The two-row models that we tested had an optional pull-out cargo deck designed to make loading and unloading heavy items-up to 440 pounds-a little easier. Just don't try to heave anything into the cargo hold unless you have a chiropractor on call-its floor is uncomfortably high off the ground. A flexible cargo area and several large, deep cubbies in the front row mean that the 4Runner is as versatile a hauler as it is a rock-crawler. We haven't tested the optional third row, but we suspect that it's best for children. Lackluster materials and styling aside, it manages to comfortably fit humans front and rear in spite of its back-of-the-class interior measurements. The interior of the 4Runner is not what you'd call state-of-the-art, with switchgear that could have come from the latter years of the last millennium. For more information about the 4Runner's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. The last 4Runner we tested on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, did exceed expectations by returning 22 mpg. For comparison, the V-6-powered Wrangler has much better estimates of up to 19 mpg city and 24 highway. The 4Runner's powertrain combinations show their age at the pump, with every model rated at a lowly 16 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. 2023 4Runner Turns 40, Celebrates with Rad Stripes.And the Toyota's rugged frame and torque-rich engine give it a leg up in towing its 5000-pound capacity beats the Ford Edge and Wrangler, while falling short of the more powerful Durango's 8700-pound limit. Aged though the Toyota feels in action, its performance is right in the mix with its more modern competitors, including the V-6 Dodge Durango. The 4Runner's steering is lightly weighted and imprecise, and while those traits betray any sense of sportiness, they're fine for crawling along trails and around parking lots. Our time behind the wheel of the off-road-oriented model showed off the SUV's notable ground clearance, and its body-on-frame construction was supported by a soft suspension that absorbed a variety of terrain reasonably well. Still, the Toyota manages to feel more composed on pavement than the more unwieldy Wrangler. The automatic's lethargic responses certainly don't optimize the engine's uneven behavior, and downshifts often require heavy right-foot inputs to spur the 4Runner ahead. Available with rear-wheel drive and either full- or part-time four-wheel-drive systems, the outdated powertrain provides unremarkable acceleration, with the last version we tested taking 7.7 seconds to hit 60 mph. Engine, Transmission, and PerformanceĮvery 4Runner is motivated by a 270-hp 4.0-liter V-6 paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. We'd also opt for the sliding rear cargo deck, which makes moving heavy cargo easier and even provides tailgate seating.
We'd select the optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension, which allows improved wheel articulation during off-road action. It also has selectable drive modes (called Multi Terrain Select and Crawl Control) that can alter the SUV's powertrain behavior to accommodate various driving scenarios. This includes an electronically locking rear differential for maximum traction in slippery or muddy conditions. Along with standard four-wheel drive and some TRD-specific exterior and interior bits, the TRD Off-Road gets equipment that helps justify its name. It's not as capable off-road as the lifted TRD Pro, but its significantly lower price tag makes it a better value. The 4Runner can go places many of its classmates can’t, but outside of those limited-use cases it’s undeniably antiquated. On regular roads, this truck-based SUV drives like, well, a truck: its handling feels loose, and its ride is uncouth. The truck’s interior has plenty of passenger and cargo space, but its cabin materials are drab. The Toyota’s 4.0-liter engine might be reliable, but it also reliably consumes fuel at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, that powertrain is a relic compared to those powering body-on-frame rivals such as the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. Along with rear- or four-wheel drive, every model has a 270-hp V-6 and an automatic transmission. In its most capable forms, it has extra underbody armor, an electronic locking rear axle, upgraded suspension components, and knobby tires. That’s because the 4Runner is more old-school truck than new-age car: it has a pickup-truck frame and boasts legitimate off-road chops. The 2023 Toyota 4Runner isn’t like most of the other mid-size crossovers and SUVs that line the streets and fill suburban driveways.
0 kommentar(er)
