Toyota Announces Pricing for 2010 4Runner

Last week when Toyota revealed the all-new 2010 4Runner (pictured left), we questioned the need for the new engine option which gave up too much towing capacity while providing almost no fuel economy gains. Well, as it turns out, Toyota will use the new inline-4 option to offer a value-priced model that now comes with a starting MSRP that beats the starting price of the outgoing 2009 4Runnerby more than $1,000. The new engine may help to lower the 4Runner’s price point, but it is likely to come at the expense of the SUV’s rugged nature.

As the base model of the lineup, the 2010 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x2 will come with the 157-horsepower, 2.7-liter inline-4 shared with the Highlander, and it will start at $27,500 – a price drop of $1,140. According to Toyota’s product information, this engine will be available with either two- or four-wheel drive, but we’d suspect anyone willing to sacrifice ruggedness for $1,140 isn’t really worried about the 4Runner’s off-roading abilities. Stepping up to the 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V-6, the 4Runner SR5 4x2 V6 will start at $29,175, while the volume seller, according to Toyota, is the four-wheel drive version of this configuration, which will get the same $30,915 starting price as the 2009 model. Even though the price is staying the same, Toyota claims that the 4Runner SR5 will benefit from an additional $1,700 worth of equipment when compared alongside the 2009 model.

Replacing the Sport Edition in the lineup, the all-new 4Runner Trail will be the most capable off-road model with a more rugged design and a single drivetrain configuration that offers only the V-6 paired with four-wheel drive. With its blacked-out plastic trim and safari-style roof rack, the 2010 4Runner Trail will have a starting MSRP of $35,700. This price represents an increase of about $5,000 compared to a base 2009 4Runner Sport, but unlike this model the 4Runner Trail is not available in a two-wheel drive layout.

Topping the lineup, the 2010 4Runner Limited will be the luxury model and will start at $37,765 for the two-wheel drive model and $39,800 for four-wheel drive. While the lower price of the new two-wheel drive Limited model marks a significant price drop for 2010, the top-of-the-line 4Runner Limited 4x4 V6 actually has a $440 increase compared to the 2009 4Runner Limited 4x4 V8 not to mention the fact that it loses the optional V-8 engine.

All 2010 4Runner models equipped with the V-6 will go on sale in late October or early November, while the inline-4 SR5 models will arrive in early January.