Execs: Tried-and-true mechanicals; cargo-carrying champ; roll-down rear window; a number of variants
Cons: Gradual; inefficient; imprecise dealing with; antiquated inside; a brand new one needs to be coming quickly, proper?!?
Whereas the 2024 mannequin 12 months will see the long-awaited introduction of an all-new Tacoma in addition to a reimagined Land Cruiser, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner troopers on into the fifteenth 12 months since an entire redesign. That’s almost thrice the size of a typical automobile era, and its underlying platform dates again even additional. Frankly, you possibly can inform. Some for the higher, more and more for the worst, and whereas now we have a smooth spot for the refreshingly easy, rugged and sensible 4Runner, its substitute can’t come quickly sufficient – particularly as the brand new Tacoma so clearly signifies what we would count on.
OK, however for those who simply can’t wait, right here’s why the 4Runner remains to be so interesting (apart from the cool issue). It has the identical rugged truck-based chassis, succesful suspension, ample clearances and bulletproof reliability that make it a darling amongst off-roaders in all places (and preserve its residual values sky-high). Its ample inside house has additionally allowed it to be a practical different to extra family-friendly midsize crossovers, whereas its strong roof makes the inside much more serene than a Bronco or Wrangler’s. And, frankly, new automobiles could be awfully difficult. A less complicated one will probably be mighty interesting to lots of people.
Now, on the “it’s actually outdated” facet of the fence … Its V6 engine has much less energy than a Camry’s, the transmission has 5(!) fewer gears than a Ford Bronco’s, the gas financial system of 17 mpg mixed is dismal even when in comparison with different off-road-oriented SUVs, and calling the dealing with “imprecise” could be an understatement. The inside can be a relic of one other time, particularly as its most up-to-date updates occurred 4 years in the past.
In spite of everything this, for those who nonetheless have a 4Runner jones, possibly think about a used one (did we point out it’s been largely unchanged for 15 years?) or wait to see what the following one comes. Which ought to hopefully be quickly than later.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gasoline Financial system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2024?
The fortieth Anniversary Version is discontinued for apparent causes, however the annual custom of the TRD Professional getting a brand new, for-one-year-only paint shade continues. It’s referred to as Terra, a shade finest described as rusty orange. “Mars” most likely would’ve been a greater title. One other new shade, dubbed “Underground” arrives elsewhere within the lineup. And that’s it! What, have been you anticipating a brand new transmission with greater than 5 gears? Ha! Perhaps later.
What are the 4Runner inside and in-car know-how like?
After vital upgrades 4 years in the past (which means even they’re getting on in years), the 4Runner cabin’s function content material and know-how are moderately in keeping with what you may discover in automobiles designed throughout the finish of the final decade. The 2020s could be pushing it. This stays an antiquated inside with its blocky design that dates again to Barack Obama’s first 12 months in workplace. The plastics high quality can be subpar for a automobile that simply crests $40,000 and might high $50,000 – a RAV4 is nicer in some locations. The assorted small bins and cubbies are additionally just a bit too small for contemporary gadgets, having clearly been designed once we carried flip telephones and iPods (however it does have an enormous, versatile cupholder!). There’s even old-school switchgear just like the curler heated seat controls and one-blink-only flip alerts. The SR5 and TRD Sport do not even have automated headlights or auto local weather management.
However, it is all put collectively fairly effectively, controls are logically positioned, and there is definitely one thing to be stated for a rugged off-road automobile that has a rugged inside. The usual 8-inch touchscreen can be of a typical measurement and has a suitable quantity of function content material, with normal Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa integration. Easy duties like altering radio stations are typically simple to carry out (in contrast to Toyota’s new system), however it’s gradual to reply and antiquated in look (in contrast to Toyota’s new system). The Jeep Wrangler, and to a lesser extent Ford Bronco, put this infotainment system to disgrace.
How massive is the 4Runner?
