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Road Test: 2009 Toyota 4Runner Sport Urban Runner car review; the sports car of SUVs
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Think of our test 2010 Toyota 4Runner Sport Urban Runner as the sports car of SUVs. Repeat, the sports car of SUVs. Perhaps it shares that title with the Range Rover Sport but “luxury” would belong in that definition somewhere and pricewise the RRS is hardly in the same class. So we’ll stick with our initial evaluation of the 4Runner Sport with the Urban Runner package.
That’s not saying a lot, however, because most sport/utilities have more utility in their makeup than sport, setting the bar rather low. However, speaking of low, the 4Runner overall has its roof is lower relative to the floor, enough so that we had to be careful to not bump our heads getting in. So even if our 4Runner had the ground clearance of other SUVs, we suspect the center of gravity would be closer to the roll center, that mythical line around which a vehicle leans when going around a corner, than other SUVs. And that shows up in our test 4Runner Sport Urban Runner feeling of greater on-road agility than most other SUVs, at least those in the “popular” price range without active suspension.Our test Toyota 4Runner was also equipped with the Urban Runner package—which doesn’t alter suspension by other than going from 17-inch wheels to 18-inchers with 60-series tires instead of 65-series. We suspect that causes some changes in the handling dynamics of the 4Runner Sport Urban Runner but we doubt it’s transformative.
What makes a very big difference, however, is the X-REAS suspension that’s standard on the Sport trim level (optional on base SR5 and high-zoot Limited). X-REAS stands for Diagonally Linked Relative Absorber System—the X stands for “cross-linked,” the RE is “relative” and of course, AS translates as “absorber system.”Basically, in X-REAS the shock absorbers are linked diagonally. As the 4Runner leans in a corner, the shock fluid is transferred from the front shock absorber chamber that’s being compressed as the truck leans to the opposite diagonal rear shock absorber that is trying to expand, but into the top of the shock. This acts against the rear shock from expanding and the front shock from compressing.
If the technical aspects of that don’t make sense, believe us that the overall result is that 4Runner Sport corners with less SUV lean. It’s not an active system—no electronic controls and no hydraulic pumping is going on—but it works and it’s a lot less expensive.
Also aiding handling is a Torsen locking center differential. The latter means that the center differential can be locked to link front and rear axle for maximum slow-speed grip, but the Torsen part stands for “torque sensing,” and unlike the standard center differential that allows the end with the less grip to spin at the expense of the end with better grip, a Torsen differential does just the opposite, sending the torque to end with most grip.
So yes, the sporty feeling one gets when driving the Toyota 4Runner Sport is a direct result of mechanical bits making it so. The 4Runner also has stability control across the board and our tester also had hill descent control, or HDC. HDC uses the standard-equipment traction control bits to maintain a steady downhill rate of travel. All 4Runners also come standard with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution.Nevertheless, we do know that the 4Runner is a true sport/utility vehicle with no “crossover” pretenses. It looks like a truck, rides like a truck, totes like a truck, tows like a truck and goes off-road like a an SUV worthy of the appellation should.
The Urban Runner package includes a 6-speaker audio system with a removable TomTom personal navigation device, plus WMA and MP3 capability and Bluetooth, Alcantera fabric seat inserts with “leatherette” bolster, plus various chrome and leather interior bits, special 16-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P265/60R18 tires, rear spoiler, tubular side steps and a few other touches.
We consider the tubular side steps a mainly cosmetic accessory, however, as they didn’t help much for getting in and out of the 4Runner. We mostly stepped over them, invariably dirtying a pants leg as we did so.
The interior is conventional but well done. The 4Runner gives up interior space to its sportier dimensions than other SUVs, and the roof and seat feel lower, reinforcing the sports car feeling.
Unfortunately, Toyota reinvented the HVAC controls, and although we were beginning to get comfortable (in more ways than one) with the controls after a week of using them, we wonder why the tried and proven three dial system was replaced.
