Yes, the early filmmakers only had black-and-white film, but that doesn't make movies like "Casablanca" and "Citizen Kane" worse than "Avatar" and "Happy Gilmore."

It really, really, doesn't.

Sure, the 4Runner is different from the smooth-riding, fuel-efficient car-based crossovers that have captured the modern small SUV market. That doesn't make it worse, just different.

Then again, just being different doesn't make the 4Runner "Citizen Kane."

It is, however, a pretty good, old-fashioned truck-based midsize SUV. The 2010 4Runner is not among the vehicles affected by Toyota's recent safety recalls.

It would be right at home in a Toyota dealer's parking lot circa 1992 — before car-based crossover SUVs like the Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape and Honda CR-V came along to combine SUV looks and all-wheel drive with car-like ride and fuel consumption.

Those new vehicles came to dominate the SUV market because most buyers were frankly wasting money and fuel on more rugged truck-based vehicles like the 4Runner, Dodge Nitro, Ford Explorer, Kia Borrego and Nissan Pathfinder.

Those SUVs, and the new 4Runner, were engineered to tow heavy trailers and conquer off-road terrain. Handy characteristics if you're a rancher or ranger. Major overkill if your SUV's toughest duty will be hauling sidewalk salt home from Lowe's on a snowy day.

Prices for the 2010 4Runner start at $27,500 for a rear-drive model with a 157-horsepower 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.

To get four-wheel drive, you have to step up to a $30,915 model with a 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission.

The V6 and 5-speed are also available in a rear-drive model costing $29,175. The top model, a 4wd Limited, starts at $39,800. The 4Runner is available with two or three rows of seats.

I tested a seven-passenger 4wd SR5 model that stickered at a hefty $36,849.

That price gets you an on-demand 4wd system, a low range of gears for serious off-roading and a 5,000-pound towing capacity.

The low range and high hauling capacity are the key benefits truck-based SUVs offer versus most expensive crossovers. Electronically managed full-time four-wheel drive is an option.

The downside to that extra capability is higher cost and a heavy vehicle that burns more fuel than a car-based SUV.

The 4Runner I tested had an EPA fuel economy rating of 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Among similar-sized V6 all-wheel drive crossovers, the ratings are 17/24 for the Chevrolet Equinox and 19/26 for Toyota's own RAV4.

However, the 4Runner easily tops the V6 4wd Ford Explorer SUV's 13 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway. The 4Runner also beats the fuel economy of comparable truck-based SUVs like Nitro, Borrego and Pathfinder.

The 4Runner's 5,000-pound towing capacity equals or exceeds all those traditional V6-powered SUVs except the Pathfinder. It easily surpasses the crossovers.

The 4Runner's price is also at the high end of the spectrum though, and its comfort and handling fall short.

The suspension does not cushion bumps particularly well, and the steering feels less direct and responsive than that on the Explorer and Borrego. Road and wind noise are noticeable.

The torquey V6 provides plenty of power for acceleration and towing. The five-speed transmission shifts smoothly.

The interior offers good front-seat accommodations with plenty of storage cubbies. Second-row legroom is acceptable. The third row is for children.

The cargo area's 46.3 cubic feet of space (47.2 without the optional third seat) trails the Pathfinder but exceeds the Borrego, Explorer and Nitro.

An optional sliding deck for the cargo floor in five-seat models reduces space slightly, but makes handling large loads easier.

The 4Runner I tested had useful features like a backup camera and hands-free phone capability, but lacked common offerings like power seats and memory.

While its unrefined ride, imprecise steering and high price weigh against the 2010 Toyota 4Runner's competitiveness, its fuel economy and overall capability make it a solid option for buyers who need a traditional midsize SUV.

———

2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 4X4

Seven-passenger all-wheel drive midsize SUV

Rating: 3 stars

Price as tested: $36,849

Reasons to buy: Off-road and towing capability

Shortcomings: Price, handling, ride

———

2010 Toyota 4Runner at a glance:

Rear- or four-wheel drive five- or seven-passenger midsize SUV

Engine: 157-horsepower 2.7-liter 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder; 270-horsepower 4.0-liter 24-valve DOHC V6

Transmission: Four- or five-speed automatic

Price range: $27,500-$39,800, excluding destination charges

Key features:

Curtain air bags, front-seat knee and side air bags, antilock brakes, stability control, active front headrests, hill-start and downhill assist control; 17-inch alloy wheels; air-conditioning; 40/20/40-split folding and reclining second-row seat; remote entry; manual tilt and telescoping steering column; ultrasonic rear parking assist; power windows; sideview mirrors and locks; three 12V outlets; compass.

Key options on vehicle tested: Hands-free phone connectivity; eight-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system; USB port for iPod; 90-day XM satellite radio subscription; backup camera with display in rearview mirror; power sunroof; two 120V outlets; 50/50-split fold-flat third-row seat; floor mats; cargo area mat.

Competitive EPA fuel economy ratings:

Automatic transmission, V6, four-wheel drive models.

Toyota 4Runner — 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway

Dodge Nitro — 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway

Ford Explorer — 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway

Kia Borrego — 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway

Nissan Pathfinder — 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway.

Premium gasoline

———

2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 LTD.

Vehicle type: Five-passenger all-wheel drive midsize SUV

Base price: $30,915 (excluding destination charges)

As tested: $36,849

Safety equipment: Curtain air bags, front-seat knee and side air bags, antilock brakes, stability control, active front headrests.

Specifications as tested

Engine: 4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6

Power: 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm; 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway

Wheelbase: 109.8 inches

Length: 189.9 inches

Width: 75.8 inches

Height: 70.1 inches

Curb weight: 4,675 pounds

Where assembled: Tahara, Japan

Comparative base prices

(excluding destination charges)

(V6-powered, automatic transmission models)

Dodge Nitro SXT 4.0L: $24,895

Ford Explorer XLTL: $31,600

2009 Kia Borrego EX: $29,995

Nissan Pathfinder S: $29,440