Right here is an space the place the 4Runner is completely positive as-is. The cargo space ground is kind of low for a truck-based SUV, whereas the house past is an enormous, boxy 47.2 cubic toes. Even whenever you add the novel slide-out cargo ground that reduces capability, there’s nonetheless a big quantity of house. We all know, we crammed it up in our cargo space Baggage Take a look at, after which discovered that it smoked its off-roader competitors. Most cargo capability with the again seat lowered is 89.7 cubic toes, which rivals many three-row crossovers (the Highlander has solely 84.3) and surpasses varied two-row fashions.
There are additionally intelligent cargo space options. The elective slide-out cargo ground makes loading and unloading super-simple, whereas the 4Runner-trademark energy rear window permits you to safe lengthy gadgets like surf boards or lumber out the again whereas conserving the remainder of the liftgate closed. It additionally permits for freer airflow within the cabin, and canine usually like it as effectively (that massive boxy space typically is canine pleasant).
Human legroom is kind of good throughout. The usual energy driver seat provides loads of adjustment, whereas the again seat is mounted at a pleasant peak and reclines to an virtually absurd diploma. That stated, headroom generally is a bit tight up entrance must you go for the sunroof. There is a third-row seat accessible, however its house is extraordinarily restricted and it reduces cargo house. Actually, if you’d like a third-row seat, crossovers just like the Honda Pilot TrailSport, Jeep Grand Cherokee L or Toyota’s personal Grand Highlander could be a greater family-hauling selection.
What are the 4Runner gas financial system and efficiency specs?
They’re not nice. Whereas a lot of this fifth-generation 4Runner has been up to date over the various years, the engine bay has principally gone untouched. The 4Runner is simply provided with a 4.0-liter V6 that produces 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. That is not so much given how a lot the 4Runner can weigh (particularly the TRD Professional) and the truth that the lighter Toyota Highlander produces greater than 300 horsepower. As such, the 4Runner is kind of gradual, and it isn’t helped by a normal five-speed automated transmission that does it no favors by way of gas financial system. The Bronco’s automated has 5(!) extra gears and there’s an elective guide.
In accordance the EPA, the 4Runner returns 16 mpg metropolis, 19 mpg freeway and 17 mpg mixed no matter drivetrain, which is fairly unhealthy given its weak-sauce energy output. And it will get worse. The TRD Professional’s off-road tires, heavier weight and blunter aerodynamics resulted in us averaging solely 17 mpg in about 250 miles of freeway driving in a TRD Professional. We noticed the low teenagers round city. Against this, we have been seeing 18 to 19 mpg on the freeway in an SR5, which could not look like an enormous distinction, however it’s.
The elective four-wheel drive system supplies excessive and low vary. It’s chosen with a conventional mechanical shifter on TRD fashions, whereas the SR5 and TRD Sport make the most of a knob that engages the identical switch case with a servo. Mainly, it is less complicated to make use of and due to this fact friendlier for the much less off-roading-versed house owners extra probably to purchase these trim ranges. The Restricted additionally has the knob, however it controls a full-time four-wheel-drive system that features a locking heart differential.
Regardless of its rugged body-on-frame building, each 4Runner’s towing capability is simply 5,000 kilos.
What is the 4Runner wish to drive?
Horrible. And in addition superior. It actually relies on the way you take a look at it. Must you evaluate the 4Runner to a different midsize SUV just like the new Honda Passport TrailSport, you will discover this rugged Toyota to be gradual and noisy, with ponderous dealing with that truly will get worse whenever you go for a extra off-road-oriented mannequin (the all-terrain tires make the steering particularly sloppy and imprecise). However, must you evaluate it to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, the 4Runner will probably be comfier, considerably quieter and simply typically extra civilized. On yet one more hand, it is a lot slower than each, with a transmission that does the engine no favors with its inadequate variety of gears.
