with equal luxury and ability.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

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