I can't comment on the 3rd gen's off road prowess compared to the 4th gen since I've never been offroading in either, but I can comment that my wife's 4th gen (05 limited 2WD) is a whole universe beyond her friend's husband's 3rd gen (2001 4runner) when it comes to on road comfort, interior noise level, interior design, etc.

The 3rd gen feels very much like a truck with no intention of passing itself off as a luxury vehicle. The 4th gen in comparison is very well composed, smooth, and quiet and I much prefer the interior design/materials.

So are 4th gens actually bad off roaders or just not as good as 3rd gens or what? I know the FJ is really popular for off roading and it shares its chassis and powertrain with the 4R.

 

4th gen is still a beast off road...can barely be touched unless you're in a beefed up Jeep, RR, Tacoma, or Land Cruiser.

The 3rd gen was just an animal. Like I said before I had an SR5 Sport 4x4 model and it was literally unstoppable off road. I went directly up a 4 foot high muddy river embankment and the car never broke a sweat. Water up to the doors, sand, rocks, dunes...the 3rd gens were literally unstoppable. The prev. gen Tacoma TRD 4x4 extended cab was, at one point, called the best stock off roader in the world by a few magazines, and obviously shares a lot of hardware with the 4Runner.

The civility and on-road manners of the 4th gen are worth the slight trade off of off-road ability. I would have considered getting a 4th gen but don't like the seating position and somewhat narrow windshield.

 

Confirmed by Toyota this morning: 2TR engine in the 8630. Same 4 Cyl as the Tacoma.

2010 4RUNNER (6 Models)
NEW 8630 ZU5JR 2WD 4Dr. SUV SR5 4AT ECT 2TR
8642 ZU5JR 2WD 4Dr. SUV SR5 ( V6) 5AT ECT 1GR
8648 ZU5JR 2WD 4Dr. SUV Limited ( V6) 5AT ECT 1GR
8664 BU5JR 4WD 4Dr. SUV SR5 ( V6) 5AT ECT 1GR
8668 BU5JR 4WD 4Dr. SUV Limited ( V6) 5AT ECT 1GR
NEW 8670 BU5JR 4WD 4Dr. SUV Trail ( V6) 5AT ECT 1GR

 

This is one of the reason why I still keep my 2002 4WD Sport Edition.

 

I miss mine horribly

 

Still using 4 speed autos eh? If I bought an all terrain vehicle like the 4runner, it would have to be an MT. Not available here.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing this...

 

What gets me is why not offer a 6sp auto in the new 4runner? They now offer it on the Tundra and the 4cyl Highlander, why not this truck? The current 5sp in the Tundra was modified for the new 4.6L by just adding another gear.....is this not the same 5sp auto in the current 4runner?

And secondly.......WE WANT PICS

 

The 2.7 engine is from the I4 Tacoma line which is married to a 4 speed. The 2.7 engine in the Highlander is tuned a little different than the Tacoma I4

 

Toyota cannot possibly be serious putting 5spd trannies in the 4runner..... c'mon, really? wtf...

 

...let alone 4 speeds. The 4cyl and V6 should both have 6ATs, no questions asked.

 

Exactly this.

 

I highly doubt a 4-speed 4-Runner will make it to the U.S. If it does, that would be a very poor move on Toyota's part.

 

Especially if you got one with a TRD supercharger. I really miss that truck. You could go almost as quickly off road as you could on. And it sounded, for all intents and purposes, like a viking war cry.