Toyota 4Runner 2008 review.
The Toyota 4Runner is a rugged SUV with impressive off-road capability. A full-framed truck with a solid rear axle, plus the latest in off-road electronics, the 4Runner delivers everything it promises. It’s the cowboy without the rhinestones, the genuine article in a market saturated with station wagons posing as off-road adventurers.The Toyota 4Runner is a rugged SUV with impressive off-road capability. A full-framed truck with a solid rear axle, plus the latest in off-road electronics, the 4Runner delivers everything it promises. It’s the cowboy without the rhinestones, the genuine article in a market saturated with station wagons posing as off-road adventurers.The 4Runner can go anywhere a truck can go, and slog through the worst mess you can imagine. Its traditional design gives it an advantage in long-term durability especially over rugged terrain. Properly equipped, it can seat seven people and tow 7300 pounds behind them.Yet the 4Runner is no rough rider. It’s quite comfortable around town and on the highway, with a nice ride quality, almost luxurious. An optional linked shock-absorber system called X-REAS further improves handling in sweeping, high-speed turns.For 2008, the 4Runner adds roll-sensing side curtain airbags to its list of standard equipment, complementing an impressive array of active safety technology that includes ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, traction control, and electronic stability control.The 4Runner brings electronic sophistication off-road as well. In fact, you can’t truly appreciate the 4Runner until you drive one over rugged terrain. This is a truly amazing vehicle in the muck. With Toyota’s Downhill Assist Control, the 4Runner can walk you down a steep, muddy incline with both feet off the pedals, the system selectively applying the brakes to individual wheels as needed. This is an impressive display of technology and engineering. And with Hill-start Assist Control, the 4Runner is just as impressive climbing back up, as it maximizes any available traction. Both full- and part-time four-wheel drive are available, but even the full-time system comes with a locking function for when the going gets sloppy.Both the V6 and the optional V8 offer responsive performance. We recommend the V8 for drivers who tow. Those who don’t tow, or tow only light trailers, such as an ATV, should be more than happy with the V6, which provides excellent performance. Both engines benefit from a sophisticated variable-valve setup and drive-by-wire throttle, delivering strong, responsive acceleration out on the highway. Both come mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is an EPA-rated City/Highway 17/21 mpg for a 4Runner 4WD V6, 15/19 mpg for a V8 4WD.Inside, the 4Runner is roomy and comfortable. An optional third-row seat expands passenger capacity to seven, but can be folded or removed to gain additional cargo space. The optional voice-activated GPS navigation system includes a rear-mounted video camera that lets the driver back to within an inch of the vehicle behind when parallel parking. It can also help the driver spot a small child before backing up. Bluetooth is available, as is a factory-installed rear-seat DVD entertainment system.The 4Runner is noted for its quality construction, durability and reliability. If your weekend involves driving over rugged, punishing terrain, yet you want a vehicle that won’t punish you in everyday use, the Toyota 4Runner is an excellent choice.Model LineupThe 2008 Toyota 4Runner comes in three trim levels: SR5, Sport Edition, and Limited. Each is available with the V6 or V8, with two-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). A Class III receiver hitch with a seven-pin connector is standard on V8 models and optional on V6s; it mounts directly to the rear frame crossmember.The SR5 V6 2WD ($28,015) and 4WD ($30,290) come standard with cloth upholstery, automatic climate control; cruise control; power door locks and windows; six-speaker AM/FM//CD stereo with auxiliary input and MP3/WMA capability; remote keyless entry; skid plates to protect the underbody; integrated fog lamps; and 16-inch alloy wheels. The SR5 V8 2WD ($30,030) and V8 4WD ($32,305) models are similarly equipped but add power-adjustable front seats.The Sport Edition V6 2WD ($30,325) and 4WD ($32,600) are upgraded with high-contrast cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped tilt-telescope steering wheel with integrated audio and cruise controls, a