Seamlessly blending style, brains and brawn, the 2013 Toyota 4 Runner offers all that you could ever want from a SUV, and then some. With its menacing looks and outstanding performance, it’s a vehicle that will have all others in its class scarpering for the off-road hills. Available in three models, all boasting a 4 liter 270hp V6 engine, the 4 Runner will do 0-60 in an admirable 7.6 seconds while giving you 17 miles to the gallon in the city, and on the highway 22.
The first model, the SR5 comes with a 5 speed automatic shift as standard along with an integrated towing receiver harness and powered rear lift-gate window. The rear two-wheel drive costs $31, 340 and the four-wheel will set you back $33,215.
The Trail, a 4×4 as standard, comes with an electric locking rear differential system, water resistant seating surfaces and multi-terrain controls. Optional extras include a hood scoop, unique 17 inch alloy wheels, front and rear bumper guards and stylish smoked head and tail lights. The transmission is a 5 speed sequential shift and it costs $37,005.
The Toyota 4 Runner Limited is priced at $38,845 for the 4×2 and for the 4×4 $40,880. It too boasts a 5 speed automatic sequential shift and its mightily impressive engine is a 4 liter V6 Dual VVT-i. The wheels are 20-inch 6 spoke alloys and inside the upholstery is leather and dual zone automatic climate control comes as standard.
Five colors are available throughout the range, imaginatively titled, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Salsa Red Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Black and Blizzard Pearl, which costs extra and roof racks are fitted as standard. Inside there’s a CD player with iPod connection, 12 airbags and room for seven bodies, but the 2nd and 3rd rows of seats are foldable for added storage. Roll over sensors are standard too and optional extras include a navigation system, an Entune multimedia system, dual zone climate control and a back-up camera.
The body-on frame design is similar to that endorsed by trucks, mounted on a Prado platform that incorporates high mounted double wishbone front suspension and four link rear suspension plus the stability and traction control further enhance the vehicle’s off-road capabilities. The A-TRAC system even distributes power to a certain wheel if the other three are slipping and the terrain selection system enables the driver to align drive train settings to off-road conditions. All of these things with the addition of the crawl mode and Downhill Ascent Control mean that the Toyota 4 Runner will make the very lightest of work in the very toughest of driving environments.