Legend of the West
Fifth- generation Toyota 4Runner can do it all.
The Toyota 4Runner is a legend here on the West Coast, as these rugged sport utility vehicles have been helping adventurous Canadians explore our often treacherous wilderness areas and mountain roads for over three decades. At the same time, they remain perfectly suited for providing daily transportation.
This is no small feat for a vehicle, as rugged and comfortable are usually mutually exclusive qualities in an automobile.
Now well into its fifth generation the Toyota 4Runner has evolved into a much larger vehicle, but one that is better suited to perform many functions.
The modern 4Runner is an exceptional family vehicle for those individuals who live active lifestyles as it is able to tackle just about any terrain with relative ease. Whether you plan to take the family skiing in the winter or on an off- the- grid camping adventure, the 4Runner will get you there in comfort. More importantly, it will get you there.
The 4Runner gets its motivation from Toyota’s venerable 4.0- litre 24- Valve, DOHC V6 engine that produces 270 horsepower and 278 lbs.- ft of torque. This proven engine is mated to the company’s Super Electronically Controlled Transmission ( ECT) which features sport Sequential Shift capabilities.
The Super ECT is a five- speed unit, which is somewhat surprising in this day and age of six, seven and eight speed gearboxes, but it proved to be a very efficient and robust operator. It has been designed to utilize an Engine Control Module ( ECM) to manage shift decisions based on engine speed and load. I was impressed with how smoothly this transmission operated whether I was cruising on the freeway or creeping slowly down a 30- degree embankment.
Toyota’s engineering team has designed the ECM so that it also monitors such factors as throttle position, road speed, power requirements and operating temperature to efficiently direct gear selection and adjust shift points to driving demands.
In an effort to increase performance the engine features Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence ( VVT- i). This technology continuously alters both intake and exhaust camshaft timing to deliver a broad torque band, which means that the driver has access to ready power whenever it is needed. The engine also employs an advanced Sequential MultiPort Fuel Injection system that helps make the most efficient use of the vehicle’s 87 litres of fuel.
While the engine proved to be quite noisy at higher speeds, I did come away impressed with its acceleration and obvious refinement.
The 4Runner utilizes a modified version of the Tacoma platform, which is a proven performer both on- and offroad, but still sensible enough to act as a daily driver. I must admit that the 4Runner’s ride is relatively bumpy at times due to its body on frame design and rugged suspension, but some sacrifices had to be made to ensure the vehicle could handle more difficult road conditions.
I had the opportunity to take the 4Runner through a variety of terrain during my test week including some demanding fire access roads, short rock climbs, shallow mudholes, and very steep hills.
With 9.6 inches of ground clearance, and equally impressive approach and departure angles ( 33 and 26 degrees respectively), the 4Runner is able to roll over rock- strewn terrain, small logs, and through deep snow, as well as bound up and down steep hills. A relatively tight turning circle of 37.4 feet ( 11.4 metres) proved valuable while exploring the tight confines of urban city environments and tight forest trails.
While the 4Runner is not designed to be a rock crawler, the careful driver will be able to navigate the vehicle over rocky surfaces, outcrops or small boulders should the need arise. Toyota outfits every 4Runner with protective skid plates to protect the transfer case and fuel tank as standard equipment.
When faced with slick mud and slippery conditions the 4Runner’s advanced four-wheel-drive system delivered power to the ground in a linear fashion and the Michelin tires performed much better than expected considering they were purposed more for asphalt use than venturing offroad. Swapping the tires for a more aggressive all- terrain model would make the 4Runner unstoppable, but some ride comfort would be lost and road noise would likely increase.
The test unit came equipped with Toyota’s innovative 4- Wheel Crawl Control. This manually selectable system allows the driver to focus on steering while it operates the traction control, brakes and accelerator to maintain an ultraslow target speed while the vehicle is ascending or descending steep terrain. The system is available as part of the optional Trail Edition Package.
The 4Runner’s interior is well laid out and very sporty, and all controls, switchgear and instruments are within easy reach from the driver’s position. A wide centre stack houses oversized HVAC controls and the audio system, and the Optitron gauge cluster is easy to see through the wide- rimmed four spoke steering wheel. The shift lever falls readily to hand and features a big, ergonomic shift knob.
The front bucket seats are firm and supportive, as is the three position bench seat in the rear. The seat backs of the latter feature the ability to recline up to 16 degrees for additional comfort. Toyota only uses the highest quality materials and fit and-finish is much better than you would expect in a SUV.
The cargo area is accessed via a swing- up hatch and capacity ranges from 46.3 to 89.7 cubic feet depending upon whether the rear seats are folded down. The hatch itself offers the user protection from the rain ( or refuge from the sun) when loading or unloading, an advantage that will be appreciated when faced with the unpredictable weather conditions typical of mountainous regions.
The rear cargo area on the test vehicle featured the new Sliding Rear Cargo Tray, a novel new accessory that holds up to 200 kilograms ( 440 lbs.) and makes it easier to load heavier items or reach items from outside the vehicle.
There is a lot of competition in this segment of the automotive marketplace and although the 4Runner is somewhat long-inthe- tooth when compared to its many rivals, it is worth a long look as it offers superior safety, build quality, and overall dependability. When it comes time to choose a vehicle to serve the transportation needs of your family, these are factors you cannot overlook.