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2009 Toyota 4Runner Safety Review

July 4, 2009

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Good,” frontal offset and side impact
IIHS

Four stars, driver and passenger frontal impact
NHTSA

roll-sensing curtain airbags
Car and Driver

Respectable crash-test results and superlative active safety features make the 2009 Toyota 4Runner an easy recommendation.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) graced the Toyota 4Runner with the highest crash-test rating, “good,” for frontal offset and side impact collisions. The 4Runner received perfect five stars for side impacts and four stars for frontal impact, but only thee stars for rollover resistance and rollover crashes by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In addition to the requisite airbags and anti-lock braking systems, the 4Runner’s comprehensive electronic safety gear includes downhill assist control, hill assist control, and vehicle stability control. The first is more useful for serious off-roading and comes standard on four-wheel-drive 4Runners, but the last two, HAC and VSC, are standard across the board and useful on any road, where they help the 4Runner remain easy to launch and provide excellent accident avoidance.

Standard on the 2009 Toyota 4Runner, according to Car and Driver, are “roll-sensing curtain airbags that inflate if the vehicle tips over or goes wheels up.” Edmunds explains that these side curtain airbags serve “the first and second rows of seating” and mentions that anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, and front seat side airbags come standard on the 4Runner.

Conclusion

Solid crash-test ratings and a host of electronic active safety systems make the 2009 Toyota 4Runner a good choice.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Good,” frontal offset and side impactIIHSFour stars, driver and passenger frontal impactNHTSAroll-sensing curtain airbagsCar and Driver Respectable crash-test results and superlative active safety features make the 2009 Toyota 4Runner an easy recommendation. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) graced the Toyota 4Runner with the highest crash-test rating, “good,” for frontal offset and side impact collisions. The 4Runner received perfect five stars for side impacts and four stars for frontal impact, but only thee stars for rollover resistance and rollover crashes by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition to the requisite airbags and anti-lock braking systems, the 4Runner’s comprehensive electronic safety gear includes downhill assist control, hill assist control, and vehicle stability control. The first is more useful for serious off-roading and comes standard on four-wheel-drive 4Runners, but the last two, HAC and VSC, are standard across the board and useful on any road, where they help the 4Runner remain easy to launch and provide excellent accident avoidance. Standard on the 2009 Toyota 4Runner, according to Car and Driver, are “roll-sensing curtain airbags that inflate if the vehicle tips over or goes wheels up.” Edmunds explains that these side curtain airbags serve “the first and second rows of seating” and mentions that anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, and front seat side airbags come standard on the 4Runner. ConclusionSolid crash-test ratings and a host of electronic active safety systems make the 2009 Toyota 4Runner a good choice. 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: “aesthetically pleasing and functional” Kelley Blue Book: “stylish off-road capability” Automobile Magazine: “phony hood scoop…give[s] us pause” MyRide.com: “big and burly” A couple of interior and exterior niggles aside, the ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Nissan Pathfinder is the closest match to the 2009 Toyota 4Runner; its interior trumps the Toyota's in appearance, while coming in at a lower price. The Nissan handles well, like the 4Runner, and its base V-6 engine is especially strong, yet efficient. The Ford Explorer now includes a full range of safety features, handles well, and is quite comfortable inside, but it doesn’t offer the off-road hardiness possible in the 4Runner. The Durango is another potential alternative; it boasts impressive towing ability, but it’s not as off-road-focused as the 4Runner. Compared to the 4Runner, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer (and the nearly identical GMC Envoy) feel sorely outdated, as those models lack the refinement of the 4Runner; the 4Runner also handles much more confidently than these GM vehicles and is safer. The 4Runner's long-held reputation for reliability is an advantage it holds over these models.

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See the Toyota 4Runner in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (3 total)

  1. By Kristin #1, Posted: 8/12/2009

    I own a 2008 Toyota 4Runner LTD V8, with XREAS suspension and 18 inch rims. I cannot tow an empty car carrier from U-haul and I cannot put off road tires on my vehicle, in other words, I cant go camping, tow my trailer or use the vehicle for what I intended it for and as it is advertised. I paid $38,000. for this? A glorified soccer mom SUV. The owners manual clearly states it is rated for 7,000 lbs of towing. I am sure the engine would tow this but the vehicle won't the way they have it set up. This is my third new 4Runner in the last seven years. Toyota told me the car is "AS-IS." IM going to call the attorney general and the Inspector or the DMV.

  2. By mike allen #2, Posted: 10/29/2009

    That's funny. I have a 2007 with the V-6 and it tow's a car trailer just fine. You're a drama queen.

  3. By John #3, Posted: 10/29/2009

    Mike, you're right! She must be crazy. The V-6 in my 2008 tows a car and boat no problem. Drama Queen!!!

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