After alighting from the car based
Toyota Highlander, the firmness in the 4Runner's ride was obvious, but hardly unpleasant. It carry's itself rides in a manner similar to a decent riding pickup truck. Most road irregularities are well moderated and easily handled. Larger aberrations in the road surface can result in some uncomfortable passenger
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| Similar to a pickup truck, the firmness of the 4Runner's ride is obvious, but hardly unpleasant. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
jostling, but nowhere near the banging around associated with yesteryear's 4X4s when abrupt road disfigurement could result in broken fillings and compresses spinal discs. The 4Runner utilizes an independent double-wishbone front suspension comprised of unequal-length control arms, coil springs, gas-charged shocks and an anti-roll bar. At the rear, the SUV's rigid axle is suspended by the use of a 4-link coil spring setup working in concert with gas-charged shocks and an anti-roll bar. A 4-link height control rear air suspension is also available on the 4Runner, but not sampled in this road test.
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| Although I didn't push the 4Runner to its limits, aggressive corning is free of excessive body lean or plow. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
Steering the 2004 4Runner is effortless thanks in part to the power rack and pinion steering mechanism. Although little opportunity existed to push the 4Runner to the limits of its handling spectrum, I noted that aggressive cornering was free of the excessive body lean or plow that one might expect in an SUV. Highway handling felt composed and steering inputs produced the desired amendment in vehicular direction. However, vagueness in road-feel and on-center tracking required greater driver attentiveness than in other midsize SUVs that I have jockeyed through a variety of contorted backroads.