The TomTom system was more obtuse in its controls. However we’ll admit that it had more functionality than many factory built-in systems. On the other hand, it has the small screen of a hand-held unit—because it is—and although the graphics are crisp, when it comes to the size of the screen, size matters. That the audio system is also controlled via the TomTom unit steepened the learning curve. No doubt an owner will quickly adapt to the buttons and such, so don’t take auto reviewers’ complaints too seriously.A clever feature that bears imitation is convex mirrors mounted on the inside of the D-pillars. These are a big aid when backing out of a head-in parking place and the side view is blocked by tall vehicles on either side.
The console-mounted shifter for the standard 5-speed automatic transmission has a zigzag shift pattern that has a positive stop for each gear. It’s effective and was once state-of-the-art, but in an age of progressive paddle/tip shifting, it’s a step behind. We say, big deal.
The engine for the Toyota 4Runner Sport was the standard 4.0-liter V-6. It’s rated at a gutsy 236 horsepower with 266 lb-ft of torque. We found it provided a good deal of punch and making it easy to get around slower traffic on the highway. It roars when it does so but the transmission down shifts and off it goes. The hood scoop that comes with the Sport trim has no function other than to differentiate the Sport from the base SR5 trim level.
There is an optional 4.6-liter V-8 offered. It’s rated at 260 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque, but it has a significantly greater affection for the fuel pump than its V-6 alternative. Considering the extra fuel consumption, one should seriously consider the relative value of the extra zoom.
Our test model 4Runner Sport 4x4 with late 2008 prices listed for $32,600. With a Value Package, daytime running lights, the Urban Runner package, trailer hitch, carpeted floor mats and cargo nets—minus an “extra value package discount and plus delivery, the bottom line jumps to $36,145.
Such is the tariff for the sports car of SUVs which still remains sport/utility than sport car. For the right application we believe it’s a worthy application and we enjoyed driving it more than any SUV we driven lately, barring perhaps the Land Rover LR3. But that’s another story at a lot higher price. We give the 2009 Toyota 4Runner Sport Urban Runner—despite having “runner” twice in its name—an SUV thumbs-up.
(continued)
| Base price, 4Runner Sport | $32,600 |
| Titanium metal, ext | N/C |
| Value Package | 1,275 |
| Daytime running lights | 40 |
| Urban Runner Package | 1,760 |
| Wt carrying trailer hitch | 430 |
| Carpet floor mats/cargo | 199 |
| Cargo net | 49 |
| Delivery | 685 |
| Extra value package discount | - 893 |
| Total | $36,145 |
| V6 | V8 | |
| Engine type | 4.0-L DOHC 24-v V-6 | 4.6-L DOHC 32-v V-8 |
| Horsepower, hp @ rpm | 236 @ 5200 | 260 @ 5400 |
| Torque, lb-ft @ rom | 266 @ 3800 | 306 @ 3400 |
| Octane, fuel | 87 | 87 |
| EPA est MPG city/hwy 2WD | 16/21 | 15/19 |
| EPA est MPG city/hwy 4WD | 16/20 | 14/17 |
| Drivetrain, layout | RWD or multi-mode 4WD | |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic | |
| Suspension, front | Double A-arm independent, coil springs | |
| Suspension, rear | Live axle, four-link, coil springs | |
| Brakes, front type/dia, (Sport) | Vent. disc, 12.3 in. | |
| Brakes, rear type/dia. (Sport) | Vent. disc, 12.3 in. | |
| Wheels, Sport Urban Runner | 18-inch alloy | |
| Tires, Sport Urban Runner | 265/R60-18 | |
| Whelbase, in. | 109.8 | |
| Length, in. | 189.2 | |
| Height, in., Sport | 71.3 | |
| Seating | 2/3 - 2/3/2 opt. | |
| Max . cargo volume, cu ft | 75.1 | |
| Curb weight, as tested, lbs | 4,530 | |
| Max payload, as tested, lbs. | 1,475 | |
| Towing, as tested, lbs. | 5,000 | |
Illustrations, top to bottom: 2009 Toyota 4Runner Sport Urban Runner, 4Runner Sport Urban Runner interior, 4Runner Sport Urban Runner interior, 4.0-L V-6 engine, 4Runner Sport Urban Runner D-pillar mirror, 2009 Toyota 4Runner Sport Urban Runner. All photos by John Matras.
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