2010 Toyota 4Runner

[CoolMax]

PRESS RELEASE

2010 Toyota 4Runner Add to the Rich Heritage With More Power, Better MPG

TORRANCE, Calif. (September 24, 2009) When the first Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicle (SUV) was launched back in 1984 it was a revolutionary new vehicle based on the mechanics of the four-wheel-drive Toyota pickup truck. The 4Runner combined the versatility and go-anywhere ability of four-wheel-drive with the comfort and utility found in passenger cars.

Twenty-five years, four generations and more than 1.5 million sales later, the 4Runner continues to evolve while remaining close to its roots. The all-new fifth-generation 4Runner is even more rugged and athletic, and packed with more power and better mileage. A completely redesigned interior and unique cargo area make the newest 4Runner smarter, more comfortable, and more versatile than ever.

"Backed by a quarter-century of heritage combined with the integration of the latest comfort, convenience and performance technologies, the all-new fifth-generation 4Runner has evolved into one of the most advanced mid-sized truck-based SUV's on the market while at the same time staying true to its roots as a rugged and durable off-roader," said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of Toyota Division.

More rugged than the Highlander and more versatile than the FJ Cruiser, the 4Runner combines the toughness and durability of body-on-frame construction with multi-use design that excels at a wide variety of tasks.

The newest 4Runner is taller, wider and longer for 2010, and is available in a variety of configurations. It will be offered in three models, top-of-the-line Limited, a well-equipped SR5, plus a Trail grade for those who require maximum off-road capability.

Drivetrain configurations include rear wheel 4x2, part-time 4x4 and full-time multi-mode 4x4 with a locking center differential. All 4x4 models are equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 mated to a five-speed ECT-i automatic transmission. The 4x2 models will be equipped with either a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed ECT automatic or the 4.0-liter V6 with the five-speed ECT-i automatic. Optional third-row seats allow for up to seven-person capacity.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/2...l-grade-model/

[OhOhMax]

I loved my '99 4Runner SR5 4X4, wish I never got rid of it. I might actually have to get another one.

[jman7777]

A 2.7 4cyl? "Only" a 270hp V6? No V8 option? What kind of garbage is that?

[CoolMax]

Originally Posted by jman7777

A 2.7 4cyl? "Only" a 270hp V6? No V8 option? What kind of garbage is that?

Doubt many people bought the V8 anyway, especially when the Sequoia is available.

Bye-bye V8
Under the hood, the big news is that the previous 4.7-liter V8 goes away. When you consider that this significantly refreshed 4.0-liter V6 offers 10 horsepower more than the V8, you might not miss it so much.
This DOHC 24-valve 3,956cc V6 has variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams, and it produces 270 hp at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It delivers pretty good fuel economy for its power output, an EPA-rated 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway/19 mpg combined for this 4Runner 4x4. The two-wheel-drive version of the V6-powered 4Runner is rated at 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway/19 mpg combined.
For serious fuel economy, Toyota has brought back a four-cylinder engine for the two-wheel-drive 4Runner, a 2.7-liter inline-4 rated at 157 hp at 5,200 rpm and 178 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm. Its EPA-rated fuel economy is 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway/20 mpg combined.
We saw 19.4 mpg from our V6-powered 4Runner's trip computer during around-town driving and 21.8 mpg during highway cruising with a light touch on the throttle.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=157853

[a33i30]

I think the current one looks better..

[AEMAXIMA01]

Who would buy the 4 banger when the six gets just a tad less mpg? 100 lb/ft more torque, seems like a no brainer to me.

[ChrisMan287]

Looks terrible.

[Zargon]

Needs more 5.7

[Kquezada28]

that car looks ugly as fawk.....my dad drives the current model....now those are sexy

[irish44j]

Originally Posted by a33i30

I think the current one looks better..

me too. the new one looks like a FJ Cruiser on steroids...too bulky...

I'll keep ours.

[irish44j]

that said, the one in the video looks alot better, with probably 17" wheels and AT tires....the one in the photo with those 20s (or whatever they are) looks ridiculous.

most of the guys on the 4runner forums are just happy they continued with a new 4Runner...there was alot of talk that they'd just drop the model now that the Highlander outsells it for the mid-size SUV market and the Sequoia takes most of the customers who want a tow vehicle.

When we bought ours last year, they practically begged us to take the V8 model off the lot for the same price as the V6 (we got the V6 since the V8 is full-time 4WD FTL and gets lousy city mileage, where most of my wife's driving is)....so I can understand whythey dropped the V8.

As to the 4-banger...well, the original 4runner had a 4....and for people who don't need to tow might as well have the option for the smaller engine I guess

[LA02MAX]

Kill it.

