The 2010 Toyota 4Runner comes in three distinct models, each with specialized equipment packages, to suit a variety of luxury, recreational capability, and affordability priorities.All are sturdily built, with an extensive suite of safety features, flexible seating, and multiple cargo options.The interior design is based on the concept of multi-purpose use, with improved cargo volume, back-row legroom and enhanced storage for 2010.

The all-new 2010 4Runner has more horsepower than ever before, and gets better mileage.The 2010 4Runner engine lineup consists of a standard 4.0-liter V6 and an optional 2.7-liter four-cylinder.The prior 4.7-liter V8 is no longer offered, but the 2010 4Runner is still more energetic than any of the previous editions, thanks to improvements made to the V6.The 2.7-liter four-cylinder is available for 2WD SR5 models only.

The 4Runner has good on-road dynamics with rack-and-pinion steering and well-proportioned disc brakes.It may be as nimble as the lighter-duty Highlander crossover, but it's far more capable and much more durable for use on rough terrain.Compared to the FJ Cruiser, the 4Runner is more versatile and more passenger-friendly, and nearly as capable off-road.The 4Runner seats up to seven people or can haul a lot of cargo.The 4Runner is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, enough for light boats, ATVs and snowmobiles.

Two-row or three-row seating configurations are available, for five or seven passengers.

The 4.0-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic is standard across the range.A lower-cost 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine is available on 4x2 SR5 models.

The cabin uses large dials and bright instrumentation.The standard three-gauge cluster combines orange-numeral speedometer and tachometer with temperature and fuel meters; on Trail and Limited, white-numeral Optitron gauges are used.All grades share an accessory meter that displays time, average fuel consumption, range, compass direction, and outside temperature.

An automatic dual-zone climate controlled AC system is standard on the Limited; SR5 and Trail Edition have manual climate control.

Wood-grained trim has been deleted in favor of textured materials with silver trim accents, creating a more modern, high-tech environment.A larger armrest has been created in the doors by moving the power window and door controls higher, to the top of the door.

Three 12-volt outlets are located in the glove box, the center console sack, and the cargo area.Optional 120-volt AC outlets, useful for charging batteries or running appliances at the campsite, are located in the center console box and cargo area.

On the Trail Edition, there is an overhead panel with two dials that house the Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select System.The Trail Edition also gets water-resistant seat fabric in a charcoal gray color.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, with a longer slide for greater adjustability.The standard SR5 cloth seat adjusts six ways manually; Trail and Limited models get eight-way power adjustments.Limited also offers flawless leather, heated seats.Active headrests are standard for all front seats.

Second-row seats fold completely flat to maximize interior cargo area.With everything folded flat, cargo volume is just short of 90 cubic feet, or 88.8 cubic feet on models with third-row seating.

Third-row seating has been improved to make the seats more functional on an everyday basis.First, the seats are larger and better padded.Second, access has been made easier by splitting the second row seats into a 40/20/40 configuration, so it's possible to enter the third row from either side using a one-touch walk-in feature.And last, legroom has been increased by 5.2 inches.

The rear hatch has a power window that can be controlled from an interior switch, or at the rear door using the key.By lowering the window, efficient flow-through ventilation becomes possible.Not many vehicles have this feature these days.

There are three audio systems available, all of which are compatible with MP3 and WMA files via an AUX jack in the center console.The mid-grade system includes satellite radio and antenna, and Bluetooth connectivity.An iPod USB port in the glove box allows for controlling an iPod through the steering wheel and audio head unit switches.Both systems have eight speakers. The premium audio setup is a 15-speaker JBL system that can be integrated with the Toyota navigation system, now in its sixth generation.The newest Navi system has improved voice command with simpler voice menus and recognizes commands in English, French and Spanish.

It's in bad weather that the full-time 4WD system standard in the Limited really shines.It's designed to shift torque between wheels as the vehicle rolls over inconsistent surfaces, so it's ideal for use on roads with slippery patches or wet spots.We found the Limited 4Runner tracked cleanly and accurately through corners and over compromised surfaces.

