The last book said that Toyota’s Hilux Surf developed two generations of models based on the Hilux pickup in the late 1980s and early 1980s. Great Wall Motor also developed the Great Wall Cypher based on the second-generation Hilux Surf. Next, let’s talk about the history of the next three generations of models. Since the third-generation model, the positioning of this model has officially changed. At the same time, our familiarity with it has also changed from Hilux Surf to 4Runner. What’s going on?
The third-generation model: officially bid farewell to Hilux.
In 1995, Toyota introduced the third generation of the Hilux Surf, internally codenamed N180. However, although this generation of models still retains the name of Hilux Surf in Japan and other markets, in terms of vehicle structure, it has not much relationship with Hilux pickup. So, starting from here, when we talk about the history of this car, we will use the name of the North American market, Toyota 4Runner.
Compared with the second-generation model, the third-generation Toyota 4Runner has undergone huge changes. In terms of vehicle platform, the third-generation model adopts a brand-new platform architecture, which also gave birth to the second-generation Prado. It is the product of LC90 series. Compared with the previous Hilux pickup platform, this new platform puts more emphasis on the use of passenger cars, so it has made great progress in terms of comfort.
Due to changes in the platform architecture, the positioning of the third-generation Toyota 4Runner is also developing in the direction of luxury off-road vehicles, which is also in line with the overall changes in hard-core off-road vehicles in the North American market during this period. At that time, the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Blazer and Nissan Pathfinder all upgraded in terms of luxury.
In terms of power, the third-generation Toyota 4Runner replaces the 2.4L power of the old model with the internal 2.7L inline four-cylinder power code-named 3RZ-FE I4, with a maximum output of 110 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 240 Nm. And this engine is still in service on the Prado so far, but the power output has been upgraded. In terms of high-end models, the 3.4L V6 engine internally code-named 5VZ-FE replaces the 3.0L V6 power, with a maximum output of 136 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 294 Nm.
Due to changes in Toyota’s marketing strategy, in 1996, the third-generation Toyota 4Runner withdrew from the UK market, which was replaced by the Prado. That is to say, starting from this generation of models, the North American market attributes of Toyota 4Runner began to become stronger.
From the appearance point of view, the changes brought about by the upgrade of the platform architecture are obvious in the third-generation Toyota 4Runner. Compared with the second-generation model, it has become larger and thicker. The lightness and undercarriage of a monster truck that was on the second-generation model is completely gone on the third-generation model. The larger body size naturally also brings more interior space. The profile of the vehicle began to develop in a rounded direction, thereby meeting better aerodynamic requirements.
However, in terms of vehicle proportions, the third-generation Toyota 4Runner still inherits most of the proportions of the second-generation model, including the straight roof and the design of the long trunk window, and the slenderness of the vehicle is not affected by this. Too many discounts. As for the details, the front face design of the third-generation model does not have too many style upgrades.
In terms of chassis, the third-generation Toyota 4Runner adopts the design of front and rear coil springs, and the problem of collapsed buttocks has finally disappeared. The steering gear adopts a passenger car-style rack and pinion type. In terms of configuration, ABS and dual airbags have also become standard. The four-wheel drive system has joined the central differential for the first time, realizing a full-time four-wheel drive structure, and the rear axle also provides an optional electronic differential lock.
In 1997, the third-generation Toyota 4Runner underwent a minor update with a four-spoke steering wheel. In 1999, the third-generation Toyota 4Runner ushered in a small facelift, which was designed for the front bumper and headlights. At the same time, a series of personalized optional packages have been added, including details such as pedals, front and rear bumpers. Inside the vehicle, the newly designed interior improves the ergonomics of the vehicle, and the instrument panel also adopts a design with a digital mileage display. High-end models also add automatic air conditioning and a stereo.
The model launched in 2001 added fully transparent headlights and a new air intake grille, and the wheels were upgraded to five-spoke wheels. The exterior mirrors have also become sleeker. On the 2001 model year, the vehicle stability control system began to become standard equipment on the four-wheel drive version.
The fourth-generation model: the name of the American version of the Prado has begun to take hold.
