2010 4Runner

[sandcrawler]

A lot changed. They took away more important features than they added. No V8 option.

i think that's overstating it a bit. sure, the V8 is gone, standard Torsen, too. (i've done my share of lamenting their loss.) there's a thread back there somewhere spelling out all the "deletions" in detail, but... c'mon, the cred of the Trail Edition alone is a big step in the right direction. and across the board, i think there've been lots of improvements, actually.

 

[mountaindog]

I have to disagree with much of the CR review...I've in fact found a lot of their other reviews on diffferent products to be surprisingly wrong also (don't even get me started on vacuum cleaners!), but esp. this case.

I just sold a fully-loaded beautiful VW Passat (basically an Audi with a VW badge on it) that I've had for 6 years so I could get the 5th gen SR5, I love it that much. I'm used to driving a manual VW turbo which is pretty sporty and responsive. The T4R is obviously a totally different animal, being a truck, but despite that, wow I love the way the T4R handles!

I think it is extremely responsive both on pavement and off-road (I've taken her on some lovely boulder-strewn backroads already). I feel like I'm driving in a big smooth cadillac (if I can recall what that felt like as a kid). I think it does make nice tight turns for its size, much better than the Honda Pilot I test-drove, and my husband thought the same when he drove both. I wanted to like the Honda better, I've always had VWs or Hondas, but the T4R really impressed me.

I've had no problems maneuvering or parking it even though I'm used to the VW. I also think the leather interior on mine is really nice, just as nice as the VW's leather and dash. The T4R is also MUCH quieter than my VW was, way less road noise. And best of all its way more reliable. Look at Toyota's history for the past 30 years compared to every other car company except Honda, I think the latest issues are just noise in comparison, and as a result standards will only improve more.

So, I really have no clue what this reviewer was driving, but it doesn't sound like they were driving my new SR5 5th gen! Just my $0.02.

 

[fxoffroad]

....I agree the sr5 handles like jello compared to the limited...

I've been on this forum since January - and never once read anything to this affect... seriously?
(and no, I'm not being sarcastic.)

 

[wg73]

I agree. Their review seems a little brutal, particularly since it specifically complains about the handling yet never mentions there are different suspension options across the line.

Their rating of the 4Runner in the Midsize category below such vehicles as the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Dodge Journey - all of which have below average predicted reliability - after several generations of very high owner satisfaction and reliability is ridiculous.

I just noticed the same thing. The vehicles you quote (and others) were rated equal or lower than the 4Runner in Predicted Reliability, Owner Satisfaction, Accident avoidance, and Overall MPG, yet they somehow had a higher overall rating than the 4Runner?

Then you consider that 4Runner was 2nd highest in Owner Satisfaction and had nearly perfect scores in all categories for the previous 8-9 years....

sounds fishy

 

[mountaindog]

The instrument panel certainly does have bulky buttons, but since I want the car I convinced myself that it's not a bad look.

Actually I had read that the large buttons were designed to be helpful for those of us who live in the frigid North and wear thick gloves while driving much of the year, easier to operate the large buttons and keep your eyes on the road.

 

[T4Fun]

I've been on this forum since January - and never once read anything to this affect... seriously?
(and no, I'm not being sarcastic.)

thats just my sarcastic comparison. no offense to anyone here, there is a difference though in the way the limited drives versus the sr5

 

[bobs4state]

Hey CR - I love my 4Runner!

I don't get it. Did they really test a 2010 4Runner? I love mine - it is a Limited 4X4 with Navi, so it has some nice features over the SR5. But I don't think they are significant enough to overcome CR's complaints. So, I can only conclude that CR was looking for a reason to bash another SUV. By today's standards, the interior is fine. I am very happy with the seats, the steering and the general comfort. It is quiet on the road, and gets decent gas mileage for a 5,000 lb. truck. So CR can stick it as far as I am concerned.

 

[maine runner]

CR was decent but I have learned they have a bias, just like everyone else. The rated a half dozen items well that I, at one point or another purchased. The items turned out to be crap. Say goodbye to my subscription.

They are not mentioning it is a TRUCK, not a bas****ized, car-based, looks like a SUV when everybody knows it isn't, cross-over that can't.

If you look at the NYT review, you can see they pointed out, for what it is, it is good. The reviewer actually drove all three trims.

Behind the Wheel - 2010 Toyota 4Runner - Return of a Rock Star That Didn?t Cross Over - NYTimes.com

 

[harper7]

IMO there is nothing that even comes close to the 4Runner for $40k and under or even 50-60k for that matter.They are comparing apples to bits of apples. It's a full frame truck ,not a unibody SUV they must be comparing it to ,and handles and drives as such.Pretty darn good if you ask me for as formidable as it is.I love mine and has been everything I expected and more from Toyota quality.Every day I drive it is still a joy and look forward to it.

It's just that Toyota bashing is in and makes headlines and attention for CR.
Maybe they were pissed about Toyota giving them a SR5 to test rather then a TE or Limited with the upgraded suspension like some other magazines got to test.

 

[TThomas]

CR is Probaly getting paid by the obama admin, so they can sell more chrysler's and gm's... :AK47:

4runner is one in its own, its a truck and should not drive like a trendy suv... CR is just jumping on the band wagon like everyone else.... sad really...

