New Car Review of the 2005 Toyota 4Runner Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
Description: Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $27,795 - $37,795
Invoice Price Range: $24,818 - $33,748
Where built: Japan
Toyota's rugged SUV of mid-size dimensions is a truck-tough vehicle designed for serious work on dirt or pavement.
For 2005, 4Runner gains Sequoia's forceful 4.7-liter VVT-i V8 with 270-hp or a new 5-speed automatic transmission added to the base powertrain, a 4.0-liter V6 pumping 245-hp. Both 2WD and 4WD versions of 4Runner are available. For the V6 a multi-mode 4WD system with limited-slip center differential can selectively switch between 4WD and 2WD modes. The V8's 4WD mechanism is a full-time system as used by Land Cruiser.
Exterior changes for 2005 range from SR5 grade with a chrome grille, body-color bumpers, black running boards and optional roof rack to the Sport edition with color-keyed grille and black running boards. Deluxe Limited shows body-color grille and bumpers plus black running boards and a black roof rack. A third-row bench seat is available in the cabin, along with an updated navigation system that adds a camera on the back bumper to display 4Runner's reverse view on the dashboard screen.