The interior looks like it took a nosedive as well, just like all new toyotas.

[CoolMax]

[a33i30]

Seriously does look better in videos.

[EEMaxima]

Not a fan. The 3rd gen is my favorite by far.

I don't see the point of the 4 cyl at all. A 1 mpg improvement over the V6... and with a four speed auto?! That thing will take a geologic age to reach 60!

I don't like the new plasticky interior either. That gear selector... a big chunk of hard plastic. Could they have made that look any worse?

[irish44j]

I think the lower-end interior and 4cyl are both for the same purpose:

To make the 4Runner affordable for the people who used to buy them back in the day: Teenagers/20somethings who want an inexpensive, body-on-frame SUV.....

4cyl stripper versions can probably compete with things like an Escape now, maybe.

As someone who bought a SportEdition (cloth, no navi, most other options) last year, I can say that the 4Runner has gotten pretty damn expensive in the last decade.

taking it back to its roots maybe.

[irish44j]

Originally Posted by EEMaxima

I don't see the point of the 4 cyl at all. A 1 mpg improvement over the V6... and with a four speed auto?! That thing will take a geologic age to reach 60!
?

The point is:
- cheaper to buy
- lighter weight
- probably helps Toyota bring down their CAFE average..
- only on the 2WD versions, I thought I read....

not everyone cares about going fast like we do

[EEMaxima]

Yup, 2WD only. It can only tow 2,000 pounds. I still fail to see the point considering it gets a measly 1 mpg improvement over its V6 counterpart. I recall a similar scenario with the last-gen Chevy Malibu. Basically, it's four had to work so hard that it didn't get any better fuel economy than the six in practice. If the 4Runner got numbers a little closer to the Highlander which shares the same engine, it would be a different story.

I'm not arguing against the concept of a four cylinder in a sport ute, I just think those days are over for the 4Runner given it's increase in size over the years. The 4Runner weighed about 3800 lbs in the early '90s when it was also available with a four. The 2010 model weight nearly 1,000 pounds more. I realize that it's not intended to be fast, but I fear that it its slowness may verge on deal-breaking for some. 4700 lbs + 4 cyl + 4 speed auto. I've never seen numbers like that.

I do, however, applaud Toyota for keeping the 4Runner body-on-frame and at least attempting to keep it true to its form. True offroad-ready SUVs are becoming a rare commodity in this green-obsessed world of ours.

[irish44j]

Originally Posted by EEMaxima

Yup, 2WD only. It can only tow 2,000 pounds. I still fail to see the point considering it gets a measly 1 mpg improvement over its V6 counterpart. I recall a similar scenario with the last-gen Chevy Malibu. Basically, it's four had to work so hard that it didn't get any better fuel economy than the six in practice. If the 4Runner got numbers a little closer to the Highlander which shares the same engine, it would be a different story.

I'm not arguing against the concept of a four cylinder in a sport ute, I just think those days are over for the 4Runner given it's increase in size over the years. The 4Runner weighed about 3800 lbs in the early '90s when it was also available with a four. The 2010 model weight nearly 1,000 pounds more. I realize that it's not intended to be fast, but I fear that it its slowness may verge on deal-breaking for some. 4700 lbs + 4 cyl + 4 speed auto. I've never seen numbers like that.

I do, however, applaud Toyota for keeping the 4Runner body-on-frame and at least attempting to keep it true to its form. True offroad-ready SUVs are becoming a rare commodity in this green-obsessed world of ours.

yeah, IDK...there must be a reason. Toyota is one of the few car companies that always seems to make the right move.

Could be as mind-blowing to (us car enthusiasts) that even if actual fuel mileage improvements are minimal with the 4-banger, it gives the vehicle more credibility to the "green" crowd, where facts don't matter as much as perceptions.

(e.g. "yeah, my 4-Runner has a 4-cylinder....it's green compared to your V6")

IDK...I wouldn't buy one, but I'm sure they'll sell, if only because they'll cost less.

Of note, our 4Runner (V6) with a 21cu. ft. cargo box on the roof and two bikes on the hitch rack still got around 25mpg avg. on a recent road trip...including a couple hours of beach driving.

frankly, I think it's silly to even worry about gas mileage if you're gonna buy a midsize or large SUV.

[irish44j]

I'll add that the Trail Edition looks pretty decent, kind of mean compared to other SUVs out there these days. It could use some more aggressive stock tires though...

kinda looks like a jacked-up Evo X, actually

[irish44j]

lol....was it really a good idea to post a publicity pic showing an average of "1.1 mpg"

[a33i30]

lollll 1.1mpg, they probably didn't even notice that.