leather-wrapped shift knob, power heated outside mirrors, cargo cover, X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension, bigger brake rotors, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The Sport Edition V8 2WD ($31,705) and 4WD $33,980) are similarly equipped.The Limited V6 2WD ($34,700) and 4WD ($36,975) are upgraded with leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats with memory functions, black woodgrain interior trim, premium stereo with 6CD changer, HomeLink universal garage door opener, auto-dimming inside mirror, engine immobilizer, automatic headlamps, a cargo management system, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Limited V8 2WD ($36,460) and 4WD ($38,735) list the same standard equipment. Limited models ride on the standard suspension, but can be ordered with the X-REAS suspension ($450). Additionally, V8 4WD models can be ordered with X-REAS plus rear auto-leveling air suspension ($950).The incongruously named Urban Runner package ($1760) became available in February for Sport Edition V6 4WD only; it combines 18-inch wheels with unique colors, trim and badging. Inside, Urban Runners feature two-tone-gray Alcantara seats with power adjustment, black woodgrain trim, Bluetooth, and an integrated Tom Tom personal navigation device. The package will be released for Sport Edition V6 2WD in April.A third-row seat is available on SR5 ($805) and Limited ($1175), but not Sport Edition. Options available for all models include DVD navigation with Bluetooth and a rearview video camera ($2420-2840, depending on model), power moonroof ($900), and a rear-seat DVD player ($1580) with wireless headphones. Several satellite-ready stereo upgrades are also available, and many Limited-level luxuries are offered as stand-alone options for SR5 and Sport Edition.Safety features that come standard on all models include Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), traction control, anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. All models come with Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), while 4WD units add Downhill Assist Control (DAC).Front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and curtain-style head protection airbags for front and rear passengers are now standard on all 4Runners, and are equipped with a rollover sensor and a cutoff switch. Other standard passive safety features include dual-stage front airbags; and three-point seat belts at all positions, with pretensioners and force limiters to reduce the chance of belt-related injuries. Seat belts are your first line of defense in a crash so be sure to wear them. All models come with a tire pressure monitor.WalkaroundThe Toyota 4Runner is big and burly. Launched for the 2003 model year and last freshened for 2006, the current 4Runner looks small only in relation to the even bigger Toyota Sequoia. With its massive front bumper, prominent overfenders, and body cladding, the 4Runner looks off-road rugged and ready to hit the dusty trail.Backing up that contention are skid plates for the engine, transfer case and fuel tank, which come standard on 4WD models. (Even 2WD models get the engine and fuel tank skid plates.) A molded-in step adds a functional look to the broad rear bumper.Visual cues distinguish the three trim levels. Bumpers are body-color on all three models. On the SR5, however, the grille, door handles, and license-plate trim are chrome, and running boards are painted black. The Sport is distinguished by its hood scoop and a smoked-chrome effect for the grille and headlamp trim, and by a graphite-and-black roof rack. Tubular side steps replace the SR5’s running boards. The Limited has a body-color grille, black roof rack and black running boards, which are illuminated. The standard aluminum-alloy wheels have six spokes on all models, but they grow from 16 inches to 17 to 18 as you move up the line.4Runner’s windshield, side windows, and side mirrors are made of hydrophilic glass and repel water like a waxed car or a window that has been treated with Rain-X. The glass causes water to form large drops, which are quickly shed by gravity or wind. The side mirrors are angled out to increase the driver’s field of view. The available moonroof includes a two-stage wind deflector designed to reduce wind noise when traveling above 55 mph.The high floor and low roof are side effects of a practical SUV design to pull the ground clearance up as high as possible while keeping the overall profile low for stability and clearance.
