Toyota 4Runner 2011 exterior and interior in many of this SUV's available colors; SR5, Trail, and Limited models shown
Toyota 4Runner was essentially a compact pickup truck with five-passenger seating and a permanent bed shell. My, how times have changed. When it was first introduced in the 1980s. While the 4Runner remains a body-on-frame based SUV, it has evolved considerably, and it now competes against a sea of on-road biased, car-based crossovers.
All-new 2011 Toyota 4Runner is longer, wider, and taller than before, and supported by both the engine 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic (available for rear-drive models only), or 270 horsepower Toyota, 4.0 -liter V-6 and five-speed automatic combination. Instead of getting softer, the new 4Runner play in its uniqueness and strength, with Toyota making it even more off-road capable than ever before.
Toyota has added several cool trail features to the 4Runner, including Crawl Control, a system that controls throttle and brake at low speeds, enabling the driver to better focus on steering inputs. The 4Runner also has an impressive 9.6 inches of ground.
The new 4Runner is bigger, more rugged-looking, and bolder than before, with a bold, in-your-face style that screams off-road. The 4Runner Trail Edition adds black fender flares, grille, utility roof rack, and the hood received a hood scoop. Seventeen-inc
While the 4Runner excels off-road – Toyota tested it at speed in the Baja 1000 and as a slow rock-crawler on the world-famous Rubicon Trail -- it is surprisingly capable on the road as well. While its body-on-frame architecture and live rear axle can make for a bouncy ride, its steering is linear and responsive, and its brakes are responsive and easy to modulate. The 4.0-liter V-6 4Runner reaches 60 mph in 7.8 secondsThe 2011 Toyota 4Runner is, as it has always been, an off-road SUV that is very well-mannered in the city. After a redesign last year, the 4Runner returns mostly unchanged, with one notable exception: The previously available inline-4 engine is no longer offered. Not that you're going to be particularly broken up about this. The underpowered four-cylinder struggled to propel the heavy 4Runner with much authority and offered a minimal benefit in terms of real-world fuel economy.
This leaves the plenty powerful V6 as the sole engine choice for the 2011 Toyota 4Runner. Besides ample horsepower and impressive off-road prowess, the 4Runner counts a civilized driving demeanor and a spacious interior among its other strengths.
Climbing peaks and navigating treacherous terrain is what the 4Runner is best at. Just like a traditional SUV, it features body-on-frame construction and a solid rear axle suspension, although it also incorporates the latest in off-road technology with Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which can disconnect the front and rear stabilizer bars for greater wheel articulation over rough terrain at speeds below 40 mph. Opting for the Trail trim level further enhances the 4Runner's wilderness-taming attitude with black-plastic fender flares and rocker panels (for easier and less expensive replacement), a locking rear differential, hill-start assist and hill-descent control, durable off-road tires and even water-resistant upholstery.
It is worth mentioning that for the majority of SUV buyers who rarely (if ever) take their vehicles off road, the 2011 Toyota 4Runner has been outclassed by the flood of car-based crossover SUVs on the market, at least as far as urban utility is concerned. Compared to the likes of the GMC Acadia, Hyundai Veracruz or even the Toyota Highlander, the 4Runner lacks the on-road comfort and everyday practicality that these vehicles provide. The 4Runner also lacks a V8 engine option, which means choices like the Dodge Durango, Jeep Commander/Grand Cherokee and Nissan Pathfinder might be better for heavy towing duty. But in the end we have no hesitations recommending the 2011 Toyota 4Runner as a jack-of-all-trades SUV.
The midsize 2011 Toyota 4Runner SUV is offered in three trim levels: SR5, Trail and Limited.
Standard features on the 4Runner SR5 include 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels, skid plates, heated outside mirrors with turn indicators and puddle lights, foglights, air-conditioning with rear ventilation, cruise control, full power accessories, a power rear window, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a trip computer and an eight-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with an auxiliary audio jack. The SR5 is available in either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
The 4Runner Trail level is only available as a 4WD model, and it supplements the SR5's equipment list with a hood scoop, black fender flares and rocker panels, a locking rear differential, Crawl Control (which electronically modulates throttle and brakes when ascending or descending hills), off-road-oriented tires, tinted head- and taillights, a sunroof, a back-up camera that displays in the rearview mirror, upgraded gauges, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, water-resistant upholstery, power front seats, a sliding rear cargo deck and an upgraded audio system with satellite radio, a USB port with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth phone and audio functions.
The Limited is available only with full-time all-wheel drive and includes 20-inch cast-aluminum wheels, Toyota's X-REAS adaptive suspension dampers, keyless entry and ignition, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 15-speaker JBL audio system with a six-disc CD changer, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front seats and power lumbar support for the driver seat.
