Official picture of 2010 4runner!

[East Bay Runner]

Agreed on the V8 power vs V6. Smooth with more low end torque makes for better driving. The towing is also a kicker for me. I tow my boat regularly up to the foothills in Nor CAL and would not consider the V6 for these trips. I love the size of the runner and adding the 5.7L motor can only help. I average about 8 MPG when towing 6k pounds. A larger motor wont drastically improve this however keeping shifts out of second gear will save the tranny!

 

[M1911]

They are currently engineering how they are going to fit the 5.7 into the gen5. It will be offered in 2011

Disclaimer: This statement might be complete bs

There is no need for the 5.7. The 4.6 and a 6-speed auto would be more than enough. And far more likely.

 

[henshman]

Group (forum) hug?

I feel like ducking when I'm reading this...Can't we all just get along?
Great site, good opinions, stay flexible...
Holla.

 

[elemint]

There is no reason for the V8 to even exist anymore. The only reason it is still built is because a bunch of insecure people feel they need it.

I never mentioned towing as why I prefer a V8 powered 4Runner over the V6.

I don't tow anything but I still went with a V8 over the V6. One of the reasons is that the V8 doesn't have to work as hard as the V6 to do the same thing, which makes it QUIETER.

Reviews of the V8 powered 4th Gen 4Runner often mention it's "silky smooth and quiet power" and that is one of the reason I went with a V8. I drove a V6 powered one and while it performed very well, it was louder under moderate or heavy acceleration.

BTW... those numbers for the upcoming V6 don't look great IMHO. An Acura MDX has a more powerful and efficent V6.

5th Gen 4Runner V6: 268 hp / 273 lbs-ft torque
Acura MDX V6: 300 hp / 270 lbs-ft torque

And just wait until the Ford Ecoboost engines start showing up! The GTDI V-6 will be rated at approximately 340 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque!

Now THAT is a V6 I could live with!!

 

[eskimochaos]

There is no reason for the V8 to even exist anymore. The only reason it is still built is because a bunch of insecure people feel they need it.

Why is that?

 

[runnerfreak]

Finally

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=157866#2

 

[peter78]

There is no reason for the V8 to even exist anymore. The only reason it is still built is because a bunch of insecure people feel they need it.

Why don't we need it anymore, my guess is we still have insecure people. What has changed? Answer is $4 gas last year, NOT insecure people.

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

wow, here are a boatload of pics, right from toyota http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/2010-toyota-4runner-add-to-rich-102420.aspx

click on the more toyota pics link...there are photoshoots for all 3 editions, and from the Rubicon run

they posted a vid too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP9oWnT-tl8

btw, I'm gettin all this tweeted to me from toyota on twitter.

 

[LyteFly]

wow, here are a boatload of pics, right from toyota http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/2010-toyota-4runner-add-to-rich-102420.aspx

click on the more toyota pics link...there are photoshoots for all 3 editions, and from the Rubicon run

they posted a vid too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP9oWnT-tl8

btw, I'm gettin all this tweeted to me from toyota on twitter.

Jack Pot!

I've been looking at the Hi-res photos to try to gauge the interior plastic quality. Looking at the Limited, I believe the dash, both top and bottom sections, appear to be the new textured "hard" stuff from Toyota (maybe the top isn't). However, the door panels appear to be soft, possibly leather or leatherette. That's somewhat encouraging.

I haven't done a direct side-by-side, but it appears the instrument cluster is the same on the TE and Limited. Both getting optitron? Edit: After seeing the SR5 cluster (the old red/orange), seems the TE and Limited in deed both get optitron!

For those that are leaning towards a Limited, I really need to see one of those in person. It definitely needs floorboards. Something just doesn't seem quite right about the styling from certain angles... I think it may be the 20's.

 

[benormous]

I think it looks great in the video!

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

I love the smoked headlights on the TE.

 

[M1911]

At least the pictures confirm that the Limited still has a low-range.

