2010 Toyota 4Runner: First Drive
By John Stewart for Cars.com
The 2010 Toyota 4Runner debuts today at the State Fair of Texas, and it’s one of the last body-on-frame midsize SUVs on the market.We spent a week in the 2010 4Runner Trail Edition, covering more than 800 miles, mostly on the highway with a few hours of commuting, mountain roads and trail driving thrown in. The Trail Edition would be the most mechanically specialized 4Runner, trading on-road comfort for maximum off-road capability. Even so, we can vouch that the 4Runner is a comfortable cruiser and daily driver. In one day we logged 13 hours on the highway without feeling the least bit deprived.
- For those who want maximum economy, there’s the SR5. It comes with a four-cylinder engine that gets 23 mpg on the highway and is available in either two- or four-wheel drive, with minimal frills.
- For those who want a touch of luxury, there is the Limited model, which offers amenities like leather seating, full-time four-wheel drive, a 15-speaker audio system, 20-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and color-keyed exterior styling with chrome accents.
- Finally, the Trail Edition is for the true outdoor recreationalist. It combines a part-time four-wheel-drive system with advanced electronic enhancements that allow the user to dial in off-road driving control based on the nature of the terrain. It’s aimed at buyers who want something as capable as the FJ Cruiser but with four doors and more cargo room.
We averaged 20.3 mpg during the week we drove the 4Runner, which is a little better than its combined 19 mpg EPA rating.
Driving Dynamics
Steering is easy and reasonably accurate in the 4Runner, and it’s easy to keep on-center while cruising on the highway. It takes minimal effort to maneuver in tight spaces. We think the 4Runner would readily out-handle and ride more smoothly than most full-size SUVs, but car-based unibody SUVs would be noticeably more precise, with better on-road manners.
For-Real Off-Road Capability
While the 4Runner might be so-so when it comes to on-road manners, it clearly excels in off-road capability. The frame is as rugged as they come, and the driveline has been strengthened all the way back to the rear differential. The four-wheel-drive system in the SR5 and Trail Edition is a part-time system favored by off-road enthusiasts, enhanced by electronic traction control, speed control and terrain-following innovations. Four-wheel drive is actuated by a short lever on the center console.
We found that it was easy to shift in and out of 4-Lo, as long as the transmission was in Neutral, and it was easy to get back to two-wheel drive again. A locking rear differential that’s electronically actuated is standard on the Trail Edition. One unique feature, the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, disconnects the stabilizer bars to enhance suspension droop in highly irregular terrain. KDSS and other enhancements that allow for fine tuning the traction control system were formerly only available on the top-of-the-line Toyota Land Cruiser. Ground clearance — 9.6 inches for the 4x4 — is ample for trail use; the 33-degree angle of approach is very good, but it’s not quite equal to the Hummer H3, another superior off-road crawler.
How Big Is It?
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No comments on the mileage or interior quality? 18/23 for a 4500lb+ vehicle is not impressive. Not only will the base model be slow, its not much more efficient than the V6. Its funny that some have said the Lacrosse shouldn't offer a four cylinder based on weight and yet this SUV has one and is far heavier than the Buick.
Toyota is joking, right?
A new vehicle with a 4 speed automatic!?.,
The 2.7 I4 should have an 8 speed automatic
Where is the 6 speed automatic version of the 5 speed automatic (extra overdrive ratio of 0.586)?
When that comes, then the axle ratio can be shortened to about 4.1 from 3.727 (faster AND bettter mileage)
23 highway is not bad for a "real" SUV with large tires and high ground clearace. These are more rugged than you may think. Too bad they dropped the V8-more torque!!! Towing capacity dropped from 8,300 to 5,000 (from old V8 to new V6). New model looks great. I wished they still offered AWD, that would better suite most 4runner owners. Your not going to rock crawl a $35K vehicle but certainly mud, snow and ice are common..a good reason why the older 4runner AWD and traction control systems are difficult to beat.
05 owner
23mpg isnt bad for a V6. That figure is for a four cylinder with 157hp. Its bad.
Bad move removing the V8, LED tail lights, and projector headlamps. If it aint broke, don't fix it!!
