"Easily the most capable vehicle to come along since the current-generation Wrangler, and there's much to be applauded in an off-roading legend that's remained true to itself," says editor at large Arthur St. Antoine of Toyota's all-new 2010 4Runner Trail Edition. Truck Trend editor Allyson Harwood adds, "This new 4Runner is an SUV that makes me want to go off-road. Those are getting harder to come by, and it's the only new sport/utility for 2010 that causes that kind of feeling."
As its name suggests (and as the previous comments intimate), the all-new fifth-generation 4Runner -- Toyota cites that of the 1.8 million sold since 1984, about 1.3 million are still on the road today -- soldiers on with body-on-frame construction and a live rear axle. And we couldn't be more pleased. Frankly, with the Highlander, RAV4, and Venza in its lineup, Toyota doesn't need another car-based sport/ute, so sticking with a rugged, heritage-rich offering seems wise, especially when the number of truck-based 4Runner competitors can be counted on one hand.
Based on the Land Cruiser Prado sold in other world markets, the made-in-Japan 4Runner wears boxier -- retro, if you will -- sheet metal that more closely resembles that on the FJ Cruiser. Headlamp and taillamp lenses extrude from the body, the grille is bold and in your face, and the overall appearance just looks bigger, despite modest gains in length (+0.7 inch), width (+0.6), and height (+0.8); the wheelbase, at 109.8 inches, remains the same. Inside, the FJ similarities continue, due to oversized knobs and buttons, a more upright windshield, and water-resistant seats. Our tester was a pre-production model fitted with shiny, unfinished plastics; those pieces in production models will be grained and matte-finished. Some editors found the interior a bit overwrought, but none could argue it wasn't extremely functional, roomy, and easy to use.
Thanks to: Motor Trend