Toyota 4runner 2003 test drive - 2009 SUV

Is it easy to be honest

If you have forgotten about the existence of a car such as Toyota 4runner, you can be forgiven. Remaining in the shadow of his older brother Toyota Land Cruiser, he honestly performed the duties of a universal SUV for him for all occasions, without standing out at the same time
 
Until recently, it seemed that Toyota herself forgot about her first -born of the SUV class. In the distant 1984, putting a plastic roof on the pickup and removing the rear wall of the cab, the Japanese for some time decided that the mission to introduce an inexpensive universal SUV was completed and calmed down. Small restyling and modernization more larger went on as usual. First, an independent torsion front suspension appeared-somewhere in 1986-1987. Soon the place of the three -door body was taken by an all -metal five -door, then all sorts of little things were gradually added. Sometimes, I think, even the creators themselves will not figure out where the third generation is, and where the second is the second ... and the owners rejoiced. In general, they did not give a damn about the ideas of the developers, well, perhaps not counting the lowered glass of the fifth door. The relatively simple, hardy and reliable 4runner was of little interest to both hijackers and service workers. Since the third generation of 4runner was not supplied to Europe, cars of the first and second episodes basically came to us. That is, with a fair mileage and orderly worn out. A surge of interest occurred when SUVs began to be actively taken from America and Canada. Since 4runner there have always been popular, they are full of them in the secondary North American market.
 
The vast majority of 4runner is supplied precisely for the ocean, and rolling out the first hands, diverge around the world. So the new, fourth generation of Toyota 4runner is intended for sale exclusively in America. This model made their debut in 2003, and in the current light restyling underwent. However, a prerestyling version came to our test drive, no less interesting from this.
 
Stand out like everyone else
 
When we drove the Toyota 4runner on the lift, we found the similarity of the chassis elements, the platform and transmission with those that are on the previous generation of the SUV, and at the same time with those used on Prado, as well as with those that can be found in Land Cruiser. The chassis and configuration of the suspension are almost completely taken from the previous generation. The handout resembles Prado J9, and the engine and gearbox are exactly like TLC or Sequoia. It is worth noting that we got a car with a 4.7-liter V8 engine, well familiar from other Toyota models. In general, 4runner retained all the features of its predecessors: the frame as a supporting element, the front independent torsion suspension, the spring dependent, a two -stage handout, a five -door body. Unless in the shoulders the new 4runner has pretty much grown. It almost reaches the hundreds of dimensions, and it is already difficult to say that in the tables about the ranks it is between Rav4 and Prado, rather, on a par with the latter. However, Toyota has its own SUV in each segment, and in the medium -sized SUV sector, even two. The intrigue is also that our hero and Prado started almost simultaneously. Only one appeared in Paris with a hint of distribution in the Old World, and the other in America, for which he was intended.
 
The appearance of 4runner is close to everyone at once. It is elusively similar to the Toyota Rav4 of the previous generation, and Highlander, and even on Sequoia. They painted this style in the California design studio of Calty, counting on the tastes of the middle class Americans. This is in order to be everything, and at the same time stand out, differ in details, some features, decor elements, but not the style in general. So 4runner came out - modest, but not boring. Smooth lines and soft transitions give out a flexible character, a sharp slope of the rear rack and convex wheeled arches emphasize some sports, and a torn back and a massive front bumper indicate that we have a car that is not afraid of off -road.
 
Valid is harmful
 
Toyota 4runner off -road potential allows you to think that this car can cope not only with poor weather and a bad road, but also with a very real off -road. Of course, we do not mean gold and forest rut ... However, at all times, 4runner served as the desired basis for building combat vehicles of off-road lovers of all countries of the world. I don’t know if the current generation of the SUV is waiting for the same fate, but he definitely has potential. Unlike the previous models, the new 4runner drive is constant full. The asymmetric planetary differential of the Torsen system distributes the thrust in the proportion of 40:60 with an emphasis on the rear axle. Using the anti -boom system, the torque can be redirected depending on the load in the ratio of 29:71 and 53:47 between the front and rear wheels, respectively. On the version with the V8 4.7 engine, the differential, in addition, can be forcibly locked, scattering the traction evenly. However, there is no need to do this. Thanks to the differential of increased friction and the anti -wings system, our 4runner and so jokingly straightens out with a rather complex relief and stubbornly crawls along a very deep clay rut. Fortunately, the road clearance allows - 231 mm, quite good. The rear unreasonable bridge, among other things, is decent articulation, which is somewhat constrained by the reptile stability stabilizer and the proprietary system for maintaining the level and rigidity of the X-Ras suspension. The suspension mechanism works as communicating vessels, aligning the position of the wheels and making shock absorbers more rigid or soft depending on the state of the road. On rough terrain, the system does not interfere, although it is impossible to turn it off. The option includes a back suspension with the possibility of maintaining the required body level, but on our car the suspension was standard.
 