Many of the features incorporated by the 4Runner Trail and Limited are available as options for the SR5 model, though specifics will vary based on the region of the U.S. in which you live. Other option highlights include a voice-activated navigation system and a third-row seat. The KDSS off-road suspension is available only on Trail models.
The 2011 Toyota 4Runner comes standard with a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic is the only available transmission. The SR5 and Limited can be had in either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive (part-time dual-range system on SR5; full-time system on the Limited), while the Trail comes only with part-time dual-range 4WD. When properly equipped, the 4Runner's towing capacity tops out at 5,000 pounds.
In Edmunds instrumented testing, a rear-wheel-drive 4Runner SR5 accelerated from a standstill to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, which is about average among competing SUVs. The EPA estimates 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined for a rear-wheel-drive 4Runner, which is also average in this segment. A four-wheel-drive 4Runner gets 1 mpg less on the highway.
Standard 4Runner safety features include antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front knee airbags, front-seat side airbags and full-length, roll-sensing side curtain airbags.
In government crash tests, the 4Runner scores a perfect five out of five stars for driver protection in frontal collisions and four stars for the front passenger. Five stars have been awarded in side impact tests for both front and rear passengers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awards its top rating of "Good" for both frontal offset and side-impact protection. In a recent test, a rear-wheel-drive 4Runner SR5 came to a stop from 60 mph in 122 feet, which is average among other SUVs in its class.
The 2011 Toyota 4Runner's interior features a geometric, industrial theme that supports this SUV's rugged image. Hard plastics are abundant throughout the cabin, though most touch points are lightly padded. The oversized climate control knobs underscore the 4Runner's utilitarian design, but have a wobbly feel when operated.
The Toyota 4Runner offers spacious seating for five passengers. The optional third-row seat increases the count to seven, though it's suitable only for small adults or children. With all seats folded flat, maximum cargo capacity is a useful 90 cubic feet. An optional sliding rear cargo deck can support up to 440 pounds. Tailgate partygoers will appreciate the optional Party Mode, which directs most of the audio system's sound to the speakers in the liftgate and increases bass response for a thumpin' good time.
Cruising around town, the 2011 Toyota 4Runner is surprisingly smooth and comfortable. Despite being built on a truck chassis, there is very little of the bouncy, over-sprung ride you expect from a body-on-frame vehicle capable of serious off-roading.
On the downside, the 4Runner's on-road handling limits are notably low, even for this class of vehicle. The steering feels disconnected and uncommunicative on the pavement, although this makes for less kickback on the trail, though its light-effort response at low speed also makes for easy maneuvering in parking lots.
Off-road, the 4Runner performs very well, particularly if it's a Trail model fitted with KDSS. Though no V8 engine is offered, the standard V6 provides plenty of grunt and should be suitable for just about any driver.
For the 2011 4Runner, Toyota has dropped the underpowered four-cylinder engine from the lineup. Otherwise, the 4Runner remains unchanged.
The heavily revised SUV is taller, wider and longer than its predecessor. For the latest model year Toyota has stopped offering the 4Runner with four-cylinder power, leaving a V6 as the only engine option.
With 113 horsepower more than the outgoing four-cylinder (not to mention 10 horsepower more than the optional V8 of the previous generation), the 4Runner's 4.0-liter is plenty powerful to move the big truck around with authority. And despite its 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque, the engine returns 23 mpg on the highway (along with 17 in the city). Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.
The SUV is available in 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 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.
Last year the 4Runner was given a complete redesign, including styling that became higher, chunkier, and more rugged.
There's no mistaking that the 4Runner is truck-based. With a more chiseled-and-creased look on the outside, with a rather upright windshield, aggressively flared areas extend from the wheel wells into the fenders, and a beltline that's higher yet, bringing the secure, elevated impression of a large SUV. Flares around the wheel wells continue clearly through the running boards and around to the creases of the front and rear fascia. In front, the new 4Runner inherits some of the imposing appearance of the latest Sequoia and Tundra, with a mesh recessed grille, large chrome bar, and swept-back headlamps; in back it gets a more conservative, traditional SUV look, with a wide, downward-sloping C-pillar looking to past generations of the 4Runner.
The 4Runner's cabin also takes a new design direction, with a more upright, chunky look that builds on the fundamentals seen in the Tundra pickup and Sequoia SUV but with better attention to detail. A bright metallic center stack of controls and an easy-to-read gauge cluster highlight the layout, which has big, simple control knobs and a macho, utilitarian look.
