Can you think of a better place to show off ruggedness and off-road proficiency than Dallas, Texas? Toyota doesn't think so.
Toyota's 2010 4Runner will make its world debut on September 24 at the Texas State Fair. The Japanese automaker claims the interior will be comfier and roomier, while the vehicle is set to be "more rugged than ever." All we get is this snapshot of its new mug until then.
More than 1.8 million 4Runners have been sold since being introduced in 1984, and of that number, an impressive 70 percent are still on the road.
firelicked says:
02:50 PM, 08/27/09
I am a fan of the current 4Runner and looking at the pics of the newest one on "the other guys" web site I am no longer a fan.
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q3/2010_toyota_4runner_spotted_undisguised-car_news
The A pillar is almost bolt upright and the front is stubby. Sort of the same deal as what they did to the Honda Pilot. It's just a big 4x4 Scion. I'm sure it's plenty reliable though...
rsholland says:
05:54 AM, 08/28/09
It will be interesting to see what Toyota does with this model. I'm hoping they make it even more rugged, now that the Highlander and Rav4 are geared for the soft-roader crowd.
actualsize says:
08:15 AM, 08/28/09
These tires are special off-road tires. You'd never see anything this agressive from the showroom. And the underbody looks like it has full width skidplates and few obstructions, and the breakover angle looks very good.
But something looks odd here. Perhaps the skidplates are simply dented and tweaked from a lot of serious off-road testing -- a good sign for the 4Runner faithful that might actually wheel the thing.
The rear suspesnion seems to indicate a solid rear axle. The rear shocks are tucked nice and tight up against the wheels to expand rock-straddling clearance down the middle.
The front suspesnion (what little I can see of it) looks very simuilar to the current one: double wishbone independent with a high-mount upper arm.
I've heard unconfirmed reports that Toyota's brilliant KDSS automatic stabilizer bar disconnect system -- currently available only on the Land Cruiser and GX470 -- will be available here. I've driven that system on-road and off, and it's amazing.
That's because the KDSS system automatically disconnects the front and rear stabilizer bars in frame-twist situations off-road, improving wheel articulation dramatically. The ability to decouple also means bigger stabilizer bars can be used, and that means the on-road body roll will be much better controlled. With this option, it should wheel better off-road and handle better on the pavement.
Let's hope it's true. And let's hope that its use on the 4Runner means KDSS might also make an appearance on the FJ Cruiser at some future point. That would make one great back country machine.
rick8365 says:
09:51 AM, 08/28/09
Interested to see what the new one will be and what direction it will go too.
Dan, I envy your knowledge and the opportunities it and your position affords you - thanks for sharing.
thundera says:
12:31 PM, 08/28/09
Wow.....As a 2005 4Runner prior owner I'm uttlerly speechless at how terrible all aspects of this are. If the C&D pics are real (don't see how they couldn't be), and the rumors of the dropped V8 are real, Toyota just lost a sale.
How could the 5th gen 4Runner be sooooooooo UGLY?!?!?!? I mean, this is terrible! It looks like a 4Runner and an FJ Cruiser got drunk, had a mistake, then kicked it in the face with an ugly boot!
No V8 option - This is too bad. The 2010 4Runner with the 310 HP 4.6L V8 and 6spd seemed like a perfect match! Something is fishy here though, Toyota didn't design a brand new V8 engine just for the Tundra - this engine has to be going into another Toyota truck - my guess is the new Lexus GX. If not that, then there is something else not out in the open yet (perhaps V8 Highlander?)...
firstwagon says:
02:34 PM, 08/28/09
I lost interest in the 4Runner in 2001 when they discontinued the 5 speed manual and the rear locking differential.
It was a great truck in the 80's and 90's with a huge off road following. I never seem to see the newer ones off road, all the old Toyota truck guys have moved on to other things.
estreka says:
03:26 PM, 08/28/09
Texas is a great place to show off your offroad credentials, but Dallas? C'mon, could you find a flatter place on Earth?
rsholland says:
08:39 AM, 08/29/09
As to why Dallas? That's where the Texas State Fair is, no?
matt1320 says:
06:43 PM, 08/31/09
ActualSize, The tires in the photo appear to be the new Goodyear M/T-R Kevlar mud terrain tires. Supposed to make you run faster and jump higher than your buddy. I would suspect that this tire could be available on the Trail Package; Jeep used the old version of the GY M/T-R on the TJ Rubicon. Jeep also offers a swaybar disconnect on the Wrangler (also on the Dodge 2500 PowerWagon). It may be interesting to see/feel the difference between the IFS 4Runner and the solid front axle Wrangler with the sway bar disconnect systems in action.