Test Drive Toyota 4Runner since 2009 SUV

Toyota 4Runner test drive test drive. Fully updated, but still ready for off-road

Close to the almost vertical, covered with dirt trail on the new Toyota 4Runner Trail Grade seems not such a difficult task, at least until we get to the ridge of the hill. In fact, this trail is too hot to climb on it.
Stopping the SUV on right on the slope (and making some deep breaths), we click on the Crawl Control button by selecting the most aggressive mode, we grab the steering wheel and completely remove the leg with the brake pedal. In this mode, the computer itself adjusts the degree of opening of the throttle and the adhesion of each wheel with the surface, providing maximum adhesion when lifting at low controlled speed, allowing the driver to completely concentrate on the steering control (in this case, keep the car away from the edge of the cliff).
A few moments later, we successfully overcome this difficult rise.
Something for everyone
If you ever got stuck in the midst of a steep lift, then the Crawl-Control Technology helping technology, first presented in the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 model and also installed on Lexus LX570, you will like it. A more suitable name for this system than a blessed button, you can hardly find. But is such a specific off-road technology is vital for medium-sized SUV in the contemporary automobile market?
Perhaps and is not, especially with the fact that now few are engaged in a real off-roud. But if you ask Toyota specialists, they will answer you otherwise. Cobls, product development manager for trucks and SUV, says that everything is simple: our strategy is actually elementary. We want to do something for everyone, regardless of where they live and what they need.
The Toyota middle-sized car market is represented by Highlander crossover (previously sold in Japan as Toyota Kluger) and SUV 4Runner (previously sold in Japan as Toyota Hilux Surf), while other manufacturers for this segment produce only one model. Such an advantage allowed Akio Nicimur, the chief engineer of 4Runner, not only to start with a clean sheet, but also take into account the history of the model, about which the manufacturers of other-sized SUVs are quietly forgotten in search of the most compromise solution.
And if some features of the exterior look familiar (hood, front and rear optics, muscular front and rear arches), then this is because Nishimura also headed the development of Toyota FJ Cruiser. In general, participating in this project, he first decided that the FJ Cruiser platform was also going to Toyota Land Cruiser and the version for the inner Japanese market Toyota Land Cruiser Prado will form the next generation 4Runner.
4runner has traditional appearance, although individual details resemble FJ Cruiser.
Influence FJ Cruiser.
Despite the fact that the Toyota 4Runner wheelbase is still 2,789 mm, and the car itself has become higher, longer and wider than a couple of centimeters, thanks to the new 4runner platform inside it became much more spacious, mainly due to the lowest floor. It is most obvious that for the driver and the passenger on the front seat, because now the sensation sitting there is no feeling that they are in the compact pickup cabin (which was once). Yes, and the legs can now be completely pulled out even in the front seat.
The interior design also resembles the latest model FJ: the windows control is located on top of the door panel (because of which, unfortunately, moisture will fall on them), the control system of the full drive is now located upstairs above the rearview mirror. The central panel and the console have become more concise, and now there will no need to distinguish the air conditioner control buttons from the radio and navigation system buttons.
Most of all, we liked the change in the location of the instruments on the toolbar, where each of the three sensors has a blank center, which displays various parameters, with indicable arrows at the edges. In the center of the speedometer there is an ecometer informing you how efficiently the car consumes fuel at the moment (green is good, red bad). Speed \u200b\u200bswitch lever is large, strong and easy to use.
The high-tech Toyota stabilization system based on ABS allows the 4Runner to get there, where and do not climb on foot.
Strong feet
Despite the fully new base, the suspension uses the same strategy to combat road irregularities, which was from the previous model, plus a few new details. An independent front suspension is still built on a dual triangular transverse lever and shock absorbers with screw springs, while the back of the lever with a bridge and a Panar axle, supplemented by telescopic shock absorbers and screw springs, remained behind the rear.
By the way, the rear shock absorbers are mounted far beyond the frames to compensate as much erroneous movements of the rigid bridge. Also, there is also an optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System system (kinetic stabilization system KDSS, first presented in the LEXUS GX 470 model and then installed in the Land Cruiser of the last generation) and the hydraulic stabilizer that is fastened to the front and rear transverse stability stabilizers with a wrist, adding lateral Stiffness at speeds over 50 km / h, allowing you to better control the car on the highway, and disconnected at the speed below 50 km / h for more understandable articulation outside the route.
