2011 Toyota 4Runner

The 2011 Toyota 4Runner is offered by Toyota in three different trims- SR5, Trail, and Limited. The base trim is priced at $32,045 and top-level trim limited costs $38,400 for its rear-wheel-drive option. 4Runner is powered by the only 4.0-liter, V6 gas engine that comes mated with a smooth 5-speed automatic transmission. An optional 4WD is also available but Trail trim is only available in 4WD as there is no RWD option in this trim. Some of the basic features that exist in this Toyota are a rear spoiler, heated mirrors, keyless entry, and other features are mentioned in the table:

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If someone is considering Toyota 4Runner then, they must go for the top-level Limited trim as it is the complete off-roading package. The limited trim not only includes some hi-tech entertainment features like a 15-speaker JBL audio system with a 6-CD changer and a USB port with iPod and Bluetooth connectivity but it also has some safety features that SR5 and Trail lack.

After listening to the complaints of 2010 4runner’s inline four-pot engine that somewhat felt underpowered for the bulky 4Runner, while not the most fuel-efficient engine either. Toyota introduced its 2011 4Runner with a 4.0-liter V6 engine that challenges the other off-roading vehicles in the segment with the power of 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. It’s the only engine that comes across all the trims of this car with the 5-speed automatic gearbox.

Two drivetrain choices, rear-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive options are available only in the SR5 and Limited trim while 4 Runner Trail is made accessible only in the 4WD drivetrain. With the 5-speed automatic transmission, this Toyota can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph within just 7.3 seconds while it can top the speedometer with a maximum speed of 115 mph.

The Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder have equal displacement engines and somewhat offer the same performance. Toyota comes to the second last in the top speed spec with the max speed of 115 mph while Jeep isn’t the fastest one to achieve 0 to 60 mph but it sure made for high-speed cruising as it tops the speedometer with 130 mph. The Ford Explorer is the only one amongst the rivals that come in FWD drivetrain with the 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Toyota 4Runner is one heavy off-roading vehicle that looks like a truck. This off-roader is packed with the performance-oriented V6 engine which puts down some massive horses on the road and with that performance everyone thinks it to be the most fuel-thirsty SUV in the segment, but it breaks this misconception by relatively claiming better fuel efficiency than its rivals. It averages the fuel efficiency of 17 mpg in the city, 23 on the straight highways, and 19 mpg in the combined conditions, just like the fuel economy its 23 gallons of fuel capacity doesn’t disappoint us either.

Ford not only comes close to the performance of 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder, but it also leads the fuel economy chart with an average efficiency of 20 mpg. Whereas Toyota and Jeep are just a couple of digits behind Ford. On the other hand, Nissan has the second-best performance in the competition but the Pathfinder’s owner has to pay the price for that raw performance with the fuel economy.

The Toyota 4Runner is a spacious and practical car at the price point that it arrives at. The interior design has a solid and macho appeal to it, although hard plastic is used to cover the interior there are also some soft touches. The 4Runner has a seating capacity of 5 but an optional third-row increases the capacity to 7, the third-row seats are only suitable for children because of the low leg and shoulder room. As 4Runner is mainly designed for off-roading that’s why its seats are not much more comfortable than the mid-size crossover SUV and these crossovers would be the best option for everyday riding. 

Toyota and Jeep are 7 seaters while 7 people can travel Ford and Nissan. The first row seats of all the cars in the competition are equally comfortable but according to the figures, the second row of 4Runner looks a little bit cramped than the others. Toyota and Jeep don’t offer third-row seats but it doesn’t matter because the third-row seats of Ford and Nissan aren’t very spacious, and it reduces the cargo capacity of the vehicle. Some of the key features of the 4Runner interior are :

• Water-resistant upholstery (in Trail trim)
• Cruise controls
• Full power accessories
• Power rear windows
• Power front seats (in Trail trim)
• Sliding rear cargo deck (in Trail trim)
• Push start/ stop button (in Limited trim)
• Dual-zone automatic climate control (in Limited trim)
• Heated front seats with power lumbar support (in Limited trim)

2011 Toyota 4Runner Infotainment System

The Toyota 4Runner doesn’t have many features in the base trim SR5 for entertainment. It only gets an AM/FM stereo, MP3 player, and CD player as standard but 4Runner gets loaded with the features as we climb up the trim levels and the center console looks more plush and stylish with all the gauges and ac controls. Features that come factory fitted in the upper trim are:

• CD and MP3 player
• Auxiliary audio jack
• Upgraded gauges
• Satellite radio
• USB port with iPod connectivity 
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 15-Speaker JBL audio system
• 6-Disc CD Changer
• Voice-activated navigation system (optional)

The Toyota 4Runner is a big car with chunky tires, it has a boxy and robust exterior design that maintains the macho look of the vehicle. The front grille looks classy with the chrome strip and the Toyota badge in the middle, whereas the rear end follows the decent and sober looks of the front. The 2011 model of 4runner gets the 17-inch wheels as standard and 20-inch wheels on the upper trim level with all-season tires. The skid plate and the side cladding with the high stance give it a proper SUV feel. 

The Toyota 4Runner is the least heavy in the competition with the curb weight of 4400 lbs and it’s also the one with the highest ground clearance of 9.6 inches whereas Ford is in the bottom with 7.6 inches of clearance. A shorter wheelbase means easy to turn a car and Toyota also hits the mark with the shortest wheelbase. The Nissan & Jeep Grand Cherokee are approximately equal in length but the Ford has a massive length of 197 inches and that might make it hard to maneuver. Some other exterior features in the 2011 4Runner are:

• Heated outside mirrors
• Tinted head and tail lights
• Puddle lamp
• ORVM indicators

The brand value of Toyota might be enough to tell someone that how safe and reliable is the Toyota 4Runner. Toyota is known for its reliable and rugged vehicles and they did the same thing with the 4Runner. The 4Runner is awarded the safety rating “Good” by the IIHS in almost all the crash tests. Toyota has ensured the safety of both the driver and the passengers and king that in mind it loaded the 4Runner with tons of safety features, such as:

• Four-wheel disc brakes
• Antilock braking system
• Brake assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Child safety locks
• Traction control
• Turn indicators on ORVM
• Vehicle anti-theft system
• Rearview camera
• Driver & passenger airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Engine immobilizer
• Tire pressure monitoring system

Toyota is aiming towards the budget segment of SUVs with its 4Runner as not everyone can afford the luxury off-roading machine Land Cruiser. The 4Runner surely comes with a powerful engine and also claims better fuel economy than the other off-roaders in the segment but it is still not recommended as a daily driver because other crossovers provide better space and fuel economy with a somewhat good performance cost less than the 4Runner. If someone is considering it mainly for off-roading with a casual daily run then definitely go for it.