Interior FeaturesThe Toyota 4Runner cabin is a good place to be in rugged terrain or nasty weather. For starters, it’s roomy and comfortable, and it’s highly functional. The quality of materials and they way they fit together is good, and loaded models are quite luxurious. Overall, the cabin looks traditional SUV.The cloth upholstery that comes standard is nice. And the cloth seats in the SR5 and Sport Edition are comfortable, with side bolsters to keep the driver in place when cornering or driving off road. All seats offer adjustable headrests and the driver’s seat adjusts eight ways, manually on the SR5 V6 and powered on all others. The driver and front passenger sit up high, as one expects in an SUV, yet flatter to the floor, as in some low cars like a Ford Mustang. The driver’s legs stretch out, rather than down, toward the pedals. It’s a feeling we’ve noticed in some Jeeps, going back quite some years, and is a result of the high floor, low roofline design for off-road use.A two-tone dashboard houses the instruments. Gauges illuminate in orange, set in three deep binnacles that prevent the front-seat passenger from reading them, and aiding legibility for the driver in bright sunlight. The fuel gauge uses an inclinometer for accurate readouts when the 4Runner is tilted in the rough.Automatic climate control is standard on all models, while the Limited comes with his-and-hers dual-zone temperature controls. The fan, airflow and temperature controls, are big and easy to locate; they are long on style and a little awkward at first, but become easy to use with familiarity.The stereo buttons are easy operate. The auto-down button for the power windows is illuminated, but the central lock button is not and can be difficult and awkward to find in the dark, leaving impatient, would-be passengers tapping on your window as you fumble around for the switch, an annoyance. A display located just above the climate controls reveals time, ambient temperature, and trip data. A 115-volt AC power outlet is available, a real bonus in the backcountry.An unusual feature is a pair of small convex mirrors at the rear corners of the interior, designed to help the driver see approaching vehicles when backing out of a parking space. The mirrors work on the same principal as those big convex mirrors mounted at the corners of large parking garages. In the 4Runner, they help the driver detect motion in a busy parking lot. Using them effectively, however, takes some practice, as it’s hard to distinguish details. We’re guessing most owners don’t use them and may not even know they’re there.The rearview video camera works incredibly well and we highly recommend this option. Hidden in the rear bumper, it projects its image onto the seven-inch navigation screen on the center dash whenever the 4Runner is in reverse. The pictures are sharp, even in complete darkness (with the backup lights on), and cover the area directly behind and a couple of feet on either side of the vehicle. The extreme fish-eye view of the lens makes distances difficult to judge, but skilled drivers quickly learn how to use it to their advantage. When parallel parking the camera allows the driver to back up to within an inch of the car behind. The camera adds safety by giving the driver an opportunity to see what’s immediately behind the 4Runner, whether it’s a short metal pole or a child on a tricycle or someone pushing a grocery cart.The navigation system is among the best, intuitive and relatively easy to use. It features a touch-screen monitor, voice guidance and Bluetooth capability. Map data for the contiguous United States and major cities in Canada is stored on one DVD. The integrated Bluetooth feature provides a hands-free communication system using a cellular phone. The system is integrated into an eight-speaker JBL AM/FM/CD stereo, which is automatically muted when a call is received. The stereo speakers then act as the phone receiver and transmitter.The Urban Runner package includes a new audio system with an integrated, yet portable, Tom Tom personal navigation device. Tom Tom offers real-time traffic and weather updates as part of a paid subscription. An optional Tom Tom power kit and mounting device makes it easy to transfer the unit to other vehicles.The ultimate stereo system is a 360-watt JBL Synthesis setup with 10 speakers and controls integrated into the steering wheel. It is standard on the Limited and available on other models. Standard on SR5 and Sport models is a six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 and WMA capability. A universal mini-jack port connects to most portable music players, such as the Apple iPod. The optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system with a nine-inch screen and wireless headphones is available on all three trim levels.Getting into the back seats is a little more challenging than in a sedan. The rear doors provide a relatively narrow opening, and you have to duck your head to get in and out. Once in, however, the second-row bench seat is roomy for two. The seat is raised slightly in the center position, so the middle passenger sits on this uncomfortable hump. Better to fold down the wide center armrest and enjoy its two cup holders and its tray for French fries or whatever. An unusual feature, but perhaps a good idea, is a small trash bag holder for rear passengers. The rear ventilation ducts that bring comfort in the form of warm or cool air are more easily appreciated.The optional third-row seat adds an element of flexibility. It’s actually two separate seats that fold up to the sides of the cargo compartment, parallel to the rear side windows. These seats are easy to stow, and access from the curbside rear door, via a spring-loaded sliding mechanism on the second seat, isn’t too difficult. But even large children, like a healthy 11-year-old, will sit in these rear seats with