The 4runner has new Toyota developments that help the driver cope with steep descents and lifts. This is DAC - for descent and HAC - to hold on the rise. We are already familiar with them by Prado, so we will not dwell on technology and algorithm, especially since we were not on our copy. With the descent from the hill, everything is very simple - do not hesitate, do not touch the pedals and not forget about the steering wheel. Everything that is needed will do for you. In general, when managing 4runner on the off -road, you need to slightly spur it. The theoretically large and burdened V8 engine can calmly shove any crossed terrain at idle, but in practice, this ability comes to nothing of it. In addition, in order for the anti -boom systems to work normally, it is extremely undesirable to lose move, especially at the fractures of the relief. Sometimes, however, this has to be done, since a large wheelbase does not allow managing Toyota indistinctly. If the front and rear overhangs did not bother me, then it was possible to catch on a couple of times. When it becomes clear that the touch cannot be avoided, it is better not to slow down to the stop, but to try, by pressing the gas and on the brake at the same time, to restrain the car, without losing the thrust.
 
City jungle
 
On large cars in the city, it is still uncomfortable, even if they are as fast as 4runner. Although not so great. In addition, overview is excellent. The radius of the turn is quite small - at first it seems that it should be like a meter more. And so on the two -lane road 4runner turns in one appointment. You can’t call him too wax. Although, if the X-Reas system tries in the turns and tries with all his might, holding the car body in an upright position, then on an uneven road it does not always cope with duties. On the transverse waves, this is not felt at all, but the move of the ruts served in the asphalt at a slight angle can cause fluctuations in the body. And if the road is simply uneven, then the buildup can become already noticeable. However, a lot depends on the pace, the rule is more than the speed - less than the pits in this case are quite applicable. Moreover, even on a broken primer, 4runner is well controlled. And most importantly, he behaves very predictably in critical situations. In this SUV, it is impossible to note any outstanding shortcomings of controllability and course stability. Rumor steering has quite sharply increasing with an increase in the angle of rotation by reactive effort. The steering wheel is empty at zero, which does not interfere with exactly the maneuver. Sensitivity can also be called acceptable. In general, Toyota management bodies are all right. Adequate elastic gas pedal, responsive brake pedal. The steering wheel is small and not too thin. In aggregate, everything gives out with the efficiency of execution and settings, albeit without excess grace and honescence of reactions. In a certain sense, this is even not bad, does not provoke and does not mislead, promising impossible. And so everything is clear: in a steep turn, the steering wheel stopped twisting his hands, which means that he blows the front wheels. It is necessary to accelerate sharply - please press the pedal from the heart. To brake sharply - in the yield of the brake pedal to the floor. It doesn’t matter that Brake Assist, a squeezing pedal, will work, ABS also does not sleep. Such a car for me is no scum, coquetry, but also without rudeness. Everything is very honest and straightforward!
 
Granite and cassette
 
The Toyota 4runner salon was well finished. Moreover, if you can still argue about tastes and preferences in the style, then the quality of materials and the thoroughness of fitting the details of the disputes do not cause. Yes, I also do not really like the inserts under granite, inspiring gloomy associations, but they do not seem at all a cheap plastic fake from the coast of the yellow river. However, these stone slabs in the doorway are the only thing that cut my eye. The rest of the 4runner interior is very good. Not too much, fortunately, futuristic, rather practical, but fresh and circumstances, moreover, is not without certain grace. The instrument panel here, however, is the simplest, and not fashionable Optitron, which blazes with lights on the brother of Prado. There is a navigator - it is a pity that it will have to be changed to adapted to Russian realities. But the huge screen of the on -board computer is good. It changes the angle of inclination for a better review and leans all over, opening access to the disks receiver and cassettes. Yes, exactly the cassett! I did not believe my eyes that the car released in Japan in 2003 could be equipped with a cassette radio ... However, remembering that this car was surprised for America. It’s so accepted there. Bose, Infinity, Boston Acoustic and good old cassettes. And by the way, they still sound very good!
 
Our Toyota 4runner is a five -seater SUV. Moreover, five adults in it are really, without inconvenience, placed. I will say more-and the trunk at the same time oh-th! This is me to the fact that the race of recent years behind seven -seater salons causes me a slight irritation. If we are going to buy an SUV, and even big and go on a trip on it, on nature, in the end, on a picnic, where am I going to go my tent, sleeping bag, rug and beloved chair? In the trunk? But there is no him, there are seats! Throw everything onto the roof, turning the car into a kind of close to the tie of Kemelovsky Disco? Yes, one loading and unloading will take half a day ... Do you want a seven-seater salon? Look for a Suburban or minibus, the same Delica or a loaf as we are. In a word, many seats are good, and the trunk is better. Or am I wrong?
 
The old 4runner had a proprietary feature - a dropping rear window. Our. It is said that in the crazy nineties 4runner was especially appreciated for this feature in criminal circles. Allegedly, shooting on the go is convenient ... In fact, this option is conceived to download packages from a supermarket. Even on the way to the car, you open the glass from the standard of the standard alarm - and go. Conveniently. It is only a pity that the door now does not open down, forming a convenient table, but up. In the trunk, we found another interesting option - a false floor. It is a folding shelf for mild things. Pulling for it, you can lay the second floor on the floor, pushing - to make the cargo compartment double -bob. True, I have not yet come up with what this is for. It is probably just convenient ...
 
Honest conclusions
 
Toyota 4runner I frankly liked. I will not even now list his competitors, there is no need. Its advantages are obvious, but the disadvantages are not protruding. What can I say, there are almost no shortcomings of them! In addition, perhaps, one is the most unpleasant: 4runner is not delivered to Russia. You can buy this honest and correct SUV only in unofficial dealers and only a three -year. However, if you set the goal ...
 
Text: Igor Gubar
 

A source: Magazine 4x4 [August/2006]