 

[sandcrawler]

looks like the "rake" is gone...

hall-ay-lou-yah.

 

[dwulffusa]

Jack Pot!

Something just doesn't seem quite right about the styling from certain angles... I think it may be the 20's.

Its missing running boards and mudflaps which were fitted std to all 4th gens.
TE could do with rocksliders instead of running boards, and I expect these will be accessories.

Perhaps this is just because these cars are pre-prodcution versions.

Or its another thing they have removed for cost savings and will make you pay extra for.

 

[ToyTech99]

hall-ay-lou-yah.

Are we looking at the same picture? There's still a lot of rake, but maybe not as much as the 4th gen. But it's still a lot of rake if you look at the wheel well gap front & rear.

 

[sandcrawler]

Are we looking at the same picture? There's still a lot of rake, but maybe not as much as the 4th gen. But it's still a lot of rake if you look at the wheel well gap front & rear.

yeah, we're looking at the same picture. it just doesn't look like its nose is "stooping to sniff the ground" so much as the 4G... well, to me, anyway.

 

[ToyTech99]

yeah, we're looking at the same picture. it just doesn't look like it's nose is stooping to sniff the ground so much as the 4G... to me, anyway.

Okay, I'm looking more at the wheelwells. I hate when there's a big gap in the back and a small gap in the front, giving it a "jacked up" look. The 4th gen had that big time and it looks like the 5th gen has it too, but to a lesser degree. I just wish they would have made it more even looking, maybe with the back just slightly higher than the front.

 

[sandcrawler]

from here
"4x4 Capability Designed-In
To build on its tradition of rugged body-on-frame construction, the newest 4Runner shares the same platform as the FJ Cruiser. Extensive frame and body reinforcements have been added, using high-tensile materials to add strength without adding weight. SR5 and Trail 4x4 models have a two-speed lever-operated, part-time 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.

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. An electronic-locking rear differential is standard on the Trail grade. Axles house 3.73 gears, or 4.56:1 with the 2.7-liter engine and the differential housings have improved seals for better resistance to mud and water."

i'm so conflicted with what they seem to have done to the 4wd system/options... the TE gets an e-locker, but loses the torsen center diff... great for true off-roading, but what about those of us who live in the northeast where the roads are pure sh!t 1/2 the year? seems like a step back from the '09 TE, no? :wtf:

if anyone can shed light/talk me out of the rat-hole i'd be much obliged...

 

[M1911]

from Extensive frame and body reinforcements have been added, using high-tensile materials to add strength without adding weight.

So that's why it doesn't weigh 400 lbs more than the 4th Gen. Oh. Wait. Nevermind.

i'm so conflicted with what they seem to have done to the 4wd system/options... the TE gets an e-locker, but loses the torsen center diff... great for true off-roading, but what about those of us who live in the northeast where the roads are pure sh!t 1/2 the year? seems like a step back from the '09 TE, no? :wtf:

if anyone can shed light/talk me out of the rat-hole i'd be much obliged...

I agree completely. I live in the northeast. I want full-time 4WD. I want heated seats. But I also take my 4Runner offroad.

 

[Yogi4]

Having just spent some time looking at the press release, the 10 4Runner doesn't look so bad, but seems "gimmicky"-especially the bits that make up the sliding cargo deck, the sound/heating systems, and the overhead controls for traction. Also, having driven several vehicles with controls on the door tops (GMC Envoy-mirror controls, Armada/Titan-window controls) it's not a good place for them, although they are easy to find, but always in the way.
In my opinion, most of the pictures show a rake, especially when you realize the roadway isn't level.
Don't think the part-time 4WD will be as useful off-road after looking at the specifications, however, perhaps the neutral position might enable it to be flat-towed behind a motor home. And the "universal chin-grille blackout treatment" is way overused -- even cheap Mazda's have a version of it.
Until I drive one, can't think of any good reason to trade my '09 TE for a 5th Gen Trail Grade...