Off-road, the 4Runner is a monster, and you do not have to get the top-of-the-line TRD Professional to appreciate its potential. Any 4×4 variations will do the job simply positive, although the candy spot is actually the TRD Off-Highway that goes past the SR5 with a locking rear differential, wider tires, Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Choose system, Crawl Management (primarily a low-speed cruise management for getting out of particularly tough off-road conditions) and the elective KDSS disconnecting sway bars that enhance each off-road wheel articulation and on-road dealing with. The latter truly aren’t accessible on the TRD Professional, which solely ups the ante barely with upgraded shocks and tires. Then once more, each the Path Version and TRD Off-Highway supply distinctive colours and tools, which can finally sway the needle of their favor.
What different Toyota 4Runner opinions can I learn?
2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Professional Inside Evaluate
Take a deep dive into the 4Runner’s inside to see simply what we imply by it being antiquated.
Suspension Deep Dive of the 4Runner TRD Off-Highway with KDSS
Engineer Dan Edmunds takes you beneath the 4Runner for an in-depth take a look at how the TRD Off-Highway and the KDSS suspension possibility does what it does.
2020 Toyota 4Runner Baggage Take a look at
This is one other deep dive of a unique selection. We discover out simply how a lot you possibly can stuff into the again of the 4Runner whereas additionally testing the elective pull-out cargo tray.
Toyota 4Runner Cupholder Mega Take a look at
Will a big Nalgene water bottle slot in one of many 4Runner’s cupholders?!? Discover out!
2020 Toyota 4Runner First Drive | Nonetheless ruggedly conventional
We broadly go over final 12 months’s vital revisions after giving the 4Runner an intensive exercise in Moab, Utah.
2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Highway Premium Evaluate | The most effective 4Runner worth
We take a look at the TRD Off-Highway Premium, which is just about the candy spot within the lineup.
What’s the 2024 4Runner worth and the place is it constructed?
It’s essential to notice that the 4Runner’s varied trim ranges don’t simply symbolize a gradual improve in tools like in different Toyotas (LE, XLE, and many others). The TRD Sport and Restricted are extra on-road oriented with an adaptive suspension system, larger wheels and totally different, less-rugged styling (the Restricted will get probably the most luxurious options, too). The TRD Off-Highway trims provides normal four-wheel drive, a locking rear differential, wider tires, Multi-terrain Choose off-road settings, Crawl Management (a form of off-road cruise management), and totally different exterior trim. The KDSS suspension improve is unique to the TRD Off-Roads. The TRD Professional might not get KDSS, however it’s nonetheless probably the most hardcore off-roader of the group due to its Fox shocks, TRD-tuned entrance springs, a TRD cat-back exhaust (it is loud and annoying), an enormous roof rack, LED foglights, 1/4-inch thick entrance skid plate, distinctive styling, 17-inch matte black wheels, Nitto Grappler all-terrain tires (they make the steering worse) and particular ground mats. That is additionally the one trim accessible in Terra.
Pricing was not made official on the time of this writing, however we count on them to be what you’ll see beneath, which all embody the $1,395 vacation spot cost.
SR5: $41,850TRD Sport: $44,710Premium: $44,910TRD Off-Highway: $45,695TRD Off-Highway Premium: $48,275Limited: $51,085TRD Professional: $55,315
The 2024 Toyota 4Runner is inbuilt Tahara, Japan.
What are the 4Runner security rankings and driver help options?
Regardless of being historic, the 4Runner truly comes normal with ahead collision warning with pedestrian detection and automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, and automated excessive beams.
In authorities crash checks, the 4Runner acquired 4 out of 5 stars for total and frontal crash safety, 5 stars for facet safety and a three-star rollover score. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security gave it the best-possible score of “Good” in all crash classes besides the most recent “small overlap entrance: driver facet” class the place it acquired a second-worst “Marginal.” This is not stunning provided that the 4Runner was engineered lengthy earlier than this take a look at was devised and producers have been obliged to design crash constructions to accommodate it.