2013 Toyota 4Runner

The 2013 Toyota 4Runner

Futurecars March 16, 2012

SUVs may be incredibly popular these days but they were originally created for a fairly specific purpose. Blending together the utility found in a truck or Jeep with the comfort and style of a high end sedan, the SUV was created to take people to places that other vehicles couldn’t. While many people use their SUVs for fairly mundane tasks, others still view it as their ticket to adventure. With the popularity of SUVs being so high it seems that almost every auto maker is creating at least a few SUVs. The problem is that many of these modern SUVs aren’t truly designed for rugged adventure and this seems to be watering down the enthusiasm that people have for these vehicles. The 2013 Toyota 4Runner, however, is still an SUV that is meant to be outdoors.

Toyota is a reliable company that has been making a number of different cars for a while. Rather than being a niche company, like some other manufacturers, Toyota has a full line of vehicles ranging from sedans to trucks, SUVs and even a few hybrids. This has helped ensure that Toyota is one of the leading auto makers in the world. One thing that people respect about Toyota is that some of their vehicles, like the Tundra, are fairly reliable utility vehicles that don’t skimp on driver comfort. The new 2013 4Runner comes from this class of rugged Toyota products and should please anyone looking for a reliable adventure vehicle.

Toyota is emphasizing this adventurous nature quite heavily in their marketing. Selling the 4Runner as “Bred for adventure” tells us that this SUV isn’t simply for ferrying around a youth soccer team but is actually meant to be used. This is a welcome addition to many people who have been complaining that modern SUVs are nothing more than oversized minivans, some coming with underpowered engines or no 4 wheel drive option. While this does seem to be the trend in the SUV market it still seems a bit odd that a vehicle which was originally meant for some rugged terrain has evolved into a suburban transport machine. Fortunately, the 2013 Toyota 4Runner should go a long way in waking people up from the doldrums of modern SUVs.

From the first glance we can see that the 4Runner 2013 models are tough machines. The design aesthetic for the exterior is relatively simple. In an era where some cars have superfluous lines, bulbous lights and useless details, the 4Runner is rather low key. The fundamental shape of everything on the 4Runner is rectangular. From the shape of the body to the windows, grill and lights, everything seems to have an angular appearance. While this may not work on a small sedan it works perfectly on an SUV that is meant to be taken out and dirtied up. The exterior gives it a strong rugged look that should fit well in more adventurous environments.

The interior of the 4Runner 2013 models should continue the same attention to driver comfort that Toyota has been known for in their other vehicles. The interior will, obviously, not be quite as fancy as what you would find in a luxury sedan but when you consider the types of places your 4Runner will take you then you might reconsider the fine delicate materials found in a fancier car. The dash and displays should continue the strong yet subtle aesthetic of the exterior and should offer plenty of clearly visible readouts. The 2013 4Runner will also come packed with a number of different safety features and technological integration such as navigation systems, all things which speak to its adventurous nature.

Much of the specific information regarding the performance capabilities of the 2013 Toyota 4Runner have yet to be released but it seems fairly certain that it will carry specs similar to previous models. The 4Runner is being sold as an adventure vehicle and that means that it needs to have some real muscle. With the last model hauling a 4 liter V-6 engine it was able to output about 270 horsepower. This means that it has plenty of power, most of which will probably be used on rough terrain and steep inclines rather than speeding down the highway.

Toyota has been a reliable car company that produces a good diversity of different vehicles. While the current trend in the SUV market seems to be one of sacrificing power for style and comfort, the 2013 4Runner is set to return the SUV to its routes as a rugged vehicle meant for dirty and adventurous travel. Given Toyota’s reputation for building strong trucks, it’s a safe bet that the new 4Runner will do well in places that prettier, and larger, SUVs simply will not go. When it debuts in 2012, the new 4Runner should excite plenty of outdoor adventure seekers.