2011 Toyota 4runner

Revamped inside and out, the
4Runner retains its body-on-
frame construction. That won't
make the new 4Runner the
greenest SUV on the block, but
it will make this SUV a formidable
off-road vehicle. In fact, Toyota
says the new 4Runner, which
proved itself in August on the
Rubicon Trail, is "more rugged
than ever."
The
heavily revised SUV is taller,
wider and longer, and has a
selection of new motors. The SUV
can be ordered with a 2.7-liter
four-cylinder engine featuring
VVT-i, available as part of the
4x2 SR5 model. The DOHC 16-
valve 2.7 makes 157 horsepower
and 178 pound-feet of torque. It
comes mated to a four-speed
automatic transmission with
2.80:1 first gear and 0.753
overdrive 4th. The 2.7 delivers
18 city/23 highway mpg.
A more powerful V6 maximizes
the truck's capabilities by
offering more power and torque.
The 4.0-liter engine offers 34
horsepower more than the prior
V6, and 10 horsepower more
than the optional V8 of the
previous generation. That comes
to a grand total of 270 hp and
278 lb-ft of torque. The V6
4Runner achieves an EPA-
estimated 19 mpg combined, an
improvement of more than five
percent. With the new 4.0-liter
engine, maximum towing capacity
is 5,000 pounds.
The SUV is availablein three
variations: the top-of-the-line
Limited, the base SR5, and the
off-road-oriented Trail grade.
SR5 and Trail 4x4 models have a
two-speed lever-operated, part-
time four-wheel-drive system
with neutral position, while the
4Runner Limited is equipped with
full-time, four-wheel-drive with a
locking center differential and
employs a three-mode, center
console-mounted switch. The new
4Runner is also equipped with a
stronger rear differential over
the previous model, thanks to a
gear ring that has increased in
size from 7.87 to 8.18 inches.
For improved on-road
performance, the Limited grade
comes standard with an X-REAS
suspension system that
automatically adjusts the
damping force of shocks when
driving over bumpy surfaces, or
when cornering.
To enhance grip, the A-TRAC
system is now standard
equipment on all 4x4 models. The
system can distribute driving
force to any one wheel in
contact with the ground, making
terrain irregularities and slippery
patches transparent to the
driver.
The Trail package offers Kinetic
Dynamic Suspension System
(KDSS) as an option. KDSS
improves terrain-following ability
by disconnecting stabilizer bars
to allow for more axle travel,
and better suspension
articulation in slow uneven
terrain.
Toyota's Crawl Control (CRAWL)
feature is standard on the Trail
grade. CRAWL is an adjustable
electro-mechanical system that
can be tuned to match the
terrain by selecting any of five
speed levels. The Trail grade also
features a Multi-Terrain Select
system which allows the 4x4
operator to dial in wheel slip
control to match the terrain.
All 4x4 models are standard-
equipped with Downhill Assist
Control (DAC), which is designed
to augment the low-speed
ascending ability of low-range by
holding the vehicle to a target
speed with no driver
intervention.
All V6 models come standard with
Hill-start Assist Control (HAC),
which provides additional control
for off-road driving by helping to
keep the vehicle stationary while
starting on a steep incline or
slippery surface.
The cabin has been redesign with
better materials and improved
aesthetics. Both leather and
cloth upholstery are available.
More cargo space is available
due to the fold-flat second-row
rear seats, which do not require
removal of the headrest for
rearrangement. For models with
three rows of seats, the third
row seats are split 50/50, and
they fold flat to allow the
seatback to become the floor of
the luggage compartment.
Another convenience feature is
an available pull-out cargo deck
that is capable of carrying up to
440 pounds of weight. The cargo
deck slides out to make loading
heavy items easier.
Pricing starts at $27,500 for the
base SR5 2WD with the four-
cylinder. A 4x2 SR5 V6 runs
$27,175 and the 4x4 SR5 V6 will
cost $30,915. The Trail model,
only available with four wheel
drive, will start from $35,700. A
base Limited 4x2 lists for
$37,765 with the 4x4 version
going for $39,800. The volume
leader, the SR5 4x4 with the V6,
is priced the same as the
outgoing 2009 despite the added
equipment.