Outside the KDSS road is simply gorgeous, it allows the suspension to ensure constant contact of the wheels with the surface, despite the pit and other irregularities. On the asphalt road, it is as good because two-pipe shock absorbers hold the car on the track much better than in the case of other medium-sized frames SUVs that we tested. In the mud Toyota 4Runner behaves so well that we seemed to us as if we were going on mud rubber, although the tires absorb absolutely all the joints on the highway with a bang, and in some cases even much better than that of any of the last generation crossovers With carrier body.
The new steering system allows the 4Runner to swallow highway turns as never before, in which, undoubtedly, there is merit and KDSS. Toyota remains to develop only a special technology for all-wheel drive cars, which would be with all its utility outside the road, significantly improving the dynamics of the car on the track.
When the Crawl Control is designed, it works no less efficiently if you, of course, have enough bold to release the brake pedal.
Farewell, V8.
The main news under the hood is the refusal of 4.7-liter V8. In addition, if you find out that the updated 4-liter V6 is 10 hp More thanks former V8, you will not miss it so much.
The 24-valve V6 with a DOHC system of 3,956 cc.cm is equipped with a gas distribution phase system and inlet, and on the release, and develops 270 hp. With 5,600 revolutions per minute and 366 nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. For such power, this is a very economical engine, according to EPA (environmental protection) Fuel consumption in all-wheel drive 4Runner is 14.7 liters per city, 10.69 liters on the highway and 12.38 liters in mixed mode. The monolrode version with V6 should consume 13.84 l / 100 km around the city, 10.23 liters on the highway and 12.38 liters in mixed mode.
For supporters more strict fuel economy Toyota returned a 4-cylinder engine, installed on the monotrifer versions. This is a 2.7-liter row four, developing 157 hp. At 5,200 rpm and 241 nm of torque at 3,800 revolutions. According to Era estimates, it will consume 13.07 l / 100 km in the city, 10.23 liters on the track and 11.76 liters per hundred in mixed mode.
The 4Runner with full-wheel drive and the V6 engine according to the computer demonstrated the following fuel consumption: 12.12 l per 100 km in the city and 10.79 liters on the highway, and with very high speed.
Try to repeat it on the average crossover.
Track tests
On the track our 4Runner Trail Grade 4x4, weighing 2,156 kg, we were surprised, disperse from scratch to hundreds for 8.2 s. The best result was obtained without slipping in Sport mode with automatic speed switching. Main steam at 4runner 3.73: 1, and the first transmission is 3.52: 1.
On all-season tires 113s Bridgestone Dueler H / T 684II 265/70 R17 from a speed of 96 km / h 4runner fully stops for 42.67 m. It is quite natural that the combination of high tires and large suspension strokes, which you enjoy outside the track does not give high Results in testing tests: We managed to accelerate to modest 92 km / h on the slalom, and only 0.71g was obtained in the side acceleration test. In principle, quite good results, and it should be noted that the unobtrusive stabilization system and connects only when the wheels begin to lose the clutch (in the side acceleration dough).
Sit down inside
Toyota 4Runner Trail Grade presents some useful innovations playing his hand and resembling that we all love the SUV family from Toyota. We think that on the LEXUS GX 2011 model, 4,6-liter V8 will be installed, presented earlier on the Toyota Tundra model, with a 6-speed automatic machine, but it makes sense only if you carry a trailer . Meanwhile, Toyota stubbornly silent about whether V6 will be aggregated with a six-speed automatic machine.
Soon the prices for this model will be promulgated. According to our estimates, the cost of the SR5 4x2 version with a four-cylinder engine will begin with $ 30,000, the maximum limited package can easily do at $ 45,000 or more. It seems to us that the Toyota 4Runner Trail Grade tested by us with the KDSS system, navigation and improved audio system will cost in the $ 38,000 area.
Already, the 4Runner comparison with competitors in the middle-sized car segment will be very interesting, especially considering the fact that Toyota decided to leave in this model as much as possible its tough off-road individuality, while other manufacturers compete in bringing models to the crossover type. Yes, and not so much recently produced serious SUV with a 4x4 drive system. But we see the meaning in the preservation of the frame car for those who need real practicality in combination with outstanding abilities outside the road.
 
 
 
 
 

A source: Insideline.