PREVIEW- 2014 TOYOTA 4RUNNER: Hardy 4Runner changes profile for ’14

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This article was published 19/07/2013 (4652 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Choosing a country music festival over a major auto show, Toyota has revealed the 2014 4Runner — one of the few remaining SUVs built for the off-road as much as the urban jungle.

Unveiled at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio, Calif., in April, the new 4Runner gets a prominent new snout, new headlamps, new LED tail lamps and some interior upgrades.

No V-8 and no new transmission was added, leaving the 4Runner to soldier on with a five-speed automatic and 270-horsepower V-6.

Currently in its fifth generation, the 4Runner keeps its coveted body-on-frame configuration and remains available in three grades: the SR5, Trail and top-of-the-line Limited.

The SR5 and Trail grades feature a colour-keyed grille insert and front bumper surrounded by fog lamps set in sharply cut inlays that extend from the headlamps down to the bumper.

The Trail loses its black bumpers and overfenders for coloured ones and keeps the non-functioning hood scoop. The Limited gets a chrome-plated grille insert and chrome front bumper that extends to the fog-lamp bezels. A side moulding, roof rack and rear bumper are also chrome-trimmed.

On all models, the headlamps have changed from halogen to projector beam.

SR5 and Trail grades will ride on 17-inch alloy wheels with a new wheel design, while the Limited continues to ride on 20-inch alloy wheels, which are now painted black prior to machining to add contrast.

The 2014 4Runner will be available in eight exterior colours that include new additions Super White, Attitude Black Metallic, Barcelona Red Metallic and Nautical Blue Metallic. They will join carryover colours that include Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic and black.

Both the SR5 and Trail add standard soft-touch door trim, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather shift knob provide a premium feel and atmosphere.

The SR5 receives a new Optitron instrument panel that houses the speedometer, tachometer, voltage, fuel and coolant temperature gauges, plus a multi-information display that offers multiple functions.

New for 2014, the SR5 adds a standard eight-way power driver seat.

The Limited comes standard with a leather-trimmed interior with new ventilated driver and front passenger seats. Front seats are also heated with eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and four-way power-adjustable passenger seat. Both front seats are now standard with memory settings.

New for 2014 on the SR5 and Trail 4Runner models is Entune Audio Plus, which includes Toyota’s Entune multimedia system, an AM/FM/MP3 CD player with eight speakers, integrated satellite radio, a USB port with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth hands-free phone capability and music streaming.

Standard on the Limited is the new Entune Premium JBL Audio system and 18-centimetre monitor. The pole antenna has been dropped in favour of a new in-glass antenna.

The 2014 4Runner should begin to arrive in late fall, with pricing to be announced closer to the on-sale date.

— Postmedia News