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| Toyota 4Runner 2011 |
Toyota 4Runner 2011
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| Toyota 4Runner 2011 |
drops its four-cylinder engine and gains a brake-override system designed to prevent unintended acceleration Toyota 4Runner 2011
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| Toyota 4Runner 2011 |
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| Toyota 4Runner 2011 |
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| Toyota 4Runner 2011 |
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| Toyota 4Runner 2011 |
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| Toyota 4Runner 2011 |
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| Toyota 4Runner 2011 |
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| Toyota 4Runner 2011 |
Toyota 4Runner was essentially a compact pickup truck with five-passenger seating and a permanent bed shell. My, how times have changed. When it was first introduced in the 1980s. While the 4Runner remains a body-on-frame based SUV, it has evolved considerably, and it now competes against a sea of on-road biased, car-based crossovers.
All-new 2011 Toyota 4Runner is longer, wider, and taller than before, and supported by both the engine 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic (available for rear-drive models only), or 270 horsepower Toyota, 4.0 -liter V-6 and five-speed automatic combination. Instead of getting softer, the new 4Runner play in its uniqueness and strength, with Toyota making it even more off-road capable than ever before.
Toyota has added several cool trail features to the 4Runner, including Crawl Control, a system that controls throttle and brake at low speeds, enabling the driver to better focus on steering inputs. The 4Runner also has an impressive 9.6 inches of ground.
The new 4Runner is bigger, more rugged-looking, and bolder than before, with a bold, in-your-face style that screams off-road. The 4Runner Trail Edition adds black fender flares, grille, utility roof rack, and the hood received a hood scoop. Seventeen-inc
While the 4Runner excels off-road – Toyota tested it at speed in the Baja 1000 and as a slow rock-crawler on the world-famous Rubicon Trail -- it is surprisingly capable on the road as well. While its body-on-frame architecture and live rear axle can make for a bouncy ride, its steering is linear and responsive, and its brakes are responsive and easy to modulate. The 4.0-liter V-6 4Runner reaches 60 mph in 7.8 secondsThe 2011 Toyota 4Runner is, as it has always been, an off-road SUV that is very well-mannered in the city. After a redesign last year, the 4Runner returns mostly unchanged, with one notable exception: The previously available inline-4 engine is no longer offered. Not that you're going to be particularly broken up about this. The underpowered four-cylinder struggled to propel the heavy 4Runner with much authority and offered a minimal benefit in terms of real-world fuel economy.
This leaves the plenty powerful V6 as the sole engine choice for the 2011 Toyota 4Runner. Besides ample horsepower and impressive off-road prowess, the 4Runner counts a civilized driving demeanor and a spacious interior among its other strengths.
Climbing peaks and navigating treacherous terrain is what the 4Runner is best at. Just like a traditional SUV, it features body-on-frame construction and a solid rear axle suspension, although it also incorporates the latest in off-road technology with Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which can disconnect the front and rear stabilizer bars for greater wheel articulation over rough terrain at speeds below 40 mph. Opting for the Trail trim level further enhances the 4Runner's wilderness-taming attitude with black-plastic fender flares and rocker panels (for easier and less expensive replacement), a locking rear differential, hill-start assist and hill-descent control, durable off-road tires and even water-resistant upholstery.
It is worth mentioning that for the majority of SUV buyers who rarely (if ever) take their vehicles off road, the 2011 Toyota 4Runner has been outclassed by the flood of car-based crossover SUVs on the market, at least as far as urban utility is concerned. Compared to the likes of the GMC Acadia, Hyundai Veracruz or even the Toyota Highlander, the 4Runner lacks the on-road comfort and everyday practicality that these vehicles provide. The 4Runner also lacks a V8 engine option, which means choices like the Dodge Durango, Jeep Commander/Grand Cherokee and Nissan Pathfinder might be better for heavy towing duty. But in the end we have no hesitations recommending the 2011 Toyota 4Runner as a jack-of-all-trades SUV.
The midsize 2011 Toyota 4Runner SUV is offered in three trim levels: SR5, Trail and Limited.
Standard features on the 4Runner SR5 include 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels, skid plates, heated outside mirrors with turn indicators and puddle lights, foglights, air-conditioning with rear ventilation, cruise control, full power accessories, a power rear window, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a trip computer and an eight-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with an auxiliary audio jack. The SR5 is available in either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
The 4Runner Trail level is only available as a 4WD model, and it supplements the SR5's equipment list with a hood scoop, black fender flares and rocker panels, a locking rear differential, Crawl Control (which electronically modulates throttle and brakes when ascending or descending hills), off-road-oriented tires, tinted head- and taillights, a sunroof, a back-up camera that displays in the rearview mirror, upgraded gauges, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, water-resistant upholstery, power front seats, a sliding rear cargo deck and an upgraded audio system with satellite radio, a USB port with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth phone and audio functions.
