Toyota’s popular 4Runner SUV gets its first major overhaul in 15 years.
The popular Toyota 4Runner SUV has received its first major redesign in 15 years. The 4Runner is primarily aimed at the North American market, but is also sold as the Hilux Surf in a few other countries. With this update, the 4Runner now sits on a new modular platform, gets new design inside out, more features and better off-road tech.
- New 4Runner gets an off-road focused Trailhunter variant
- Exterior looks in-line with newer Toyota SUVs
- Gets Toyota Safety sense 3.0 bundle
New Toyota 4Runner: what all does it get?
The new 4Runner uses the same TNGA-F truck architecture that underpins the Tacoma, the new Land Cruiser Prado and a few other Toyota and Lexus models.
Under the hood, it foregoes the outdated 4.0-litre V6 petrol and 5-speed automatic, for a standard turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder powerplant good for 282hp. This engine is also common to other Toyota SUVs like the Land Cruiser Prado, though it has it in a more potent 330hp form. Both power options come with a new 8-speed automatic gearbox.
The 4Runner, unlike many other high-end Toyota SUVs, gets a 2WD option, along with a part-time 4WD and a full-time 4WD version. The new Toyota 4Runner 2WD gets a standard limited-slip-differential, while 4WD variants have a 2-speed electronically controlled transfer case, along with high and low range. 4WD variants also get Toyota’s new Active Traction control tech called Toyota A-Trac. The new Toyota 4Runner has a 32-degree approach and a 24-degree departure angle. As far as 4WD setups go, it gets modes like Mud, Dirt, and Sand modes, and also a Crawl Control function.
There’s also a new Trailhunter trim that gets even more rugged and butch looks, along with some dedicated off-road related tweaks like 33-inch off-road tires that lift the front ride height by around 2-inch, and by 1.5-inch in the back. It gets 2.5-inch tall Old Man Emu forged shocks, an ARB designed roof rack, a higher positioned air intake, a 20-inch light bar and steel skid plates at the front and at the rear. It also gets a different-looking grille with Toyota lettering. The other variants of the 4Runner get a standard Toyota logo on the grille.
New Toyota 4Runner: features and tech
As far as creature comforts go, the standard 4Runner gets heated front and second row seats, a head-up display, rain sensing wipers, an 8.0-inch touchscreen and a 7.0-inch digital instrument panel. The 4Runner Limited adds black accents on the outside. Other higher variants get a 14.0-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless charging, and both USB-A and USB-C ports.
On the safety front, the new 4Runner gets Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 bundle standard with features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, road-sign recognition, and high-beam assist.
Toyota SUV line-up 2024 and beyond
In India, Toyota currently sells the Fortuner and the Land Cruiser 300 rugged SUVs. The brand also has monocoque SUVs like the Hyryder in its India line-up. Toyota is working on an affordable rugged SUV to sit below the Fortuner that will see a global debut by the end of this year. This SUV will be aimed mainly at emerging markets.
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