When it was first introduced in the 1980s, the Toyota 4Runner was essentially a compact pickup truck with five-passenger seating and a permanent bed shell. My, how times have changed. While the 4Runner remains a body-on-frame based SUV, it has evolved considerably, and it now competes against a sea of on-road biased, car-based crossovers.

The all-new 2011 Toyota 4Runner is longer, wider, and taller than before, and is powered by either a 2.7-liter four cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic (available for rear-drive models only), or Toyota’s 270 horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 and five-speed automatic combination. Instead of getting softer, the new 4Runner plays on its uniqueness and strengths, with Toyota making it even more off-road capable than before.

Toyota has added several cool trail features to the 4Runner, including Crawl Control, a system that controls throttle and brake at low speeds, enabling the driver to better focus on steering inputs. The 4Runner also has an impressive 9.6 inches of ground clearance, and its Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System can disengage the anti-roll bars for increased wheel articulation and travel. In addition, the 4Runner’s Multi-Terrain System offers several pre-programmed off-road settings.

Body styles: SUV
Engines: 2.7L I-4, 4.0L V-6
Transmissions: 4-speed automatic, 6-speed automatic
Models: SR5, Trail, Limited

We were hoping for the addition of the company’s new 4.6L V-8 as an option, but that hasn’t happened. In fact, there are only minor changes for 2011: the sport/utility vehicle receives a new brake override system. In addition, the sliding cargo tray/cargo organizer is a standalone option on two-row Limited models; the cargo organizer is a separate option on Trail models.

The new 4Runner is bigger, more rugged-looking, and bolder than before, with a bold, in-your-face style that screams off-road. The 4Runner Trail Edition adds black fender flares, grille, utility roof rack, and the hood received a hood scoop. Seventeen-inc

Five-passenger seating is standard for the 4Runner, and room for seven is optional. All 4Runners come standard with an eight-speaker audio system, tailgate party audio, a slide-out cargo tray, and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar su

While the 4Runner excels off-road – Toyota tested it at speed in the Baja 1000 and as a slow rock-crawler on the world-famous Rubicon Trail — it is surprisingly capable on the road as well. While its body-on-frame architecture and live rear axle can make for a bouncy ride, its steering is linear and responsive, and its brakes are responsive and easy to modulate. The 4.0-liter V-6 4Runner reaches 60 mph in 7.8 seconds.

Driver and front passenger airbags are standard, as are front seat-mounted side airbags, roll-sensing side curtain airbags for all rows, and dual front knee airbags. Stability control, traction control, and ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist are also standard.

SR5: 17-18 mpg city/22-23 mpg highway 
Trail: 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway
Limited: 17 mpg city/22-23 mpg highway

• Off-road capability
• Sliding cargo tray
• Cool styling
• Seven-passenger capability

• No V-8 option
• Heavy curb weight
• Bouncy ride
• Cluttered gauge layout

Cool, capable off-roader