Review: 2003 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4WD Sport Edition
SEE ALSO: Toyota Buyer's Guide
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS Only the name remains the same. Back in 1985, when it made its debut, the Toyota 4Runner was little more than a compact pickup truck with a built-in camper shell. As was the norm in those days, the first 4Runner was built for hard use, and was a ruggedly capable vehicle that became popular with outdoor enthusiasts of all varieties. Although succeeding generations became more comfortable and better-equipped, the 4Runner stayed true to its roots when some of its competitors became softer and more street-oriented. And the all-new fourth-generation 2003 4Runner keeps that rugged heritage alive. If Toyota's competitors thought that their offerings beat the 4Runner on interior space and available power, bad news for them. The 2003 4Runner is larger in almost every dimension without being too large, and now comes with V8 power as well. All early-production 2003 4Runners have a 4.7-liter V8. An all- new 4.0-liter V6 is also available, Toyota's first aluminum block truck engine with VVTi variable valve timing. High-tech is a feature of all new 4Runners, with a variety of electronic systems for added safety, performance, and convenience. Three grades are offered, each with V6 or V8 engines and two- or four-wheel drive. The SR5 is the standard model, with the Sport Edition adding cosmetic upgrades and the ``X-REAS'' semi-active suspension system. The Limited tops the lineup with a host of luxury comfort features. I've been driving a Sport model for the past week, and have been very impressed with its poise and comfort in daily traffic and on the open road. When the 4Runner was introduced to the press last Fall, I had the opportunity to drive several examples on serious four-wheel drive trails at the Hollister Hills State Recreational Vehicle Area, near Monterey in Northern California. Still the real deal for rugged outdoors use, the 2003 4Runner gives up absolutely nothing when the pavement ends, even on the most difficult trails. It is also the most civilized 4Runner yet, with plenty of civilized comfort. Why rough it? APPEARANCE: There is little doubt that the new 4Runner is a Toyota SUV. Mix a little of previous model for general shape, add a pinch of RAV4 angularity for spice, and make it longer, wider, and leaner and you get a 2003 4Runner. It takes many of the previous- generation vehicle's styling features, including the blistered fenders, upside-down trapezoidal grille, and bulging hood, and develops them further. Especially in 4WD trim, ground clearance is proudly celebrated. Sport models have a prominent hood scoop and gray plastic-covered bumpers with matching ``overfender'' wheel-arch trim and lower side cladding. COMFORT: A few inches don't make much difference outside, but sure count inside. There is noticeably more width, headroom, and legroom. And, despite the high ground clearance, access is easy, even for short people, because of the seat cushion height and grab handles for all doors. Styling is contemporary Toyota, and more youthful than the previous 4Runners', with silvery trim around the instruments and center stack. The cog-wheel geometric motif found outside, on the wheel-arch trim, is repeated on the control knobs. There are plenty of useful storage areas around the interior, including a large locking glove box, huge console box, and storage in all doors. Upholstery in the Sport grade is quality synthetics. Comfortable and supportive sport-type bucket seats are found in front, with a contoured bench in the rear. Rear comfort and space are enhanced by a nearly flat floor. The rear seat is split 60/40, and the cushions flip up and the back folds down for a long, flat load floor when necessary. The full-size spare tire is stowed underneath the outside rear of the 4Runner, pickup style, for improved interior space and rear visibility. The liftgate is well-balanced, with a power- operated backlight for summer ventilation or fast access for small items. SAFETY: All 2003 4Runners feature four-wheel antilock vented disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist for sure stopping on any surface. Vehicle skid control and traction control are also standard. ROADABILITY: The new 4Runner's frame has large, full-length boxed section side rails and nine fully-welded crossmembers for rigidity and strength. Large-diameter body mounts increase torsional rigidity and help reduce noise, vibration, and harshness, and the body structure itself is designed for rigidity and impact absorption. Suspension is independent at the front, and the rear solid axle has four-link location, with coil springs. The ``X-REAS'' system standard on the Sport diagonally links each pair of shock absorbers (left front to right rear, right front to left rear) to dampen roll and pitch motions and improve on-road stability and handling. The result is a vehicle that has ride smoothness and quietness more akin to a luxury car than a truck, but is still capable of extreme off- road activity. Especially with the X-REAS system, there is very little body roll in corners or pitching during acceleration or deceleration or on bumpy roads. When the pavement ends, full-time dual-range four-wheel drive with a locking center differential gets the power to the ground. Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) keeps the 4Runner from rolling backwards when it's stopped on a steep uphill grade, while Downhill Assist Control (DAC) improves stability and control descending steep grades at low speeds in 4WD low range. PERFORMANCE: A quick perusal of the specifications brings one obvious question: if the 4.0-liter V6 has 245 horsepower, what's the point of the 4.7-liter V8, which has ``only'' 235 horses? Two answers: 1) all early production 2003 4Runners were all equipped with the V8 because it's an existing engine, also used in the Land Cruiser, Sequoia, and Tundra. 2) There's more to power than horsepower. The V6 makes 283 lb-ft of torque; the V8 has 320. As has been said, torque is what you feel, and, in a back-to-back comparison at the press introduction I could definitely feel the difference. That said, the V6 should satisfy all but the most extreme 4Runner owners. For towing, or for serious off-roading, there is no such thing as too much torque. V8 models have an electronically- controlled five-speed automatic transmission that is nearly as smooth as a CVT. CONCLUSIONS: The 2003 Toyota 4Runner is more spacious and comfortable than ever, but stays true to its rough-and-tough off- road roots. SPECIFICATIONS 2003 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4WD Sport Edition Base Price $ 32,075 Price As Tested $ 35,810 Engine Type dual overhead cam 32-valve V8 Engine Size 4.7 liters / 285 cu. in. Horsepower 235 @ 4800 rpm Torque (lb-ft) 320 @ 3400 rpm Transmission 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic Wheelbase / Length 109.8 in. / 189.0 in. Curb Weight 4,450 lbs. Pounds Per Horsepower 18.9 Fuel Capacity 23 gal. Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium recommended Tires P235/65 SR17 Dunlop AT 20 Grand Trek Brakes, front/rear vented disc / vented disc, antilock, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist standard Suspension, front/rear independent double wishbone with coil springs / solid axle with 4-link location and coil springs Ground Clearance 9.1 inches Drivetrain front engine, full-time four-wheel drive PERFORMANCE EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed 15 / 19 / 16 0 to 60 mph est. 9 sec towing capacity 5,000 lbs. OPTIONS AND CHARGES JBL Synthesis AM/FM/cassette/6 CD changer 10-speaker audio system $ 875 Power tilt & slide moonroof $ 900 115V AC power point $ 100 Curtain and side airbags with slideable sun visors with illumination $ 530 Rear spoiler with center high-mounted stop lamp $ 200 VIP RS3200 alarm system $ 359 Z1 Preferred Accessory Package - includes: carpeted floor mats, cargo mat and net, first aid kit $ 261 Destination and delivery $ 510