knees pressed up toward the chest and hair brushing the headliner. A downside of the third-row seats is that they take up cargo space, even when folded. Fortunately, it’s not too difficult to remove them for maximum cargo volume. But drivers who need to seat seven on a regular basis would be better off with a Sequoia, a Highlander, or, best of all, a Sienna minivan.Cargo space is designed well. The second-row seats can be folded down with the headrests in place, though we sometimes found it easier to pull them off before flipping the seat bottoms up and the seatbacks down. The seat folds nearly flat, flatter than a Ford Explorer’s, and the seatbacks are reinforced to support heavy loads. The cargo area includes structurally attached steel tie-down hooks in the floor, with additional hooks on the sides. On Limiteds, a clever double-decker rear storage shelf helps organize cargo in two levels. Using just one hand, the collapsible shelf can be folded flat or lifted up easily. When deployed, it’s rated a sturdy 66 pounds. A large storage box is provided on the right side of the cargo compartment. Storage bins are provided in all four doors, and every seat gets a cup holder. However, something we’ve noticed with the 4Runner is the tendency of groceries or other loose items to roll around underway, eventually ending up against the rear hatch; then when you raise the hatch, the rearward-sloping lip of the cargo floor helps your items roll out and hit the pavement, to the distinct detriment of glass bottles, eggs and melons. Also, the load height of the cargo floor is relatively high, making for a tall jump up or down for a dog and more work when loading something heavy.The rear hatch comes standard with a power rear window that can be operated from the key fob. If it senses a small hand in the way, the window reverses directions and opens. (Don’t try this at home.) The hatch itself also has a power opener, which is great when running up with an armload in nasty weather. An electric power-close function sucks the hatch shut and ensures secure sealing without slamming.An overriding impression when we climbed out of the 4Runner was its quietude. Rugged it may be, but the lack of road, driveline or ambient noise in the cabin is impressive, given its off-road capability. Wind noise is all you’ll hear if you turn the stereo off.Driving Impressions
The Toyota 4Runner is available with a V8, but we found the standard 4.0-liter V6 engine impressively responsive. It never leaves us feeling short changed. The V6 features variable valve timing, an electronically controlled throttle, and lightweight all-aluminum construction. It’s rated at 236 horsepower, but more noticeable is its 266 pound-feet of torque. Torque is that force you feel when you accelerate from an intersection or power up a steep hill. Torque is crucial when driving over rugged terrain, when the engine is running at low rpm yet under a heavy load because you’re geared way down and lugging up a steep slope.A 4WD V6 4Runner gets an EPA-rated 17/21 mpg City/Highway, while the 2WD V6 is rated 18/21 mpg. And Toyota no longer recommends premium fuel. The V6 is the engine we for anyone who doesn’t plan to do a lot of towing.The 4.7-liter V8 is smooth and tractable and never struggles when thrust is needed. The V8 features variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and electronic throttle control with intelligence (ETCS-i), turning it into a real performer. It’s rated 260 horsepower and 306 pound-feet of torque, and adds about 200 pounds to the overall weight. The torque figure is the key number here. In the case of the V8, torque is important for pulling a trailer. The V8 is EPA-rated at 16/20 mpg with 2WD, 15/19 with 4WD, but Toyota has dropped its recommendation for premium fuel.Both engines feature a cranking system that keeps the starter engaged until complete combustion is achieved, freeing the driver from holding the key until the engine turns over. This is a nice feature, and one usually associated with expensive luxury sedans.Both engines come with a sophisticated five-speed automatic transmission. More gears means better response for any given situation along with better efficiency and this five-speed is more flexible than a four-speed and better able to keep the engine running in its optimum rpm range, whether you’re after power or fuel economy at any particular moment. The transmission is equipped with Artificial Intelligence Shift control, which changes gear-shifting patterns according to driving conditions and driver intent. It works well and seems to understand when you want to cruise and when you want to get with the program, and it shifts smoothly around town.The 4Runner handles very well for a truck with a live rear axle. We drove V6-powered models over twisting back roads along the Oregon coast and found them easy to drive at a quick clip. We’ve also spent a lot of time in V8 versions around Los Angeles.The suspension damping is excellent. When the road got bumpy, we could tell our truck had a solid rear axle rather than an independent rear suspension, but the 4Runner still handles more confidently than other live-axle SUVs. Rack-and-pinion steering gives the 4Runner quick response and good steering feel.Still, the 4Runner is a truck, not a car. Rather than using unit-body construction like the Toyota Highlander and RAV4, the 4Runner is built on a separate ladder frame that features full-length box-section frame rails. Toyota also steered away from using an independent rear suspension like the one on the ladder-frame Ford Explorer. An independent rear suspension would have offered a cushier ride around town and allowed for a roomier interior, but off-road capability was a high priority for the 4Runner, and its live rear axle provides more suspension travel. In other words, if your driving consists almost entirely of commuting to