2012 Toyota 4Runner Review and Prices

Styling: The 2012 Toyota 4Runner will be a visual repeat of the 2011 4Runner except for a possible new color choice or two. This is a square-rigged wagon with a bulldog nose and bulging fenders. The styling compliments 4Runner’s classic-SUV engineering, in which a wagon body attaches to a separate truck-type frame. Body-on-frame construction suits the rigors of off-roading and trailer towing. But it’s fallen out of fashion in favor of crossover SUVs that combine body and frame into a “unibody” structure similar to that used on cars. Unibody construction is space-efficient and its weight savings benefit fuel economy, ride, and handling. Toyota’s product portfolio is diverse enough to accommodate both the 4Runner and the softer-natured 2012 Toyota Highlander, a midsize seven-seat crossover SUV with no off-road pretense but friendlier on-road manners. The 2012 4Runner will continue with four side doors and a liftgate that’s the only in any sort of midsize SUV to feature a power-down rear window. Size wise, the 2012 4Runner will continue to fall roughly in the middle of the midsize-SUV class. Roughly 50 percent of midsize SUVs can accommodate more than five passengers and the 2012 4Runner will again be among these. It has two front bucket seats, a three-passenger fold-down second-row bench, and an optional fold-down third-row bench sized most appropriately for young children. The 2012 4Runner’s interior design should continue to reflect its exterior character, with blocky shapes and oversized control knobs. This SUV’s off-road-ready ride height makes getting in or out a chore. Once aboard, 4Runner’s cabin is hospitable enough if you’re sitting in the first two rows and especially if you’ve ordered the leather upholstery and tapped into the nice array of available amenities. Expect the 2012 4Runner lineup to again consist of three models. The base version will likely keep its SR5 label. The 2012 4Runner Trail model should return visually distinguished by front and rear bumpers contoured to more easily clear off-road obstacles. Remaining atop the line should be the 2012 4Runner Limited model with chrome grillework and 20-inch alloy wheels fancier than the other models’ 17s.

Mechanical: The 2012 Toyota 4Runner is likely to mirror the mechanical features of the 2011 4Runner. That means it’ll carry over with a 4.0-liter V-6 and five-speed automatic transmission as its sole powertrain. Expect horsepower to remain 270 and torque 278 pound-feet. (Torque is crucial in a heavy vehicle such as the 4Runner; think of it as the force that propels you forward and horsepower as the energy that sustains momentum.) Toyota wisely discontinued 4Runner’s available four-cylinder engine in model-year 2011. At 157 horsepower and 178 pound-feet torque and linked with an archaic four-speed automatic transmission, the four was for those who seldom strayed from the intersection of Slow Lane and Never Climb Hills. The V-6 makes for a livelier 4Runner, though still not one that passes slower traffic with authority or makes you forget it’s saddled with 4,500-4,900 pounds of body-on-frame SUV. Tow ratings for the 2012 4Runner will likely remain an unremarkable 5,000 pounds or so. Key 4Runner rivals offer V-8s with a minimum of 388 pound-feet of torque for better all-around acceleration and more trailering power. Expect the 2012 4Runner’s road manners to continue to make concessions to its traditional-SUV design. The body-on-frame weight, tall-sidewall tires, long suspension travel, and slow steering conspire to dull reactions when you want to turn. The truck-tough solid rear axle can’t match the typical crossover’s all-independent suspension for ride comfort and control. And 4Runner’s bluff body shape compromises directional stability in strong crosswinds. 4Runner’s old-school-SUV philosophy pays dividends once you leave the pavement, however. Unlike crossovers, which typically are based on front-wheel-drive engineering and employ light-duty all-wheel-drive systems, 4Runner’s authentic-SUV design defaults to rear-wheel drive and uses 4wd to share power with the front wheels. In fact, the 4Runner SR5 and Trail models have a rather elementary 4wd system in which the driver pulls a floor lever to engage the front wheels. This so-called part-time 4wd is only for use off-road or in extremely slippery conditions. Expect “full-time” 4wd to remain reserved for the 4Runner Limited model. This more sophisticated 4wd system can be left engaged on any surface and is activated by a center-console switch. Regardless of system, all 4wd 2012 4Runners will again invite real off-roading thanks to separate low-range gearing and Toyota’s Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) system. Trail models, meanwhile, will continue with advanced terrain-matching software and hardware. (See “2012 Toyota 4Runner Prices” below for details.)

Features: It might not drive like a car-type crossover, but the 2012 Toyota 4Runner won’t lack for most every modern convenience. Expect the 2012 standard-equipment list to again include air conditioning, a tilt/telescope steering wheel, power locks, and power windows – including that power tailgate window. Remote keyless entry cruise control, and 10 cup and bottle holders also will be standard. So should an audio system with satellite radio and a “Party Mode” setting that biases tailgate-mounted speakers for outdoor listening. 4Runner’s second-row folding bench seat is split 40/20/40 and has a reclining backrest. Seven-passenger seating is available on V-6 models via an optional 50-50 folding third-row bench. Also available for easier loading and tailgate parties is a slide-out cargo-floor tray that supports up to 440 pounds. The 2012 4Runner Trail and Limited models should again expand on the SR5’s standard equipment list by adding steering-wheel audio controls, USB interface for iPods, and Bluetooth phone and music-streaming connectivity. The 2012 4Runner Limited will return with keyless entry and pushbutton start standard; it’ll also feature Toyota’s X-REAS suspension that automatically adjusts shock-absorber damping over bumps or when cornering.  Leather upholstery with heated power front seats will likely be standard on the Limited and optional on the SR5; the Trail model should continue with water-resistant fabric upholstery. Other equipment standard or optional depending on model will again include a voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system with a 7-inch dashboard monitor, power tilt/slide moonroof, and a rear-view monitor that displays on the inside mirror. All 2012 4Runners will again come with antilock four-wheel disc brakes and traction and antiskid systems for better control in stops, take-offs, and sharp turns. Front passengers will again get knee airbags, and all three seating rows will get head-protecting side curtain airbags. Toyota’s Safety Connect with automatic collision notification and stolen-vehicle locator services will again be available by subscription. Expect all 2012 4Runners to retain fuel-tank skid plates.