2014 Toyota 4Runner – truck-based SUV gets facelift

2014 Toyota 4Runner-09

This is the 2014 Toyota 4Runner, which is a facelift of the fifth-generation SUV. The 4Runner is a pick-up truck-based SUV – much like how our how our Toyota Fortuner is based on the Hilux, the 4Runner is a sister of the US-market Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck. The fifth-gen 4Runner made its debut as a MY 2010 car.

The Toyota 4Runner combines rugged body-on-frame construction with suspension that is said to yield optimal off-road capability with a smooth ride and comfort more often associated with crossovers. The 2014 4Runner is available in three grades: a value-driven SR5; top-of-the-line Limited, and a Trail grade for maximum off-road capability. Optional third-row seats are available on the former two grades.

4Runner owners will have the choice of a rear wheel 4×2, part-time 4×4 or a full-time multi-mode 4×4 with a locking center differential. The Trail grade gets bigger approach and departure angles, high ground clearance, and an optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which improves terrain-following ability by dynamically disconnecting stabiliser bars to allow for more axle travel, and better suspension articulation in slow, difficult terrain.

2014 Toyota 4Runner-02

Toyota’s Crawl Control (CRAWL) feature is standard on the Trail grade. The system helps maintain an appropriate speed to keep the vehicle under control and minimizes the load on drivetrain and suspension components.

There’s also a a Multi-Terrain Select system that dials in wheel-slip control to match the terrain. On loose ground, more-than-normal wheel slip is permitted, allowing wheel-spin to work in the vehicle’s favour. On bumpy roads or solid rock, wheel slip is minimised and the system acts more like a LSD. A Mogul setting is for extremely uneven terrain, such as V-ditches, slopes, and ridges.

All models are equipped with a 1GR-FE 4.0 litre V6 engine with 270 hp and 377 Nm of torque. The big V6 is teamed to a five-speed ECT-i automatic transmission and is one of the few vehicles that continues to offer a transfer case. Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds and all vehicles feature an integrated tow-hitch receiver and wiring harness as standard equipment.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • kingkong on Apr 29, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    The front look so weird… lika an alien from space

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 31
  • works on Apr 29, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    the front look so weird….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 30
    • You Funny on Apr 30, 2013 at 3:44 pm

      its not weird its your brain it’s outdated.. upgrade it please..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • What is going on in Toyota design studio….they are coming out with uglier looking vehicle ….this 4 runner is the worst …..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 44
    • It is called 4Runner because it is for running athletes. These MTFKER will chase them from behind and they’ll have no choice but to run as fast as possible away from this fuglyness.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 28
  • whoa! the design looks much more rugged than fortuner. nice ride!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 45 Thumb down 8
  • i like how it looks from the side profile…the designers probably got their inspiration from the 4Runner of the 1980s. but THAT front fascia…while it looks aggressive and sporty i feel it doesn’t blend in with the ‘boxy’ness of the entire car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 2
  • frenzyaustin on Apr 29, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    Storm Troopers anyone?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
  • Robot Boy on Apr 29, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    front looks like Lancer SUV.. ugly car. the older one was more nicer.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 27
  • IlikeSUV on Apr 29, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    Like a beast!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
  • hmm.. i don’t know why i see it more mitsubishi instead of toyota on the front..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 12
  • Honesty is the best policy, so this one is straight from my heart, its Hideous. It’s quite the same reason why I dislike the Veloster, the front looks like it belongs to a larger vehicle. Looks like a warthog thou.

    But this being facelift, and the original 4runner bring quite hopeless to start with its quite an effort. There’s a sense that Toyota is trying to rid of its mundane image with more exciting design and this in some sense is. Good effort, but the result didn’t pay off.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 21
  • Anytime better than IMV Fortuner. Only Norther Americans got their true pedigree of Hilux in Tacoma moniker. We just settled with inferior IMV Hilux-Fortuner-Innova Kijang

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 20
    • Yeah because Toyota builds car for everyone. So, the models varies and may differs based on what continent they are sold at. For example, even Camry has 4 different versions; JDM, Asian, Australian, and North American. The MPVs are called Minivans in the US. We only have Innova, recond Estima and Alphard while they have Venza, Sienna, etc. Big like MPVs from Dodge and Chrysler.
      http://www.toyota.com/all-vehicles/

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 0
  • helmi on Apr 29, 2013 at 4:37 pm

    I dont like the design.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 32
  • abraham sy on Apr 29, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    Looks like on old chinese shaolin master………………………….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • darker marker on Apr 29, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    If Toyota is looking to win the “worst looking SUV” award, then toyota has already bagged it….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 20
  • Redrules on Apr 29, 2013 at 9:32 pm

    Doesn’t matter how it looks like, it’s not gonna be available in this part of the world anyway.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  • hadi75 on Apr 30, 2013 at 8:38 am

    So many dislike on negative comment for this….toyota fans really working hard with the dislike button….. :)
    Weelllllll….it’s ugly….so dislike me :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 40
  • v-power on Apr 30, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    Unsurprisingly…this 4Runner will obviously not be the first pick for any 10 year-olds’ bedroom wall line-up of motoring wet dreams…but then again, I kinda like its utilitarian, no-nonsense look…:)

    Because nothing can stare down this all-terrain monster on the road, unless off course, you own a Hummer…or a tank!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • nice!…out of the box design concept..cud be a trendsetter

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • gOOsh on Apr 30, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    the look almost similar to fortuner…
    4runner & fortuner… adik-beradik arr… :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Face lift? more like it got its face kicked in………should be called Toyota Walrus this thing

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • Love it! This reminds me of my current “2000” 4runner and yes with a facelift!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required