 

[dos palomas]

i think that review is def a bit harsh, but the parts about the floaty handling are fair. ive never had a truck before, so maybe it is what it is, but im getting used to it...

there is zero question that i get more pleasure out of my 4runner than i would with any of the other crossover options out there

 

[rzldzlman]

Bulky gauges

Actually I had read that the large buttons were designed to be helpful for those of us who live in the frigid North and wear thick gloves while driving much of the year, easier to operate the large buttons and keep your eyes on the road.

Interesting about the bulky gauges. That's one part of the car that will take a little getting used to. In another thread, a comment was made that you can't see the instrument lighting when wearing shades. I wonder whether increasing the window tint (so you don't need to drive with shades on) would help. Also, once again, I wonder if those comments apply to the Navi pckg. Do the audio controls come up on the Navi screen?

 

[rzldzlman]

CR was decent but I have learned they have a bias, just like everyone else. The rated a half dozen items well that I, at one point or another purchased. The items turned out to be crap. Say goodbye to my subscription.

They are not mentioning it is a TRUCK, not a bas****ized, car-based, looks like a SUV when everybody knows it isn't, cross-over that can't.

If you look at the NYT review, you can see they pointed out, for what it is, it is good. The reviewer actually drove all three trims.

Behind the Wheel - 2010 Toyota 4Runner - Return of a Rock Star That Didn?t Cross Over - NYTimes.com

Quote from Times article about the 4runner: "But its steering is true, its balance is precise and its tracking is unerring."... That makes me feel a lot better about the 2010 than that CR review.

 

[fxoffroad]

IMO there is nothing that even comes close to the 4Runner for $40k and under or even 50-60k for that matter.

:iagree:
Totally agree... when I first drove the 2010 4Runner, I was blown away by what you get for the price. Whereas, it doesn't have "everything" a Land Cruiser has - its about perfect for an average Joe like me @ 30K less. I test drove the 2010 LC and its sweet, but for me complete overkill. Plus I don't feel like a gas hog in a 4Runner.

 

[BlueBelt]

slightly biased

Having just drove my new T4R SR5 off the lot last night, I am a little biased (and want to hear ONLY good things, ha-ha). We traded in our '99 Jeep Cherokee and let me say, the T4R in comparison is like a Caddy. Even though I loved the ol' Jeep, the 4Runner has a smoother ride, it's much more quiet, and I am pleasantly happy with the interior. Only complaint was the lack of running boards (which I will probably add sometime later for my veritcally challenged wife/inlaws).

Also, I drove the Honda Pilot and decided that I want a vehicle for the vehicle, not the bells and whistles (which the Pilot had a bunch of).

For a "truck", it's awesome. If I wanted something that felt like I was driving a car, I would have purchased an Avalon. IMHO Edmunds is a/the great source of reviews.

 

[redcbs]

Maybe they were pissed about Toyota giving them a SR5 to test rather then a TE or Limited with the upgraded suspension like some other magazines got to test.

Toyota doesn't give them the truck to test. CR buys all of its cars as anonymous buyers at normal dealers. That way they can acquire a car that is exactly like what the consumer would receive. Or so they say. This fact, to me, makes they're lack of discussing that there are other model trims even more disturbing/annoying.

 

[thebobs]

Thats what I thought when I read the review, that it was a bit harsh. I know CR doesn't like to recommend first year redesigns (they've done this throughout the past), yet they always write that if it the following year continues to do well in ratings they will recommend it. But like someone else in this thread said, they put it below GM SUV's and others.

I'm not going to sugar coat it or defend Toyota, but yeah they did mess up. And like all other car companies out there, they wanted to see if plan A worked before doing a massive recall. Obviously plan A didn't work. What car company doesn't want to avoid paying a lot of money to replace things.

However, so far I see nothing wrong with the 4Runner line. Some have asked me why I would want another Toyota? Well, I want either a minivan or SUV because I'm going to use it for hauling stuff, family stuff, carrying the boat or kayak, and do a little bit of off roading. So minivan is out there, and that leaves an SUV. I want something dependable, reliable. I don't care what it looks like inside or outside. How it performs is more important to me. I also want a good 4wd system (I'm also in the snow area).

So where does that leave me? Toyota, Honda, or Nissan. Subaru has a good 4wd system but I think the Tribeca and Forester are a bit too small for what I want. Oh yeah and I think a vehicle of that size should NOT have a donut for a spare tire. The Pilot would not be a bad choice if it weren't for their donut, but I also think its on a unibody. I prefer a truck body.

Nissan has lost me over the years. I find that their interior has a cheaper feel to it, like its not put together all that well. Their Pathfinder didn't feel too good on a road test to me (I'm not talking about a car like ride). It felt like it didn't handle well.

So that leaves me the Toyota. However, what I don't like is lately the drive by wire stuff. It seems to be causing a lot of trouble. Does the 5th gen 4Runner have that?

 

[4RBob]

So that leaves me the Toyota. However, what I don't like is lately the drive by wire stuff. It seems to be causing a lot of trouble. Does the 5th gen 4Runner have that?

Yes, and the hesitation sucks when you slow down to make a turn and then get on the gas again.

Still, I test drove a Pathfinder and Xterra, and I like the 4Runner much better.

 

[mpaquette]

So that leaves me the Toyota. However, what I don't like is lately the drive by wire stuff. It seems to be causing a lot of trouble. Does the 5th gen 4Runner have that?

I think all new Toyota's have that as well as most other companies vehicles. I think it's pretty much the norm these days. My only other drive by wire car was a Passat and compared to that car, the new 4Runner has very little if any hesitation when hitting the gas.