work, hauling kids around and running errands, you might be more comfortable in a Toyota Highlander.The 4Runner starts making a lot of sense when pull off the pavement. The ride quality on unpaved roads is smooth and well-controlled, important on long gravel treks over washboard surfaces on the way to a remote fishing spot. Well-tuned damping and progressive-rate spring bumpers are to thank here.Rugged terrain is where the 4Runner really comes into its own. Lots of suspension articulation helps it traverse gullies and clamber through rocky territory. In short, this is a great SUV for outdoorsmen who need to drive through a boulder field packing a lot of gear.A limited-slip differential comes standard, and it helps to improve traction on slippery surfaces, important even on 2WD models. We found the two-wheel-drive models impressively capable on rugged terrain; indeed, a 2WD 4Runner is more capable off road than many all-wheel-drive SUVs. For ultimate traction, however, you do need a four-wheel-drive model; and it seems to us that if you don’t need four-wheel drive, then perhaps you should not be looking at the 4Runner.V6 4WD 4Runners are equipped with Toyota’s Multi-Mode shift-on-the-fly system, which incorporates both a two-speed transfer case and a Torsen-type limited-slip center differential. The driver can shift between 2WD, 4WD High, and 4WD Low. With 4WD engaged, the Torsen center differential distributes the power, sending 40 percent of the torque to the front wheels, 60 percent to the rear under most conditions, but changes the ratio as needed based on steering input and wheel slip. It also allows the use of 4WD High in all types of driving conditions, and on all types of roads, whether dry or wet or covered with snow. The system gives the 4Runner a sure-footed feel because power is applied to all four wheels. But the center diff can also be locked for military-truck-grade traction in extreme slop.V8 4WD 4Runners use essentially the same system above, but it’s engaged full-time and works transparently without any driver input. As with the V6 version, when the going gets extreme, the driver can lock the center differential with a switch.All 4WD 4Runners come with Toyota’s Downhill Assist Control, which controls the speed when creeping down steep, slimy grades without the driver intervening at all. Shift into 4WD Low, check to make sure DAC is activated, pull to the edge of the nearest precipice, take your feet off the pedals, and steer your way slowly down the cliff. Once you make the leap of faith that comes with allowing the machinery to do the work for you, Downhill Assist works extremely well and is easy to manage. DAC helps keep the 4Runner pointed in the direction you steer it, using ABS to curb the tendency for the vehicle to get sideways on steep descents.All 4Runners come with Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), which is designed to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or slipping sideways when starting off on a steep ascent. The system uses the brakes to stop an individual wheel or several wheels at once from spinning, quickly transferring the power to whichever wheel or wheels have the best grip, whatever it takes to keep 4Runner running forward.The optional rear air suspension, which automatically adjusts the ride height according to the vehicle load, offers improved ride and performance when towing or hauling heavy loads. Hook up your trailer and the system will immediately compensate for the added tongue weight, raising the rear end back up to the level where it was before you hitched the trailer. This feature is also useful in really rugged terrain; the driver can manually raise the rear suspension to improve the rear departure angle when traversing a gully.X-REAS, which is standard on the Sport and optional on the Limited, improves handling dynamics on the road with no compromise in off-road articulation or travel. X-REAS reduces the tendency of the vehicle to bob up and down in corners and improves handling by damping body pitch and roll. We compared 4Runners with and without the system, and found it really works, improving stability when driving hard through a 50-mph sweeping turn.Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) come standard on all 4Runners. The four-channel ABS prevents the wheels from locking under severe braking, improving driver control. The 4Runner’s ABS uses an off-road algorithm to improve stopping performance in slippery conditions, a great feature. EBD automatically balances the braking force front-to-rear for shorter stopping distances. Brake Assist helps a driver who may not be pressing the brake pedal hard enough during an emergency stopping situation by maximizing braking power regardless of the force on the pedal. Overall, we found the 4Runner’s brakes worked well.The 4Runner’s fuel tank was specifically designed for off-road use. The tank is plastic, offering better protection against corrosion, rust-through and connection leaks. Yet the plastic tank is armored by a steel case for protection against debris kicked up by the tires, or against the rocks off-highway enthusiasts might encounter.Summary
The Toyota 4Runner is a highly capable trail vehicle. It will get you over the rocks and through the muck, but it won’t make you regret its durable construction when you’re cruising the Interstate. It’s smooth and quiet on the road and there’s plenty of room for family and friends. The V6 is our first choice for its combination of power and efficiency, but the V8 delivers excellent response and is the better choice for towing. If you want serious recreational capability with quality, durability and reliability, the 4Runner is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you rarely venture onto unimproved trails, then you may find the Toyota Highlander and other car-based SUVs smoother and more comfortable.