The Toyota 4Runner, now there’s a name to get the off-road enthusiasts excited. Famous for its off-road prowess and renowned for its rugged durability, Toyota has been riding a wave of success with this model for many years now.

Of course, off-roading has changed considerably over the years. When I first started playing in the mud 30 odd year ago, we had none of these fancy electronic trail assistant gizmos you see nowadays. No, it was more a case of, what I like to term, brute force and ignorance. You basically aimed the vehicle at the hill, put the pedal to the metal, held on for dear life, and hoped that you’d make it to the top in one piece.

We were just lucky that the vehicles back then were made as tough as old boots and could take the constant abuse we threw at them. However, times move on and with fuel prices soaring and the need to make vehicles lighter, some of that toughness has now disappeared from 4x4’s.

So does that mean that the modern SUV’s are not as capable as their forefathers? Good question and one that I’ve been asked many times. The answer is most definitely they are. In fact, most modern SUV’s can run rings around the old-timers. You see, although some hardliners out there like to think that their older, more basic 4x4 will outperform the new high-tech SUV’s when the going gets tough, the truth of the matter is, they won’t. Yes, perhaps SUV’s aren’t built as strong today as they used to be, but basically they don’t need to be, because modern technology now takes care of all the hard work. With systems like traction control, automatic hill-descent etc, about the only item which limits the modern SUV, is one’s choice of tires.  

Of course, most owners wouldn’t dream of taking their shinny new SUV playing deep in the bush, so why would they need such a capable vehicle? Well, you could ask the Ferrari owner why he needs a vehicle capable of going three times the legal speed limit. It’s all about knowing what your vehicle is capable of. In some respects, it’s peace of mind. Maybe you relish the knowledge that your prancing horse could outrun any would-be assassin, or in the case of the SUV, possibly you simply want to be assured that you’ll get back from the cottage in this winter’s worst snowstorm.

Now in my mind, SUV’s can be divided into two categories, off-roader, and soft-roader. That’s not to say that a lightweight SUV can’t perform well off-pavement, but if you’re looking for something to do it day in day out, then you’d better look for a solidly built vehicle.

That’s exactly where the Toyota 4Runner comes in, because for as long as I can remember, the 4Runner has been right up there with the best in off-road worthiness.

Much of this has to do with the truck’s tough body on chassis design, and I’m very pleased to see that the company retains this on its new 2010 model. Now some manufacturers would have you believe that unibody construction is just as strong, but a little peek under any true work vehicle will tell a different tale!

Of course, Toyota, like every other SUV manufacturer, understands that it customers want slightly more than good off-road bragging rights today. They want stylish designs, modern conveniences with plenty of safety features, and they want all this at a reasonable price.

Well, they’re in luck then, because once again, Toyota delivers. The new 2010 4Runner boasts an abundance of creature comforts, all nicely enclosed within a highly durable and capable SUV, and at a price which is almost hard to believe (The 2010 4Runner range starts at under $37,000).

Let’s take a closer look at the all-new 4Runner...

The 4Runner is available in several models, including a Limited edition, and a truly awesome Trail version. All feature a revised 4L V6 which boasts 270hp. That’s actually considerably more than the previous generation 4Runner. In fact, that’s 34 more ponies than the older V6, and even 10 more than the past 4.7L V8. Impressive eh! However, what makes that news even better is that the new 4Runner now boasts greater fuel economy. Who said that you can’t have your cake and eat it too?

The exterior of the 4Runner has changed quite considerably during the course of its lifespan, but I believe this new model is quite possibly the best looking to date. Its wide and almost triangular face creates a well planted look, and the front headlight clusters being set slightly back somehow add to this. Its large and rather bold fenders supply a tough no-nonsense appearance to the vehicle, and although the rear is quite business-like, it still manages to appear somewhat sporty.