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For the
dyed-in-the-wool Toyota 4Runner fans, here's all the important
information you need to know about the 2014 version: The word "new"
appears in 16 instances throughout the midsize SUV's eight-page,
introductory press release, but it doesn't show up anywhere in the 1.5
pages dedicated to the engine, chassis, and drivetrain. Which, if you
can believe it, will be good news for the 4Runner devotees who uses
their 'utes for serious 4Running, off-road activities. For that group,
the fewer mechanical surprises, the better.
For those of us whose job or hobby it is to gripe about all things
automotive, here are the facts. The 2014 4Runner continues with
body-on-frame construction and is powered by a 270-hp, 4.0-liter V-6. A
five-speed automatic matches to the engine with a choice of rear-wheel,
all-wheel, or four-wheel drive. Control arms suspend the front corners
and a four-link rigid axle handles the rear wheels (coil springs all
around, of course). The long-standing SR5 trim name retains its
entry-level position. The midlevel, 4WD Trail edition soldiers on with
Multi-Terrain Select, low-range crawl modulation, and the optional
Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. The topline 4Runner Limited takes on
greater passenger-coddling responsibilities with its X-REAS
self-adjusting suspension and longer list of comfort and convenience
features. An available third row enables a seven-passenger seating
claim.
It all sounds too familiar, right? Our
presumption for the familiarity: In 2010, Toyota announced it would
offer a 157-hp, 2.7-liter four-cylinder in the then-new,
fifth-generation RWD SR5 (with a four-speed auto). It got exactly 1 more
city mpg in the EPA ratings than the comparable V-6 model. And see how
long that lasted.
So what exactly is new about the 4Runner? Let's go through those 16 "new" points.
1. "New 2014 4Runner Features Rugged Exterior Design To Match Its Authentic Off-Road Heritage"
This is the press release title. Makes sense, yes?
2. "…and the redesigned 2014 4Runner receives a rugged new exterior design…"
See point number 1.
3. "The Trail grade features new color-keyed bumpers and overfenders…"
Just when we had gotten used to the black ones.
4. "In addition to the distinctive new grille…"
Toyota updated the 4Runner's front and rear
fascias for a bolder appearance, which meant modifying the graphics,
front grille, and the light housings. The redesigned, smoked headlights
switch from halogens to projector-style illumination, and LEDs are
incorporated into the head- and retouched taillights. The Limited goes
heavier on chrome-plated trim pieces.
5. "Both the SR5 and Trail grades will ride on 17-inch alloy wheels with a new wheel-design for both…"
The Limited model rides on 20-inch wheels (now
painted black). Maybe that's why they're paired with the X-REAS adaptive
shock
absorbers?
6. "The 2014 4Runner will be available in eight exterior colors that include new additions…"
New paints consist of Attitude Black Metallic,
Barcelona Red Metallic, Nautical Blue Metallic, and Super White. Don't
forget them.
7. "New Interior Styling Has a refined style with the Comfort expected of a Midsize SUV"
What do we have here?
8. "The SR5 receives a new
bright and highly visible Optitron instrument panel that houses
speedometer, tachometer, voltage, fuel and coolant temperature gauges,
plus a multi-information display that offers multiple functions."
Well, it's about time. Toyota tinkered with the interior trim piece colors, too.
9. "New for 2014, the SR5 adds a standard eight-way power driver seat."
The SR5 formerly came equipped with a six-way driver's seat with power lumbar support.
10. "The Limited comes standard with a leather-trimmed interior with new ventilated driver and front passenger seats in Sand Beige, Black and a new Redwood color."
Numbers 10 and 11 are covered here.
12. "New Audio Systems Include Standard Entune Multimedia System"
Details below!
13. "New for 2014 on SR5 and Trail grade 4Runner models is Entune Audio Plus…"
These get an eight-speaker sound system, USB support, and Bluetooth capability.
14. "Standard on the Limited grade is the new Entune Premium JBL Audio system, which incorporates today's most in-demand connectivity features."
The 4Runner Limited gets a 15-speaker sound system.
15. "The pole antenna has been dropped in favor of a new in-glass antenna."
Remember when pole antennas were considered the norm?
16. "Toyota's 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components…"
OK, this last "new" doesn't count.
Further newness includes newly standard roof
racks (a $185 option on pre-2014 models) and backup cameras (previously
bundled with a $3100 Convenience Package for the SR5) across the 4Runner
range, soft-touch door trim for the SR5 and Trail, front seat memory
settings and front sonar parking assist for the Limited, and one
additional highway mpg in the EPA ratings. RWD 4Runners are expected to
produce 17/23 mpg city/highway against the AWD/4WD's 17/22.
Toyota asserts 1.98 million 4Runners have been
sold since 1984, with more than 75 percent of that population on the
road today. With the content revisions and subtle tweaks, we predict the
Big T doesn't need any luck whatsoever to pull clear of the 2-million
mark.
Showfloor update:
We're told the 2010-2013 4Runner Trail, which relied heavily on black-colored, plastic body trim pieces to convey a sense of ruggedness, was polarizing to the customer base. In response, they are now silver. The 17-inch alloy wheels are also more conventionally styled now. If touching a new door panel is any indication, the 4Runner's cabin will be a bit softer and more hospitable than it's ever been before. With more color for the exterior and interior, the 4Runner Trail mix is expected to grow from about 3 percent to 10 percent. While there's only the lone Trail edition in existence at the moment, the base SR5 model will be the next to appear in the near future, followed with the topline Limited. Production is scheduled to begin August 26 in Japan. Dealer arrivals are on a September/October trajectory, depending on the dealer's location.