The Limited is available only with full-time all-wheel drive and includes 20-inch cast-aluminum wheels, Toyota's X-REAS adaptive suspension dampers, keyless entry and ignition, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 15-speaker JBL audio system with a six-disc CD changer, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front seats and power lumbar support for the driver seat.
Many of the features incorporated by the 4Runner Trail and Limited are available as options for the SR5 model, though specifics will vary based on the region of the U.S. in which you live. Other option highlights include a voice-activated navigation system and a third-row seat. The KDSS off-road suspension is available only on Trail models.
The 2011 Toyota 4Runner comes standard with a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic is the only available transmission. The SR5 and Limited can be had in either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive (part-time dual-range system on SR5; full-time system on the Limited), while the Trail comes only with part-time dual-range 4WD. When properly equipped, the 4Runner's towing capacity tops out at 5,000 pounds.
In Edmunds instrumented testing, a rear-wheel-drive 4Runner SR5 accelerated from a standstill to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, which is about average among competing SUVs. The EPA estimates 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined for a rear-wheel-drive 4Runner, which is also average in this segment. A four-wheel-drive 4Runner gets 1 mpg less on the highway.
Standard 4Runner safety features include antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front knee airbags, front-seat side airbags and full-length, roll-sensing side curtain airbags.
In government crash tests, the 4Runner scores a perfect five out of five stars for driver protection in frontal collisions and four stars for the front passenger. Five stars have been awarded in side impact tests for both front and rear passengers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awards its top rating of "Good" for both frontal offset and side-impact protection. In a recent test, a rear-wheel-drive 4Runner SR5 came to a stop from 60 mph in 122 feet, which is average among other SUVs in its class.
The 2011 Toyota 4Runner's interior features a geometric, industrial theme that supports this SUV's rugged image. Hard plastics are abundant throughout the cabin, though most touch points are lightly padded. The oversized climate control knobs underscore the 4Runner's utilitarian design, but have a wobbly feel when operated.
The Toyota 4Runner offers spacious seating for five passengers. The optional third-row seat increases the count to seven, though it's suitable only for small adults or children. With all seats folded flat, maximum cargo capacity is a useful 90 cubic feet. An optional sliding rear cargo deck can support up to 440 pounds. Tailgate partygoers will appreciate the optional Party Mode, which directs most of the audio system's sound to the speakers in the liftgate and increases bass response for a thumpin' good time.
Cruising around town, the 2011 Toyota 4Runner is surprisingly smooth and comfortable. Despite being built on a truck chassis, there is very little of the bouncy, over-sprung ride you expect from a body-on-frame vehicle capable of serious off-roading.
On the downside, the 4Runner's on-road handling limits are notably low, even for this class of vehicle. The steering feels disconnected and uncommunicative on the pavement, although this makes for less kickback on the trail, though its light-effort response at low speed also makes for easy maneuvering in parking lots.
Off-road, the 4Runner performs very well, particularly if it's a Trail model fitted with KDSS. Though no V8 engine is offered, the standard V6 provides plenty of grunt and should be suitable for just about any driver.
For the 2011 4Runner, Toyota has dropped the underpowered four-cylinder engine from the lineup. Otherwise, the 4Runner remains unchanged.
The heavily revised SUV is taller, wider and longer than its predecessor. For the latest model year Toyota has stopped offering the 4Runner with four-cylinder power, leaving a V6 as the only engine option.
With 113 horsepower more than the outgoing four-cylinder (not to mention 10 horsepower more than the optional V8 of the previous generation), the 4Runner's 4.0-liter is plenty powerful to move the big truck around with authority. And despite its 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque, the engine returns 23 mpg on the highway (along with 17 in the city). Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.
The SUV is available in 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 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.
Last year the 4Runner was given a complete redesign, including styling that became higher, chunkier, and more rugged.
There's no mistaking that the 4Runner is truck-based. With a more chiseled-and-creased look on the outside, with a rather upright windshield, aggressively flared areas extend from the wheel wells into the fenders, and a beltline that's higher yet, bringing the secure, elevated impression of a large SUV. Flares around the wheel wells continue clearly through the running boards and around to the creases of the front and rear fascia. In front, the new 4Runner inherits some of the imposing appearance of the latest Sequoia and Tundra, with a mesh recessed grille, large chrome bar, and swept-back headlamps; in back it gets a more conservative, traditional SUV look, with a wide, downward-sloping C-pillar looking to past generations of the 4Runner.
The 4Runner's cabin also takes a new design direction, with a more upright, chunky look that builds on the fundamentals seen in the Tundra pickup and Sequoia SUV but with better attention to detail. A bright metallic center stack of controls and an easy-to-read gauge cluster highlight the layout, which has big, simple control knobs and a macho, utilitarian look.
Toyota 4Runner 2011
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