Where is every fanboy who usually complains about how much a luxobarge most offroad 4x4s have become? This car looks so much like the classic 4runner from the late 80s to early nineties, I like the look, but I think most consumers who usually would have looked at the 4runner for suburban duty might be turned off, resulting in a sharp drop off in sales... maybe Toyota can steer them towards the Highlander.
yessis, you people dont know how to pack a boot properly hey! You should have put the black box next to the brown one and the white appliance with the other big box on top of each other, and those dirty looking bags should be kept neatly behind the boxes, then there'll be some space for some cokes and padkos
I like the new 4-Runner but if I were in the market for one I'd never buy it with the new 4 cylinder. To me it's too heavy of vehicle meanning it would be slow and I wouldn't get good gas mileage.
i dont see any place where a 4-speed auto is mentioned, but i do agree that if Toyota is really serious about this 8-speed auto they should start with this vehicle here. it would be a perfect addition to the V6 power train and will make it noticeably quicker and efficient, probably adding an extra 2 mpg overall.
It's not mentioned in the article, but Autoblog quotes the engine as the Tacoma's 2.7L with its 4-speed auto. Wikipedia (I know...) claims this as well. Whether or not this is true, time will soon tell, but preliminarily this appears to be the case.
18/23 for the 2.7 (157hp & 178 lb-ft) *wow that sucks*; 17/23 for the 4.0. 17/22 for V6/4x4.
I really like the new look, Toyota did a great job with this new version. They definitely have another winner on it's hands. The 4Runner is so far superior to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Explorer, and Avis Trailblazer that they don't even figure into the equation any more. Anyone who has ever owned a 4Runner knows how bullet proof reliable they are. It's good to see that a high quality vehicle like the 4Runner still has it's place in the world.
I like it. It resembles the look of the 96-'01ish 4Runner in looks..thats a good thing since the last one was dog ugly.
DaveW/Belly:
The trailblazer has been out of production for almost a year and was never designed for serious off roading. the JGC will be replaced next year with a model that looks at least as good as this and offers a V8. The explorer is being replaced next year as well with a unibody model that should beat this in mileage with ECOBOOST. There is no up to date competition right now for this trucks since manufacturers aren't exactly rushing to redesign BOF gas guzzlers these days.
Toyota sure likes the zit headlight styling philosophy. Looks like the acne has spread to the taillights now as well. The puckerface frown grille tries to make the car look mean but only makes it look like...well a frown. Love that fake hood scoop.
I can't get over the 4 speed auto. Not that the press is actually mentioning it.
In status conscious LA and with status conscious rich yuppies, that Trail Edition will be a big hit. Forget the gas mileage and the towing capacity. They just show off in them.
One Question. Where the hell are the bumpers?
That plactic crap disintegrates on the slightest contact!
I have a 2001 4Runner with a dealer add-on Toyota Racing Supercharger. I love this new 4Runner except for one critical mistake; getting rid of the optional V8 was a bad move because this greatly reduces torque and therefore towing capacity, even with greater horsepower than the V8. Now anyone looking to do serious towing has to buy the Sequoia and not everyone wants a full-size SUV. Big mistake. They should have improved BOTH engines and kept the V8 option for people who tow. I'm very disappointed.
This truck is really nice looking. What ever happened to the Trailblazer and Explorer as I haven't seen any updates about them. I heard GM finally wised-up and gave up on the Trailblazer because of all the warranty work it was costing the company.
I think toyota did right by increasing the V6 power to 270 HP/278 torque..and getting rid of the V8..If your worried about it only towing 5000lbs you need to buy a Sequoia, Tundra or another truck. Most boats under 21ft weigh less than 4000Lbs with fuel anyway..Two jet skis weigh less 1800lbs.
If your pulling a 23ft camper trailer like I am with my 2007 Tundra, then you defintely shouldnt be pulling it with a 4runner. If people were buying the V8, then Toyota wouldnt have pulled it..Its all about practicality people. Buy a darn Rav4 if you want fuel economy.
As for me, I need a real 4x4 SUV to drive my kids on the beach at the Outerbanks.
According to the Toyota website, all 2010 4Runners come with the V6 and a 5 speed automatic transmission. A 4 banger is not offered at any trim level.
It looks like they copied the Sequoia before the redesign, especially in the side pictures. Take away the hood and its *almost* identical.
Couple of Points on the new 4Runner
-Weight 4400-4805 lbs.
-V6 4X4 gets 1 mpg less then 4cyl @22/17 vs 17/15 for the outgoing 4x4 V8. IMPRESSIVE!
-New v6 features dual vvt-i and ACIS. Outstanding acceleration and fuel economy for a vehicle that weighs almost 5000 lbs.
Towing Capacity- 5000 lbs reflects the new ASE standard that all manufacturers will adopt as they redesign/replace models. That stated the V6 is equal to the last gen V6. 5000 lbs is a 22-24 foot boat. If somebody is towing more, then a full sized SUV or truck is the way to go.
Original Seth- The next gen Explorer will be a unibody. It won't be in the same category as 4Runner anymore.
