Overview & Reviews

The 2009 Toyota 4Runner adds a new trail edition option package for enhanced off-road capabilities.

• Strong V6, pleasant highway ride, outstanding off-road prowess.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 5 of 5.00

• 

  Poor Navigation System - 2009 Toyota 4Runner
  By Liz M. - March 4 - 11:33 am

  Have had a 1999 4-Runner and needed a new one for the family. Although the vehicle is solidly built and I cant complain about performance, the Navigation System, in word, stinks! Why cant my pax input addresses and/or change addresses on the fly? How inconvenient is it to have to come to a full stop in order to utilize the navigation system? We have a garmin for our other 4-Runner and we have no complaints. I wish I could install the garmin in our 2009 vehicle. For being a Japanese made vehicle, the Navigation System is counter- intuitive. It is absolutely, positively horrible. Moreover, it is not user friendly like our Garmin. We would not have paid for this feature had we known...

• 

  So Far, So Good! - 2009 Toyota 4Runner
  By C.B.R. - October 24 - 10:43 pm

  I have only had this vehicle for 4 months but thought I would post a review. This vehicle is fun to drive. It feels solid, safe and responsive. I have only driven on the highway and around town, but I am anxious to get it out into the country. One complaint is that the transmission frequently feels as if it is not engaged, sort of free spinning. Initially I had difficulty finding a truly comfortable driving position and constantly shifted positions, especially my right leg. But I notice that less and less as time goes on. Even though it is labeled mid-size this is a big vehicle. Plenty of room and storage for friends and gear. Gas mileage is much better than expected at 20.8 per gallon.

• 

  Needs new transmission - 2009 Toyota 4Runner
  By Jeef B - January 10 - 2:13 pm

  Overall I think this 4runner is a good performing SUV. Handles good and everything works as promised except for the transmission. When I slow down for a turn or a stop sign, (while not coming to a complete stop) then step on the throttle the transmission hunts for a gear and the engine revs until the gear is found. This is very annoying because it happens all the time. The dealer says this is normal. If I would have experienced this during the test drive, I would never have bought this vehicle. I am going to suffer with this until the warranty is up then I will get something new. Normally I keep my cars close to 10 years like my previous 1999 4runner which I wish I still had.

• 

  annoying transmission bump - 2009 Toyota 4Runner
  By kj23 - August 17 - 11:50 am

  Bought late in season and have had it for 2 years now. Truck drives and handles well. Fuel mileage better than expected. Only complaints are for an upscale truck many little things left off, ex:no vanity lights, no power seats silly heat/ac controls. But the most annoying is a bump you feel after you stop and let your foot off the brake. It feels as if you are bumped from behind. It has been to the dealer many times hoping they will come up with a fix but no luck yet. The dealer is aware of problem, they call it differential backlash and it is a design defect. In the long run it cannot be good for transmission or my sanity. I am trading truck for another make any day now. Stay away.

• 

  Disappointed - 2009 Toyota 4Runner
  By zazoux - November 11 - 9:33 pm

  I could not agree more with Jeefs review: something is seriously wrong with the transmission. When I get off the gas, the car shifts down, and instead of coasting along, the increased rpm slows it down. It actually shifts into first gear at as much as 14 mph, leading to a jerky bounce when you re-accelerate, only to immediately notice its mistake and shift into the (also very short) second gear. Bottom line, this nervous transmission actually makes the car quite annoying to drive. Other gripes: The car is overall too smart for its own good: it wont let you turn off the air intake when in defog mode (think school bus). Also annoying: the 4WD does not engage (or disengage) when you need it.