This is where the 4Runner's 1996 changes are most easily appreciated. For starters,
all four doors are wider, the floor is lower and the roof is higher, making entry and
exit a breeze, something definitely not true of past versions. The handsome dashboard,
subtly redesigned in the new edition, holds a complete array of legible gauges, and
has controls placed where they are most accessible to the driver. Dual airbags are
also standard, a welcome safety upgrade from the previous 4Runner, which had none.
Once inside, the occupants will find not only usable room for five adults, but more
comfortable seats. In front there's headroom for hat-wearers; full-sized rear-seat
occupants need to doff their fedoras, but have nothing else to complain about, another
big improvement over the old 4Runner. Storage area has been increased as well.
Our only complaint with the new dashboard is the location of the cupholders, which pop
out of the top of the dashboard. When they're in use, they severely restrict access to
the climate controls, and they won't accommodate an ordinary coffee mug.
Cupholders aside, Toyota's attention to detail can be seen everywhere. One example is
the cargo-area cover, configured for use with the rear seatback folded or upright.
Quality of materials and workmanship has long been a given with Toyota products; the
4Runner will do nothing to tarnish that reputation. Our SR5 tester was beautifully
finished inside and out, and is reasonably well equipped, with base models carrying
full carpeting, a 4-speaker AM/FM radio, fabric seats and a power rear window.
Our SR5 tester had more, including a tilt steering wheel, intermittent wipers
(variable-rate in front, fixed in back) rear window wiper and defogger, rear privacy
glass, rear-seat cupholders and power door locks.
Additions to the luxurious Limited are power windows and driver's seat, 16-in.
aluminum wheels (with larger-diameter front brakes), cruise control, one-touch
shifting between 2- and 4-wheel drive (all Limiteds are 4WD automatics), leather seats and wood interior trim, a premium 6-speaker sound system and air conditioning.
Even the Limited can be dressed up with options such as rear heater, power tilt/slide moonroof, locking rear differential and CD player. Most can be ordered on base and SR5 models, as can packages that duplicate many of the Limited's standard amenities.
An all-new chassis does wonders for the formerly rough-riding 4Runner. Ride comfort
approaches passenger-car levels thanks to coil springs at all four wheels, and the new
rack-and-pinion steering delivers a level of precision that equals the best.
When the road is rough (or non-existent) the new 4Runner stands out. The optional
16-in. wheels and 265-section tires provide enough ground clearance to go over those
obstacles that can't be avoided, and the suspension is compliant even when confronted
with small boulders to climb. The new chassis, developed from the previous pickup
line, virtually eliminates frame flex.
Engines are borrowed from Tacoma and T100 trucks. Standard is a new 150-hp 2.7-liter
4-cylinder unit that's smoother and significantly stronger than the previous base
powerplant. However, it's still underwhelming in a 3400-lb. vehicle, and all of the
4Runner's U.S. competitors offer a V6 engine as standard equipment.
The 3.4-liter V6 installed in our SR5 and in Limited models is superior to the
4-cylinder engine in every respect.
Most of Toyota's major domestic competitors produce even more standard power, and the
Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer both offer V8 options. But Toyota's new V6 closes the
power gap considerably, and it's distinctly stronger than the standard V6 in the
Explorer. One measure of the difference is trailer-towing ability: The 1996 model can
pull as much as 5000 lbs., up from 3500 last year.
The standard transmission with both powerplants is an easy-shifting 5-speed manual,
while the 4-wheel drive setup continues to be Toyota's on-demand system with a
separate lever for the transfer case and shift-on-the-fly capabilities. However,
there's no full-time 4-wheel drive system available, another area where the 4Runner
lags behind the Grand Cherokee, Explorer and GM's Blazer/Jimmy twins.
If the V6 is worthwhile on the highway, it is almost indispensable for off-roading.
The key here is torque, which the larger engine produces in abundance. Extra grunt can make all the difference when you're asking your vehicle to traverse a bog, and the 4Runner's supple suspension does a good job when you're picking your way through terrain strewn with boulders and logs.
Aside from performance, the V6 brings along the added benefit of ABS, an extra-cost addition to the 4-cyl. models.