2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER: Front Runner

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/12/2009 (5871 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As a long-time fan of Toyota trucks, I was unabashedly excited when we arrived at an off-road vehicle-testing grounds in Muskoka, Ontario to check out the freshly redesigned 2010 Toyota 4Runner.

That said, I never imagined for a minute that the nice folks from Toyota would allow me to attempt anything close to the maniacal off-road manoeuvres I’ve tried in my own rigs.

Boy, was I ever wrong. In an effort to fully illustrate just what this truck can do when the pavement ends, the Toyota team offered up a challenging, and at times downright scary, off-road course that included narrow trails, puddles that were more like small lakes, slippery rock-covered surfaces, steep inclines and even steeper drops.

While I don’t typically make a habit of comparing trucks with asses, in this case it’s a huge compliment. In fact, the new 4Runner crawled through this course with the confidence of a seasoned pack mule. As an added bonus, on the way back to our hotel the 4Runner’s interior had me thinking that I was behind the wheel of a well-appointed luxury sedan.

The 2010 model marks the fifth generation of the Toyota 4Runner, and thanks to a longer, wider, taller and more masculine body, this all-new design clearly pays homage to the rugged 4Runners from the past.

It’s great to finally see the return of a familiar friend.

Maybe the Toyota designers and engineers will argue that the 4Runner never went anywhere, but in my eyes the last couple of versions have been little more than homogenized shadows of the original 4Runner that arrived in 1984. Toyota lost me in 1996 when my eyes had a hard time differentiating a 4Runner from all the other similar-sized SUVs on the road. I suppose it’s no different than the way I abandoned the Minnesota Vikings in 1998.

Well, thanks to a dude almost as old as me named Favre, and a fresh new 4Runner, I’m happy to announce that I’m back on the bandwagon on both accounts.

When the cover was removed from the new 4Runner I was immediately struck by two things: the rugged, utilitarian statement it makes, and the beautiful fit and finish of the interior.

In addition to the bold new body and cabin changes, highlights also include an updated 270 horsepower 4.0-litre V6 engine mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission and a multi-mode 4×4 with a locking centre differential.

This revamped engine features a 34-horsepower boost over the previous V6 engine, yet boasts a five-per-cent increase in fuel economy. Although a V8 engine is no longer available, the new V6 mill is not only more fuel-efficient but also outpowers the discontinued V8 by 10 horsepower.

The new engine accomplishes all of this while still maintaining a 5,000-pound towing capacity. All 4Runners also feature coil springs over gas shocks at all four corners for a comfortable ride, a double-wishbone independent front suspension and variable-flow rack and pinion steering for precise control on the road.

There are three trim levels available: the sporty and historic SR5 package, the luxurious Limited, and a new Trail edition that is clearly aimed at off-road aficionados.

My mucky boots quickly migrated to a 4Runner Trail edition that was loaded with a plethora of creature comforts and an impressive list of advanced off-road features. Perhaps the most innovative is Toyota’s CRAWL system, which is best described as off-road "Auto Pilot".

When activated, this adjustable electro-mechanical marvel maintains a dialled-in speed that not only keeps the vehicle under control but also minimizes the load on drive train and suspension components. This means that the truck confidently crawls along while you concentrate on steering over rough terrain without touching the accelerator or the brake pedal.

The Trail Edition also features a Multi-Terrain Select system that allows you to dial in wheel-slip control to match the terrain. All 4Runner models are also equipped with Downhill Assist Control that allows the truck to ascend downhill at a controlled speed without touching the pedals. Hill-start Assist Control is also standard and helps the 4Runner maintain traction and stability while starting off on a steep incline or a slippery surface.

It does take a little time to become comfortable and confident with all this modern technology, and you can turn it all off if you desire, but if you’re an off-road buff you’ll surely find yourself using all of these advanced features to get you in and out of locations you’d likely never dare to attempt in most stock 4×4 vehicles.

A Trail-equipped version of the new Toyota 4Runner is one of a short-list of new vehicles on the market today that can take you to remote fishing holes or campsites that were previously only accessible on foot, ATV or a custom off-road truck. It really is that capable, right out of the showroom.

Granted, the Trail edition isn’t for everyone, but it’s refreshing to see Toyota offer a rugged version of the 4Runner inserted in the line-up between the well-appointed but more modestly priced SR5 and the luxurious Limited edition models.

It’s hard to imagine that a truck-based SUV can deliver such a smooth ride while offering such extreme off-road capabilities but, take my word for it, the new Toyota 4Runner is not just a tall car with big tires, or another SUV wannabe … it’s the real deal, and it’s the front-runner.

willy@freepress.mb.ca