Let's see how the ecoboost compares against a Highlander Hybrid.
Interior quality and versatility is impressive.
Here it is, 4Runner was an offroad vehicle when originally designed, lets keep it that way, in fact lets bring back the removeable roof, It is not a work truck therefore it really doesnt need to tow 8,000 lbs, I currently have an 05 V8 and like it but it more than most people need. We need to get back to real Toyota Roots, compact offroad capable vehicles. I am tired of all these Road Tanks that squirm at a mud puddle.
The new 2010 Toyota 4Runner is an attractive model, it has got some good features like Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, new Multi-Terrain System, look and performance is fantastic. To know more on 2010 Toyota 4Runner features, performance, refer http://www.macktruck.org/2010-toyota-4runner-trail-edition.html
Did think it could get more ugly. But it did!
Haha "Anyone who has ever owned a 4Runner knows how bullet proof reliable they are."
Your funny, thats why thr 89-95 4runners had AWFUL AWFUL problems with the headgaskets blowing randomly for no reason. 4 runners are a joke, always have gotten worse mileage and less power than the competors like Pathfinder. That things a joke, 150 horse 4 banger in that huge pig, wow, Toyota sure is doing innovative things, lol.
In 2010 the SR5 drops the locking center differential and multi-mode. The limited is full time 4 wheel and has the locking center diff. but has 20" wheels with lower profile sidewalls and your stuck with X-Reas whether you want it or not. Try finding decent off road tires for it. The Trail model has neat off road features, but they are for low gear only, in hi 4x it is no better than the SR5 ( not counting the locking rear diff. which will have limited use on windy snowy roads ). The SR5 is a step backwards from last year, the Trail version is a specialized version for those that can afford to take $38,000 off road hardcore ( read "bash it" ) and the Limited looks like a pimp mobile with the worthless wheel / tire size, why not just put spinners on it and maybe neon lights under the rocker panels for crying out load. As a whole, I think they have taken the 4runner a step backwards, no doubt due to marketing. If they gave us the Trail version with a locking center diff. and multi-mode they would have risked cutting into the Landcrusier market, at $70k a pop. To bad. If they would just put the locking center differential and multi-mode back in the SR5 I have no doubt they would sell more 4runners.
If they keep the Trail Edition around and add a locking/Torsen center diff. and/or the Tundra's V-8, then Toyota's REALLY onto something. As it is, the 5th Gen. 4Runner Trail is a GREAT starting point. Land Cruiser Prado platform, so no crossover/car-like platform BS here. It has those two flaws, but those are details that can be remedied in subsequent model years, or in a mod shop for those of us who are hardcore off-roaders!
I just don't get it... this truck is/should be a midsize suv and powered as such. If you want monster power/8000.00lb towing and space... get a Sequioa that's what it's there for so stop complaining!!! Not everybody needs/can afford limitless power everyday. You're lucky you have something that big to tow!!!
Ive driven this thing already....Its much more comfortable than the previous generation, as far as space for the driver goes. Im disappointed that the V8 is gone, but its rediculous to put a 4 cylinder in an suv this big. Its not meant to be a fuel sipper. My biggest complaints? This time around the 4runner has adopted Toyota's infamous electric steering that is completely numb and lifeless. And I cant figure out why they put the window controls WAAAAY high up on the door, where you literally have to reach ackwardly up to press them. Finally, every Limited model that I've seen has Full-time 4wd, a big pet peeve of mine...I want to be able to switch the system when I want. The FT 4wd just slows the 4runner down and drains the gas mileage
Diesel is what I'mlooking for and,according to toyota Canada,not going to be,therefor no new toyota for me,I'll be driving my Tacoma till the end of time!
Yea u drive your tacoma till the frame breaks like the rest of them.....usually in just a few years time....
Erik it sounds like you have a serious bug up your heinie about Toyotas. As far as the Tacoma frame issue, they got a crappy batch of frames from Dana, they recognized the problem and took action to fix the problem and protect thier consumers. Nothing wrong with that in my book. http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/TYT2008030714643.aspx
My experience with Tacomas has been great. My '02 Tacoma has been all over the country since I bought it in '01. I've driven class IV and harder trails, towed boats and trailers, loaded the crap out of it with sandbags and whatever else I needed to haul. Only thing Ive ever had to replace on it was the clutch after I burnt mine out from rockcrawling. No frame rusting or breakage yet either, lol. Back to 4Runners, this is a 2010, not a pre-96. Yes, the old 3.0 V6's had some problems. Aside from that, to my knowlege there has been no serious reliability issue with post-96 4Runners. Go stroke your e-peen somewhere else.