The 2010 Toyota 4Runner has just made its
debut at the Texas State Fair, and as expected, in many ways it's a throwback to
the original 4Runner, bucking the trend of increasingly civilized paved-road
crossovers for a rough-and-ready all-terrain feature set.
That's not to
say it's not still as friendly on the road as any Toyota; ever since the
original hit the roads in 1984, the 4Runner has been as much about comfort as it
is about capability. But unlike some of the mid-sized SUV competition, Toyota
has adhered to the 4Runner's off-road roots as well, sharing the same
body-on-frame platform as the FJ Cruiser and growing both longer and wider than
the current 4Runner.
Three trims are available on the 2010 4Runner:
Trail, SR5 and Limited. SR5 and Limited grades add a
chrome-plated grille insert, fog lamp bezels and front bumper molding to the
Trail's basic layout, plus color-keyed front and rear over-fenders and
chrome-plated side molding, roof rack and rear bumper. Integrated side-mirror
turn signals are also standard on SR5 and Limited grades.
Power & Fuel Economy
Gone is the option
of a big V-8 engine, but nothing is really lost with a new 4.0-liter V-6 engine
providing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, up 34 horsepower from the
previous V-6 and even 10 horsepower more than the previous V-8. Toyota has done
its best to balance power and efficiency in this engine, leveraging Variable
Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) to help deliver low-end grunt and
cruising efficiency.
Together with a more slippery exterior, the new
4Runner is good for an estimated EPA rating of 17 mpg in town and 23 mpg on the
highway for two-wheel-drive models, with the all-wheel-drives good for 17 mpg in
town and 22 mpg on the highway. That's an improvement of 1 mpg city and 2 mpg
highway across the board over 2009 models.
For those that want slightly
more efficiency and don't need the towing power of the V-6, a 157-horsepower,
2.7-liter four-cylinder is also available, rated at 18 mpg city and 23 mpg
highway. The four-cylinder is only available with a four-speed automatic
transmission.
A wide range of two-wheel-drive and part-time and
full-time four-wheel-drive powertrain options are available, with the 4Runner
Limited topping the off-road range with full-time four-wheel drive, a locking
center differential and a three-mode console-mounted switch. To help increase
off-road grip, all 4x4 models get a standard A-TRAC force distribution system,
ensuring any one wheels with grip gets the power. A Crawl Control system is also
standard on Trail grade models, which helps keep vehicle speed low for
navigating particularly tricky or steep terrain.
Styling
& Features
Exterior styling is another major change for the
2010 Toyota 4Runner, with a new wider, more rugged fender and bumper design
accenting new headlights and taillights that improve nighttime visibility.
Seventeen-inch aluminum alloy wheels are standard on SR5 and Trail models, with
20-inch wheels standard on the Limited, with all models getting a full-size
spare.
It's not all about getting over big rocks or down to the hardware
story, however. The 2010 4Runner also offers a lot of entertainment features,
including a standard five-speaker (Trail) or eight-speaker (SR5) CD stereo
system with XM satellite radio capability. A premium 15-speaker JBL audio system
is available, and adds Bluetooth, iPod and MP3 control. When it's time to
tailgate before the big game, the 4Runner's premium JBL sound system even has a
"party mode" that biases output to the rear of the vehicle and cranks up the
bass.
SafetySafety is a big concern with the
new 4Runner as well, and all models get the Star Safety System, which is
Toyota's name for a slate of electronic aids including stability control (VSC),
traction control, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist and
ABS. Passive safety features include eight standard airbags for front, side and
knee airbags in the front row, and side curtain bags for the second and third
rows.
Toyota's foray into the telematics field with Safety Connect also
makes its way into the 2010 4Runner, and is available both with and without the
optional navigation system. Safety Connect offers: Automatic Collision
Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance Button and Roadside
Assistance. Though it's a subscription-based service, a one-year trial
subscription is included with the purchase price of equipped vehicles.
The 2010 model of the 4Runner has some big shoes to fill, with the 2009
model currently nominated for the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year
award.
If you would like to see current inventory of
New Toyota 4Runner or get
directions click either link. McGeorge Toyota is a 15 time winner of the Toyota Presidents Award. Whether you live in Mechanicsville, Chester, Midlothian, Glen Allen or really anywhere within the Central Virginia, Richmond area. McGeorge Toyota is an easy drive and great experience.
