Toyota adds four-cylinder, drops V-8 in redesign of 4Runner

Special to the Star-Telegram

Toyota this fall rolls out the fifth generation of its 4Runner sport utility vehicle, with prices ranging from $27,500 (plus $800 freight) for the base, SR5 four-cylinder model with two-wheel drive, to $39,800 for the top-of-the-line, V-6 powered, Limited model with four-wheel drive.

This year, though, Toyota has made a major shift in the powertrain offerings for the 4Runner, dropping the V-8 version that was the choice of people with trailers to pull, and bringing back a four-cylinder engine to help attract buyers who want better fuel economy.

Once the leader among import-brand SUVs, the 4Runner originally arrived in 1985 only as a two-door model, and only with a four-cylinder engine. It looked like what it was: a Toyota pickup with the cargo bed enclosed to create a back seat and a covered, secure luggage compartment.

The first four-door model arrived for 1990, along with the all-new Ford Explorer and other four-door SUVs, and the sport utility craze began. A third-row seat option was added in 2004, giving the 4Runner a maximum capacity of seven passengers.

Now that the new carlike crossover utility vehicles have become all the rage for families, the traditional truck-style, body-on-frame SUV has been pushed back into niche status. Toyota’s best-selling midsize utility vehicle is the Highlander crossover, which is based on the chassis of the Camry sedan.

But even though there isn’t a booming market for the traditional SUV now, there are still enough buyers in the market to make it worthwhile for Toyota and some other automakers to keep some truck-based models in their lineups.

And among the few that are left, the 4Runner remains one of the best choices.

People who need a vehicle with a sturdy truck frame that can accommodate the towing of trailers will still appreciate the 4Runner – especially if these consumers like the idea of going off road occasionally.

Four-wheel-drive versions of the 4Runner are quite capable off road, making them a favorite of trail drivers such as myself. The soccer moms can have their crossovers; the 4Runner is the choice for rugged trail driving.

The starting price for 2010 is more than $1,000 below that of the 2009 model, reflecting the lower cost of the base four-cylinder engine compared with the V-6 that came in the previous-generation’s entry model.

But Toyota says the price of the best-selling model, the SR5 V-6 with four-wheel drive, will remain the same as for 2009, $30,915, even though it gets most of the upgrades of the new generation – including $1,700 worth of new equipment.

Styling is more boxy than before, but in a good way, reminding me of the shape of the Jeep Commander. This makes sense, because if the target market is the off-road crowd, there is no need to round off the 4Runner’s exterior to make it more attractive as a suburban family hauler.

Indeed, Toyota says the goal was to make Besides the new exterior look, the interior has been completely redesigned, with a unique new cargo area, to "make the newest 4Runner smarter, more comfortable, and more versatile than ever," the automaker said.

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