As tough as it looks

World of Wheels takes Toyota's new 2010 4runner for a spin through Ontario's cottage country

Today’s sport utility vehicles are a far cry from the boxed pickup trucks of yesteryear. Now offering the style and amenities demanded by the business executives and soccer parents who buy them, SUVs now seem more about comfort and style than they do about either sport or utility. Sure, they offer four-wheel-drive, many also with four-wheel-lock and other traction control systems. But how many can truly take the pounding of serious off-roading?

With that question in mind, I jumped at the opportunity to put the all-new 2010 Toyota 4Runner SUV through the paces in the backwoods of Muskoka cottage country, during a recent launch event.

From all appearances, the current generation 2009 4Runner has become every bit as urban and posh as others in the midsized SUV segment. And despite its roots – and current status – as an able off-roader, it doesn’t look the part. In fact, Toyota did a survey of 4Runner owners and found that they felt the same way, that it doesn’t convey a rugged, tough appearance to match its true capabilities. The company responded by bucking the trend towards car-based, unibody soft-roaders, instead embracing its truck-based ladder frame and building on it a 2010 model that is – and looks – more rugged, offers better off-road performance, and showcases Toyota’s philosophy of “more power, less fuel.” It’s a direction they believe will help them attract buyers who feel abandoned by traditional SUV brands.
The newest 4Runner is taller, wider and longer than the ’09, with pronounced, squarish fender flares, wide shoulders, masculine grille and overall, a no-nonsense, truck-like exterior.
At the heart of this new model is a new six-cylinder powerplant that replaces the fourth-generation’s standard 3.5L V6 and optional 4.7L V8 engines. This 4.0L DOHC 24-valve V6, rated at 270 hp and 278 lb/ft of torque, is up by 34 hp and 12 lb/ft over the previous V6 and up 10 hp over the optional V8, while matching its 5,000 pound towing capacity.
This engine also sees a five percent improvement in fuel economy over the prior V6, and 17 percent better than the previous V8. It is rated at 12.6/9.2/11.1 litres/100 km city/highway/combined.
Along with more oomph, the 2010 4Runner features an even more impressive ability to handle tough terrain. Not that I’d take my own leather-lined, climate controlled 4Runner (if I had one) over muddy, rock and log strewn trails and through river beds. But it’s nice to know I could. Besides, to paraphrase a Toyota Canada executive, off-roading may not be typically done with a brand-new 4Runner, straight from the showroom floor, but that’s where it often ends up in a few years.
And whether that takes five or 10 years, or only 15 minutes after leaving the dealership, the 2010 model proved to be surprisingly adept in the mud and wheel-swallowing ruts, and over the boulders, rock ledges and logs of central Ontario’s Muskoka cottage country during a cold November drizzle.
I drove the Trail edition, one of five models that include the base SR5 at $36,800 (same price as ’09), the Upgrade Package, Limited Package and Limited with Navigation Package. The SR5 model comes standard equipped with eight-way power driver’s seat, four-way power passenger seat, XM satellite-capable, eight-speaker audio system with Party Mode (more on that later), running boards, multi-information display and a bevy of safety features. These include eight airbags (dual-stage driver and front passenger, front seat mounted side, driver and front passenger knee, roll-sensing front and rear head/side curtain), ventilated disc brakes with ABS, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, vehicle stability control with traction control (TRAC), and a switch to disable the TRAC system while off-roading.
Hill Assist Control keeps the vehicle from rolling backwards when stopped on a grade, and Downhill Assist Control (DAC) uses brakes to control speed during a steep descent. Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) works in 4WD-LO, applying brakes to a slipping wheel and routing torque to the wheels with traction.
The Upgrade Package adds such niceties as leather seating (heated up front), Bluetooth, USB input, auto-dimming rearview mirror with backup camera, power moonroof and more.
The Trail Edition, as I quickly discovered, offers some very effective technology for those who liketo travel off the grid. In addition to most of the features above, this trim level includes Crawl Control (a kind of ‘cruise control’ for off roading), multi-terrain select and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS). Crawl Control negates any need for DAC, which comes standard on other models.