- Benson Kong
For those of us whose job or hobby it is to gripe about all things
automotive, here are the facts. The 2014 4Runner continues with
body-on-frame construction and is powered by a 270-hp, 4.0-liter V-6. A
five-speed automatic matches to the engine with a choice of rear-wheel,
all-wheel, or four-wheel drive. Control arms suspend the front corners
and a four-link rigid axle handles the rear wheels (coil springs all
around, of course). The long-standing SR5 trim name retains its
entry-level position. The midlevel, 4WD Trail edition soldiers on with
Multi-Terrain Select, low-range crawl modulation, and the optional
Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. The topline 4Runner Limited takes on
greater passenger-coddling responsibilities with its X-REAS
self-adjusting suspension and longer list of comfort and convenience
features. An available third row enables a seven-passenger seating
claim.
It all sounds too familiar, right? Our
presumption for the familiarity: In 2010, Toyota announced it would
offer a 157-hp, 2.7-liter four-cylinder in the then-new,
fifth-generation RWD SR5 (with a four-speed auto). It got exactly 1 more
city mpg in the EPA ratings than the comparable V-6 model. And see how
long that lasted.
So what exactly is new about the 4Runner? Let's go through those 16 "new" points.
1. "New 2014 4Runner Features Rugged Exterior Design To Match Its Authentic Off-Road Heritage"
This is the press release title. Makes sense, yes?
2. "…and the redesigned 2014 4Runner receives a rugged new exterior design…"
See point number 1.
3. "The Trail grade features new color-keyed bumpers and overfenders…"
Just when we had gotten used to the black ones.
4. "In addition to the distinctive new grille…"
Toyota updated the 4Runner's front and rear
fascias for a bolder appearance, which meant modifying the graphics,
front grille, and the light housings. The redesigned, smoked headlights
switch from halogens to projector-style illumination, and LEDs are
incorporated into the head- and retouched taillights. The Limited goes
heavier on chrome-plated trim pieces.
5. "Both the SR5 and Trail grades will ride on 17-inch alloy wheels with a new wheel-design for both…"
The Limited model rides on 20-inch wheels (now
painted black). Maybe that's why they're paired with the X-REAS adaptive
shock absorbers?
6. "The 2014 4Runner will be available in eight exterior colors that include new additions…"
New paints consist of Attitude Black Metallic,
Barcelona Red Metallic, Nautical Blue Metallic, and Super White. Don't
forget them.
7. "New Interior Styling Has a refined style with the Comfort expected of a Midsize SUV"
What do we have here?
8. "The SR5 receives a new
bright and highly visible Optitron instrument panel that houses
speedometer, tachometer, voltage, fuel and coolant temperature gauges,
plus a multi-information display that offers multiple functions."
Well, it's about time. Toyota tinkered with the interior trim piece colors, too.
9. "New for 2014, the SR5 adds a standard eight-way power driver seat."
The SR5 formerly came equipped with a six-way driver's seat with power lumbar support.
10. "The Limited comes standard with a leather-trimmed interior with new ventilated driver and front passenger seats in Sand Beige, Black and a new Redwood color."
Numbers 10 and 11 are covered here.
12. "New Audio Systems Include Standard Entune Multimedia System"
Details below!
13. "New for 2014 on SR5 and Trail grade 4Runner models is Entune Audio Plus…"
These get an eight-speaker sound system, USB support, and Bluetooth capability.
14. "Standard on the Limited grade is the new Entune Premium JBL Audio system, which incorporates today's most in-demand connectivity features."
The 4Runner Limited gets a 15-speaker sound system.
15. "The pole antenna has been dropped in favor of a new in-glass antenna."
Remember when pole antennas were considered the norm?
16. "Toyota's 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components…"
OK, this last "new" doesn't count.
Further newness includes newly standard roof
racks (a $185 option on pre-2014 models) and backup cameras (previously
bundled with a $3100 Convenience Package for the SR5) across the 4Runner
range, soft-touch door trim for the SR5 and Trail, front seat memory
settings and front sonar parking assist for the Limited, and one
additional highway mpg in the EPA ratings. RWD 4Runners are expected to
produce 17/23 mpg city/highway against the AWD/4WD's 17/22.
Toyota asserts 1.98 million 4Runners have been
sold since 1984, with more than 75 percent of that population on the
road today. With the content revisions and subtle tweaks, we predict the
Big T doesn't need any luck whatsoever to pull clear of the 2-million
mark.
Showfloor update:We're told the 2010-2013 4Runner Trail, which relied heavily on black-colored, plastic body trim pieces to convey a sense of ruggedness, was polarizing to the customer base. In response, they are now silver. The 17-inch alloy wheels are also more conventionally styled now. If touching a new door panel is any indication, the 4Runner's cabin will be a bit softer and more hospitable than it's ever been before. With more color for the exterior and interior, the 4Runner Trail mix is expected to grow from about 3 percent to 10 percent. While there's only the lone Trail edition in existence at the moment, the base SR5 model will be the next to appear in the near future, followed with the topline Limited. Production is scheduled to begin August 26 in Japan. Dealer arrivals are on a September/October trajectory, depending on the dealer's location.
- Benson Kong
| 2014 Toyota 4Runner | |
| BASE PRICE | $33,000-$42,000 (est) |
| VEHICLE LAYOUT | Front-engine, RWD/4WD, 5-7-pass, 4-door SUV |
| ENGINE | 4.0L/270-hp/278-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6 |
| TRANSMISSION | 5-speed automatic |
| CURB WEIGHT | 4500-4800 lb (est) |
| WHEELBASE | 109.8 in |
| LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT | 189.9 x 75.8 x 71.5 in (est) |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.6-7.8 sec (TT est) |
| EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON | 17/22-23 mpg (est) |
| ON SALE IN U.S. | Fall 2013 |
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