The brake system feels strong and progressive at the top of the pedal, and even in the rain, lends itself to a secure, confident feeling.The front discs have four-piston fixed calipers and 13.3-inch brake rotors.They are augmented with four-sensor, four-channel ABS and skid control systems.

The 2010 4Runner has more power than any previous 4Runner, and that includes the previous generation with the optional V8.The new V6 puts out 10 more horsepower than the old V8, and has noticeably more snap, revving quicker and with more urgency.Full-throttle acceleration is quite brisk for a seven-passenger, family SUV.From a standing start, the V6 4Runner will hit 60 mph in about 8.6 seconds, and feels good doing it.The full-time 4WD system hunts a little from a standing start, so a small amount of torque initially tugs at the steering wheel, but steers true after a quick chirp off the line.High-speed passes are similarly exuberant.Pin the throttle pedal and the transmission with kick down two gears and rev to 5500 rpm, making it easy to swoop by lines of traffic and accelerate up steep grades.Decide to pass and the next thing you know, the speedometer says 90 mph.Shifts are smooth and progressive, without much lash or thump, even at full throttle.Driven normally, the V6 will deliver decent mileage for a 4800-pound SUV.The fuel consumption readout said we had gotten 20.3 mpg after a day of mostly highway driving.

The steering wheel is thick, with a technical four-spoke design.Steering effort seems about right, neither too firm or too light.The engineering involves a variable flow, power-assisted rack-and-pinion arrangement that uses a variable gear-ratio steering rack.So not only does the hydraulic assist adjust based on conditions, but the rack itself is has a different tooth arrangement at the ends of the rack.The result is reasonably precise steering that is strong and easy at all speeds, even at full lock.It's not what you'd want for a sports car, but for an off-road-going, seven-passenger SUV, it's right.

The seats are easily wide enough for our average-size body, with low bolsters on the seat cushion and taller side bolstering on the seat back.We found they provide cornering support on winding roads, without making the driver's seat hard to get into.The leather seating material on our Limited was conspicuously fragrant, and remarkably free of blemishes or imperfections.

With 20-inch wheels and lower-profile tires, the Limited looks more sophisticated and likes corners better than the other models.But on these lumpy roads, the stiffer wheel/tire combination was a factor in choppy ride quality, especially noticeable when we spent some time in the back seat.The Limited has a diagonally cross-linked shock absorber system that helps damp out pitch and roll, and it works to limit body roll.But sharper impacts do come through when the vehicle is on flat surfaces.

We found the Trail Edition rides about as well as the Limited because of its more compliant suspension and taller tire sidewall, and it transitions through corners only slightly less cleanly.That's because the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) anti-swaybar disconnect capability allows for thicker stabilizer bars on the Trail Edition.Therefore, on-road cornering power can be preserved without compromising off-road suspension compliance.The Trail Edition, with the thicker bars, did feel a little a little more jittery at speed on the highway, but soaked up larger impacts best of all.The Limited, more stylish and better handling, runs along smoothly until larger impacts come into play.

We tried the retractable rear tailgate window, which is a feature not seen much on SUVs these days.By opening the vents in the front, and cracking the rear window, a real breeze can be allowed to flow from front to rear.On a nice day, it might be the best ventilation system of any SUV, as airflow is maximized and wind noise is minimal, much less than from a sunroof.Smokers love it, and it can be handy when hauling smelly cargo.

We also drove a 4Runner Trail Edition off road.The Trail Edition is the 4Runner for those who plan to use the vehicle for recreation.Almost like an FJ Cruiser with four doors, the Trail Edition is set up to cruise to a trailhead, confidently drive on the trail itself, and return to the highway.That makes its capabilities and packaging advantages ideal for those who camp, hunt, fish or regularly travel backcountry roads.It can ford up to 27 inches of water and has 9.6 inches of ground clearance.Skid plates are included for the engine, transfer case and fuel tank.Two tow hooks are mounted on the front although in a low position that might make them hard to reach if stuck in a stream or snow bank.A rear receiver hitch is standard, for towing up to 5000 pounds, and its presence makes for easy vehicle recovery from the rear.