In 2002, Toyota launched the fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner in the North American market, and this generation of models still retains the name of Hilux Surf in some markets, but its influence has been overshadowed by 4Runner.
In terms of platform, the fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner shares the platform with the third-generation Prado of the LC120 series. In terms of positioning, it is also locked in a medium-sized semi-luxury SUV. In terms of configuration, it provides three configurations: SR5, sports version and Limited version.
In terms of power, the fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner has canceled the small-displacement configuration, and the main model is equipped with a 4.0L V6 engine internally code-named 1GR-FE, with a maximum output of 183 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 382 Nm. And this set of power is the power of the LC120 series Prado high-end models. The fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner launched in the initial stage is equipped with a 4.7L V8 engine internally code-named 2UZ-FE, with a maximum output of 175 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 434 Nm.
In the facelift in 2004, after adding dual VVT-i technology to the V8 power, the maximum output power was increased to 194 kW and the maximum torque was 415 Nm. In terms of economy, according to the EPA calibration, the fuel consumption of the fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner 4.0L power model is 14L per 100 kilometers in the city and 11.8L per 100 kilometers on the highway. The fuel consumption of the 4.7L V8 version is 15.6L per 100 kilometers in the city and 12.4L per 100 kilometers on the highway. In terms of towing capacity, the maximum towing mass of the V6 version is 2300 kg, and the V8 model is 3300 kg.
In terms of chassis, the fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner adopts a front double-wishbone rear overall bridge suspension structure. Since the Highlander has begun to assume more of the positioning of a cross-border medium-sized SUV in the North American market, the off-road performance has become the main product highlight to be emphasized by the fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner.
In terms of four-wheel drive system, the V8 model is equipped with a full-time four-wheel drive system as standard, while the V6 model has added a time-sharing design on this basis, realizing a structure similar to Mitsubishi’s super-selected four-wheel drive system. Both four-wheel drive systems use a Torsen differential as the center differential. In addition, the sports model is also equipped with a set of X-REAS suspension system as standard, and this system is the prototype of the KDSS system in principle. As the technology advances, hill descent assist also appears on the fourth-generation model.
From the modeling point of view, the fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner has become more rounded than the previous three-generation models. The overall sense of fashion has also become stronger. However, the flat roof design, which is a family characteristic, has not changed. And this also makes the image of the fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner and Prado have obvious differences. The design of the details pursues more fashion sense.
Fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner: Hilux Surf goes into history.
In 2009, the fourth-generation Toyota 4Runner officially ended its production in Japan. From this generation of models, the name of Toyota Hiux Surf officially entered history, leaving only 4Runner.
In September 2009, Toyota officially released the fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner in North America, which is the version that is still on sale. From the modeling point of view, the fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner has added more muscular carving elements to form the image of the vehicle. So the overall also presents a more powerful off-road atmosphere.
In terms of the choice of four-wheel drive system, the fifth-generation model also provides two sets of four-wheel drive system. drive system. All models come standard with Toyota’s A-TRAC electronic control system. The KDSS system and rear axle differential lock are also available on the Trail Edition model.
In terms of power, the flagship model of the fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner is a 4.0L V6 engine. Before 2010, a 2.7L two-wheel drive model appeared in the structure of the fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner. The 4.7L V8 power on the previous generation model has not been carried over. In terms of platform, the platform of the fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner has not broken away from the relationship with Prado, and the FJ Cruiser was also born under the same platform structure.
In 2013, the fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner ushered in a small facelift, which further strengthened the muscular design of the front face and significantly improved the visual center of gravity of the front face of the vehicle. The interior of the vehicle has been upgraded in terms of luxury. The maximum output power of the 4.0L V6 engine has increased to 201 kilowatts, and the maximum torque has reached 377 Nm, which is matched with a five-speed automatic transmission.
It is worth mentioning that in 2015, Toyota North America also launched a TRD version of the high-performance modification kit for it. Judging from the current situation, this generation of Toyota 4Runner will continue to exist in the market for some time. And the history of Toyota 4Runner will continue.