With Crawl Control, you can dial in one of five speed levels from one to five mph, which are maintained while the system is on. This allows you to focus on steering while the system looks after throttle and braking.
During my time off road, I faced a couple of ugly climbs and descents, giving me the ideal opportunity to test this system. On the climb, any loss of momentum would have put me in trouble and choosing the correct line was paramount. I dialed in the speed, took my feet off the pedals, and simply kept the 4Runner pointed in the right direction. It couldn’t have worked any better.
The Multi Terrain Select system allows you to choose the right amount of wheel slippage to suit the terrain. On very loose surfaces, such as mud or sand, the system allows for more wheel spin, while on bumpy moguls or solid rock, it provides more traction and limits spin.
With the KDSS, both front and rear stabilizer bars are operational while on-road, and can be automatically disconnected in severe off-road situations. This allows the suspension to reduce body lean when cornering on the street, but benefit from the full reach of the suspension (for maximum tire contact) when going over rough terrain.
Also standard on the Trail Edition is a locking rear differential for maximum rear wheel traction.
The Limited doesn’t get Crawl Control, Multi-Terrain Select or KDSS, but with its full-time 4WD system, limited-slip centre differential, steel skid plates other standard technologies, is still a capable off roader.
The Limited offers more upscale styling cues than the others with 20-inch alloys replacing the standard 17-inchers, side mirrors with integrated turn signals and puddle lamps, colour-keyed fender flares and lower body extensions. Chrome details can be found in the grille, fog lamp surrounds and door handles.
This trim level includes dual-zone automatic climate control, 15-speaker JBL audio system with rear subwoofer, smart key system for hands-free locking/unlocking and push-button start, and an X-REAS sport suspension.
While other 4Runner models get coil springs over gas shocks on all four corners (double-wishbone up front, solid axle in rear), the Limited’s X-REAS automatically adjusts shock damping over bumpy surfaces or when cornering, allowing it to corner flatter and smoother, while better absorbing choppy pavement.
I had the opportunity to take the Limited on a road course and found that it handled as well as any crossover during emergency turns and zipped through the pylons with a minimum of lean.
The Limited also offers third-row seating. While you probably won’t go off-roading with six of your buddies in back, the added seating is handy around town. There’s a one-touch walk-in function from the 40/20/40 split second-row seats. Still, getting in and out is best accomplished by the able-bodied – and preferably kids, as knee room is at a premium.
One feature carried over since the first 4Runner hit the streets in 1984 is the power rear window – standard on all trim levels – and includes one-touch up/down with jam protection. A nice touch is that the rear wiper is hidden within the rear spoiler, giving it a neater appearance and protecting it from ice, snow and car wash brushes.
Lift the rear hatch and – standard on the Trail Edition – is a sliding cargo deck that can hold up to 220 kg (440 lbs). It extends 18 inches and is a great way to get heavy suitcases, groceries, etc. in and out of the maximum 2.5 cubic metre cargo area without having to lean in, or rub up against a mucky rear bumper. And with the rear hatch overhead, the cargo deck is also great for seating.
Also ideal for tailgating or camping is a standard audio setting called “party mode,” which raises the bass levels and transfers sound equalization to the rear of vehicle. Despite the crappy weather, we fired up the audio system and listened to some excellent outdoor acoustics. Party mode may be a hit with younger buyers, but less so with the park rangers.
In the 2010 4Runner, Toyota started with a very capable truck and then added systems to enhance safety while extending driver capability. So much capability that it was recently proven on the Rubicon Trail and a nearly stock version will be running in the grueling Baja 1000. Proof again that after 25 years, the 4Runner may have flirted with fashion, but has never lost its mojo.

Comments

[Air Ride Parts]

Yes, they do look more stylish and more comfortable in reality. If it's about performance you want, why tune up your new SUV? That way it has a style and comfort combination plus that performance you wanted.