We found the manual part-time transfer case easy to operate.There is a stubby lever that actuates 4WD High Range and 4WD Low Range.Sometimes lever-actuated part-time systems can be balky, but on our Trail Edition we were able to slip in and our of 4-Low without any dithering.

The Trail Edition's part-time system is shared with the SR5, but the Limited gets a dial-actuated full-time system that is always on, in case of changing road conditions or inclement weather.The Limited is better for ice and wintry conditions when grip is inconsistent.

The Trail Edition trades surprisingly little for the advantages it offers.Ride quality is about as good as the other versions, and steering and cornering are only slightly less crisp.Tire noise is only slightly increased, at least inside the cabin.Meanwhile, traction is markedly improved by the addition of an electronic locking rear differential, the KDSS system, and traction control systems with adjustable rates of feedback.One system, Crawl Control, allows the driver to dial in speeds from 1 to 3 mph as the driver concentrates on steering across difficult terrain.We tried it, uphill and down, and sure enough, the system controls throttle and braking to maintain a steady speed.When that speed seemed to be too rapid for the suspension to handle comfortably, we adjusted the dial to give us a slower pace.At 1 mph, progress is very slow, safe and predictable.Another system, multi-terrain select, allows for dialing in the rate of wheelslip when driving off-road.As a result, the Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) system can be just as effective in mud or sand as it is on rock.When even more traction is called for, an electronic locker in the rear axle actuates with the push of a button.KDSS is optional, but an excellent off-road suspension enhancement.It was formerly only available on the Land Cruiser, but now can be had in the 4Runner.

We have not had a chance to test the 4Runner SR5 2WD with the four-cylinder 2.7-liter engine.We would expect to find that the primary advantage of the 2.7-liter engine would be low initial cost.Combined with a four-speed automatic transmission, the 2.7-liter is rated 1 mpg better than the 4.0 V6, and costs as much as $12,300 less.It would make a sturdy and utilitarian wagon, but since it does not offer the all-terrain capability of the 4WD models, it would be logical to cross-shop the Toyota Highlander.Still, at $12,300 less than the Limited 4x4, the price advantage for the 2.7-liter SR5 is clear.

John Stewart filed this report to NewCarTestDrive.com after his test drive of the Toyota 4Runner near Solvang, California.

There are three distinct appearance packages for the 2010 4Runner, matched to the model.All share a boxy form with a wide stance, with wide fenders to suggest muscularity.The wheelwells are squared off and generously sized for larger tires, like the FJ Cruiser.New bumpers add a sense of heft.Roof rails are standard on all models, emphasizing the 4Runner's potential as a recreational gear transporter.

Improved-performance projection-beam head- and tail lamps lend a technical appearance, distinguished by unusually conspicuous lens bulges.The effect is contemporary, advanced, and yet in keeping with 4Runner's five-generation tradition of body-on-frame construction.

The Trail Edition is styled to project rugged good looks, a sense of mystery, and a sporting nature.It has a sporty hood scoop, blacked-out mirrors and bumpers, and a dark smoke treatment on the head and tail lamps.

Both the Trail Edition and SR5 have similarly styled overfenders and mud guards, and both have 17-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment, although each grade has its own distinctive wheel.On the SR5, there is greater use of chrome accents, and the roof rack is silver with black end caps.Heated exterior mirrors have turn signal indicators and puddle lamps.

The Limited comes on lower-profile P245/60 tires mounted on 20-inch alloy wheels.All models come with a full-size spare, and the Limited has a matching alloy spare.Like the SR5 and Trail Edition, the Limited has a rear spoiler that houses the rear wiper, keeping it tucked away when not in use.